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frez

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 12, 2005
82
2
I know the Airpod Pros cancel noise in your environment when listening, but do they also reduce noise in the environment for the microphone too?

One of the biggest complaints I get with AirPods Gen 2, from anyone I'm talking to, is that they are way too sensitive and amplify the noises in the environment such as clicks, clangs, bangs etc.

If you want to really annoy the other person, try closing a bag of chips -- it will make them physically jump away from their phone because it's unbearable.

This is not a problem with the wired apple headphones.

Before upgrading, I want to know if the Pros will solve this problem.
 
Last edited:

Otflyer

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2017
1,474
999
SF Bay Area
I know the Airpod Pros cancel noise in your environment when listening, but do they also reduce noise in the environment for the microphone too?

One of the biggest complaints I get with AirPods Gen 2, from anyone I'm talking to, is that they are way too sensitive and amplify the noises in the environment such as clicks, clangs, bangs etc.

If you want to really annoy the other person, try closing a bag of chips -- it will make them physically jump away from their phone because it's unbearable.

This is not a problem with the wired apple headphones.

Before upgrading, I want to know if the Pros will solve this problem.
Buy them and try them yourself. You have 14 days to return them if they don’t satisfy you.
 
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Otflyer

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2017
1,474
999
SF Bay Area
They are going to be more difficult to get with the holidays approaching so people better order close to the beginning of the holiday return window.
 
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ipponrg

macrumors 68020
Oct 15, 2008
2,309
2,087
I know the Airpod Pros cancel noise in your environment when listening, but do they also reduce noise in the environment for the microphone too?

One of the biggest complaints I get with AirPods Gen 2, from anyone I'm talking to, is that they are way too sensitive and amplify the noises in the environment such as clicks, clangs, bangs etc.

If you want to really annoy the other person, try closing a bag of chips -- it will make them physically jump away from their phone because it's unbearable.

This is not a problem with the wired apple headphones.

Before upgrading, I want to know if the Pros will solve this problem.

keep in mind that is the inherent flaw with Bluetooth mics vs wired headphone mics. I read that Bluetooth mics fall back to low spec (telephony) because it’s sending. The BT specs are all about receiving data and don’t support full duplex. Your BT mic will never sound as good as wired unless you have a dedicated mic dongle
 
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redman042

macrumors 68040
Jun 13, 2008
3,063
1,657
How widespread is this problem anyway? I ran into this with my first pair of AirPods, and was very surprised when the person on the other end said the sounds were unbearable. I haven't heard that recently with my current replacement AirPods. I have Pros on the way and will have to report back if that's an issue. I was starting to think it was a glitch in my particular buds, not a design flaw.
 
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frez

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 12, 2005
82
2
Thanks all.

I also did a search through Apple’s forums and it looks like others have hit this issue. I too am wondering if it’s widespread or just in some headphones. I tried a test with another friend who has AirPods and the background sound level is indeed insane. ?

Maybe a call to Support is in order. These headphones are only a couple of months old.
 

ofarlig

macrumors 6502a
Jun 23, 2015
931
1,148
Sweden
Airpods Pro use ANC even if they aren't playing music. I am am using mine mostly for this as wearing my Sony WH-1000XM3 12+ hours per day puts a strain on my neck. The Sonys are now used for the times I need that extra passive insulation. A bonus is that if you use both at the same time it becomes insanely effective!
 

Dammit Cubs

macrumors 68020
Jul 31, 2007
2,122
718
I think the mic quality of the airpods gen2 and the airpods pro are going to similiar because of the stem. You can't complete drown out all the noise but you should read Jim's Reviews or other youtubes who actually use the mic in noisy areas for some ideas. personally, the airpods mic is the best bluetooth in ear mics i have used and i have been struggling from bluetooth device to bluetooth device for a good mic quality.

The airpods and the airpods pro do a good job for my taste but people will sometimes now, like if i'm driving and I have them on.
 

shady16

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2019
848
725
i can confirm they are the same mic quality as the gen 2, when on the phone with my friends and father they can literally hear almost any sound around me
 
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