The new Bang & Olufsen headphones with 'replaceable batteries' seem to be poorly repairable.
iFixit conducted a teardown of the Beoplay Eleven headphones, which are priced at $500, and found that the batteries are much more complicated to replace than the company had suggested.
Bang & Olufsen introduced its new premium headphones, the Beoplay Eleven, in November, priced at $499. The headphones highlight features such as replaceable batteries “for sustainability” and compliance with upcoming device repair regulations in the European Union. However, an analysis by iFixit presents a more complex reality regarding the replacement of these batteries, describing the process of opening the case as “a very laborious and demanding task… even for a trained technician.” Additionally, the battery is attached to other components in such a way that heat is required for its removal, which would not comply with the new EU regulations.
The low score of 1/10 on iFixit's repairability scale underscores the difficulties of the process. Bang & Olufsen claimed that the design of the headphones “allows for battery replacement by service,” which, according to iFixit, implies that it is not intended for users to carry out the repair at home. While it was possible to disassemble one of the headphones without damaging the internal components, the complicated process raises questions about the feasibility and sustainability of battery replacement, even at a B&O service center.
Upon opening the case, iFixit found “a plastic weld that prevents access to the battery.” Shahram Mokhtari from iFixit mentions in a video that “at minimum, any battery replacement service would have to completely remove the plastic housing.” Mokhtari expressed interest in understanding B&O's procedure for battery exchanges, speculating that it might not be either economical or environmentally friendly, but voicing a desire to be proven wrong. Furthermore, the disassembly revealed that the Beoplay Eleven is an “exact copy” of the Beoplay EX from 2022, as even the film removed from the back of each headphone says ‘Beoplay EX’ and not ‘Beoplay Eleven.’