Fairphone Fairbuds XL: ethical and sustainable headphones

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones stand out with their ethical and modular design. Created using sustainable and recycled materials, the Fairphone Bluetooth headphones have a major advantage: how easy they are to repair. Characteristics that far exceed current industry standards. But can these eco-friendly headphones, priced at €249, compete with their rivals on a musical level?

Fairphone, a brand with convictions

In a world of perpetual technological evolutions, where rapid innovation is accompanied by a negative impact on the planet, Fairphone stands out for its bold vision. This Dutch company is committed to revolutionizing the phone industry by proposing fairer, more sustainable solutions. Through highly repairable smartphones, it has demonstrated its desire to design fair trade products that combine respect for people and the environment.

In its quest for technological equity, Fairphone hasn’t just limited itself to smartphones. It is now extending its ethical approach to include True Wireless earbuds and Bluetooth headphones. The Fairphone True Wireless earphones and Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones embody this revolutionary initiative, combining sound quality and ethical values. 

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: accessories

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones come in a cardboard box alongside a pouch and a quick start guide. Staying true to its sustainable approach, the brand hasn’t included a USB-C charging cable, as the majority of users already have at least one at home. However, it is a shame that there isn’t a hard carrying case to protect the headphones during transport.

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: presentation

Sustainability

The casing of the Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones is made of 80% recycled plastic. The structure is composed of 100% recycled aluminum, which reinforces the headphones while reducing their environmental impact. Moreover, the soldering is done using recycled tin, a further contribution to an eco-friendly production. 

The ethical aspect of the Fairphone Fairbuds XL doesn’t stop there. Fairtrade gold is used to create the electronics inside the headphones, guaranteeing responsible sourcing practices for this precious metal. Naturally, the integrated battery can be replaced. Even the carrying pouch – the only accessory supplied with the headphones – is made from 100% recycled nylon, reducing the need for new raw materials.

In addition, Fairphone is actively committed to improving the working conditions of its employees by donating $0.55 per headset sold to its production chain. This action contributes to creating a positive impact on the lives of the workers involved in making these headphones.

Easy repairs

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones differ from most models with their modularity, providing users with a sustainable and economical solution. The various parts of the headphones are designed to be easily replaceable at home, without having to send them back to the product support department.

Each element can be bought separately on the app or the manufacturer’s website. For example, the adjustable headband and the headband base are both available for €19.95. The ear cushions, essential for comfort, can be replaced for €14.95 and the covers for €5.95. This ensures that your Fairbuds XL headphones are always in perfect condition. The right transducer (a different model than the left transducer, which incorporates the battery) can be replaced for €79.95. This effort to make the headphones easily repairable increases their lifespan while reducing their environmental impact.

Design

Available in black or green, the Fairphones Fairbuds XL headphones have an understated design. There are, of course, details that place emphasis on repairability. The detachable transducer cable is visible and long enough to fit comfortably over the headband, even when set to its maximum size. The headband is also covered by a two-piece leatherette lining, making it easy to replace if it becomes worn.

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL’s ear cups are composed of two articulated parts. Each earpiece features the brand’s logo. On the right-hand side are the USB port and two control buttons, including an aluminum joystick for navigation.

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones are foldable for easy transport. The ear cups don’t swivel, but they provide a good fit. The headphones are relatively heavy, with a weight of 330 grams, which can cause some discomfort on the top of the head during long listening sessions.

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones’ IP54 certification ensures resistance against dust and splashes, making them perfect for daily use and even sports sessions. This gives users the reassurance that their headphones can withstand various usage conditions.

Bluetooth or wireless use

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones are equipped with a Bluetooth 5.1 module. Compatible with the AAC and SBC codecs, they can be connected to any smartphone, tablet or DAP wirelessly. Moreover, the aptX HD codec is supported to provide optimal transmission. The convenient Multipoint function allows you to connect several devices simultaneously. The Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones can switch from a computer to a smartphone so that you don’t miss any calls.

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones’ connectivity goes beyond a simple wireless connection. They feature a multi-functional USB-C port for recharging and listening to music via a USB-C cable (not included). However, we would have appreciated a 3.5mm mini-jack input, which could be used to listen to an external analog source.

Physical controls and voice assistants

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones provide a variety of convenient controls. The ingenious joystick lets you skip through tracks, adjust the volume and answer phone calls. The second button is designed specifically to activate the active noise cancelling and the transparent mode, or to deactivate all modes.

Thanks to their six microphones, two on the left and four on the right, the Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones ensure optimal voice pickup when making calls and interacting with voice assistants (Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri).

