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biscuit

macrumors member
Jul 17, 2002
33
0
London, UK
All of a sudden my left AirPod pro seems to consistently fail the fit test. I never had a problem with this one before - initially the right one had a few fit issues.

NC does still seem to work though. Perhaps it’s a little less than before, not sure.

Does seem odd that it suddenly fails all the time.
 

Drugmx

macrumors newbie
Dec 17, 2019
7
1
My only concern is that the bud, which always fails the fit test produces less bass, moreover in handsfree mode i here either distortion or rattling sound when i shout for example, only in the right earbud. That was not the case when i initialyy bought them. It happened in 2 weeks after usage.
 

biscuit

macrumors member
Jul 17, 2002
33
0
London, UK
Had a bit more of a play. I can get a seal if push the medium-tipped pod right in. Also get a seal if I take it out and cover up everything as suggest in this thread. Also tried unpairing, cleaning etc.

This is so strange as the left one always worked for me, whereas I had to play with the right one. But I do still get noise cancelling regardless.

Checked and I have the latest firmware which is just a few days old I think. Seems like more than a coincidence to me.
 

MJ0778

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2018
69
14
Bremen, Germany
Had a bit more of a play. I can get a seal if push the medium-tipped pod right in. Also get a seal if I take it out and cover up everything as suggest in this thread. Also tried unpairing, cleaning etc.

This is so strange as the left one always worked for me, whereas I had to play with the right one. But I do still get noise cancelling regardless.

Checked and I have the latest firmware which is just a few days old I think. Seems like more than a coincidence to me.

I did the same experience. The first weeks after got the APP I had no problem with the fit-test; with all tip-sizes. For me, the L-size is the best during sport so I need to force them a little bit into my ear. Right now, the right APP failed every test although I change the angle or position. The left is fine and passed the test. But if I use the other sizes, every side fail the test. This is new because for a couple of weeks, all sizes passed the test. It's a little bit confusing. I mean, the seal with the L-size must be right. They are fixed in my ears.

I hear no sound differents and I would say it starts after the new Firmware but I'm not sure. With the new Firmware, other things like connection-problems start; but no red exclamation problems.... Switching between the devices (iPad, iPhone etc.) is horrible. Sometimes it woks,.. sometimes not. Or only one APP connected.

I'm a little bit pissed off like apple is handling the APP software/hardware problem. I never had any problems like this with my AP2.
 

Jutah

macrumors 65816
Mar 30, 2012
1,000
424
a simple trick for all the people that have problems with the test.

Consider that after very few hours the tips became very slippery compared to the initial moment.
After a week or two the tips loose all their grip.

It's not clear if it's due to the earwax or the material.

This is really annoying and for some people this may lead to a poor seal and so a fail in the test.

So: remove the tips and clean them with rubbing alcohol. Use a clean handtowel. White if possible since a colored towel could transfer its dye onto the white tips.

Don't soak the towel, obviously. Just enough so that it's wet but not too little so that it's barely damp.

At the end you should feel them with a stronger grip and a kind of "dry" effect.

After the cleaning try the Seal Test again and let me know.
 

MJ0778

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2018
69
14
Bremen, Germany
a simple trick for all the people that have problems with the test.

Consider that after very few hours the tips became very slippery compared to the initial moment.
After a week or two the tips loose all their grip.

It's not clear if it's due to the earwax or the material.

This is really annoying and for some people this may lead to a poor seal and so a fail in the test.

So: remove the tips and clean them with rubbing alcohol. Use a clean handtowel. White if possible since a colored towel could transfer its dye onto the white tips.

Don't soak the towel, obviously. Just enough so that it's wet but not too little so that it's barely damp.

At the end you should feel them with a stronger grip and a kind of "dry" effect.

After the cleaning try the Seal Test again and let me know.


Did this with a kind of alcohol (window cleaner). Every time after sport and yes, you are right. The grip is much better. But it don't change my fit-tests-results. They are clean and stick strong in my ears. The right APP still failed the test.
 
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biscuit

macrumors member
Jul 17, 2002
33
0
London, UK
Chatted to Apple Support. It was suggested temperature might be playing a role. It is colder here and I had considered that as a possibility.

