Fender’s new pro earphones are affordable enough for amateurs

By Kris Wouk Published October 25, 2016

In January, Fender announced that in addition to the guitars, amplifiers, and other musical instruments the company is known for, it would also introduce a new line of in-ear monitors (IEMs). At the time, the company said that the new line would launch in March, but that month came and went without the release.

It may be a little later than the company said, but the new IEMs — a total of five different models — are now available. Though the Fender name would imply that the in-ears are aimed primarily at musicians, the company says that they are meant for everything, and with a range of prices starting at $100 and going up to $500, there are models for a variety of different budgets.

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“Fender Pro In-Ear Monitors offer something for everyone at different price points, transforming the listening experience for performing musicians, audiophiles and serious music lovers, alike,” said Jim Ninesling, VP of Fender Amplifiers and Pro Audio. “These products represent years of development and showcase Fender’s commitment to quality, innovation, and best-in-class design.”

The FXA2, FXA5, FXA6, and FXA7 all feature 3D-printed digital hybrid technology housings, custom-designed drivers, and feature Fender’s patented Hybrid-Dynamic tuned Balanced Armature Array. Each model is available in its own color (all of which are fairly flashy), or in a more subdued metallic black. The lower-end DXA1 comes in a transparent plastic housing.

Every model features a detachable MMCX cable — a nice feature often only seen in higher-end IEMs. A variety of different ear tips, a cleaning tool, and a deluxe carrying case are included with each model, even the more affordable models, making them a solid buy, as long as they fit you well. Fender says that each model fits 95 percent of ears, but we haven’t yet had the chance to try them out and see for ourselves.

The new IEMs are available now from Amazon as well as musician-focused online retailers like American Musical, Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and others, with in-store availability at select retail stores coming soon. For more information, see Fender’s website.

A version of this post first appeared on our “brother site” Digital Trends.

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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