Fender Combine Headphones Evaluation: Modular Over-Ears

In contrast to the Fairbuds XL, which could be virtually fully disassembled in 9 elements, the Combine are composed of 4 fundamental components: the scarf, the ear cups, the ear cushions, and the battery. Whereas repairability is clearly a profit, Fender’s fundamental focus is on the flexibility to combine and match the elements—therefore the title. Finally, every half shall be obtainable in 5 completely different colours, and a few elements, just like the ear cushions, will come in several supplies for hotter or cooler climates.

My 10-day stint with the Combine wasn’t practically sufficient time to guage whether or not the USB-C-based connections between the ear cups and the scarf (a component they share with the Fairbuds XL) will show sturdy sufficient for long-term use, however they did not present any apparent indicators of weak spot. Actually, I used to be impressed at how solidly the elements clicked collectively, and simply how nicely constructed these cans really feel normally. Holding them or carrying them, you’d by no means guess they could possibly be pulled aside with a tug.

I discovered the Combine cozy to put on, even with glasses. The ear cushions present a delicate however efficient seal, and the scarf does an honest job of distributing stress. The clamping drive felt just a little aggressive after I first put them on, however after a couple of minutes, I obtained used to it and fortunately wore them for hours at a stretch. My solely nitpick is the scale of the ear cushion openings; they’re just a little slim for my style. I favor a roomier match.

Just like the Apple’s AirPods Max, the ear cushions magnetically latch to the ear cups, however on the Combine, it serves a twin goal: Not solely does it make swapping cushions a cinch, (they’ll promote for $29 a pair later this yr), but it surely’s additionally the way you entry that USB-C Bluetooth transmitter, which lives beneath the left ear cushion, and the way you get to the battery compartment (beneath the precise one). Fender expects substitute cells to value $49 however hasn’t mentioned once they’ll be obtainable.

Farewell Dangerous Transmissions

{Photograph}: Simon Cohen

The transmitter is a remarkably helpful little instrument. Utilizing its button (and LED indicator), you may change between lossless (crimson), low-latency (blue), and Bluetooth Auracast (purple) modes. Lossless (through the LHDC v5 codec in case you have been curious) is a bonus, particularly for iPhone house owners, who’re usually restricted to lossy SBC and AAC connections. I don’t recreation, but when Fender’s declare of sub-20-millisecond efficiency for the low-latency mode is correct, that ought to fulfill all however essentially the most diehard, fast-action recreation gamers. Auracast (through LE Audio/LC3) is an actual deal with: It permits you to share your audio with anybody who has an Auracast-compatible set of headphones or earbuds. The Combine can even tune into another Auracast broadcasts, too, however there’s a catch.