Sort of wish I hadn’t found this thread. They sound fine but I was playing with the fit in my left ear. I suspect the firmware is looking for a perfect seal.
 

BarrettF77

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2015
931
1,295
They have to be able and deal with the cold. If not they are all defective. But temp isn’t an issue as I’ve had mine for some time and that is indoors. Unless when they shipped that cold did it.
 

MJ0778

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2018
69
14
Bremen, Germany
They have to be able and deal with the cold. If not they are all defective. But temp isn’t an issue as I’ve had mine for some time and that is indoors. Unless when they shipped that cold did it.


I also thought about the possibility of temperature. The silicon is changing consistently by temperature. The surface temperature of our in-ear is colder than the body temperature. So it depends on the ambient temperature ergo the consistently of the ear tips is changing. But anyway, it's a point which apple should know.
 

BarrettF77

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2015
931
1,295
I think this would be the simplest and most rational explanation. I have a pair of the Powerbeats pro wireless and these do not ever exhibit any of these issues. The influencing factor on the test, and sound performance is the internal microphone. It has nothing to do with seals.
 
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MJ0778

macrumors member
Jul 19, 2018
69
14
Bremen, Germany
I think this would be the simplest and most rational explanation. I have a pair of the Powerbeats pro wireless and these do not ever exhibit any of these issues. The influencing factor on the test, and sound performance is the internal microphone. It has nothing to do with seals.

Sorry, wrong. The test result are depending on the reflection of the test -music to the mikrofons. If there is any leak by bad seal, it change the reflected music.
 

BarrettF77

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2015
931
1,295
Exactly, and the Powerbeats pro wireless do not have this microphone so they do not rely on that. There is a component in there that is active and use and if it is not working could be causing the malfunction
 

vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
982
1,349
Exactly, and the Powerbeats pro wireless do not have this microphone so they do not rely on that. There is a component in there that is active and use and if it is not working could be causing the malfunction

powerbeats pro don’t have a fit test, either, so it’s an apples to oranges comparison.

The components in mine are fine, the tips just aren’t sealing 100% like they were when new for whatever reason. If I hold them in my ears during fit test they pass, which would not happen if the internal mic were faulty. But it’s not enough to make any noticeable sound difference on mine.
 
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BarrettF77

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2015
931
1,295
powerbeats pro don’t have a fit test, either, so it’s an apples to oranges comparison.

The components in mine are fine, the tips just aren’t sealing 100% like they were when new for whatever reason. If I hold them in my ears during fit test they pass, which would not happen if the internal mic were faulty. But it’s not enough to make any noticeable sound difference on mine.
That’s the point. The pros do NOT have the internal mic. The internal mic IS likely the point of failure. That dictates the sound. Re read what I’ve posted
 

vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
982
1,349
That’s the point. The pros do NOT have the internal mic. The internal mic IS likely the point of failure. That dictates the sound. Re read what I’ve posted

I read what you posted. You cant tell if the powerbeats pros are 100% sealed because they dont have a fit test (And they dont have a fit test because they dont have the internal mic that's used for the fit test).

If the internal mic is the point of failure, then fit test wouldn't work at all. But like I said, mine works if I apply a bit more pressure to the AirPods when they're in my ears to create a better seal. They were not like this when new.
 

0194839

Cancelled
Dec 16, 2019
135
468
I read what you posted. You cant tell if the powerbeats pros are 100% sealed because they dont have a fit test (And they dont have a fit test because they dont have the internal mic that's used for the fit test).

If the internal mic is the point of failure, then fit test wouldn't work at all. But like I said, mine works if I apply a bit more pressure to the AirPods when they're in my ears to create a better seal. They were not like this when new.

I agree to some extend with your analysis. However, if the tips degrade over this short period of time than it’s not that hard to find out if the tips are the culprit by replacing the failing tips with fresh ones.
 

morsecp

macrumors regular
Nov 13, 2010
144
22
Vermont, USA
I agree to some extend with your analysis. However, if the tips degrade over this short period of time than it’s not that hard to find out if the tips are the culprit by replacing the failing tips with fresh ones.
New tips do not fix the fit test issue described here. I have 2 pair of APP and one started failing after a few weeks. The other pair has never failed. I can switch the tips between the 2 pair and the same pair of APP's always fails, regardless of which set of tips i'm using.
 
