Fender Mix in hand: wireless headphones for listening to music
All ears are meant to listen to music, but I feel that during the few days of using the Fender Mix, I paid more attention to listening to music than other factors. In the past few years, wireless headphones have performed more soundproofing, expressing music in a more technical way... only a few companies are interested in basic music listening. Fender Mix is Fender's first wireless headphone, so they wanted to do something new while still maintaining their traditional values. The traditional part, I think, lies in listening to music because Fender is an 80-year-old musical instrument maker. As for the special part, it lies in the fact that many components are made removable to bring a better, newer, and longer-lasting experience. We invite you to see the article in hand and experience my Fender Mix after using it for about 2 weeks.
The ability to express music
I'm currently using the B&O H100 and this Fender Mix for wireless headphones. Recently I've also tried the ears of JBL, Sony, Sennheiser, Bose... in my opinion Fender Mix is very basic, aimed straight at the music, just wants to convey the music and doesn't want to make too much of a difference in the recording, the type that doesn't want to create their style but just wants the ear to express the song itself, the song is what it is. However, when I gave it to Tu to listen to, he said the bass was heavy and difficult. I discovered that when using USB to play music, it is as I said, but when connecting Bluetooth to the device directly, I will feel like Tu has rich, sweet bass. Anyway, if you buy this Fender Mix, don't listen via Bluetooth directly but listen via the USB transmitter because everything is better through that.
USB-C wireless transmitter
Called USB-C transmitter for short. This unit has a small compartment to store it on the left ear and is covered by the ear cushion. If you remove the ear cushions you will see it. I like this solution because I won't lose this USB-C transmitter. It's like some ransomware has a transmitter but no place to put it, and it often gets lost. The USB-C transmitter is not just an accessory. Plugged into a phone or computer, it receives digital audio and then automatically transmits it wirelessly to headphones using a codec better than the device's built-in Bluetooth. The iPhone is inherently only AAC — compressed, losing detail — while the dongle can play lossless 24-bit/96kHz. Latency is also drastically reduced, down to less than 20ms, watching movies and playing games is much better than regular Bluetooth at 150–300ms. Laptops, Switches or weak Bluetooth devices are also more stable because the device only needs to export USB audio, the signal part is taken care of by the transmitter. Still wireless, but the quality and latency are closer to a "genuine" connection than the default Bluetooth.
Fender Mix: the headset is assembled from many parts to be able to mix many different colors
Fender Mix is not a "one block" headphone. It is assembled from many modules: headband, two earcups connected by USB-C, magnetic cushion, even the battery can be removed. The name Mix is there — mix colors, mix parts. If you want white and black, change the cushion, change the cover, don't have to buy a whole new pair of ears just because you're bored with the color. When completely removed, the right ear still plays music. That is, it connects there. Connect the headband and it transmits sound to the left ear.
The second meaning is more practical: if something is broken, fix it part by part. Cushions wear out after a year of daily wear — replace them. Low battery — open the right cushion, remove the old battery. Damaged earcups or headband — remove the USB-C port, install a new module. You don't have to take the whole set for warranty, nor do you have to spend a few million to buy another one because of a piece of leather or a battery. With regular wireless headphones, a dead battery is almost synonymous with throwing it away. Mix does the opposite: designed to last a long time, similar to the spirit of Fender musical instruments - if a string breaks, replace it, don't throw away the entire instrument. Buy once, use for a long time, repair is cheaper than replacing the whole ear. That's the reason why modular is worth mentioning, not just because it's fun to disassemble and install.
There are two control buttons, no app
What's so fun with the Fender Mix is controlling it. Almost every company makes an app to make controlling headphones easier and more customizable. However, Fender does not yet have or does not have an app for it. Not only is there no app, but they also only equip the headset with the simplest 2 control buttons possible. After a period of use, I found myself controlling the headphones without using a smartphone or using an app. Seeing that feeling is also nice, don't think too much, don't choose too much, just focus on listening to music.
Joystick (MFB)
ANC button
Those who like to use the app to customize a lot will find Fender Mix uncomfortable.
Design, materials and finishes
The design, materials and finishing of the Fender Mix are right in the segment, not something to show off. From the outside, this is still a familiar plastic over-ear: round form, Fender logo in the middle of the ear cup, two colors: black or white. No monolithic metal, no "heavy grip" feeling like more expensive headphones. Most of the body is plastic, the pieces fit together - true to the modular spirit, but also makes the headset look closer to many models around 10 million than a "designer flagship". Headband and ear cushions use simili / leatherette. Wears well, soft enough, nothing wrong, nothing that makes me stop and compliment it. The quick-release magnetic cushion is convenient, and the material is the same as regular products: if used for a long time, it will shine, will wear out, will need to be replaced - luckily Mix allows replacement. The finish is not bad, the mounting slot is tight, not loose when worn. But there are no "expensive" details. Those who buy because of the legendary Fender design on the keyboard will be a bit disappointed: this is not a Stratocaster worn on the head, but a functional plastic headset, putting money into the battery, dongle and removable ability rather than the case.
Conclusion: A simple headphone for listening
What I like most is the simplicity of just plugging the USB-C Wireless Transmitter into the device and listening, without thinking too much, the level of reliability is very high. And simply listen to music. If you need a more special headset, especially in a different style, you have other options. When used with a computer for general listening or video editing, it feels light and there is no audio delay compared to the image on the video editing app. In general, if you don't like to think too much, you just want to have headphones to listen to music, listen to sound from computers, phones, game consoles... then consider.
Actual images of Fender Mix:
