EarthQuaker Devices has announced the Stereo Easy Listening, expanding its analog amp simulator lineup with stereo routing, dual XLR outputs, an auxiliary input and three-band active EQ. Announced on September 10, 2026, the unit carries a US minimum advertised price of $249 and supports headphone practice, direct recording and ampless live performance.
The new model follows the original Easy Listening, introduced in summer 2025 as an all-analog headphone amp with speaker cabinet simulation. According to the Akron, Ohio-based manufacturer, stronger-than-expected demand and customer requests helped shape the expanded design.
Customer Feedback Drives New Features
EarthQuaker Devices founder and president Jamie Stillman said player suggestions prompted an unusual departure from his normal design process.
“Very rarely do I alter a design based on customer feedback, but this was one of those times where the ideas were just too good to ignore,” Stillman explained. “Integrating an auxiliary input, stereo functionality, and XLR outputs made perfect sense. Combined with the active EQ, it elevates the entire design to a whole new level of flexibility.”
Like the original Easy Listening, the stereo model takes its foundational voicing from a classic American amplifier. Bass, Middle and Treble controls now provide active tone shaping, which the company says also allows players to explore sounds associated with British amplifiers.
EarthQuaker describes the revised circuitry as low-noise and high-fidelity, with clean headroom designed to accommodate hot signals from vintage fuzz pedals and modern gain stages.
Stereo Routing and Independent Analog Preamps
Dual 1/4-inch inputs accept stereo signals, which can feed two XLR outputs, a 1/4-inch stereo headphone output, or both simultaneously. The routing is designed to preserve the stereo image of an effects setup.
Connecting a mono signal to the left input automatically feeds it to two identical, independent preamps, each with analog speaker cabinet simulation. This runs the mono source through both signal paths.
A separate stereo auxiliary input accepts audio from a phone, computer, drum machine or another accompaniment source. It has its own level control and leaves the source unaffected, allowing musicians to play along through headphones or route backing tracks through the unit during live performances.
Direct Recording Without Digital Modeling
The Stereo Easy Listening uses a fully analog signal path and discrete speaker cabinet simulation, with no menus, impulse response loading or software updates. It is intended for placement at the end of a signal chain, including setups that use digital effects upstream.
For recording, the unit provides amp and cabinet simulation without requiring a physical amplifier or microphone. Its XLR outputs support direct connections for recording and front-of-house use, while the headphone output enables silent practice.
EarthQuaker positions the design as a way to retain the response of an analog preamp when tracking into a DAW or performing without an amplifier.
Stereo Easy Listening Specifications and Price
- Controls: Level, Auxiliary level, Bass, Middle and Treble
- Instrument inputs: Dual 1/4-inch inputs
- Outputs: Dual XLR outputs and a 1/4-inch stereo headphone output
- Auxiliary input: 1/4-inch stereo TRS; tip carries the left channel, ring carries the right
- Headphone connection: 1/4-inch stereo TRS; tip carries the left channel, ring carries the right
- Current draw: 200 mA
- Input impedance: 1 MΩ
- Auxiliary input impedance: 1 MΩ
- Headphone output impedance: 10 Ω
- XLR output impedance: 100 Ω
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- US minimum advertised price: $249
The Stereo Easy Listening is made in Akron, Ohio, where EarthQuaker Devices builds its effects pedals by hand. The company designs its products for full-frequency response and use across instruments, and has received recognition from Best Guitar Effects for inclusion, diversity and cooperation with other pedal manufacturers.
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