AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[andrewsn00]

I got my airpod pro's replaced after the left one started rattling.

I had read a fair amount about the noise cancellation. Like everyone else when I first got them (when they came out) I loved the noise cancellation, and like everyone else was frustrated by how it was patched to be much much worse with the automatic firmware updates.

When I received the new replacement ones, they had whatever was the latest firmware at around one month ago from today (checked at the time).

I was really happy because they had what felt like the original noise cancellation to them, where you'd put them on and get the 'whoosh' as the noise cancellation came in.

Now, a month in, they've gone to the 'bad' noise cancellation, where it barely feels like it's working. Before, street noise was minimal, now it's very noticeable.

Has anyone else experienced this and has there been any consensus on what's up? I was under the impression it was an original firmware vs later firmware thing.

But the replacement headphones were the 'current' firmware a month ago, i.e. expected to be patched past the original noise cancellation, and they too have undergone this lowering quality. Is there an answer here to what's up?

 

[tsanga]

Question- they sent replacement ear tips as well, it is nice to have spares. Do I need to send my ear tips back or can I just keep mine and the replacements?

I’ve never returned any ear tips.

 

[480951]

Mine aren't rattling but I could swear the noise cancelling in the left is getting worse. I had just replaced the right one and case because one or both weren't charging properly. Have only had them since late June of this year too. I've never had this many issues with an Apple product before.

 

[kajukenbo]

Anyone else still have issues with their AirPods Pro after getting them replaced by the Service Program? My right AirPod constantly rattles when I jog and the left one has static when I'm not playing audio.

 

[BigZ12]

Anyone else still have issues with their AirPods Pro after getting them replaced by the Service Program? My right AirPod constantly rattles when I jog and the left one has static when I'm not playing audio.

Sorry to hear your new ones are faulty as well.
When are your replacements manufactured?

 

[Phil77354]

Anyone else still have issues with their AirPods Pro after getting them replaced by the Service Program? My right AirPod constantly rattles when I jog and the left one has static when I'm not playing audio.

My replacement AirPod Pros are working fine so far.

 

[glazball]

I was really happy because they had what felt like the original noise cancellation to them, where you'd put them on and get the 'whoosh' as the noise cancellation came in.

Now, a month in, they've gone to the 'bad' noise cancellation, where it barely feels like it's working. Before, street noise was minimal, now it's very noticeable.

I bought my APPs in Feb 2020.

My right APP started cracking and was replaced by Apple around June (only the right was replaced) and they sounded brand new again ("whoosh" with NC). Now that it's been a few months, the NC in the right pod has lessened and allows noise through. It also shows the right pod failing the fit test.

My left APP started crackling around September and was also replaced. It shows a good fit (for now) but I expect it to start failing too.

From my experience, when it fit test starts failing it is a sign that the rattling is incoming. I know some people in this thread didn't want to put much weight on the fit test, but they have gone hand in hand for me.

 

[chrfr]

From my experience, when it fit test starts failing it is a sign that the rattling is incoming. I know some people in this thread didn't want to put much weight on the fit test, but they have gone hand in hand for me.

That's how it was for me when I had mine replaced about 4-5 months ago. Now one of mine won't pass the fit test again so we'll see if it leads to the crackling.

 

[Zedcars]

I was going to buy some Pros todays as I lost one of my original AirPods. However, this thread has put me off. Without reading the entire thread, could anyone tell me if this issue still exists with brand new APP or if it’s likely they’d end up with the same problem over time. It’s a lot of money to spend on something that will go wrong a few months later.

Thank you.

 

[Invisible Elf]

So I got the replacement for only left unit of AirPods Pro a few days ago (because of crackling) and instantly noticed a huge difference in the noise cancelling between the two units, the new one had a weaker (or different?) noise cancelling. After telling that to Apple Support, they wanted to ship me another new single left unit, I told them about the physical change and the grill difference with pictures and they offered in the end to send me two new units (left and right). So I'll receive that next week and test that out. Is it possible that the grill and hardware changes caused noise cancelling to be physically weaker?

Did you turn in both your airpods at first, or only the one experiencing issues?

I have had problems with my right airpods which actually started shortly after they released my repair programme, but I told the apple store yesterday that it affected both airpods hoping they'll replace both of them.

 

[0194839]

So I got the replacement for only left unit of AirPods Pro a few days ago (because of crackling) and instantly noticed a huge difference in the noise cancelling between the two units, the new one had a weaker (or different?) noise cancelling. After telling that to Apple Support, they wanted to ship me another new single left unit, I told them about the physical change and the grill difference with pictures and they offered in the end to send me two new units (left and right). So I'll receive that next week and test that out. Is it possible that the grill and hardware changes caused noise cancelling to be physically weaker?

View attachment 1451259

Thanks for this awesome picture of the APP. Crystal clear! It seems that Apple rushed this product into the market. This is the reason why I never buy first gen products. I’m still gonna wait for the second generation of APP, this is just too much of a hassle.

 

[BigZ12]

I bought my APPs in Feb 2020.

My right APP started cracking and was replaced by Apple around June (only the right was replaced) and they sounded brand new again ("whoosh" with NC). Now that it's been a few months, the NC in the right pod has lessened and allows noise through. It also shows the right pod failing the fit test.

My left APP started crackling around September and was also replaced. It shows a good fit (for now) but I expect it to start failing too.

