Bang & Olufsen’s new $499 earbuds have better ANC and replaceable batteries

But unlike Fairphone’s Fairbuds that have a user-replaceable battery, Bang & Olufsen says the Beoplay Eleven’s design “allows for battery replacement by service,” which means you might have to send them in for battery repairs instead of doing it yourself. That makes the claim less impressive, as even Apple will perform battery service on AirPods in some circumstances.

The new earbuds also feature six updated microphones with a “slightly larger-than-usual microphone inlet” to improve voice call performance, ANC, and transparency modes. Bang & Olufsen also says the new Beoplay Eleven buds offer double the noise reduction at low frequencies that work better across different ear shapes and sizes while carrying forward the same 9.2mm drivers as the EX model.

The Beoplay Eleven buds are available now through Bang & Olufsen’s retail stores and website for $499 in a natural aluminum finish. The company is offering the earbuds and their charging case with a copper tone finish for the same price, with availability starting December 17th.

Battery life remains the same as the older Beoplay EX, with the Beoplay Eleven delivering up to six hours of listening with ANC turned on or up to eight hours with ANC off. When paired with a case that can be charged over USB-C or with a wireless Qi charger, battery life jumps to 20 hours with ANC or 28 hours without.