The Fender MXA2 Bundle is an in-ear monitor by Fender and amplifier by PreSonous designed to give you everything you need to monitor your live on-stage performance. Whether a musician or vocalist a good IEM package can help you get an accurate live mix while cutting down on the feedback from those annoying monitor wedges. Priced at just under $300 the MXA2 is also a step up from the MXA1 (under $200) and musicians may be curious if the MXA2 is worth the extra hundred bucks. I’ve got one right here and I intend to find out.
In The Box
FXA2
Fender FXA2 in-ear monitors
MMCX to 1/8″ cable
Carrying case
Cleaning tool
3-sets of eartips
HP2
Presonus HP2 amplifier
Power supply
Full set of A/C plug adapters (for your world tour)
Balanced stereo 1/4″ to 5-pin balanced cable
Microphone stand mounting adapter
Features
Fender FXA2
The Fender FXA2 in-ear monitors have an improved housing design over the DXA1. The shape of the earphones fit very well in my ears and the eartips got a great seal. Inside are 9.2mm precision rare-earth drivers with a Groove-tuned™ port. This port allows some of the building pressure to release for a more balanced sound response. The frequency range on the FXA2 earphones is 6Hz to 23kHz… plenty to relay the full mix. The MMCX style cables allow for future replacement if you ever get a frayed or worn wire.
PreSonus HP2
The PreSonus HP2 is the same amplifier that comes with the MXA1 bundle. On the top is the volume and pan knob along with a mono/stereo switch and 1/8″ headphone jack. The cool thing about the pan knob is that it can be used for more than just hearing the left or right side of your mix. You can actually have the sound engineer send you two different versions of the mix (one in the left and one in the right). Then pan for the mix you want to hear whenever you need it. Pressing the mono button will sum them up so you can hear them both at the same time.
On the bottom side of the HP2 is the power button, 9v A/C plug and a 5-pin balanced input. This 5-pin plug is designed exclusively for the balanced 1/4″ cable (included) that will be bringing signal from the mixing board.
Finally, on the back of the HP2 is a belt clip to keep the volume and pan controls handy. And underneath the clip is the 9v battery chamber so you can be free of the short A/C cable. Two LED indicators on the top side will let you know when the power is on… or the battery is low.
How Does It Sound?
For the sound test I used the same method of testing the MXA2 as with the MXA1… Hi-Res files direct from the monitor output on my Pro-Tools setup.
The Fender FXA2 in-ear monitor is an improved design over the DXA1. The 9.2mm rare-earth drivers work in unison with the Groove-tuned™ port to create a more balanced sound. The bass is still great but the port helps release some of the built up bass that can cause the mix to get a bit muddy. Combine that with an amazing in-ear fit and a frequency range of 6Hz to 23kHz and you’ve got a nice IEM for the price. The mids on the FXA2 are quite a bit more noticeable over the DXA1 and the highs seem a bit better too. And the HP2 gets you ample SPL for those high volume live gigs.
Final Analysis
In conclusion, the Fender MXA2 Bundle is a great package for the price. Although similar to the MXA1 you get the much improved sound and design of the Fender FXA2 in-ear monitors giving you a more balanced and accurate sound. It’s definitely worth the extra dough for better sound of your monitor mix. Although I still wish these were both balanced armatures rather than dynamic I think this Fender / PreSonus bundle is still a great value for the price (just under $300). And read my Review of the Fender MXA1 Bundle to find out about a nice entry level IEM for even less.
You can get the Fender MXA2 in-ear monitor and amp bundle for the best price from these online retailers:
Amazon: Fender MXA2 Bundle with FXA2 Pro In-Ear Monitors & PreSonus HP2 Headphone Amplifier
Specifications
HP2 Features:
Level and Pan controls
Sturdy belt clip
5/8” microphone stand mount socket
Stereo 1/8″ headphone connector
Balanced 1/4″ inputs
FXA-2 Features:
Custom 9.25mm precision rare-earth drivers with Groove-tuned™ port
Universal fit wears like a custom monitor, providing cushion-like comfort
6Hz-23kHz frequency response for lifelike sound reproduction
112dB @1mW sensitivity for distortion-free audio
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