Fauna finally launches its very trendy audio glasses

We first heard about Fauna at IFA 2019. I tried a very first prototype at the time and was pleasantly surprised with the design and the sound quality. Unlike Bose, Fauna seemed to have created audio glasses that were actually comfortable to wear and fashionable. Now, two years later, the final product is ready to be launched on the market.

These are the first audio glasses without large temples. They also look and function like real glasses, shielding the eyes from the sun or blue light. The standard lenses provided can also be easily exchanged by an optician for medical lenses, as the frames are made of natural acetate which can be heated and adjusted by a professional. In theory, at least, you could use them as everyday eyeglasses.

Two versions of Fauna’s glasses are available, a pair of Spiro Transparent Brown sunglasses and Memor Havana glasses with blue light filtering lenses. Both models compatible with iPhone 5 and higher or Android 6.0 and higher use Bluetooth 5.0 with a range of up to 10 meters.

What about the sound quality?

When I tried them out in 2019, the version I tested was still a very early prototype. It wouldn’t have been fair to judge the sound quality based entirely on this experience, but I left the Berlin show feeling optimistic about Fauna’s work.

The audio module for each branch includes a patented MEMS micro speaker, an electrodynamic speaker, a touchpad, associated electronics and a battery. Two microphones are also integrated in the right branch with beamforming and echo cancellation. The frequency spectrum ranges from 250 Hz to 20 kHz.

Fauna claims that their audio glasses are unique and pioneering in the market due to audio technology and sound direction, claiming that sound travels directly to the ear of the user without significant loss. The idea is that you won’t be disturbing your coworkers or other people nearby, and that no one else will be able to hear your music, podcast or your private phone call.

In addition, users will still be able to perceive the environment and hear what is going on around them, as the ear canal is not obstructed, making them safe when they are outside and walking through roads.

The Memor Havana model includes replaceable Zeiss DuraVision BlueProtect lenses that reduce blue light exposure from computers and smartphones, which has been shown to affect the circadian rhythm and cause poor sleep.

The Spiro model includes replaceable Carl Zeiss Vision sun lenses that protect the eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Both models are water and dust resistant (IP55) and have a two year warranty.

Autonomy and recharging

The battery in both versions provides up to 20 hours of standby time and more than five hours of music, voice assistance or phone calls, according to Fauna. There is a 100mAh battery in the glasses and a 1300mAh battery in the charging case, which allows for five additional charges. Charging time is two hours for a full charge.

But what’s really cool about the charging case is the way the glasses connect to the charger. The connectors are hidden in the hinge of the glasses, which means there is no cable to plug in as we have seen on other models of audio glasses. They charge the same way wireless headphones do, and that’s cool.

The Fauna audio glasses charging box connects via Bluetooth with a smartphone or a PC; a specific application is not necessary. The glasses are controlled by touching and sliding on the temples. The glasses remain light despite all the electronics they contain, both versions weighing 50 grams.

Price and availability

Both versions of Fauna glasses are available for purchase at wearfauna.with from 279 euros and 365 euros. The Bose Frames Alto glasses, launched at 240 euros, are therefore less expensive than these supposedly more trendy models.

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This article was translated from English and then editorially adapted by Florian Philon. The original version written by David McCourt was originally published on NextPit.com on January 12, 2021.