Not like the Fairbuds XL, which will be nearly fully disassembled in 9 components, the Combine are composed of 4 primary elements: the scarf, the ear cups, the ear cushions, and the battery. Whereas repairability is clearly a profit, Fender’s primary focus is on the power to combine and match the components—therefore the identify. Ultimately, every half will likely be accessible in 5 completely different colours, and a few components, 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. The truth is, I used to be impressed at how solidly the components clicked collectively, and simply how nicely constructed these cans really feel on the whole. Holding them or carrying them, you’d by no means guess they may very well be pulled aside with a tug.
{Photograph}: Simon Cohen
I discovered the Combine cozy to put on, even with glasses. The ear cushions present a tender however efficient seal, and the scarf does an honest job of distributing stress. The clamping pressure felt slightly aggressive after I first put them on, however after a couple of minutes, I acquired used to it and fortunately wore them for hours at a stretch. My solely nitpick is the dimensions of the ear cushion openings; they’re slightly slender for my style. I want 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 objective: Not solely does it make swapping cushions a cinch, (they’ll promote for $29 a pair later this yr), however it’s additionally the way you entry that USB-C Bluetooth transmitter, which lives underneath the left ear cushion, and the way you get to the battery compartment (underneath the precise one). Fender expects substitute cells to price $49 however hasn’t stated after they’ll be accessible.
Farewell Unhealthy Transmissions
{Photograph}: Simon Cohen
The transmitter is a remarkably helpful little device. Utilizing its button (and LED indicator), you possibly can change between lossless (crimson), low-latency (blue), and Bluetooth Auracast (purple) modes. Lossless (by way of the LHDC v5 codec in case you had been curious) is a bonus, particularly for iPhone house owners, who’re sometimes restricted to lossy SBC and AAC connections. I don’t sport, 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 sport gamers. Auracast (by way of 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 may also tune into every other Auracast broadcasts, too, however there’s a catch.
