AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[BigMcGuire]

My AirPods Pro finally hit the bucket. I was having rattling static popping in my right AirPod Pro - any time I hit the ground when jogging it would crackle and pop. If I pushed the earbud into my ear it would crackle and pop as well - sometimes a high pitch whine. After a week of this I stopped wearing them for exercise because it was getting really bad.

Finally contacted Apple about them and after a few troubleshooting methods, they basically next day air'ed me a replacement set (AppleCare+). Very nice of them to replace both (the tech actually asked me if I wanted both replaced, I said yes).

 

[BigMcGuire]

My AirPods Pro finally hit the bucket. I was having rattling static popping in my right AirPod Pro - any time I hit the ground when jogging it would crackle and pop. If I pushed the earbud into my ear it would crackle and pop as well - sometimes a high pitch whine. After a week of this I stopped wearing them for exercise because it was getting really bad.

Finally contacted Apple about them and after a few troubleshooting methods, they basically next day air'ed me a replacement set (AppleCare+). Very nice of them to replace both (the tech actually asked me if I wanted both replaced, I said yes).

My replacements are definitely the recessed grill versions on the top. Didn't notice this till reading the last few pages of this thread.

I am trying to figure out if I should try to sell these (as they're basically unused) or if I should risk trying to use them again. I'm thinking if I use them again I won't use them for exercise - but for at home only to keep the grills from getting clogged? Though it looks like users are still having issues with these even!

I've got AppleCare+ on these till 2022. So... <shrug>.

 

[mppn]

It's unfortunately not fixing it for me. I've replaced the new version four times since the new version. Once on Nov 6th, then Dec 26th, then on January 29th and I'm now in the process of replacing these again (Feb 24th). They basically last 3-4 weeks

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I got mine replaced early last year, maybe April since COVID was new, and I fought them to not have to get one replaced and come back to replace the other when both were bad - they didn’t want to do both, but due to my lung disability they relented so I could stay safe at home. Haven’t had a problem since.

 

[mikemj23]

Had both of mine replaced last April and issue just started again in left APP on voice calls. Just chatted with Apple and they are replacing both. Had to put a hold on CC just like before but happy to get them replaced.

 

[madeirabhoy]

took mine back 3 weeks ago, to the shop I bought them from, FNAC as I couldn't find the receipt. panicked slightly when they printed off the receipt and it was 1 year and 1 day, but sent them back to Apple and I got two new AirPods. passed the app test, sound great, no problems. lets see....

 

[BigZ12]

Airpods Pro, with recessed grills and 06CL serial...
Here we go again... left Airpod with some static noise, especially when talking on the phone, and yellow fit test every time now. (Was green for about a month/month and a half)
Not quite sure, but I feel the left lack a little bass now as well, especially with ANC off.

Will take them back to the store tomorrow...

 

[TD912]

Got a third replacement back in December, and the right one started rumbling again in late January. Maybe Apple is trying to reduce clogs with the recessed grilles, but I don't think they're actually clogging. This is just total speculation, but I think there's some fault that develops inside them when equalizing air pressure or something. About to contact Apple to get a 4th replacement but it's getting to be real pain.

 

[evertjr]

It’s definitely clogging.


I was having sound issues (failed fit test, weak bass, weak ANC, amplification of bone movements) and after a good cleaning with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab on the two external meshes they sound like new (blu tack also works but it leaves glue residues that causes the same problem quickly). My model is pre October. My advice to those having issues is clean them, avoid touching the top mesh and clean your ears before using it (even with your fingers to remove some oil).
It has been more than a month since I cleaned and even going to the gym every single day with them, the fit test still passes and they sound great.
The AirPods Pro aren’t simple earbuds, they feature computational audio that relies on the microphones around it and if they don’t “hear” properly weird things will be reproduced.

 

[vinegarshots]

It’s definitely clogging.