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vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
982
1,349
New tips do not fix the fit test issue described here. I have 2 pair of APP and one started failing after a few weeks. The other pair has never failed. I can switch the tips between the 2 pair and the same pair of APP's always fails, regardless of which set of tips i'm using.

The AirPods have a small raised lip where the eartips snap into place. That’s what makes the click sound when you put them in place. It’s possible that this physical connection point weakens after you pull the eartips off a few times and doesn’t allow them to create a pure seal between the AirPods and the eartips. So many potential points of failure....

Edit: Also can you confirm both sets are on the same firmware, I’d like to eliminate that as a potential cause
 
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morsecp

macrumors regular
Nov 13, 2010
144
22
Vermont, USA
The AirPods have a small raised lip where the eartips snap into place. That’s what makes the click sound when you put them in place. It’s possible that this physical connection point weakens after you pull the eartips off a few times and doesn’t allow them to create a pure seal between the AirPods and the eartips. So many potential points of failure....
Of note, with my first pair of APP's (that eventually failed) I switched between the medium and small tips a lot because I couldn't settle on a "best" fit. Eventually, I settled on medium but the fit test eventually started failing. The second pair of APP's (my wife's) had never had the tips switched and they have never failed the fit test. The replacement pair of APP's I received 9 days ago have also not had the tips changed and are still (fingers crossed) passing the tests flawlessly.

I also noticed that the tips come free with much less effort after several times. This is true with a new set of tips as well. Once the APP's have had any tips removed/replaced several times they are worn a little as even a new set of tips will be easier to remove.
[automerge]1576867784[/automerge]
...
Edit: Also can you confirm both sets are on the same firmware, I’d like to eliminate that as a potential cause
The original, failing set of APP's were on the latest firmware at the time of replacement (2B588). The replacements are on 1C54, but were on 2B588 for a few days after receiving them. My wife's, which have never failed the fit test, are on 2C54 but were on 2B588 for a while too.
 
Last edited:

BarrettF77

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2015
931
1,295
I have two pair one fails and the other two don't. Switching tips does nothing. All are on the same pair of firmware.

Additionally, the pair that has failed it's borderline impossible to get the medium tip of the right bud which is the one that has failed. The small tip is removed easily. So the tightness of the tip isn't a factor either. I keep saying it, this is related to the mic inside the bud failing. From either overexertion, defect in quality, or some other factor yet to be identified. Hope that helps
 
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vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
982
1,349
I keep saying it, this is related to the mic inside the bud failing. From either overexertion, defect in quality, or some other factor yet to be identified. Hope that helps

That doesnt quite explain it, because:
1) Fit test only uses internal mic (Listens for sound coming back from ear canal)
2) If internal mic has failed, fit test CANNOT pass, ever.
3) If fit test can pass in any way, internal mic is still functioning.

My AirPods FAIL fit test when placed in ears normally. They PASS fit test if extra pressure is applied, or if tested outside of ears with finger over eartip hole. So the internal mic definitively has not failed. o_O

EDIT: This is not to say that some people's internal mics aren't totally dead, but this can't be the universal root of the issue
 
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vinegarshots

macrumors 6502a
Sep 24, 2018
982
1,349
One other thing regarding the internal mic. This is from The Verge:

Another reason the AirPods Pro sound better is because of a feature Apple called Adaptive EQ. Like noise cancellation, Adaptive EQ also puts that inward-facing microphone to use and adjusts the lows and mids based on your specific ear shape, similar to how the HomePod’s microphones are used to tune its output to the layout of your room. If you turn off noise cancellation, Adaptive EQ shuts off with it, and you can tell a subtle difference. It makes the AirPods Pro feel a little more full and better suited for a wide mix of music styles

The part in bold is true. If I listen to a track with a lot of range (bass, high, mids) and switch from Noise Cancellation Mode to "OFF", I can clearly hear the difference in sound quality. Which, again, wouldn't happen if the internal mic weren't working.
 
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