Fender Audio ELIE Speakers: Multi-Source Audio at CES 2026

Fender%20Audio&type=organization" class="entity-link entity-org text-green-600 dark:text-green-400 hover:underline cursor-pointer">Fender Audio has officially entered the consumer electronics space with its debut at CES 2026. The legendary guitar manufacturer is leveraging its decades of audio engineering expertise to launch a new line of personal audio gear under the Fender Audio brand name.

The centerpiece of this launch is the ELIE series of portable Bluetooth speakers. These devices are designed to bridge the gap between high-fidelity sound and rugged portability. The name itself—short for "Extremely Loud Infinitely Expressive"—hints at the company's ambition to deliver uncompromising performance.

What sets the ELIE speakers apart is their scalability. While most portable speakers are limited to single-unit playback or simple stereo pairing, Fender's new system allows for massive audio setups. Users can link two units for a standard stereo experience, or they can network up to 100 speakers together for event-grade sound coverage.

Perhaps most notably, the speakers address a common frustration in portable audio: the need to choose between audio sources. The ELIE series supports multi-source audio streaming, permitting simultaneous playback from up to four different devices. This feature ensures that social gatherings don't require passing a single phone around to control the playlist.

The launch of Fender Audio represents a significant expansion for a company synonymous with musical instruments. For over 75 years, Fender has been the backbone of the music industry, providing guitars, basses, and amplifiers to generations of musicians. Now, that heritage is being applied to consumer technology.

At CES 2026, the company revealed that this move is a strategic response to the growing demand for premium portable audio. The ELIE speakers are the first products to bear the new Fender Audio badge, serving as the flagship for a broader ecosystem that includes wireless headphones.

The design philosophy behind the brand seems to prioritize versatility. Rather than focusing solely on audiophiles, Fender Audio is targeting a wider demographic that values both sound quality and social connectivity. The ability to sync 100 speakers suggests a focus on outdoor events, parties, and large gatherings where standard Bluetooth speakers often fall short.

By leveraging its existing reputation for durability and tone, Fender is positioning itself to compete directly with established audio brands. The ELIE launch serves as the foundation for what the company hopes will be a dominant presence in the consumer electronics market.

The ELIE speakers are built around a core concept of expansion. While they function perfectly as standalone units, their true potential is unlocked through connectivity. The system supports two primary modes of operation: stereo pairing and mass synchronization.

In stereo mode, users can link two speakers of the same size to create a dedicated left/right channel setup. This is ideal for smaller spaces or critical listening sessions where spatial separation enhances the experience.

The mass sync mode is the technical marvel of the system. Documents show that the architecture supports connecting and synchronizing up to 100 individual units. This creates a cohesive sound field capable of covering large areas without the latency issues that plague most Bluetooth mesh networks.

Both sizes of the ELIE speakers share these connectivity features, ensuring that users aren't forced to buy the larger model to access the full feature set. The system is designed to be modular, allowing users to start small and expand their setup over time as their needs change.

The most user-centric feature of the ELIE series is the ability to accept audio from multiple sources simultaneously. This addresses a specific pain point in social settings where multiple people want to contribute to the playlist.

According to the specifications, the speakers support audio input from up to four different devices at once. This means four different smartphones can be connected to the speaker, and any of them can play audio without needing to disconnect and reconnect.

This multi-input architecture fundamentally changes the dynamic of social listening. Instead of a designated DJ who controls the music for the entire evening, the ELIE system democratizes the audio stream. It allows for a more organic flow of music where guests can add tracks to the rotation seamlessly.

The feature is integrated into the core Bluetooth functionality, meaning it doesn't require a proprietary app or complex setup. Once the speakers are paired, the multi-source capability is active and ready to use. This makes the ELIE speakers particularly attractive for casual gatherings where technical friction can ruin the vibe.

The introduction of the ELIE speakers positions Fender Audio as a serious contender in the competitive portable audio market. By combining massive scalability with user-friendly features, the company is offering something that few competitors can match.

The ability to scale from a single speaker to a 100-speaker network provides a growth path for consumers. Users can purchase a single unit for personal use, then acquire additional units as their budget or needs expand. This modularity is a significant advantage over fixed systems that require large upfront investments.

While pricing and specific release dates were not detailed in the initial announcement, the timing of the CES 2026 reveal suggests a rollout in the first half of the year. The wireless headphones announced alongside the speakers indicate that Fender Audio is launching with a complete product line rather than a piecemeal approach.

The market response will likely depend on how well the multi-source and mass-sync features perform in real-world conditions. If the technology delivers on its promises, the ELIE series could disrupt the way large-scale portable audio is utilized.