The first time you use AIAIAI's modular headphones, you will need to start by opening six individual pouches. Inside each bag is a different part that you need to connect to the others before finally plugging them in or turning on Bluetooth. But this unconventional assembly process, which takes about five minutes, is a minor inconvenience to what could potentially be a seismic shift in the way we approach electronics and sustainability.
Danish audio company AIAIAI - pronounced 'I, I, I' - has designed its latest TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones to be completely modular, with the headband, speaker units, ear pads, wireless transmitter and cables separated. Each of these components can therefore be replaced if they break, upgraded to a newer or better part, or assembled in a different configuration for other uses.
"Our goal was not to create the flavor of the month, but something that would be relevant for many years," says AIAIAI founder Frederik Jørgensen. The independent.
"Modularity offers a much more sustainable, efficient way to replace and upgrade a product and create less waste over the life of the product. This is important in any industry, but even more so in the technology sector, where technology often evolves quickly, resulting in short product lifespans. This calls for a need for much more responsible and smarter designed products."
It's not the first attempt at modularity for consumer electronics. Google famously introduced the smartphone concept with Project Ara, but the effort failed before reaching customers.
Dutch company Fairphone has seen more success with its modular phones that allow users to swap out everything from the battery to the camera part. The company has also launched its own over-ear headphones that can be taken apart, but reviewers have complained of poor sound quality relative to their £200 premium price.
What makes AIAIAI's similarly priced headphones different is that they're made by a company that has focused primarily on audio for almost two decades. These are designed specifically for music makers, meaning there are no shortcuts when it comes to sound quality.
The sound is indeed exceptional. I'm not an audiophile, but I've tried or reviewed most off-the-shelf brands - from Bose to Beats - and these match the best. In terms of comfort, only the cushiony Bose felt better on my head, and wearing them for six hours straight left no marks or discomfort.
People who understand things like frequency response and total harmonic distortion are also confident in their credentials. They're used by the likes of Bonobo and Annie Mac, while one expert audio reviewer described them as "top of the range and exactly what you'd expect from a premium pair of headphones".
It's no surprise then that the first thing you see when you visit the company's website is the bold statement that AIAIAI is "committed to powering the future of music creation." But the latest headphones point not only to the future of music, but also to the future of consumer electronics.
"Sustainability is the future of electronics," says Philipp Pratt, an innovation expert at Geonode The independent. He points to a growing trend "towards a future where electronics are innovative, efficient and kind to our planet."
Pratt points to the 54 million tons of electronic waste generated annually by the electronics industry, according to a 2023 report published by the World Economic Forum. A separate United Nations report last month found that global e-waste production is rising five times faster than e-waste recycling. The problem will only get worse unless various solutions are implemented.
"Simply put: Business as usual cannot continue," said Krees Baldé, lead author of the UN report, who called for "greater investment in infrastructure development, greater promotion of repair and reuse, capacity building and measures to combat illegal e-mail." to stop commerce. -waste transports".
One of these ways is for manufacturers to rethink the way they produce their products. AIAIAI uses recycled plastic for its headphones while endorsing the right to repair movement. It provides detailed instructions on its website for repairing every single part that can break. And if repairing it yourself is not an option, each individual part can be ordered for replacement.
For those who have outgrown the headphones, there is also a trade-in incentive program called Remixed, which means AIAIAI fits all three principles of sustainability: reduce, reuse and recycle.
They may have been one of the first to introduce recycled materials and repairability over a decade ago, but the trend seems to be catching on.
"Until recently, we were one of the few companies that put sustainability first. Now it's really encouraging to see more companies in our industry embracing sustainable materials and practices," Tom Fletcher, AIAIAI Product Manager, tells The Independent.
Founder Frederik Jørgensen adds: "More companies are also starting to use recycled materials. We can see more manufacturers making this available, which is great for the industry as a whole. For us that is very inspiring, that we can be part of pushing boundaries and creating an impact on the industry."
For some, the biggest appeal of these headphones will be the promise of a lag-free wireless connection via an external transmitter, allowing them to play live music or edit videos without the noticeable lag that a Bluetooth connection brings.
For others, the main selling point may be the amazing battery life. I've been using them daily via Bluetooth for a month and they are still at 80 percent. Others may still be drawn to the minimalist, matte black aesthetic that suits their functional design.
But more than excellent headphones, they quietly offer a model of how electronics can be produced sustainably and successfully.
"For us as a smaller company, it is very inspiring and encouraging to be able to raise awareness about the urgency of improvements and support others in learning how to do this," says Jørgensen.
"We all have to keep getting better - it's an ongoing process where even small steps matter."