I was having sound issues (failed fit test, weak bass, weak ANC, amplification of bone movements) and after a good cleaning with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab on the two external meshes they sound like new (blu tack also works but it leaves glue residues that causes the same problem quickly). My model is pre October. My advice to those having issues is clean them, avoid touching the top mesh and clean your ears before using it (even with your fingers to remove some oil).
It has been more than a month since I cleaned and even going to the gym every single day with them, the fit test still passes and they sound great.
The AirPods Pro aren’t simple earbuds, they feature computational audio that relies on the microphones around it and if they don’t “hear” properly weird things will be reproduced.

Dont ever clean the mesh with alcohol. The water-resistance works with surface tension-- the holes are small enough that the surface tension of water keeps it from passing through unless under high pressure (like deep underwater). However, alcohol doesnt have surface tension like water, and it will pass right through the mesh and get inside your pods (this is why the instructions say to not use cleansers to clean the airpods...)

Also, clogging is one issue, but it's not the only issue. The other issue is crappy quality MEMs microphones inside the pods that can be damaged very easily under a huge number of various circumstances. A single piece of dust contamination on a MEMs can affect its performance. They are very delicate things.

 

[evertjr]

Dont ever clean the mesh with alcohol. The water-resistance works with surface tension-- the holes are small enough that the surface tension of water keeps it from passing through unless under high pressure (like deep underwater). However, alcohol doesnt have surface tension like water, and it will pass right through the mesh and get inside your pods (this is why the instructions say to not use cleansers to clean the airpods...)

Also, clogging is one issue, but it's not the only issue. The other issue is crappy quality MEMs microphones inside the pods that can be damaged very easily under a huge number of various circumstances. A single piece of dust contamination on a MEMs can affect its performance. They are very delicate things.

That’s incorrect, isopropyl alcohol is a special product designed to clean electronic parts, even on apple website “how to clean your AirPods” they now recommend to use it. The only place you shouldn’t use it is on the speaker grill because alcohol can damage speakers.

 

[vinegarshots]

That’s incorrect, isopropyl alcohol is a special product designed to clean electronic parts, even on apple website “how to clean your AirPods” they now recommend to use it. The only place you shouldn’t use it is on the speaker grill because alcohol can damage speakers.

No they dont. They only suggest using alcohol on the charging case (See below for AirPods Pro directions, from Apple's site).

Also, the thing you need to understand is that a microphone is basically a speaker that works in reverse. And a MEMs mic is TINY. And it is extremely, EXTREMELY fragile. Part of the problem with liquid touching a MEMs is that any liquid is certain to be carrying microscopic particles of dust or whatever in it. If the alcohol gets on the MEMs, evaporates, and leaves a piece of dust or any other contaminant behind, then you've got a big problem.

Dont clean your AirPods with alcohol.

Clean your AirPods and AirPods Pro​

• Don’t run AirPods or AirPods Pro under water.
• Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
• If your AirPods or AirPods Pro are exposed to anything that might cause stains or other damage—for example, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfumes, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, sunscreen, oil, or hair dye:
  • Wipe them clean with a cloth slightly dampened with fresh water and dry with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
  • Allow them to completely dry before placing in the charging case.
  • Do not attempt to use them until they're completely dry.
• Make sure not to get any liquid in the openings.
• Clean the microphone and speaker meshes with a dry cotton swab.
• Don't use sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro.

EDIT: If you want to get real technical, this is from a MEMs whitepaper:
https://vespermems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Vesper-Microphone-Arrays-whitepaper-1.pdf

A microphone can be made more dust-resistant by covering its acoustic port, which is the hole that exposes the microphone to the outside world, with a protective mesh. If the mesh is fine enough, it will substantially slow down liquids entering the acoustic port, as the surface-tension of the liquid will cause it to ball-up against the mesh and only slowly leak through. While a mesh can help meet minimum reliability requirements, it is not a long-term solution. Dust and grime accumulate on the mesh surface, obstructing the acoustic port and reducing the microphone sensitivity. Very fine particles (micron-scale) are not blocked by a coarse mesh, and can kill a microphone by jamming between its electrostatic plates. And surfactants – liquids with low surface tension, including soapy water and detergents – can flow through a mesh unimpeded. Mesh protection can be made more effective by increasing the mesh density. However, this has the unwanted effect of reducing a microphone’s sensitivity and decreasing its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A water-resistant mesh will degrade SNR by up to 6dB even before it gets clogged with particles. This compromise between protection and performance is a fundamental flaw of mesh protection.

