OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Fender Monterey Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Audio output power:120.00 WBattery life:?IP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:6800 g

Fender Monterey Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

80%

6.9

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 59% of portable speakers
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 60%
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Score components

32%

8.5

Audio

20%

6.8

Battery

18%

6.9

Durability

16%

5.3

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Controls

3%

3.7

Design

3%

4.1

Smart features

â–²Better than 68%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £260
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Fender Monterey

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Score components:

32%

8.5

Audio

20%

6.8

Battery

18%

6.9

Durability

16%

5.3

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Controls

3%

3.7

Design

3%

4.1

Smart features

6.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Fender Monterey has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.5
Audio output power
120 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 120 W which is higher than that of 92.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.4% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
?
Number of drivers
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 4 drivers, which is more than 81.7% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.9% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 20 Hz which is lower than that of 84.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 14% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
?
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
no
This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 81.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
?
Show more
Weight
6,800 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 6,800 g which is heavier than that of 93.3% of portable speakers.
Height
24.76 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 24.76 cm which is taller than that of 86.6% of portable speakers.
Width
34.3 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 34.3 cm which is wider than that of 87% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Depth
13.2 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 13.2 cm which is deeper than that of 72.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Fender Monterey vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 100 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (120 W vs 20 W).
    120 W vs 20 W
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports aptX
    This portable speaker supports aptX, while the average portable speaker does not support aptX.
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • 100 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (120 W vs 20 W).
    120 W vs 20 W
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Supports aptX
    This portable speaker supports aptX, while the average portable speaker does not support aptX.
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
  • 6,000 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (6,800 g vs 800 g).
    6,800 g vs 800 g
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 4.21x less popular
    Fender Monterey is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Fender Monterey is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • Does not support auto power-off
    This portable speaker does not support auto power-off, while the average portable speaker supports auto power-off.
    No automatic inactivity-based power-off.
  • 6,000 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (6,800 g vs 800 g).
    6,800 g vs 800 g
  • 12.36 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (24.8 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    24.76 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 16.2 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (34.3 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    34.3 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 4.9 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (13.2 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    13.2 cm vs 8.3 cm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

W
whathifi.com
14/08/2017
Summary of the review
Fender MontereyGo to product viewer dialog for this item. review
T
trustedreviews.com
28/07/2017
Summary of the review
Fender MontereyGo to product viewer dialog for this item. Review
T
techaeris.com
27/08/2017
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey Bluetooth SpeakerGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. review: An amp-styled Bluetooth speaker with deep, amp-like sound
T
techwelike.com
15/10/2017
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey Bluetooth Speaker Review - TechWeLike
G
gearpatrol.com
18/07/2017
Summary of the review
Fender’s First Bluetooth Speaker Has Classic Looks and Big, Room-Filling Sound
M
mixdownmag.com.au
30/08/2017
Summary of the review
Reviewed: Fender Monterey and Newport Bluetooth Speakers Techaeris
T
techhive.com
18/01/2018
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey Bluetooth speaker review: Rugged, loud, clear, and thumpy
I
iphonelife.com
27/05/2021
Summary of the review
Review: Fender Monterey Bluetooth Speaker If you would like to expand this into a direct feature breakdown or see how its performance compares to simi...
H
heise.de
11/09/2020
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey Review: 120 Watts of Pure Nostalgia
(Translated)Show original
H
heise.de
03/03/2021
Summary of the review
Bluetooth speaker comparison test on heise online
(Translated)Show original
L
lars-test.de
09/03/2023
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey review: 120 watts of full nostalgia
(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
20/02/2018
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey Bluetooth Speaker Review: Concentrated Decibels
(Translated)Show original
A
afdigitale.it
16/08/2017
Summary of the review
Fender Monterey: The Bluetooth speaker with a vintage flavor by AF Digitale
(Translated)Show original
H
hifi.nl
18/07/2017
Summary of the review
Fender launches two new bluetooth speakers
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Fender Monterey

  • Powerful 120W audio output that can easily fill large rooms or outdoor spaces
  • Excellent, well-balanced sound quality with clear vocals and strong, deep bass
  • Iconic, high-quality vintage design modeled after classic '68 Fender amplifiers
  • Solid, rugged build construction featuring a wooden cabinet and durable speaker grille
  • Physical tactile knobs for customized bass, treble, and volume adjustments
  • Versatile connectivity options including Bluetooth, 3.5mm auxiliary, and RCA inputs
  • Delightful, charming details like playing unique guitar riffs when powering on and pairing

What customers don't like about Fender Monterey

  • Lacks portability due to being heavy (around 15 lbs) and relying strictly on AC power with no built-in battery
  • Expensive, luxury price point compared to standard Bluetooth speakers
  • Treble can sound overly harsh or bright at default neutral settings without manual adjustment
  • Missing modern features such as a remote control, optical input, multi-room streaming, or companion app support
  • Does not support phone call functionality or voice smart assistants

Verdict

The Fender Monterey is a powerful 120-watt Bluetooth 4.2 speaker designed to replicate the aesthetic of classic 1968 Fender guitar amplifiers, complete with analog volume, bass, and treble knobs. It features a quad-driver audio system consisting of two 5.12-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters, supporting high-quality aptX and AAC digital codecs alongside dual wired 3.5mm auxiliary and RCA inputs for preamp-equipped turntables. Main advantages include its loud, distortion-free sound reproduction, built-in physical EQ controls, and iconic retro design elements. However, despite being categorized alongside wireless units, it lacks true portability due to a heavy 15-pound build, a complete lack of an internal rechargeable battery requiring constant AC mains power, no speakerphone capability, and minimal stereo separation.

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