From my experience, when it fit test starts failing it is a sign that the rattling is incoming. I know some people in this thread didn't want to put much weight on the fit test, but they have gone hand in hand for me.

Now one of mine won't pass the fit test again so we'll see if it leads to the crackling.

This is exactly my experience as well.
It starts with the fit test failing (yellow), lesser bass and eventually rattling/crackling/distortion (in my latest case, mostly when talking on the phone with ANC on)
I've replaced the Airpods 3 times through Apple Support, and 1 time where I bought it (Authorized Apple reseller).
But when for two weeks ago, my left bud started rattling again (fit test yellow), I actually delivered them back to the reseller and cancelled the purchase. Got a full refund.

 

[wkd]

my fit test has always passed and still getting crackling while on call with someone

 

[KVet1979]

Reposted from another thread:

I had mine replaced today due to fit test not passing and mediocre sound. Weirdly, they sound so much better now but, I too, feel ANC does not work as effectively. On quieter songs, I’m sure I can hear ambient noise. This soon goes as the songs go up a gear and become louder. Maybe I’m expecting too much? Overall, I’m happier. Another strange thing, the (new) recessed external vent seems to clog a lot easier than before too.....

 

[MrLoL]

Did you turn in both your airpods at first, or only the one experiencing issues?

I have had problems with my right airpods which actually started shortly after they released my repair programme, but I told the apple store yesterday that it affected both airpods hoping they'll replace both of them.

I called them and told the issue only happened on the left one, so they proceeded to replace only the left one

 

[Bazooka-joe]

My January 2020 AirPod pro's started crackling in May so had them replaced and they started cracking again at the weekend. Shame really as i got a perfect seal every time with the replacement set. Spoke to Apple tonight and after confirming a few checks, a replacement set is on the way with them holding a charge on my account until they receive the old ones back Hopefully these will be more reliable and factory fresh as my understanding is that they have fixed some build and QC issues.

 

[craigdavison]

I've had this issue 3 times now, each time with it having to be replaced (including on the replacements!).

Has anybody got these replaced out-of-warranty? If not, I will probably sell these before my warranty expires because I can tell this is going to happen again.

It's a shame because I really enjoy the product, but will have to downgrade to the regular AirPods until they release a new AirPods Pro that hopefully fixes this issue.

 

[chrfr]

I've had this issue 3 times now, each time with it having to be replaced (including on the replacements!).

Has anybody got these replaced out-of-warranty? If not, I will probably sell these before my warranty expires because I can tell this is going to happen again.

It's a shame because I really enjoy the product, but will have to downgrade to the regular AirPods until they release a new AirPods Pro that hopefully fixes this issue.

The repair program covers the defect for 2 years from the date of purchase. The problem should be resolved once you get a pair manufactured after October 2020.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

My replacements arrived today. I see no difference from my old AirPods so I can’t tell if they’ve been manufactured after October 2020. I would suspect not.
Sound quality seems better but ANC doesn’t seem as good as my previous sets when playing at low volume. i have upgraded them to the latest firmware

 

[Cozmosis]

Is there any evidence that the manufacturing has changed post October? Does anyone have a pair beyond there? Haven’t come across any evidence this has actually been fixed yet.

 

[chrfr]

Is there any evidence that the manufacturing has changed post October? Does anyone have a pair beyond there? Haven’t come across any evidence this has actually been fixed yet.

All we have to go on is that Apple says the problem affects Airpods made prior to October. Nobody seems to have any details as to the problem’s root cause nor its fix.

 

[Zanton68]

how does the warranty work when you get a replacement? say i got my APPs last february, and i get a replacement in October, so the 1 year warranty starts with the replacement from oct 2020 to oct 2021, or just until february 2021??

instead of calling, can i just go to the store (with appointment) and walk out with a new set right away?

It’s a bit grim I think. They swapped mine after a few weeks but, unlike a normal store that would take mine back and then give me a new box of the shelf. I had to sit in store while they got a seperate case then a separate left AirPod and a separate right AirPod. I’m not going to buy from Apple Store in future...so much hassle for a product they agreed was faulty. It took about 3 hours of phone calls, a one hour round trip to the store and about an hour in store. Such a hassle.

 

[wkd]

Is there any evidence that the manufacturing has changed post October? Does anyone have a pair beyond there? Haven’t come across any evidence this has actually been fixed yet.

just got mine replaced today. the inner mic is recessed more than on the original. dont know if that will fix the problem, only time will tell.

they also said i get 2 years warranty from today for the airpods.

 

[0194839]

just got mine replaced today. the inner mic is recessed more than on the original. dont know if that will fix the problem, only time will tell.

they also said i get 2 years warranty from today for the airpods.

I don’t think the recessed mesh will fix the problem. It may take a bit longer to get clogged but it stays vulnerable in collecting skin oil and ear wax imo.

I rather see Apple replace the mesh with a piece of engineered porous glass which should be impenetrable.

 

[ninecows]

I don’t think the recessed mesh will fix the problem. It may take a bit longer to get clogged but it stays vulnerable in collecting skin oil and ear wax imo.

I rather see Apple replace the mesh with a piece of engineered porous glass which should be impenetrable.

So... some material that allows sound to pass through with the speed and frequency response as free air, but is solid and does not get clogged by sticky stuff. Alternatively capture the transfer function for sound in that material vs air and compensate to get ANC/transparency mode to work. Good luck with that Apple. It will be an amazing achievement. There’s probably a good reason why the opted for standard mesh in version 1.