 

[japanime]

No they dont. They only suggest using alcohol on the charging case (See below for AirPods Pro directions, from Apple's site).

This screenshot is from the top of the support document found here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208729.

 

[vinegarshots]

This screenshot is from the top of the support document found here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208729.

View attachment 1737387

Yeah, those are pandemic specific guidelines for "disinfectant" purposes. You're also not supposed to use alcohol on your iPhone because it damages the oleophobic coating on the screen, but they changed the guidelines on that, too, just to help reduce germs. Anyway, there's no point in arguing with me over this point-- AirPods Pro are using an established technology that has proven points of failure (Apple didn't use any of their "magic" on that...which is partly why there are so many issues with them). Use alcohol, and your risk of screwing them up increases, simple as that.

Also, pay attention to the part that reads "Avoid getting moisture in any openings"

That's their way of saying, "if you break it, it's your fault."

 

[BigZ12]

Airpods Pro, with recessed grills and 06CL serial...
Here we go again... left Airpod with some static noise, especially when talking on the phone, and yellow fit test every time now. (Was green for about a month/month and a half)
Not quite sure, but I feel the left lack a little bass now as well, especially with ANC off.

Will take them back to the store tomorrow...

Talked to Apple support just now.
He said my APPs are pre-October 2020, even if it has recessed grill and the serial number has 06CL as the last 4 digits.

Comments?

PS: I now have yellow fit test on the right as well, and bass is almost gone, especially with ANC off.

 

[evertjr]

Yeah, those are pandemic specific guidelines for "disinfectant" purposes. You're also not supposed to use alcohol on your iPhone because it damages the oleophobic coating on the screen, but they changed the guidelines on that, too, just to help reduce germs. Anyway, there's no point in arguing with me over this point-- AirPods Pro are using an established technology that has proven points of failure (Apple didn't use any of their "magic" on that...which is partly why there are so many issues with them). Use alcohol, and your risk of screwing them up increases, simple as that.

Also, pay attention to the part that reads "Avoid getting moisture in any openings"

That's their way of saying, "if you break it, it's your fault."

High percentage Isopropyl alcohol DO NOT DAMAGE ELETRONICS. It almost doesn’t contain water and evaporate in seconds. It’s the safest product to use and that’s why Apple recommends it. If you don’t wanna clean your stuff and keep generating waste replacing them frequently, fine. I just shared my experience that it fix all sound issues doing it and I think if you’re about to replace them anyway why not try.

 

[vinegarshots]

High percentage Isopropyl alcohol DO NOT DAMAGE ELETRONICS. It almost doesn’t contain water and evaporate in seconds. It’s the safest product to use and that’s why Apple recommends it. If you don’t wanna clean your stuff and keep generating waste replacing them frequently, fine. I just shared my experience that it fix all sound issues doing it and I think if you’re about to replace them anyway why not try.

Wow, you really didn't read anything I posted, did you?

Alcohol doesn't conduct electricity, which is why it is "safe" on ELECTRONICS...

But microphones are also MECHANICAL devices, that don't work right if you get any kind of debris on the membrane (we're talking MICRON size debris...do you have any idea how small a micron is?) The alcohol that passes through the mesh dissolves and gathers any crap that's trapped in the mesh and carries it inside. If the alcohol gets on top of that MECHANICAL microphone membrane and evaporates, it leaves the contaminants behind on the membrane. And AirPods Pro only function properly if the mics are working 100%.

But please go ahead and dump alcohol all over them. Do it daily. Maybe even let them soak in it.

 

[dannyyankou]

I last got mine replaced in September 2020 and haven't had any issues yet. I got them replaced like four times already so hopefully that was the last time.

 

[evertjr]

Wow, you really didn't read anything I posted, did you?

Alcohol doesn't conduct electricity, which is why it is "safe" on ELECTRONICS...

