We’re now scoring wireless headphones!

[ifixit@mastodon.social]

We’re now scoring wireless headphones! We evaluated 14 popular models using a new scoring rubric. The results highlight a clear gap between what’s possible and what’s currently being built. Let us know which headphones you'd like to see scored and read our blog at the link below!

https://www.ifixit.com/News/117206/were-now-scoring-wireless-headphones-for-repairability
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#iFixit #RightoRepair #FixTheWorld

[andrewblasco@masto.es]

@iFixit Wow, you just read my mind, I was searching about the Fairbuds XL a few days away, precisely worried about the battery life through the years...

[frauxirah@chaos.social]

@andrewblasco @iFixit As a newbie, are capacity: 800mAh and 500 cyles good values?
Been looking for wireless headphones for some time and Fairphone was top of mind.

[hokid@mastodon.social]

@iFixit Can totally confirm the problems with ANC after repair. Had to replace one driver in my WH-1000XM5. Replacement itself wasn't too bad, but ANC performance now notably worse on that side. BTW, burnt out drivers on those headphones seems to be a common problem, just like the touchpad getting ghost touches, very annoying, I will never buy headphones with touchpad ever again, real buttons please!

[13reak@infosec.exchange]

@iFixit

Well done, #Fairphone !

[miro@soc.crw.li]

@frauxirah @andrewblasco @iFixit

I'm not sure about the battery. These numbers are a lot smaller than what's common in smartphones, but then headphones use less energy and need to charge less often. If you charge them once a week, 500 cycles get you ten years. Three times a week reduce that to over 3 years. That obviously depends heavily on your usage.

Tip for the Fairphone headphones: the sound quality was a bit disappointing at first, but I got satisfying results when I applied a custom equalizer profile. I use the in-ear Fairbuds, but I gave the same advice to @luce, maybe they can speak for the XL headphones.

[tom_ofb@23.social]

@andrewblasco the battery ain't the problem, it's mechanical. This part will break after a few months: https://www.fairphone.com/shop/fairbuds-xl-headband-base-1980?color=246
it's not really cheap and shipping is expensive. So you might as well buy them with with the buds. Two of them.
@iFixit

[luce@eldritch.cafe]

@miro @frauxirah @andrewblasco @iFixit I gave it some time with the different preset Equalizer settings and am now okay with it, I guess it also took some getting used to. I‘m very happy with the battery life so far, I’ve used them regularly (usually multiple times per week) since I had them and had to charge them twice since mid march. And they are very comfortable for me to wear which is super important for me. I have to say that I often use them to listen to podcasts and audiobooks as well so I decided that I’m okay with not as great audio quality as other headphones might have if I can repair them and the other things like wearing comfort and battery life are good. The noise cancelling is not the best (compared to my in ear Sony ones) but it’s sufficient for me, I can comfortably listen to audiobooks or music while doing noisy chores, even vacuuming (although I do have to increase the volume a bit for that).

[andrewblasco@masto.es]

@luce @miro @frauxirah ohhh, thank you for the info!

And how did you change the equaliser? Do they have an specific app?

[clickhere@mastodon.ie]

@iFixit Love this, thank you! And great to see Fairphone leading the way here.

I'm interested in the 'bone conduction' type headphones. (In my case, I bought these in 2021: Aftershokz Aeropex Open-Ear Endurance Wireless Headphones (Solar Red) - product code 38-AS800SR)

#FairPhone #CircularEconomy #RightToRepair

[silverowl@mastodon.social]

@iFixit Regarding how often/long people wear headphones and smart watches, would you consider testing for potentially hazardous materials in addition to repairability? While the “Stiftung Warentest” exists for a variety of products in Germany, a more tech-focused and international counterpart would be very interesting.

[luce@eldritch.cafe]

@andrewblasco @miro @frauxirah Yes there’s an app