Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2: A Stylish, Portable Speaker with Limited Audio Quality
The Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2 is a sleek and portable Bluetooth speaker, offering a fusion of Fender's iconic design and Teufel's engineering prowess. With a cool aesthetic, large battery, and waterproof construction, it's designed to be your go-to companion. However, its audio performance falls short, lacking adjustable EQ and supporting only the AAC codec. For a more comprehensive experience, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a more affordable and feature-rich alternative.
Design: Small, Stylish, and Ready to Go
The Rockster Go 2 is part of a series of Fender x Teufel speakers, all sharing a geometric design. It houses a pair of 1.97-inch speakers and a 2.56-inch passive radiator, delivering a frequency response range of 60Hz to 20,000Hz. Despite its small size (4.3 x 8.3 x 2.4 inches, 1.7 pounds), it's comparable to the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. The fabric mesh, reminiscent of Fender's guitar amplifiers, wraps around the speaker, while a detachable elastic strap allows convenient attachment to various objects, such as bicycle handlebars.
The speaker features four rubber feet for stability and a quarter-inch threaded hole for tripod mounting. However, the overall package feels somewhat flat and cheap, with basic rubber buttons. The controls are limited, offering volume, play/pause, and a special Dynamore mode button. The power and pairing buttons are on the back, along with LED indicators for battery level.
Battery: Long-Lasting, but Not the Best
The Rockster Go 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 15 hours at medium volume, extending to 28 hours with Eco Mode. In comparison, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 offers around 13 hours of playback. Charging takes approximately 5 hours. While the speaker has an Eco Mode, it doesn't activate it by default.
Sound: Lively, Yet Lacking Detail
The Rockster Go 2 delivers lively bass and clear mids, effectively enhancing The Knife's 'Silent Shout' with energetic bass triplets and sub-bass notes. However, it struggles with deeper sub-bass in songs like Kendrick Lamar's 'Loyalty,' emphasizing upper mids and causing harshness in vocals. This overemphasis is also evident in Bill Callahan's 'Drover,' where the guitars and cymbals lack brilliance.
Despite its shortcomings, the speaker's weighty bass and mids can be enjoyable for on-the-go listening. The Dynamore mode enhances stereo separation, making it easier to distinguish instruments in complex tracks. However, the frequency response isn't ideal for orchestral music, and deeper bass instruments may be lacking.
Controversial Takeaway: While the Rockster Go 2 is a stylish and portable speaker, its audio quality is limited. The lack of adjustable EQ and support for advanced codecs make it a less versatile option. For a more comprehensive experience, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion 300, which offers better sound and additional features at a similar price point.
