Bang & Olufsen is recognized for its high-end audio devices that often come with a hefty price tag. Their newest earbuds, the Beoplay Eleven, are priced at an astonishing $499. This amount is only $50 less than purchasing two pairs of Apple's AirPods Pro 2, which are currently priced at $153.99 on Amazon.
Design and Build Quality
Similar to the AirPods Pro 2, the Beoplay Eleven earbuds feature noticeable stems. Each earbud weighs about 6 grams, while the charging case comes in at 53 grams. The specifications indicate that both the earbuds and the case are crafted from a blend of materials, including aluminum, specialized toughened glass, polymer, and silicone. They boast an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, making them quite durable.
Noise Cancellation and Sound Features
Bang & Olufsen asserts that the noise cancellation in the Beoplay Eleven is the best they’ve ever offered in an earbud. Reportedly, it is twice as effective as the noise cancellation found in the Beoplay Ex, which is currently available for $279 on Amazon. Additionally, the transparency mode in these earbuds is said to be 1.8 times superior compared to that of the Beoplay Ex.
Technical Specs and Connectivity
The Beoplay Eleven earbuds come equipped with a 9.2mm driver in each unit, along with six MEMS omni-directional microphones. They have touch controls and a feature called Wind Guard, which can be activated through the app to reduce wind noise during calls. These earbuds support Bluetooth 5.2, including Bluetooth Multipoint, Google Fast Pair, and Microsoft Swift Pair. They also hold a Made for iPhone (MFi) certification, and support various codecs such as aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC.
Battery Life and Sustainability
Bang & Olufsen claims that with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled, the Beoplay Eleven can last up to 6 hours on a single charge (20 hours when using the case). If ANC is turned off, users can enjoy up to 8 hours of playback time (28 hours total with the case). A unique aspect of these earbuds is their replaceable batteries, although users must go through a service center for replacements rather than doing it themselves.
This design choice aligns with the EU's sustainability goals set for 2027, which require that consumer products feature replaceable batteries. The charging case supports charging via USB-C and Qi wireless charging. Included in the package are four different sizes of silicone tips and a USB-C charging cable.
Availability
The Beoplay Eleven is now on sale for $499/€499 directly from the manufacturer’s website. Currently, they are available in Natural Aluminum, with a second color option, Copper Tone, set to launch on December 17.
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