AirPod Pro Ear Tip Fit test not working...Not the only one

[Bazooka-joe]

Availability update: this morning they are available for pick up in store everywhere in Italy.

All stores in the UK still say 31st Jan and IStockNow showing no supplies anywhere in the world

 

[Jutah]

Not in Rome f.e. Online has been slipped through 3. Feb.

i

All stores in the UK still say 31st Jan and IStockNow showing no supplies anywhere in the world

I confirm that inItaly the delivery has been slipped 3 days later: now the delivery is expected to be on feb, the 3rd.

many (not all) Apple store have availability right now.

I really can’t understand what’s going on.

Yesterday I wrote to an Apple Rep I’m in touch with, asking about the situation. Let’s see.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

i


I confirm that inItaly the delivery has been slipped 3 days later: now the delivery is expected to be on feb, the 3rd.

many (not all) Apple store have availability right now.

I really can’t understand what’s going on.

Yesterday I wrote to an Apple Rep I’m in touch with, asking about the situation. Let’s see.

I spoke to Apple after sales today about the long wait for orders and they said that currently they have no fresh stock to ship out and holding back limited current supplies for replacements.......read in to that what you will

 

[Jutah]

@Bazooka-joe: when you put the buds in your ear do you apply a pressure to make them enter a bit into ear canal?

I usually put them in the ears and rotate them clockwise. I feel they are for some mm into ear canal.

If I just wear them with no pressure and rotation sometime the right ear fail, but I think it’s ok, without any force orrotation they are loose and so the seal has gone ?‍♂️

 

[Bazooka-joe]

@Bazooka-joe: when you put the buds in your ear do you apply a pressure to make them enter a bit into ear canal?

I usually put them in the ears and rotate them clockwise. I feel they are for some mm into ear canal.

If I just wear them with no pressure and rotation sometime the right ear fail, but I think it’s ok, without any force orrotation they are loose and so the seal has gone ?‍♂️

No I do the same as you. I put them in my ear, stalk down and then rotate them upwards. No need to press hard. It works every time for a few days and then .fails completely lol

 

[JBGoode]

Yes, but quite a few people have reported the same problem in this forum. As for the thousands of other people with seemingly working product; I wonder how many of them performed the ear seal test when their Airpod Pros were new, chose the best size tip for their ear size, and then never ran the test again? I'll bet that is the majority and that those folks may never know the product fails the test after a few weeks.

Who cares if it fails the little software gimmick if they aren't experiencing any problems with them? I haven't run the stupid test since Day 1 and have had no decrease in sound quality or ANC. If Apple didn't include this stupid test, I bet there would be less 'problems' reported. Sure, some are probably having real issues, but I bet far too many are relying on a faulty gimmick to tell them their AirPods don't fit when in reality there is no problem.

For what it's worth, I just ran the 'test' for the first time since I got them and both ears failed. They still sound great and the ANC is working as usual. FAIL by Apple. It's a gimmick.

Edit: I just sucked on 'em too (felt stupid doing it) and the fit test still fails yet 'strangely' enough they still work and sound great......

 

[Jutah]

No I do the same as you. I put them in my ear, stalk down and then rotate them upwards. No need to press hard. It works every time for a few days and then .fails completely lol

thanks for the answer.

By the way: i was wondering that considering that the APP are not repairable, there will not be "refurbished" unit. In my case probably the best choice is keep them: as long as they work it's ok.
If, for any reason, they will show the issues you described, i'll swap with NEW earbuds, not just refurbished.

 

[Zahni]

This vents gets dirty. Images after "sucking".

 

[Otflyer]

Who cares if it fails the little software gimmick if they aren't experiencing any problems with them? I haven't run the stupid test since Day 1 and have had no decrease in sound quality or ANC. If Apple didn't include this stupid test, I bet there would be less 'problems' reported. Sure, some are probably having real issues, but I bet far too many are relying on a faulty gimmick to tell them their AirPods don't fit when in reality there is no problem.

For what it's worth, I just ran the 'test' for the first time since I got them and both ears failed. They still sound great and the ANC is working as usual. FAIL by Apple. It's a gimmick.

