"Most wireless headphones quietly become disposable. Batteries fade, cushions peel, and people replace the whole thing every few years instead of fixing what broke. Fairphone's first Fairbuds XL were an outlier, modular and self-repairable with screws instead of glue. Gen 2 is the next step, not a clean break but a refinement that tries to make keeping and upgrading a pair of headphones feel as normal as replacing them."
"The drivers are the most interesting change. Gen 2 ships with new 40-mm dynamic drivers and updated tuning for a more natural, detailed sound, but those drivers are also sold separately as modules. Owners of the 2023 Fairbuds XL can open their existing headphones with a screwdriver and slot in the new drivers, keeping everything else while upgrading the sound. That turns the Gen 2 launch into both a new product and a parts catalog."
"The comfort story centers on materials. The headband now uses a breathable net fabric, and the ear cushions switch to a soft birdseye mesh, which improves comfort during long sessions. The IP54 rating handles dust and splash resistance, and the new material identity balances durability with a sleeker look. The switch from PU leather to mesh is practical for warm environments and long wear, without sacrificing the ability to take everything apart when it wears."
Fairbuds XL Gen 2 are modular over-ear headphones with nine replaceable parts, including battery, cushions, drivers, headband, and covers, all secured with screws and no glue. The headphones use new 40-mm dynamic drivers with updated tuning for more natural, detailed sound; those drivers are sold separately as upgrade modules compatible with 2023 Fairbuds XL. The design adds breathable net fabric on the headband and soft birdseye mesh ear cushions for longer-session comfort. IP54 dust and splash resistance protects durability. Features include active noise cancelling with ambient mode, Bluetooth or USB-C wired listening, and a claimed 30-hour battery life.
Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
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