Bang & Olufsen introduced Beoplay Eleven headphones for $499, which you don’t have to throw away if the battery breaks

Bang & Olufsen has announced new Beoplay Eleven wireless headphones, the main feature of which is replaceable batteries. The new product retains a design similar to Apple’s AirPods, which the company first introduced in the Beoplay EX model, while maintaining IP57 dust and water protection in Beoplay Eleven – the headphones can withstand immersion in water to a depth of one meter.

Image source: Bang & Olufsen

However, as The Verge writes, you won’t be able to replace the battery yourself. The company clarified that the Beoplay Eleven design allows for “battery replacement through service.” That is, to replace it you will need to send or personally take the device to a service center, similar to what Apple offers for its AirPods.

Beoplay Eleven also received improved microphones. A total of six microphones are installed with larger inputs for better sound transmission during calls and better active noise reduction (ANC). Bang & Olufsen says the new ANC system provides more effective noise cancellation at low frequencies (by up to two times) and is better adapted to different ear shapes and sizes. It uses the same 9.2mm drivers as the EX model.

Image source: Bang & Olufsen

Beoplay Eleven is now on sale and is available in Natural Aluminum through Bang & Olufsen stores and the website. The copper finish option will be available on December 17 at the same price. The headphones come with a charging case that supports both USB-C charging and Qi wireless charging.

Battery life remains the same as the previous EX model – Beoplay Eleven can last up to six hours with ANC enabled or up to eight hours without, and when using the charging case the total runtime increases to 20 hours with ANC and up to 28 hours without it .