Fairphone Fairbuds True Wireless Earbuds Review
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Premium sound: The Fairbuds boast a rich and high-quality audio experience, thanks to their expertly tuned titanium-coated 11mm drivers. You can expect exceptional sound clarity and depth.
State-of-the-art ANC with wind suppression: The advanced active noise cancellation technology effectively blocks out unwanted external noise, ensuring an immersive listening experience. The addition of wind suppression further enhances the clarity of your audio, even in blustery conditions.
Crystal clear calls: With six built-in microphones and ambient noise cancellation, your phone calls will remain clear and intelligible, even when you’re outdoors amidst noisy surroundings.
Latest multipoint Bluetooth connection: The Fairbuds allow for simultaneous connection to multiple devices, making it convenient for seamless switching between your smartphone, tablet, and other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets.
IP54 rating for sweat and weather resistance: These earbuds are built to withstand your active lifestyle. They are sweat-resistant and can handle different weather conditions, ensuring their durability in various environments.
Customizable EQ: The Fairbuds come with a user-friendly app that allows you to personalize the audio settings. The custom 8-band EQ lets you adjust the earbuds to match your preferred sound profile, catering to individual preferences.
Impressive playtime: With up to 6 hours of battery life and an additional 25 hours provided by the charging case, the Fairbuds offer ample playtime to keep you entertained throughout the day. Keep in mind that these numbers include the case’s contribution.
Repairable and sustainable: The Fairbuds are designed with sustainability in mind. They feature replaceable batteries for both the earphones and the case, ensuring longevity. The modular housing consists of seven interchangeable parts, making repairs and replacements easier when necessary.
Ethical production: The Fairbuds are made from fair and recycled materials. The inclusion of fair (gold, cobalt, silver, copper) and recycled (plastic, tin, rare earths) materials emphasizes the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The production process also ensures fair factory conditions and employee participation.
Climate-conscious and electronic waste neutral: The Fairbuds actively contribute to a healthier planet by reducing their carbon footprint. The brand focuses on climate-conscious practices and aims to neutralize electronic waste.
Durable design: With a 3-year warranty, the sweat and weatherproof Fairbuds are built to last. They provide reliable protection for years to come, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite tunes without worrying about wear and tear.
The Fairbuds promise: Not only do these earbuds deliver exceptional sound quality, but they also promote ethical production practices and environmental responsibility. They are a truly fair choice that considers both your listening experience and the well-being of our planet. Say goodbye to compromise – with Fairbuds, you can enhance your audio while making a positive impact.
Technical Specifications
- Sound: Premium sound with skilfully tuned titanium-coated 11mm drivers
- ANC: State-of-the-art ANC with wind suppression
- Microphones: 6 microphones for crystal clear calls even outdoors
- Noise Cancellation: Ambient noise cancellation
- Bluetooth: Latest multipoint Bluetooth connection for simultaneous connection to multiple devices
- Resistance: IP54 rating for sweat and weather resistance (for earplugs)
- EQ: Custom 8-band EQ adjustment via app
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours of playtime with 25 hours additional playtime (including bag)
- Repairability: Repairable earplugs with replaceable batteries (earphones and case) and modular housing
- Materials: Made from fair (gold, cobalt, silver, copper) and recycled (plastic, tin, rare earths) materials
- Wages and Participation: Bonus for living wages and employee participation
- Climate Consciousness: Climate-conscious and electronic waste neutral
- Sound Features: Customizable presets in the Fairbuds app
- Durability: Sweat and weatherproof design with a 3-year warranty
- Modularity: Modular design with seven interchangeable parts
- Warranty: 3-year extended warranty
The Fairbuds: Ethical Audio Meets Everyday Use
As the market for wireless earbuds continues to expand, consumers are often inundated with a myriad of choices. Among the latest entries, the Fairbuds have carved out a distinct niche with their unique blend of environmental consciousness and robust audio performance. But how do they stack up against industry stalwarts like Apple’s AirPods Pro and Sony’s WF-1000XM4? Let’s dive in.
Sound Quality
The Fairbuds impress with their titanium-coated 11mm drivers, promising a premium and rich audio experience. Similar to Sony’s WF-1000XM4, which also boasts high-resolution audio support, the Fairbuds cater to audiophiles with a penchant for clarity and depth. However, while they deliver a commendable sound profile, pulling them slightly ahead in some respects, audiophiles may notice that Fairbuds slightly trail behind the tailored tuning and expansive soundstage offered by the AirPods Pro.
Active Noise Cancellation and Call Quality
Boasting state-of-the-art ANC complete with wind suppression and a 6-microphone array for ambient noise cancellation, the Fairbuds ensure clear calls even in bustling environments. Comparatively, their performance aligns well with the AirPods Pro and WF-1000XM4, both revered for their superior noise-cancelling technologies. However, some users might find that the Fairbuds’ ANC isn’t as finely tuned to different frequencies as Sony’s offering, which remains a benchmark in the industry.
Durability and Design
The durability of Fairbuds is where these earbuds truly shine. With an IP54 rating for sweat and weather resistance and a 3-year warranty, they promise longevity that many competitors, including the AirPods Pro, don’t necessarily extend. Their modular, repairable design—featuring replaceable batteries and interchangeable parts—further enforces their commitment to sustainability. In contrast, most mainstream models don’t offer such extensive repairability, making the Fairbuds a standout for eco-conscious consumers.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Fairbuds come equipped with the latest multipoint Bluetooth connection, allowing users to simultaneously connect to multiple devices seamlessly. There’s stiff competition here with models from Jabra’s Elite series, which also excel in multipoint functionality. The Fairbuds offer up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge, extending to 25 hours with the charging case. While this is competitive, it falls just short of Sony’s WF-1000XM4, which can reach up to 8 hours of continuous usage with ANC on.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
What sets the Fairbuds apart most distinctly is their ethical and environmental approach. Built from fair and recycled materials, and assembled under fair labor conditions, these earbuds are engineered to be both sustainable and socially responsible. The brand’s commitment to living wages and employee participation further underscores their ethical grounding. No other major competitor, including Apple or Sony, can claim the same level of investment in fair labor practices and environmental sustainability, making the Fairbuds a unique proposition in the market.
The Final Word
In summary, the Fairbuds cater to those who value both high-quality sound and the principles of sustainability and ethical manufacturing. While they may not surpass the audio fidelity or ANC performance of the AirPods Pro or Sony’s WF-1000XM4, they hold their own in many respects and offer unmatched durability and ethical considerations. They are ideal for conscientious consumers looking for a balance between premium audio performance and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
