AirPods 4 with ANC - Low Static Noise

[dandobingo]

Hi, does anyone else hear a low humming/buzzing/static sound in quiet environments in ANC/Adaptive/Transparency mode? It disappears when I turn off noise control.

I have just compared with a friends AirPods Pro 2 and they exhibited no low buzzing on any of the 3 modes.

It would be great if anyone else with AirPods 4 with ANC could confirm or deny this, I am deciding whether to return for a replacement pair.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I hear a high pitched hiss with ANC and no music. Only at high volumes . . .

 

[dandobingo]

I hear a high pitched hiss with ANC and no music. Only at high volumes . . .

Interesting -- volume doesn't seem to matter on my end, its a constant level of static when the ANC/Transparency modes are activated no matter what volume the iPhone is set to..

 

[hepokatt1]

I'm hearing that too with ANC on. There is a little bit of delay, it starts about two seconds after turning ANC on. Volume doesn't make any difference. And also I don't hear that same noice with Airpods Pro 2 with ANC on.

I'm not sure about the other modes, maybe because my environment isn't quiet enough to test that.

 

[dandobingo]

Is anyone able to confirm whether this is the case with all units and we might expect a firmware update to fix it? Or if it just might be a hardware issue and needs replacing?

 

[CPx]

Yeah I have hissing on mine too with the transparency and ANC modes. It's fine if all the modes are off. Hopefully this is addressable with firmware updates..

 

[dandobingo]

I went to an Apple Store and replaced them for a new pair and the new pair exhibits the same issue, so I can confidently say it's just the way they are and not a fault. Surprised it's not been picked up on and mentioned in reviews etc!

I'm still happy with them tho -- you don't notice the noise in louder environments and the ANC is great. It's just a shame that you can't really have them on Transparency mode in a quiet house as the static is a bit annoying.

 

[AJTC]

I only seem to have the hissing on the right AirPod. Got a second pair today to test out and they’re the exact same so as mentioned above hopefully a firmware update might change it.

 

[hepokatt1]

A short mention about this noise at 9:57 in Snazzy Labs's video:

 

[Majkelek96]

Yeah it’s hissing when ANC is on and it’s quiet, the audio playing should be also as loud or louder than the static otherwise u can hear both. I hear it more with right ear but maybe the canal has better fit or i just hear worse on left ear. What should we do.

 

[Corgirat]

I noticed this static as well the first time I tried it but did not think anything of it until I saw this thread. Maybe because I usually leave ANC and transparency turned off and the only time I experienced that static was the time I was testing that out the first day. Do you think this has anything to do with battery drain on iPhone? I realized that Find My is always draining battery all day long and the only time I can make it stop is when I turn off the Find My "Network" off on AirPods 4. Find My can be on but turn off "Find My Network". Then my battery last so much longer. Not sure if this is at all related to the firmware that should fix the static...
Can any of you check your battery stat to see Find My is always running in the background?

 

[Jackbequickly]

I tried a friend 4s with ANC and the high pitched hiss is exactly the same. I can only hear at high volume when there is not music. Maybe an update will take care of it.

 

[bdbfc]

Glad I am not the only one, my right ear generally has a slight ringing in it, and I was like wth. ( also only on the right one)

 

[samuelk0814]

Had the same issue even w/ replacement (Airpods 4 ANC). Usually notice issue with noise cancellation not with transparency or other modes. Right airpod only. Anyone notice fix?

edit: trying to force a firmware update rn

 

[samuelk0814]

I think the latest firmware update (7A304) fixed it!

 

[bdbfc]

I think the latest firmware update (7A304) fixed it!

Yup agreed, much better

 

[samuelk0814]

It was fine for a while w/ latest firmware but it's back, right airpod, intermittently, like a whooshing noise (kind of like a sea conch) only when ANC is on not with transparency

 

[one more]

After yesterday’s firmware update (7B19) it is barely noticeable for me and sounds like a very distant “sea tide hum” only with Noise Cancelling on (Transparency and Adaptive modes are fine).

 

[Whoops2474]

I’ve noticed same thing with my AirPods Pro 2. Went to Apple service and they’re replaced both of my earbuds. New ones have same noise but much less pronounced.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Hiss be gone! Latest update reduced the hiss for me. The 4s with ANC are now perfect!

 

[Andrey84]

I might have great hearing: the hissing noise with ANC on is LOUD and it's not even a question if it exists or not.
Does anyone hear any noise even when ANC and all advanced features are OFF?
I can hear it as well, very faint, but annoying enough to go back to AirPods 3.

 

[one more]

I might have great hearing. The noise with ANC on is MASSIVE and it's not even a question.
Does anyone hear any noise even when all advanced features are OFF?
I can hear it as well, very faint, but annoying enough to go back to AirPods 3.

Check that you have the latest firmware on them (7B19)!

 

[Andrey84]

Check that you have the latest firmware on them (7B19)!

I checked, yes it's 7B19

 

[Andrey84]

Hiss be gone! Latest update reduced the hiss for me. The 4s with ANC are now perfect!

certainly no changes for me, like @one more said it's like the sound of the sea. Unmistakeably there. But for me ANC hissing is not really a worry, as I don't use ANC.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Greatly reduced for me. Only hear slight hiss at very high volume.