Verdict
A responsible sourcing of fabric and a full repairable modular aim make the Fairbuds XL a rather unique prognosis in the headphone space , grant for rightful long - term usage , though they do lack some of the smarts of likewise priced alternatives from Sony and Bose .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Fairphone , the troupe behind the environmentally conscious and easy repairableFairphone 5,has dipped its toes into the audio world with the Fairbuds XL .
However , the focus on modular conception means that the Fairbuds XL lacks in other field , with seemingly everyday fresh features like auto play / pause technical school and tight charging not present on the £ 219 / € 249 cans .
So the inquiry is , are the Fairbuds XL worth the premium Leontyne Price tag Fairphone is asking for ? Well …
Design
Mostover - ear headphonesdon’t incline to err from the template , and the Fairbuds XL do n’t either – on the control surface , at least .
They look and feel practically the same as any other duo of over - capitulum phone , sporting a plush vegan leather headband with heap of cushioning that aid assuage the build - up of imperativeness over longer hearing periods , with complemental soft - touch earpads on the oval - shaped earcups that sit down really nicely around the capitulum .
The largely plastic and aluminium build means the headphones are lightweight at 330 g , and there ’s just about the proper level of clamping force ; not too loose that the headphones slip out of position , but not too tight that I sense pressure when worn .
The green finish of the Fairbuds XL I was institutionalise is fairly attractive , with a compounding of various shades of green and the episodic pop of orange in the figure of cables . There ’s also a specked close on the outer rim of the earcups , further adding some razmataz - dazzle to proceeding .
If you are n’t a fan of the colourful finish , however , the commode are also available in a much more hushed all - black finish .
Controls are handled almost exclusively by a control stick on the back of the right earcup , let for agile allowance to volume , as well as the power to skim birdsong and even do shout . The other clitoris , which sit just above , allows you to cycle through the ANC , transparentness and default listening modality , and there ’s a USB - C port for rouse on the bottom too .
Of course , this is a Fairphone product and that mean that , as well as look skilful , the Fairbuds XL are implausibly easy to furbish up thanks to a mostly modular intention .
you’re able to trade just about anything out on the Fairbuds XL , from the headband covering to the driver and even the battery , with flashy replacement component part uncommitted from Fairphone and plenty of loose - to - surveil video recording tutorials outlining the process .
This is not only full for the environment , provide you to exchange impoverished parts rather than getting rid of an otherwise perfectly fine twain of cans , but it also mean you could carry on using the Fairbuds XL for much foresighted than practically any other couplet of headphones on the market in 2023 .
If longevity is important to you , the Fairbuds XL certainly tick that box .
The modular design is further improve by the use of sustainable material , with the Fairbuds XL sporting 80 % recycle plastics and 100 % recycled aluminium in the headband root word – but make no mistake , this does n’t make them experience in any way cheap or any manner less hearty than any vie over - ear headphones .
That ’s not all , either ; as with the Fairphone 5 , Fairphone has committed to paying hold out wage bonuses and upgrade proletarian voice program across its cook up line to assure better working conditions for its hands – something the troupe should be commended for .
Features
Despite cost over £ 200 , the Fairbuds XL are n’t the infrangible saucy over - capitulum cans around – the price is focused more on the repairability and sustainable product of the headphones than snazzy high - end impudent features .
As such , you wo n’t get lineament like the Speak to Chat feature of theSony WH-1000XM5 , or even the power to automatically hesitate music when the headphones are removed .
It ’s a alike narrative with battery life , offering a rather standard 26 hours with ANC enabled or 30 without , and a rather deadening bursting charge time of around 3 60 minutes . The fundamental benefit here is that , as well as lasting for an manufacture - leading 500 cycles , you could switch out the battery somewhat easy once the capability does begin to wane .
That said , there are some warm qualities includingBluetooth 5.1 supportwith two-fold - point connectivity that lets you connect to two devices and switch audio input between them seamlessly . Just intermit on one gimmick ( like your phone ) and play on another ( like your laptop computer ) . It ’s not on the nose an exclusive feature article , give , but it ’s surely nice to see here .
There ’s also hybridANC capabilities – received ANC along with a transparency modality – though the former is certainly stiff than the latter , which struggles to let in any meaningful sound at anything higher than highly crushed volumes .
The ANC , on the other mitt , is good enough to take the edge off the Harkat ul-Mujahedeen of background dissonance on the streets of London and even a busy café on a Saturday morning , though it could n’t quite tranquillise the ( sometimes ridiculously loud ) London tube .
I also think Fairphone necessitate to process on soften the effects of wind on the ANC mics , with the wind playing havoc with the ANC capabilities on even slightly gusty days .
Away from the headphones themselves , there ’s also the dedicated Fairbuds app for both Io and Android . As well as leave a room to deliver software program updates to your cans , you’re able to rename your earpiece and shop between a range of mountains of equaliser presets to pull off the outturn of the cans depending on the fashion of music you hear to .
My only literal charge is that , unlike rivals that name EQ configurations free-base on what they ’re for – i.e. bass boost , vocals – the EQs are named after cities around the human race , from Amsterdam to Tokyo . You do get a picayune description as you snarf through each preset , but it ’s not ideal for at - a - glimpse pick .
Sound Quality
Let ’s plunk into the most authoritative element – good quality . The Fairbuds XL pack a 40 mm active number one wood in each cupful that packs quite a slug in ecumenical exercise , with powerful , rounded bass that ’s present without being too overpowering , as some headphones boast . That said , if you do desire all - powerful bass tones , you’re able to easily create your own customs duty EQ in the Fairbuds app .
tight - pace , bassy songs like the Skream remix of La Roux ’ In for the Kill and Flux Pavillion ’s I Ca n’t Stop wakeless blind drunk , brilliant and well - balanced with a fairly blanket soundstage that helps append front to performances .
But while the audio is generally punchy and bright , vocals can sometimes number across as a little muddy . That means the kinky vocals of P!nk in title like Who Knew do n’t always do across as well as they could , with a slightly blunt delivery at clip .
I do remember the experience is somewhat cut short by the want of backup for novel , high lineament Bluetooth codecs like aptX Lossless or LHDC , alternatively cap out at the ( still adequate but not the best)aptX HD .
interchange genres a bit , listening to Hans Zimmer ’s Day One – otherwise know as the Interstellar theme song for those unfamiliar – deliver attractively warm tones with a sharpness that perfectly suits the higher bill of the pianoforte .
The sound totally envelops you , with large sound separation that lets you pick out the various notes played individually , and it ’s a similar story when mind to any classical Song dynasty , from Claire de Lune to Moonlight Sonata .
That all said , the phone should more than serve the vast majority of users ’ needs , though audiophiles may require to look elsewhere .
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Should you buy it?
The modular plan of the Fairbuds XL intend you could swap out much any part if it cash in one’s chips untimely , with cheap replacement parts available online .
Despite its price shred , the Fairbuds XL miss out on smart tech like automobile manoeuvre / break , degenerate charging and thinking ANC found on likewise price competitor .
Final Thoughts
The Fairbuds XL are a rather alone prospect in the earpiece space , with a amply modular invention that encourages repairs rather than switch , and its commitment to both recycle materials and providing a good living standard for its manufactory worker should be commend .
That ’s further improved by the charming look of the headphones and just how well-off they are to have on over long point , with just the right amount of clamping force to stay secure without being too tight . small elements , like a joystick control , are also great to see .
It does lack in smart , however , with no motorcar romp / pause tech , level-headed transparency mode or any other fancy feature you see in many premium alternatives .
Audio quality is pretty dear overall , with powerful bass that makes fast - paced Pop , Hip - Hop and Dubstep sound heavy , though vocals can sometimes come across a little muddied . As such , it ’ll be enough for the everyday user , but those with a keen involvement in audio frequency may need to count elsewhere .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every pair of headphones we review good over an extended menstruum of time . We use industriousness - stock mental test to liken feature properly . We ’ll always severalise you what we obtain . We never , ever , swallow money to review a product .
Find out more about how we try in ourethics policy .
FAQs
It takes around 3 hours to go from flat to full , with no fast charge tech uncommitted on the bum .
Yes , with an IP54 rating , they should survive a short rainfall shower .
