Is it known whether the pad covers on the new Fairbuds XL were also changed to improve durability?
On my current Soundcore Life Q30, I’ve had to tape the head pad with gaffer tape because the cover (as usual, made of fake leather) is falling apart into tiny bits.
And now, even the cover of the ear cushions (with he same material) I replaced not too long ago are starting to fall apart.
I’m hopeful that this won’t be the case with the new Fairbuds XL, but given the price, I’d really like to have that confirmed.
Is there any information available on this? Unfortunately, my inquiry to Fairphone Support a month ago has gone unanswered so far.
Not sure if this answers your query (apologies), but perhaps you could try to join a local meetup and test them in person?
I don’t have them but judging from the promotional materials one could expect/hope for increased durability given
New material design for all-day comfort
The new Fairbuds XL come in the same colors as the Fairphone (Gen. 6)—Forest Green and Horizon Black—and sport the new Fairphone logo. The design changes go beyond just cosmetic, though. We gave the Fairbuds XL a material makeover, swapping out the vegan leather ear cushions with robust and durable net fabric in the headband and plush bird’s eye fabric in the ear cushions. Softer, more breathable, and comfier all around, the updated design makes the Fairbuds XL perfect for all-day wear with zero fatigue on the ears. And just like before, they are still dust and moisture resistant with an IP54 rating, making them perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle.
Plus the longlife label, even though it was hard for me to find the exact specs validating the certification
hello, Im using my headphones all the time. I had previous gen for a year - faux leather cusions durability was no issue. I bought he newer model and the fabric ones are much more comfortable. so I bought the for my old pair too. Im having the new ones for couple of months and no issues on that front sofar.
On the other hand both models cant handle noise cancelling that well. My other headphones are sennheiser momentum 3 and 4 (and pxc550 before that) and they does have better sound quality in general and noise cancelling is much better. but they are more expensive, cant really be repaired and cussions are made from an animal. I had few warranty “repairs” with them and it meant scrapping the old pair and getting new one (so for me the worse quality but spare parts is fine).
on that note - after the year of heavy daily use the plastic above metal hinge broke. I wish both parts were metal, but spare parts were accesible and repair easy.
I use headphones many hours per day, usually about 2 outdoors so your “mileage may vary”.
my main issue with both is noise cancelling algorithm, cant really handle the bus or the wind.
you have to set the noise cancelling mode every time you turn them on and you cant disable the joystick. auto turn off is also quite obnoxious and cant be set.
feel free to ask (I bought two of them so I generally recommend them but more for the ideological reason than listening experience)
if its possible I would recommand you to try them in person.
Its not super short like 5 minutes. I have to measure it yet. Usually it goes I pause the music, focus doing something, call comes so i pick it up and hear nothing in the headphones just to notice after while that bluetooth on the phone is still on but the headphones turned itself off and the voice is comming now from the phone speaker.
The older generation maybe didnt do it or the shutdown time was longer.
Its not the battery draining to dead, the battery life is good
I quickly Googled it up and found
the new Fairbuds XL will switch off automatically if inactive for more than 30 minutes (if Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is not enabled).
this checks, I use the ANC only in public transport. The duration checks.