Control app

In order to fully enjoy the Fairphone Fairbuds XL, the free Fairbuds app can be downloaded onto any iOS or Android smartphone. It provides access to various audio presets created in collaboration with Sonarworks. Thanks to its SoundID app, this company collected data on user preferences for various headphone brands, including Sony and B&O, which was essential in developing the Signature EQ presets for the Fairbuds application. These include three customized settings inspired by the most popular headphone brands. In addition to an exclusive “Amsterdam” preset specially designed for Fairphone, a 5-band equalizer is also available.

Furthermore, all the headphones’ components are listed in the app. Because they are easy to take apart, the headphones can be repaired at home without having to send them to the brand’s product service department (less CO2 emissions)!

Active noise cancelling, transparent mode

Equipped with 40mm transducers, the Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones reproduce frequencies from 50Hz to 20kHz. Thanks to their active noise cancelling system, they effectively eliminate surrounding noise, whether you’re travelling by plane or train, or simply want to enjoy a peaceful oasis. Although the ANC isn’t on a par with the market’s tenors, it effectively reduces most unwanted noise, particularly in the lows. However, higher-pitched noises are still quite audible. We also regret that there’s no way to adjust the degree of noise cancelling.

The ambient mode allows you to remain aware of your surroundings without having to remove the headphones. It transfers external sounds to the headphones so that the listener remains fully aware of what’s going on around them. This “transparent” mode also proved highly effective.

30-hour battery life

The Fairphone Fairbuds wireless headphones have a comfortable battery life that reaches 30 hours when the ANC is deactivated. Even with the ANC, users can enjoy 26 hours of playback. Another highlight is the Fairphone Fairbuds XL’s replaceable battery, which extends the lifespan of the headphones if necessary. However, we would have appreciated an automatic shutdown function after a certain period of time, to preserve the battery when we removed the headphones but didn’t turn them off. 

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: key specifications

• Design: over-ear
• 40mm dynamic transducers
• Water resistance: IP54 (light rain and perspiration)
• Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• AAC, SBC, aptX HD Bluetooth / Multipoint
• USB-C port for charging and digital/analog playback
• ANC / Transparent mode
• Weight: 330g

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: listening conditions

For our review, we connected the Fairphone Fairbuds XL noise-cancelling headphones to the Fairphone 4 smartphone and a computer via Bluetooth. We listened to Hi-Res music streamed from Qobuz.

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: listening impressions

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones offered well-balanced sound. On The Weeknd’s song Starboy, the bass was punchy without being intrusive, vocals were clear and sound effects were also well rendered. On Billie Eilish’s Billie Bossa Nova, the bass was well controlled, but the high frequencies were lacking in clarity slightly and sounded veiled at times.

The presets available in the app allow you to adjust the sound signature according to the content you are listening to and your own audio preferences. However, the five-band equalizer offers the highest degree of customization.

The headphones can also be used in passive wired mode when they’re switched off. This is a real advantage when it comes to continuing to enjoy your music, even when the battery is flat! With this configuration, the sound was flatter and tended to lack impact and depth. Note that for non-Bluetooth-compatible sources, the headphones can be used switched on with the USB-C connector to enjoy a better musical reproduction.

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: compared to…

DeeBee dB Pulse

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL stand out with their ethical and sustainable approach, with significant repairability and durable materials, while the DeeBee dB Pulse focus more on aesthetics. In terms of sound performance, the two models are fairly similar – although the DeeBee dB Pulse headphones seem slightly more balanced – and both offer a five-band equalizer.

JBL Tour One M2

Once again, the Fairphone Fairbuds XL differ with their eco-friendly design. However, the JBL Tour One M2 is more centered on audio performance. In addition to deeper bass, crisper highs and richer mids, it offers advanced noise cancelling and remarkable comfort, far superior to the Fairphone headphones.

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: who are they for?

For those who prefer to use their tech devices for many years, the Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones could well be the ideal choice, all the more so if environmentalism is a priority for you. One of the Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones’ strengths also lies in their ability to be easily repaired at home if they break or become worn. A unique option on the market!

Fairphone Fairbuds XL: conclusion

The Fairphone Fairbuds XL Bluetooth headphones have a globally successful design. Although they don’t reach the heights of similar models, they nonetheless deliver a satisfying sound experience. Whilst not the best in its class, the active noise cancelling (ANC) is still powerful, and the long battery life makes it an ideal companion for listening to music at home, as well as on the go.

We liked

• The modular and easy to repair design
• The IP54 certification
• The ability to use them passively
• The intuitive joystick
• Multipoint Bluetooth

We would have liked

• A hard carrying case
• Greater definition in the highs
• A jack connector