If Fender had waited a little longer, we'd probably be listening to music directly through neural interfaces. While Marshall has been selling its "lifestyle" since 2010, it took Fender forever to get on board. But here they are, in 2026, with the Fender MIX headphones. Did they miss the party, or did they finally deliver the sound we've all been waiting for? So - the Fender MIX headphones.
The world of audiophile equipment has become a bit boring in recent years. Everyone is copying Sony and Bose, add a little more bass and call it a “revolution.” Fender, the company that literally invented the electric guitar sound as we know it, has been sitting on the sidelines until now. They may have been busy painting their Stratocasters in new sunset hues. But with the series Fender Audio and new headphones – Fender MIX headphones They finally stepped out of the garage. And thank God, they didn't just make another piece of plastic with a logo.
Fender's approach is refreshingly... pragmatic. It's almost as if they know that musicians don't have money to throw away. The MIX headphones are modular. That means you can replace the ear pads, the headband, and – get this – even the battery. In an age where most technology ends up in the trash when the battery dies, this is a move worthy of a standing ovation. It's like the old Mercedes W123; built to outlive its owner.
Numbers that are no joke – Fender MIX headphones
Let's take a look under the hood. The heart of these headphones is 40 mm (1.57 inches) Graphene drivers. Graphene is that wonder material that's lighter than a feather and harder than a diamond, which in practice means distortion-free sound, even when you crank the volume all the way up. And trust me, you'll want it.
But the real star here is the battery. Fender promises 100 hours of playback without ANC. Read that again. One hundred hours. That's enough to drive from Lisbon to Vladivostok and back, and still have enough energy left over to listen to the entire Pink Floyd discography. If you turn on hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), the number drops to a still impressive 52 hoursAnd if you're the kind of person who always forgets to charge your devices (that's all of us), fast charging in just 15 minutes provide 8 hours operation.
Connectivity for 2026
Since it's 2026, regular Bluetooth isn't enough anymore. Fender has included a special transmitter FWD Tx USB-C. Why is this important? Because it allows lossless LHDC-V streaming at 96kHz/24bitFor those of you who don't speak audiophile lingo: that means you'll hear a bass player accidentally kick a microphone stand in the studio in 1974.
In addition, they support LC3 low latency protocol, which is crucial for gamers, and technology Auracast, which allows you to stream audio to multiple devices at once. And for purists? Yes, there's still good old 3.5 mm (0.14 inch) analog input. Because sometimes the battery runs out, but rock'n'roll can't stop.
ELIE: The speakers with the most pretentious name in the world
In addition to headphones, Fender has also introduced a series of portable speakers ELIJAHThe name is an abbreviation for Extremely Loud Infinitely Expressive (Extremely loud, infinitely expressive.) If that's not the most rock-star name in history, then I don't know what is.
There are two models available: E6 with 60W power and greater E12 with 120WBoth use Waves system-on-a-chip technology to reduce distortion at high volumes. But what really sets them apart from the flood of JBLs and other “rollers” on the beach are the inputs. They have XLR and 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) instrument inputs. Yes, you can plug your guitar into this speaker and actually play. You can link multiple units together and create a real stage in the middle of the park. This isn't just a speaker, it's a mini amp for a generation that doesn't have the space for a full stack.
Design and price – Fender MIX headphones
The headphones come in two colors: “Olympic White” and “Skyscraper Black.” If you’re familiar with Fender guitars, you know these are iconic colors. Price? 300 US dollars (around €285). Considering you're getting modular headphones with specs that rival much more expensive models, the price seems surprisingly reasonable. Almost suspiciously reasonable.
Conclusion
Fender entered the world of consumer electronics late, perhaps even too late for some cynics. But they entered in their own way. Not with cheap plastic, but with a product that respects the brand's heritage. Fender MIX they're not just another pair of headphones; they're a statement that good things (and long battery life) come to those who wait.
Are they better than the competition? On paper, they certainly look like a heavyweight winner. Modularity is the “killer feature” that everyone should adopt. If they sound half as good as a Fender Stratocaster looks in Jimi Hendrix’s hands, then we have a new king. And if they don’t? They’ll still look damn good around your neck.
My rating: Finally someone who understands that we want to fix equipment, not throw it away. $300 well spent.