Edit: I just sucked on 'em too (felt stupid doing it) and the fit test still fails yet 'strangely' enough they still work and sound great......

This is my experience too. Fit test is unnecessary. My right bud fails fit test every time but, they sound great and ANC is excellent.
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This vents gets dirty. Images after "sucking".

View attachment 885832

Whoa! I’ve had my APP’s since launch and the vents are pristine. Do you workout ? I wonder if the people having issues workout which leads to salt and oils clogging the vents.

 

[mppn]

Who cares if it fails the little software gimmick if they aren't experiencing any problems with them? I haven't run the stupid test since Day 1 and have had no decrease in sound quality or ANC. If Apple didn't include this stupid test, I bet there would be less 'problems' reported. Sure, some are probably having real issues, but I bet far too many are relying on a faulty gimmick to tell them their AirPods don't fit when in reality there is no problem.

For what it's worth, I just ran the 'test' for the first time since I got them and both ears failed. They still sound great and the ANC is working as usual. FAIL by Apple. It's a gimmick.

Edit: I just sucked on 'em too (felt stupid doing it) and the fit test still fails yet 'strangely' enough they still work and sound great......

Great sound is still something very personal and based on experience and partly about taste. I worked in the audio field (revolving around musicians, producers, DJs, sound technicians and sound engineers) and everyone is experiencing it differently. But usually, they hear subtleties a lot more than most of the people. So even if the test fails, it’s not a problem in itself, as well as a passing test. But the audio issues that are present when this test fails is something real that not everyone will catch. It’s an Apple product and up till these headphones, they haven’t made anything top in the audio field (even HomePod is far far far away from my correctly eq’d Genelec)

 

[JBGoode]

Great sound is still something very personal and based on experience and partly about taste. I worked in the audio field (revolving around musicians, producers, DJs, sound technicians and sound engineers) and everyone is experiencing it differently. But usually, they hear subtleties a lot more than most of the people. So even if the test fails, it’s not a problem in itself, as well as a passing test. But the audio issues that are present when this test fails is something real that not everyone will catch. It’s an Apple product and up till these headphones, they haven’t made anything top in the audio field (even HomePod is far far far away from my correctly eq’d Genelec)

There are no audio issues (for me) when this test fails. They sound and work the same as Day 1 when it passed. I have decades of experience with headphones and could certainly tell if the sound was degrading or ANC was failing. I think many (not all) are being fooled by a faulty software gimmick. People who admittedly have had no sound issues are returning (or considering returning) because this test is failing. To me, that’s a little nuts. It was a mistake to include it but I suppose the “pro” moniker required something extra so why not include a nifty little software trick. ? I also think that many have their expectations set too high for the level of noise canceling these can actually achieve. They don’t hold a candle to a good pair of over the head cans with ANC.

 

[mppn]

There are no audio issues (for me) when this test fails. They sound and work the same as Day 1 when it passed. I have decades of experience with headphones and could certainly tell if the sound was degrading or ANC was failing. I think many (not all) are being fooled by a faulty software gimmick. People who admittedly have had no sound issues are returning (or considering returning) because this test is failing. To me, that’s a little nuts. It was a mistake to include it but I suppose the “pro” moniker required something extra so why not include a nifty little software trick. ? I also think that many have their expectations set too high for the level of noise canceling these can actually achieve. They don’t hold a candle to a good pair of over the head cans with ANC.

totally agree with you on that. I can only talk for myself but the new headphones are light on the hears in transparency and after about a week, the sound begin to be muffle. It started on one side, no problems with the fit test at that moment. The sound degraded over time and at some point the fit test failed. Replacing the airpod with a brand new one brings back the light sound when in transparency (as if I have no AirPods in my ear at all).... and after a while it returns again. So whatever this is, its impacting the sound quality

 

[bwinter88]

This is my experience too. Fit test is unnecessary. My right bud fails fit test every time but, they sound great and ANC is excellent.
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Whoa! I’ve had my APP’s since launch and the vents are pristine. Do you workout ? I wonder if the people having issues workout which leads to salt and oils clogging the vents.

A toothbrush with a tiny bit of isoproyl will make quick work of that. Apparently people genetically either have "wet" or "dry" earwax, ear-related stuff gets gunked up faster for 50% of the population

 

[EdMan]

There are no audio issues (for me) when this test fails. They sound and work the same as Day 1 when it passed. I have decades of experience with headphones and could certainly tell if the sound was degrading or ANC was failing. I think many (not all) are being fooled by a faulty software gimmick. People who admittedly have had no sound issues are returning (or considering returning) because this test is failing. To me, that’s a little nuts. It was a mistake to include it but I suppose the “pro” moniker required something extra so why not include a nifty little software trick. ? I also think that many have their expectations set too high for the level of noise canceling these can actually achieve. They don’t hold a candle to a good pair of over the head cans with ANC.

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

 

[DesertSilver]

My 1 month old APP had left side fail fit test and had just the left side replaced at Apple store on 12/26. My right side is now failing fit test, with the sucking method "fixing" it. If it fails again, I'll be calling Apple to request replacement.

I have until end of Feb to return so we'll see how many more issues I have by then.

BTW, for those stating there is no difference in sound when fit test fails, I very much notice a difference in bass response when they pass/fail. I don't notice a difference in ANC, though.

 

[86Hawkeye]

Who cares if it fails the little software gimmick if they aren't experiencing any problems with them? I haven't run the stupid test since Day 1 and have had no decrease in sound quality or ANC. If Apple didn't include this stupid test, I bet there would be less 'problems' reported. Sure, some are probably having real issues, but I bet far too many are relying on a faulty gimmick to tell them their AirPods don't fit when in reality there is no problem.

For what it's worth, I just ran the 'test' for the first time since I got them and both ears failed. They still sound great and the ANC is working as usual. FAIL by Apple. It's a gimmick.

Edit: I just sucked on 'em too (felt stupid doing it) and the fit test still fails yet 'strangely' enough they still work and sound great......

This was pretty much my experience as well. But with so many microphones in these little buggers, I was hesitant to keep them if the fit test was constantly failing. My concern was some sort of hidden hardware issue so soon after product release.
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Well as my previous posts have reported, I sent back my fifth set of Pros due to noise cancelling, seal test and microphone issues. I also posted that I had call from an Apple Engineer on the 12th December asking about my airpods (5th set at the time). He spent 30 minutes asking me questions about the noise cancelling, transparency, seal test, firmware number, type of iPhone model number, iOS number etc. He then said that Apple were talking to several customers that had returned AirPods with the same problems. He then asked if he could call me back the next day. I agreed and he called me back on the 13th to ask a few more questions. He then said that i would retrieve a call from AppleCare support in Ireland. Three days later later, a lady from AppleCare who's title was Senior Specialist called me and asked if i would send my Pros to them in Cork for inspection. She said that they were asking a number of customers to do the same.
This was my 5th set that were working perfectly at the time and still within the return period. She asked for them to be sent via UPS and provided Apples account number to me for UPS so there would be no postage charge to myself.
I have an email to evidence this. So its fair to say that Apple do seem to be aware of the problems and are investigating.
I said I would send them back after xmas but two days later my 5th set of AirPods failed with the usual problems so i called Apple and they said to send them back immediately for a refund. I then emailed the lady at AppleCare on the 27th Dec and told her that i had sent them back to Apple for a refund. I sent her exerts from the users on this site experiencing the same problems. I haven't heard back yet.

Wow! Great information.

 

[Jutah]

My 1 month old APP had left side fail fit test and had just the left side replaced at Apple store on 12/26. My right side is now failing fit test, with the sucking method "fixing" it. If it fails again, I'll be calling Apple to request replacement.

I have until end of Feb to return so we'll see how many more issues I have by then.

BTW, for those stating there is no difference in sound when fit test fails, I very much notice a difference in bass response when they pass/fail. I don't notice a difference in ANC, though.

how did you obtain nearly 3 months of return period? ?

 

[DesertSilver]

how did you obtain nearly 3 months of return period? ?

Walmart

 

[vinegarshots]

If Apple's patent docs apply to the AirPods Pro, then this could be why the "sucking" method is having an effect:

1) The venting system according to the patent docs is a MECHANICAL valve system that uses incredibly small valves to open and close the vent depending on the use scenario.
2) The vent closes when ANC is active, and opens in Transparency mode.
3) Fit Test runs in ANC mode only, so the vents need to be closed properly while Fit Test runs.

