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

[HobbesInVA]

So after reading all the stories of people using the poster putty to clean up and restore the functionality of their APPs, I decided to buy a pair last week. I originally bought a pair the first day they came out, but after about a week the fit test the fit test started failing and the bass response disappeared. I think ANC got worse too, but I don't really remember. I returned those after testing some new tips in the Apple Store.

After a week of owning my new pair, the fit test is now failing and the bass response is gone. ANC seems reduced, but I'm in a quiet office so it's hard to specifically tell. The blu-tack trick isn't working for me. I really feel like at least part of my problem is that the ear tips have a certain stiffness to them that breaks down with use. They felt super secure in my ears on day 1, much less so on day 7. I'm returning this pair as well and have given up on this generation APP.

I'd be interested in trying again if Apple releases a v2 that acknowledges (even in a roundabout way) the issue, and/or if Comply or a company like that comes out with a really well regarded set of replacement tip. Super bummed as I love these when they work.

I've long suspected the ear tips are a wear and tear item. For my APP, both of my eartips lost its stiffness after 2 weeks of using them about 5 hours a day.
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Just try different tips. Everyone's ears are different. The foam ones have a tighter fit and work better IMO.

I also tried the small and large ear tips. These both failed the ear tip test. The medium passed the ear tip test until 2-3 months ago.

 

[ToyTrains]

Yeah, I have succumbed to this also. Left starting failing a few days ago. I hadn't run the test in a few weeks but something felt "off" about the left 'bud. Voice didn't seem as clear when in transparent mode. Also had a few odd noises from that side.

Tried the blu-tac (for at least 20 minutes), alcohol wipes, swapping the eartips between the two 'buds, different sized tips. Nothing worked. It was obvious too that there is less bass in the left.

The only pass I could get was if I covered the sensors to trick it into thinking it was in my ear and then covering the outlet with my finger. Then it would pass. Not sure if this means anything though.

It's a shame. Only had these for about 5 weeks. I clean my ears everyday. Cleaned the buds every week. Wasn't using them for working out (so no sweat or moisture). Was using about 4 hours a day though.

Have an appointment with Apple this afternoon. I'm assuming they'll just swap the earbud, but we all know that's only a temporary fix. In the meantime I'm back on my Bose QC15s.

 

[porkrind]

Just try different tips. Everyone's ears are different. The foam ones have a tighter fit and work better IMO.

I did try that. I have an ebay pair of generic foam tips that look homemade, and I have a set of foam tips that I used in conjunction with the stock rubber tips as I saw on a post here. Neither option was a great experience.
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On the topic of the fit test—please, people, just ignore it. It's bogus anyway. If your earbuds sound good: live, laugh love, etc. If they don't: clean them, try different earbud sizes, try a different earbud style, get a replacement pair, return them, in that order.

My issue at least is that the failing tests always go hand in hand with a loss of bass frequencies. There's a period of time where the fit test is failing but the sound is still good, but soon after that, bass response goes away and no amount of blu-tacking or other cleaning makes it come back.

 

[bwinter88]

My issue at least is that the failing tests always go hand in hand with a loss of bass frequencies. There's a period of time where the fit test is failing but the sound is still good, but soon after that, bass response goes away and no amount of blu-tacking or other cleaning makes it come back.

That sounds like a textbook example of the tips loosening in your ear. Even tips with the best fit possible will need to be readjusted after wearing them for a while.

I did try that. I have an ebay pair of generic foam tips that look homemade, and I have a set of foam tips that I used in conjunction with the stock rubber tips as I saw on a post here. Neither option was a great experience.

So you tried two homebrew options. I would recommend trying actual tips from a commercial brand. There is a pair of tips out there that fit you. You just have to find it.

 

[ToyTrains]

Yeah, I have succumbed to this also. Left starting failing a few days ago. I hadn't run the test in a few weeks but something felt "off" about the left 'bud. Voice didn't seem as clear when in transparent mode. Also had a few odd noises from that side.

Tried the blu-tac (for at least 20 minutes), alcohol wipes, swapping the eartips between the two 'buds, different sized tips. Nothing worked. It was obvious too that there is less bass in the left.

