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Any headphones that don't use cobalt or lithium-ion batteries? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by Comfortable-Bag-9630@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community

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I know it's impossible to find new pair of headphones that are completly ethical, but if it is possible to buy some that are more ethical than others then I want to do that. Does anyone know if there are headphones that don't use cobalt or lithium-ion batteries? And in general that doesn't use and/or reduce their use of conflict materials? I don't know much about technology or headphones and I feel like I don't understand anything when I try and do my own research.

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[–] Nastord@alien.top 2 points 11 months ago

Wired headphones is the answer, but if you want to go wireless, then maybe the offering from fairphone is what you are searching for:

https://shop.fairphone.com/fairbuds-xl

[–] FishPBL@alien.top 2 points 11 months ago

You could find some older ones that use AAs. Or you could just buy wired.

(Another option is to buy used, as this would mitigate the cash flow to these areas)

[–] szakee@alien.top 2 points 11 months ago

all wired headphones.

[–] audiophile_lurker@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Wired headphones, mate. Are you looking for something more specific?

[–] ConsciousNoise5690@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Shouldn't be to hard to Google the materials used, isn't it?

Just to get you started: https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/blog/metals-used-batteries/

What is wrong with recycling?

[–] TheSingularity42@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

People/governments don't, that's what's wrong with it. (As an Australian this issue is painfully present)

Edit: grammar

[–] hextanerf@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

How's lithium unethical?

[–] OrganizationLife8915@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Mostly just corpos exploiting developing nations, polluting local water supplies with no regard for the safety of locals. Following that CIA coups when these nations try to push the corporations out so the locals that actually have a stake in not destroying the environment can profit off their resources. Just the usual, happens basically with every rare earth metal (and also everything else).

[–] hextanerf@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Ah thanks. Then it happens to basically any metal. OP's not getting any more ethical by going with dry batteries or aluminum/steel

[–] Anarchy111111@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Like all audiophile headphones which are wired, so mostly all good quality headphones.

[–] pkelly500@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Wired headphones, unless convenience trumps ethics for you.

[–] TheSingularity42@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Yeah completely ethical probably isn't going to happen, definitely won't for anything wireless. I suggest looking into companies like grado, meze, or zmf if you want more 'ethical' headphone designs ( Meze in particular) but the price tag is to match

[–] Insultikarp@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

The PSB M4U 8 (and possibly the M4U 9) use rechargeable AAA batteries. I lost mine in a fire, but I absolutely loved them.

[–] Insultikarp@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

The PSB M4U 8 (and possibly the M4U 9) use rechargeable AAA batteries. I lost mine in a fire, but I absolutely loved them.

[–] BmanUltima@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Wired headphones?

[–] AngryTank@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Best you can do is go used.

[–] Hephaestus002@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

literally all reusable batteries use lithium-ion or cobalt and nickel