FAIRPHONE Fairbuds XL Modular Headphones Instruction Manual
- June 16, 2024
- FAIRPHONE
Table of Contents
FAIRPHONE Fairbuds XL Modular Headphones
Product Information
Specifications
- Modular over-ear headphones
- Sustainably designed
- Includes recycled and fair materials
- Fairtrade gold integrated in the supply chain
- Vegan leather and recycled materials used
- Headband base made of 100% recycled aluminium
- Travel pouch made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon
- Climate-conscious design with reduced carbon footprint
- Comes with the Fairbuds App for customization and support
- Signature sound professionally tuned by Sonarworks
FAQ
- Q: Can I use the Fairbuds XL headphones with wired connections?
- A: No, the Fairbuds XL headphones are designed for wireless Bluetooth connectivity and do not have a wired connection option.
- Q: How long does the battery of the Fairbuds XL last on a full charge?
- A: The battery life of the Fairbuds XL headphones can vary depending on usage. On average, you can expect up to 20 hours of playback time on a full charge.
- Q: Can I use the Fairbuds XL with multiple devices simultaneously?
- A: No, the Fairbuds XL can only be connected to one device at a time. To connect to a different device, disconnect the headphones from the current device and pair them with the new device.
- Q: Are the ear cushions replaceable?
- A: Yes, the ear cushions of the Fairbuds XL headphones are replaceable. If you need to replace them, you can order replacement cushions through the Fairbuds App or contact customer service for assistance.
Product Usage Instructions
Unboxing and Assembly
When you receive your Fairbuds XL, follow these steps to set up the headphones:
- Open the packaging and take out all the components.
- Attach the earcups to the headband by aligning the connectors and gently pressing them together until you hear a click.
- Ensure that the earcups are securely attached to the headband.
Charging
The Fairbuds XL headphones come with a built-in rechargeable battery. To charge the headphones:
- Connect the included USB cable to the charging port on the headphones.
- Connect the other end of the USB cable to a power source, such as a computer or wall adapter.
- The LED indicator on the headphones will light up to indicate that the charging process has started.
- Allow the headphones to fully charge before first-time use.
Pairing and Connecting
To connect the Fairbuds XL headphones to your device:
- Enable Bluetooth on your device.
- On the headphones, press and hold the power button until the LED indicator starts flashing.
- Select “Fairbuds XL” from the list of available devices on your device’s Bluetooth settings.
- The LED indicator will stop flashing and remain solid once the headphones are successfully paired and connected.
Using the Fairbuds App
The Fairbuds App enhances your experience with the Fairbuds XL headphones. Follow these steps to use the app:
- Download and install the Fairbuds App from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your headphones.
- Use the app to customize the Signature EQ presets, tune the headphones to your preferences, and access support materials.
- The app also allows for firmware updates, introduction of new features, and occasional bug-fixes.
Care and Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of your Fairbuds XL headphones, follow these care instructions:
- Avoid exposing the headphones to extreme temperatures or humidity.
- Clean the headphones with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or solvents.
- Store the headphones in a cool, dry place when not in use.
- If repairs are needed, contact customer service or order replacement parts through the Fairbuds App.
Introduction
Fairphone’s modular headphones show audio products can be long-lasting and fair
Fairphone enters a new segment with the launch of sustainably designed, modular over-ear headphones that include recycled and fair materials, leading the industry by example to take a more sustainable approach.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 11 May 2023 — Dutch social enterprise Fairphone is proud to announce the launch of its latest device, Fairbuds XL, once again pioneering more sustainable ways to make electronics. Fairbuds XL are the company’s first modular audio device. The headphones are the next step in Fairphone’s journey to develop fair and long-lasting audio devices, after launching its first generation earbuds in 2021.
By introducing Fairbuds XL, Fairphone is applying its market-leading experience in making sustainable, repairable smartphones. The headphones are produced with the same values used to make all Fairphone devices – focus on people and planet. Like all Fairphone devices, the headphones are designed to last. The modular construction and spare parts make them easy to repair, which lets users enjoy and keep their device for longer. Fairbuds XL allow for the replacement of parts that can wear over time, such as the ear cushions. The long-term use of electronics isn’t only great for the user experience, it also helps reduce their environmental footprint.
Eva Gouwens, CEO of Fairphone, comments
“After spending almost 10 years making sustainable smartphones, we are ready to expand our focus and bring sustainability to a new category of audio products. We’re introducing our unique core features – fair materials, improved working conditions, our climate conscious approach and repairability – to the market and raising the bar on impact for people and planet, in the headphone segment. Fairbuds XL are for users who are searching for a sustainable alternative on the market and want to push for change in the electronics industry.”
Fairphone’s focus on people and planet has been its key market differentiator, making Fairphone the market leader in sustainable electronics. Through its dual focus on the social and environmental impact on the supply chain, Fairphone is setting an example and pushing the industry to act more responsibly.
- Fairbuds XL are among the most sustainably designed headphones on the market. They have Fairtrade gold integrated in the supply chain and are made with vegan leather as well as several recycled materials, such as 100% recycled plastic in all parts it can be used in, 100% recycled aluminium in structural elements such as the headband base and recycled tin. The travel pouch is made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon.
- Fairphone will pay 0.55 USD per headphone to fill the living wage gap of the production line workers, and is working with the supplier on improving working conditions based on workers’ needs.
- Fairbuds XL are climate-conscious, meaning that Fairphone takes action to reduce the carbon footprint of the Fairbuds XL through longer use, using recycled materials and also investing in carbon reduction projects that lower CO2 emissions while benefiting the surrounding communities. The amount Fairphone invests in these projects equals the left over amount of carbon emissions created throughout the lifecycle of the headphones after reduction measures.
According to recent figures, in 2021 alone 548 millions headphones were sold and sales volumes have increased since 2013. The electronics industry faces a make-use-dispose attitude driven by a business model that encourages short product life cycles, which has caused an electronic waste (e-waste) problem that increases each year. Despite being one of the fastest growing waste streams, only a small fraction of e-waste (17.4%) is actually taken back to be recycled. The electronics industry is also dealing with a steep demand for minerals needed to make electronics, as well as poor working conditions for millions of people working in mines and factories. It’s clear that the industry needs to change its practices. With each product launched, Fairphone wants to show how an industry that cares for people and planet could look like in practice.
In addition to being climate conscious and fair, the headphones also provide users with superior sound quality, strong bass, warm mids and clear bright highs, delivered by a 40mm dynamic driver and enhanced with state-of-the-art noise cancellation. Two-point bluetooth connection ensures that users switch seamlessly between devices. The headphone’s replaceable battery encourages longevity with a long-lasting battery that has a lifetime of up to 30 hours. While being a modular device, the headphones have IP54 certification, meaning they are weather resistant.
The headphones also come with the Fairbuds App, available on Play Store and App Store, which allows users to change the Signature EQ presets (professionally tuned by Sonarworks) and tune the headphones to their preferences. The app will also give quick access to support such as quick start guides, tutorials, support articles and customer service. It will also ensure longevity by allowing users to update their headphones over time, introduce new features and provide occasional bug-fixes. Users will also be able to order replacement parts if repairs are needed, as well as learn about the parts that make up the headphones.
Fairphone relied on the expertise of Sonarworks, a world-leader in sound calibration, to deliver the signature sound of Fairbuds XL. The company has had its technology used by Grammy- Award winning engineers recording with top artists such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rihanna, Adele and Coldplay.
The headphones will be available from 11 May on Fairphone’s website and selected partners, at a suggested retail price of €249 / £219. The two variants of the device that will be available: green speckled and black speckled.
Note to the editor: …………………………..
About Fairphone
Fairphone is building a market for ethical phones and motivating the industry to act more responsibly. We design, produce and sell smartphones to uncover the supply chain behind our products, raise awareness for the most urgent issues, and prove that it’s possible to do things differently. Together with our partners and community, we’re working to make caring for people and the planet a natural part of doing business.
Photos, videos, fact sheets and other materials are available at the Fairphone
press page: https://fairphone.com/en/about/press/.
For additional information and interview requests, please contact:
- Ioiana Pires Luncheon or Anna Jopp, Email: ioiana@fairphone.com, anna.jopp@fairphone.com, Tel: +31 (0)6 21 26 28 15
Fairbuds XL specifications
- Battery: 800 mAh
- Battery duration: 30h
- ANC: Yes, including ambient sound mode
- Spare parts: battery, speaker to speaker cable, earcap covers, headband, ear cushion, headband base, speaker, headband cover
- Bluetooth Range: 10m
- Bluetooth & codecs: Bluetooth 5.1 – AAC, SBC, APTX HD
- IP Rating: IP54
- Weight: 330g
- Portability: foldable
- Multipoint calling: available
- Smart assistant: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri
- Connector: USB-C (for charging, digital and analog music)
- Driver diameter: 40mm
References
- Press - Get to know the Fairphone story
- Fairbuds XL Headphones - Superior Sound. Sustainably Designed.
- Global headphone unit shipments 2021 | Statista