The only pass I could get was if I covered the sensors to trick it into thinking it was in my ear and then covering the outlet with my finger. Then it would pass. Not sure if this means anything though.

It's a shame. Only had these for about 5 weeks. I clean my ears everyday. Cleaned the buds every week. Wasn't using them for working out (so no sweat or moisture). Was using about 4 hours a day though.

Have an appointment with Apple this afternoon. I'm assuming they'll just swap the earbud, but we all know that's only a temporary fix. In the meantime I'm back on my Bose QC15s.

So they gave me a new left Airpod. All good now. I kept the tip off of the old one. I tried swapping the new tip with the old, and the test still passes, but I could definitely tell that the old tip is looser.

Maybe if I'm lucky this will be a one-off.

 

[vinegarshots]

So after reading all the stories of people using the poster putty to clean up and restore the functionality of their APPs, I decided to buy a pair last week. I originally bought a pair the first day they came out, but after about a week the fit test the fit test started failing and the bass response disappeared. I think ANC got worse too, but I don't really remember. I returned those after testing some new tips in the Apple Store.

After a week of owning my new pair, the fit test is now failing and the bass response is gone. ANC seems reduced, but I'm in a quiet office so it's hard to specifically tell. The blu-tack trick isn't working for me. I really feel like at least part of my problem is that the ear tips have a certain stiffness to them that breaks down with use. They felt super secure in my ears on day 1, much less so on day 7. I'm returning this pair as well and have given up on this generation APP.

I'd be interested in trying again if Apple releases a v2 that acknowledges (even in a roundabout way) the issue, and/or if Comply or a company like that comes out with a really well regarded set of replacement tip. Super bummed as I love these when they work.

You need to spend some time with the blue tack to get them perfectly clean. It's typically not a stick-it-on-and-pull-it-off-once affair. I usually need to push it on fairly hard and pull it off quickly probably at least 10 times per bud before it's clean enough to pass fit test again.

Also, you need to focus on the grille that touches your ear.

 

[porkrind]

So you tried two homebrew options. I would recommend trying actual tips from a commercial brand. There is a pair of tips out there that fit you. You just have to find it.

Nah, I'm out. For now. If Comply comes out with an option that fits in the case, or if Apple comes out with an XL tip or an updated material, I might try again, but I'm not spending any more time on it. My regular Air Pods plus the foam donut are fine.

You need to spend some time with the blue tack to get them perfectly clean. It's typically not a stick-it-on-and-pull-it-off-once affair. I usually need to push it on fairly hard and pull it off quickly probably at least 10 times per bud before it's clean enough to pass fit test again.

Also, you need to focus on the grille that touches your ear.

That's what I did. No luck. I think that the grilles definitely are a problem when dirty, but I think even before that's an issue for me, the stock earbuds lose enough stiffness that they don't seal. I can feel that they aren't sitting securely like they did fresh out of the box. I think my ear canals must be a borderline fit for the L tips, and once they get broken in, it's over.

 

[vinegarshots]

Nah, I'm out. For now. If Comply comes out with an option that fits in the case, or if Apple comes out with an XL tip or an updated material, I might try again, but I'm not spending any more time on it. My regular Air Pods plus the foam donut are fine.



That's what I did. No luck. I think that the grilles definitely are a problem when dirty, but I think even before that's an issue for me, the stock earbuds lose enough stiffness that they don't seal. I can feel that they aren't sitting securely like they did fresh out of the box. I think my ear canals must be a borderline fit for the L tips, and once they get broken in, it's over.

Dang it! Well it was worth a try, anyway!

 

[steve62388]

Time for some science!
Got out the microscope to take a look at the AirPods Pro grilles. This seems to explain a lot. Check it out. The top image is the grille after ONE DAY of use. The photo on the bottom is after a cleaning with Fun-Tak. After just one day of use, the tiny vent holes are fully blocked off in spots by ear oils/wax. ONE DAY! And I clean my ears daily.

