Amsterdam-based firm Fairphone, identified for its dedication to sustainability and repairability within the electronics business, has expanded its product vary to incorporate user-repairable wi-fi headphones. The newly-launched Fairbuds XL over-ear headphones observe the identical ideas as the corporate’s modular smartphones, providing customers an alternative choice to the disposable nature of many digital units.
What units the Fairbuds XL aside is their design, which contains 9 modular elements that may be simply changed or repaired. The elements embrace the battery, speaker-to-speaker cable, earcap covers, headband, ear cushion, headband base, audio system, and headband cowl. Prospects can order these elements by way of the corporate’s web site or the Fairbuds app, enabling them to increase the lifespan of their headphones and cut back digital waste.
Priced at €249, the Fairbuds XL headphones are primarily bought in Europe, though some authorised resellers ship them to different elements of the world. These headphones function a number of spectacular specs, together with a 30-hour battery life, 40 mm dynamic drivers for high-quality sound, and energetic noise cancellation. In addition they come outfitted with a USB-C connector for charging, a 10-meter Bluetooth vary, and assist for sensible assistants.
Fairphone emphasizes the environmental and social influence of its merchandise. The Fairbuds XL are constructed from one hundred pc recycled plastics, aluminum, and tin solder paste at any time when attainable. Moreover, the corporate pledges to pay $0.55 per headphone to fill the residing wage hole for manufacturing line staff, additional selling honest working circumstances. Aligning with the European Union’s objectives to scale back e-waste and transition to a round economic system by 2050, Fairphone’s strategy aligns with upcoming insurance policies such because the Proper to Restore and Ecodesign for Sustainable Merchandise.
By way of performance, the Fairbuds XL ship spectacular sound high quality and energetic noise cancellation. They provide a frequency response vary of 20Hz to 20KHz and assist Bluetooth 5.1 with dual-point connectivity, permitting customers to attach and change between two paired units. Fairphone has additionally partnered with Sonarworks, a sound calibration firm, to supply SoundID software program, enabling customers to customize their audio profiles for a extra personalised listening expertise.
Whereas the Fairbuds XL design might not match the cutting-edge aesthetics of some high-end headphones, their give attention to sustainability and repairability units them aside. Fairphone’s dedication to offering user-repairable and eco-friendly merchandise contributes to the corporate’s mission to create a extra sustainable and moral electronics business. By empowering customers to restore and substitute elements, Fairphone goals to scale back digital waste and promote a round economic system whereas providing a high quality audio expertise.
