When we’re talking Bluetooth speakers, it’s usually about one of the newest and best jobsite radios. They’ve certainly come a long way, but today, I’m departing that path to take a closer listen and look at the Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross Speaker.
I use Denon’s Heos system for my whole home audio needs, so it’s going to take more than just a collaborative name drop to impress me. Billed as both high-quality and portable, the Rockstar Cross looks solid on paper. Let’s start there, and then I’ll tell you what I think after using it as my primary speaker for the past several weeks.
Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross Speaker at a Glance
Key Features
- True Stereo Sound: Two tweeters, a woofer, and two passive radiators provide loud, precise, HIFI sound
- Classic Fender Design: Incorporates a classic style and includes a Fender carry strap and guitar pick
- 3.5mm Connection: Connect headphones, TV, and other wired devices with a standard 3.5mm jack
- Bluetooth Connection: Wirelessly stream audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device
- Qualcomm aptX: Provides higher audio quality than Bluetooth alone
- Dynamore: Developed by Teufel, this technology virtually widens the sound stage, creating a more immersive sound
- Video Synchronization: Perfectly syncs audio to match your device’s video
- Integrated Microphone: Enables hands-free phone, video, and conference calls
- USB Port: Use the integrated battery to charge your device
- IPX5 Ingress Rating: Protected against low-pressure water streams
- Expansion Pairing: Connect two speakers to expand your listening enjoyment
Specifications
- Two high-resolution tweeters
- Five-inch woofer
- Two passive radiators
- 50 – 20000 Hz frequency range
- Integrated 16-hour lithium-ion battery
- 15 x 6.3 x 5.1 inches
- 5.3 pounds
Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross Speaker Sound
Music and Podcasts
I use several different Bluetooth speakers. I might be working, out on the boat, hosting a Sun N Fun airshow watch party in the backyard, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or several other activities. I choose the speaker based on the conditions, and when it comes to portable speakers, I tend to temper my expectations.
However, I was genuinely impressed with what I heard coming from the Rockstar Cross as I listened to rock, jazz, and classical music. The tweeters, woofer, and passive radiators create a very rich sound, and Teufel’s Dynamore system gives it a seemingly impossible fullness for the size of the speaker.
Pleased with the music quality, I turned my attention to voice and jumped on several of my favorite podcasts. Here, I noticed a slight touch of vocal distortion at the very highest volume level. Stepping down just one notch removes it, though. Otherwise, both voice-only and sound effect supported podcasts sound fantastic.
Movies
The final test I ran was on movies, turning to Saving Private Ryan to get a wide range of levels and sound effects. I was again looking for clarity and richness, but also audio syncing. Considering HDMI Arc is the usual go-to for quality and sync, I wondered how well the Rockstar Cross would keep up wirelessly.
The sound quality was enjoyable, again, filling the room much more effectively than you would expect for a speaker this size. The range and clarity were very good, though unsurprisingly not as crisp or deep as a quality 5.1 surround sound system.
As for the syncing, it was spot on. If there was any delay, I couldn’t detect it.
If you’re thinking about this as an option for a sound bar, it’s great for the smaller rooms in your home. Being able to use it fully wirelessly is a nice bonus since you can easily pick it up and take it somewhere else for a while.
It’s also a nice upgrade for your living room, but a true surround sound system will be more immersive.
Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross Speaker Design
The speaker is highly portable and designed to thrive in the outdoors. With an IPX5 ingress rating, it’s not afraid of the rain or getting splashed as you push through the chop in your boat. Just be sure all the port covers are properly in place.
There’s also a full covering of overmold plus front and back recessing that offers some impact protection.
The controls are straightforward if you’ve used a Bluetooth speaker previously. Across the top, you have the microphone activation, volume up/down, and play/pause buttons. The rear has power, Bluetooth pairing, second speaker connection, and outdoor mode buttons.
Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross Speaker Price
You can order the Rockstar Cross directly from the Teufel US website or on Amazon. The regular price is $249.99, but at the time I’m writing this, you can get it for $179.99.
It’s backed by a one-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
When I took the Fender x Teufel Rockstar Cross speaker out of the box, I didn’t expect the sound quality I was about to experience. It’s excellent, and its ability to fill a space far better than other speakers in the same size class makes it a versatile option for a wide range of needs. And, yeah, the classic Fender styling is cool.
If the size meets your needs, don’t overthink it. You’ll have a hard time finding a better portable speaker in this price range.
However, you might be looking for something even smaller for things like day hikes and beach days, or larger that can fill bigger spaces more effectively. In both cases, there’s a Teufel x Fender speaker to meet your needs, so be sure to check out the other options available on the website.