After a quick clean with Fun-Tak, they are 100% clear (even the tiny holes inside the inner mesh)

I’d love to see you do some more testing of this. What about a pic after you have used them for a longer period of time?

 

[Radon87000]

Bought AirPods pro last month. All tips were passing the Tip fit test. Now all of them fail. Have submitted them at the Genius Bar. This product seems like a lemon to me.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I was booked in to see a genius with ANC failing in the right pod and cracking in the left pod but the bizarre thing is that the problems seem to have gone away. I am now back to getting a perfect seal every time and ANC every time and the cracking has gone. The only thing I did was to wash the tips in soapy water

 

[chepeloni]

What do you guys think about this? The uv sanitizing device!

 

[chepeloni]

I know, I know ... but please let's just stick to the fact that I let my buddy use my APP and while he was using them, I run the test several times and passed it every single time, I'm using them now and it fails every single time, wtf?

 

[dogg]

I know, I know ... but please let's just stick to the fact that I let my buddy use my APP and while he was using them, I run the test several times and passed it every single time, I'm using them now and it fails every single time, wtf?

Your APP have fallen out with you big time lol

 

[GigabitEthernet]

Have got this too. Whatever size buds I use, the test falls on the right bud.

Think I might need to investigate a new pair of buds which sucks because I love the convenience of these.

 

[AustinIllini]

I can never get my APP to fit right. I have never been so disappointed in a product. They fall out constantly regardless of the size I use and the seal test always fails.

 

[Kylo83]

I can never get my APP to fit right. I have never been so disappointed in a product. They fall out constantly regardless of the size I use and the seal test always fails.

Same if it wasn’t for the NC I would go back to the better sounding AirPods 2 they sound louder

 

[AustinIllini]

Same if it wasn’t for the NC I would go back to the better sounding AirPods 2 they sound louder

My wife works out with my old AirPods and I get super jealous.

 

[dogg]

Certainly will. I have never backed a “Kickstarter” before but this experience has been seamless.

 

[biscuit]

Following up on my earlier posts. I had my left APP replaced and it made a huge difference. Now a month later the left one fails again no matter what I do. The whoosh sound is gone too.

 

[GigabitEthernet]

Done the blue-tack fix and my AirPods are now passing the test once again and they sound better too. I am using foam ear buds and I go running in them multiple times a week.

The placement of the grille closest to the ear does seem like a design flaw to me.
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There seem to be multiple flaws with the AirPods Pro.

The included ear tips seem to react badly with ear wax and loosen over time.

The microphones and ports get bunged up I assume with particles from your ears.

The first can be resolved with foam ear tips (although I've yet to try any really good ones - but they are all better than the Apple tips) and the second can be resolved seemingly with blue tack.

Really is not something the consumer should have to be doing.

 

[triangletechie]

I tried the original AirPods when they came out and they hurt my ears after minimal use. I just got the Pros today and like them alot better. Much more comfortable. I was able to get the seal test to work after the 2nd try.

 

[leventozler]

Thanks for the tip. Used UHU Patafix on both and they're now easily passing the test. Better bass & ANC.

 

[mbg56]

Ready to buy some tacky putty. I see the two mentioned here:

• Loctite Fun-Tac
• Bostik Blu-Tack

Equivalent? Or one preferred over the other?

Thanks


Edited: (BTW - I really like these so far. Bought them due to WFH and they sound great (music & talk) and fit well. Transparency is very nice too. They do take some messing with to pass the seal test. Think my left ear needs an XL.

My APP's are two days old and had some gunk on them! Soft craft paint brush and q-tip with alcohol cleaned them up.

Looking online I see some say these need cleaning twice a week! Also, couple said the Fun-Tac & Blu-Tack can push the debris deeper into the pods, but, looks like great success using these puddies here.

I was wondering wouldn't it be possible to design an adhesive backed replaceable filter to go over this grill?

 

[shenfrey]

If you put your fingers over the vents when running the test, it will pass every time. No force is required, no need to push them in further, just lightly cover the vents and watch the good seal appear.

This is a hardware issue and no amount of replacing them will solve the issue entirely.