If the above conditions are true, then that means Fit Test could have problems passing if the vent isn't closing fully when ANC is turned on.

Sucking on the grill of the AirPod may be causing enough back pressure to help a lazy/stuck vent valve flap close all the way.

 

[Otflyer]

If Apple's patent docs apply to the AirPods Pro, then this could be why the "sucking" method is having an effect:

1) The venting system according to the patent docs is a MECHANICAL valve system that uses incredibly small valves to open and close the vent depending on the use scenario.
2) The vent closes when ANC is active, and opens in Transparency mode.
3) Fit Test runs in ANC mode only, so the vents need to be closed properly while Fit Test runs.

If the above conditions are true, then that means Fit Test could have problems passing if the vent isn't closing fully when ANC is turned on.

Sucking on the grill of the AirPod may be causing enough back pressure to help a lazy/stuck vent valve flap close all the way.

Maybe that’s why sucking works for some and not others. The ones that aren’t fixed by sucking may be stuck shut while the valves that open by sucking may be marginal failures.

 

[jbryant705]

3) Fit Test runs in ANC mode only, so the vents need to be closed properly while Fit Test runs.

This isn't accurate. The fit test runs with ANC/Transparency both OFF. This is easy to test. Put your AirPods in ANC mode or transparency, then run the fit test. You'll notice the pressure change for the fit test in both cases. Then put them in "off" mode and run the fit test. The pressure doesn't change.
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There are no audio issues (for me) when this test fails. They sound and work the same as Day 1 when it passed. I have decades of experience with headphones and could certainly tell if the sound was degrading or ANC was failing. I think many (not all) are being fooled by a faulty software gimmick. People who admittedly have had no sound issues are returning (or considering returning) because this test is failing. To me, that’s a little nuts. It was a mistake to include it but I suppose the “pro” moniker required something extra so why not include a nifty little software trick. ? I also think that many have their expectations set too high for the level of noise canceling these can actually achieve. They don’t hold a candle to a good pair of over the head cans with ANC.

That's great for you, but plenty of others have a different experience. When I first noticed the issue, I was noticing louder static and something off with pressure between my two ears. When I ran the fit test, my right one failed.

I'm on my third pair now, and I just started noticing the slight static about a week or so ago (I've had this pair for a little over 3 weeks now) and started running the fit test every day and taking a screenshot to see how long they would go before they fail. My right ear started failing consistently again this morning. I decided to try cleaning them with Loctite and sucking on the grills, and the issue went away. Now my pressure seems more equal, I don't hear white noise, and bass and ANC are both how I remember them being when I first got them.

 

[vinegarshots]

This isn't accurate. The fit test runs with ANC/Transparency both OFF. This is easy to test. Put your AirPods in ANC mode or transparency, then run the fit test. You'll notice the pressure change for the fit test in both cases. Then put them in "off" mode and run the fit test. The pressure doesn't change.
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Even if thats the case, my point still stands, as I'm pretty sure the vents are closed in "off" mode as well.

 

[BarrettF77]

Either way, how is Apple going to fix this. I’m sick of warranty replacements.

 

[jbryant705]

Even if thats the case, my point still stands, as I'm pretty sure the vents are closed in "off" mode as well.

You're probably right. I just wanted to note that point is all

 

[Grothesk]

So after weeks of problems and nearly get the AirPods Pro replaced i fixed them today. All the "sucking" and talk about the vents helped me a lot. I had a lot of problems with ANC not working on the left side and no bass or to much bass and so on. Today the left Pod sounded like there was no ANC at all and the right one got so sealed it hurt. I took a Qtip drenched in 100% Alcohol and rubbed it on the speaker-grills that face the inside of your ear until I could see that "black line" in them again. I also treated all the speakers of the Pods the same way. May Pros are working now perfectly again. ANC is perfekt, bass is perfect.. crazy. This is a design flaw. I keep my ears very clean. I do not work out with them or anything. Now I really ask myself how often will I have to repeat this procedure? weekly? All of you with problems like that try it. It works. No new Pods will solve that problem because it will come back. Not good Apple.