Dutch manufacturer Fairphone has just unveiled a pair of headphones that are fully modular, repairable, and made from recycled and fair trade materials.
Repeat turns electronics industry upside down with high-quality, durable and modular headphones
The confusingly named Fairbuds XL aren’t earbuds, but over-ear headphones packed with tech. Their modular construction allows users to make repairs themselves when necessary, which is why the headphones come with a variety of replacement parts. The right to repair is a hot-button issue right now as gadgets become increasingly expensive and disposable, so the inclusion of a modular design should alleviate some consumer concerns.
First and foremost, these are high-end headphones. They feature a 40mm dynamic audio driver calibrated by industry leader Sonarworks, noise cancellation, and more. The easily replaceable battery lasts 30 hours per charge, and two-point Bluetooth connectivity allows for seamless switching between audio sources. Despite being modular, the Fairbuds XL are still weatherproof with an IP54 water resistance rating.
They integrate with a proprietary app full of repair manuals, EQ presets, and a store to order replacement parts. Fairphone also touts their sustainable design here, using an abundance of recycled plastic, recycled aluminum, and vegan leather. These headphones come with a case made from recycled polyester and nylon.