But microphones are also MECHANICAL devices, that don't work right if you get any kind of debris on the membrane (we're talking MICRON size debris...do you have any idea how small a micron is?) The alcohol that passes through the mesh dissolves and gathers any crap that's trapped in the mesh and carries it inside. If the alcohol gets on top of that MECHANICAL microphone membrane and evaporates, it leaves the contaminants behind on the membrane. And AirPods Pro only function properly if the mics are working 100%.

But please go ahead and dump alcohol all over them. Do it daily. Maybe even let them soak in it.

Seeing iFixIt tear down pictures I don’t think the AirPods pro microphones are the way you’re thinking and I never told anyone to soak them on alcohol, a cotton swab soaked is enough. Anyway I’m done talking to you. Apple clearly states it is a product you can use and if it was that dangerous for the outsides meshes they would state it like they mention speaker mesh. I’ll keep doing it and if it ever causes problems I’ll post here.

 

[vinegarshots]

Seeing iFixIt tear down pictures I don’t think the AirPods pro microphones are the way you’re thinking and I never told anyone to soak them on alcohol, a cotton swab soaked is enough. Anyway I’m done talking to you. Apple clearly states it is a product you can use and if it was that dangerous for the outsides meshes they would state it like they mention speaker mesh. I’ll keep doing it and if it ever causes problems I’ll post here.

iFixit is a garbage teardown that doesn't show anything.

This is from a different site's teardown-- the two gold rectangles are the microphones. The opposite side that you can't see in this photo has a hole in each of them that faces the exterior mesh.

As long as you follow their directions and use an alcohol wipe (not a swab) to quickly wipe the outside, you probably won't get enough alcohol to seep through the mesh to get inside the mics. But it wouldn't be hard to use too much if you're using a an alcohol swab or a cotton ball, etc, instead.

You just can't underestimate how flimsy these things are. I managed to break two sets of mine. One by blowing into the mesh trying to clean it with air, and another set by sneezing too loudly when they were in my ears. (simple air pressure changes, if drastic enough, is enough to blow out these mics, too)

 

[evertjr]

iFixit is a garbage teardown that doesn't show anything.

This is from a different site's teardown-- the two gold rectangles are the microphones. The opposite side that you can't see in this photo has a hole in each of them that faces the exterior mesh.

As long as you follow their directions and use an alcohol wipe (not a swab) to quickly wipe the outside, you probably won't get enough alcohol to seep through the mesh to get inside the mics. But it wouldn't be hard to use too much if you're using a an alcohol swab or a cotton ball, etc, instead.

You just can't underestimate how flimsy these things are. I managed to break two sets of mine. One by blowing into the mesh trying to clean it with air, and another set by sneezing too loudly when they were in my ears. (simple air pressure changes, if drastic enough, is enough to blow out these mics, too)


View attachment 1738130

Did you just call iFixIt garbage? Lol on the website they clearly showed much better pictures from both sides of the entire unit. Anyway, for testing purposes I aggressively (think brushing teeth) cleaned mine 5 times with a swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol 99% and let it dry on its own, no issues, fit test ok, great anc and transparency.
I still believe those sound issues aren’t caused by defective microphone but because this mesh is so dense that it with enough oil/earwax it creates a sound block and this microphone instead of ambient noise it picks internal sounds and body moviments sounds and then try to invert them, producing weird results.
There’s another thread here that someone posted a very close picture and you could see there’s a even thinner mesh underneath the outside one and that’s why it’s so hard to clean... blu tack pull it out with glue, and isopropyl alcohol likely destroys those particles.
The “new” model even support this theory as the change Apple made was make this mesh more recessed hopping it don’t block as easily.

 

[steve62388]

Just had a nightmare experience dealing with Apple about my AirPods Pro. Fault was the exact symptoms of rattlegate.

I live in a country with no Apple Stores. I contacted the retailer (my countries largest online retailer) and they asked me to confirm with Apple that they had a hardware fault. I did that. Sent the AirPods back to the retailer for what I presume will be replacement. The retailer gets back to me that Apple reported to them that 'there has been no troubleshooting steps taken under this number' (Case ID number is correct). Just spent a total of five hours passed from person to person with Apple, trying to get them to tell the retailer that they provided the retailer with the incorrect information. Not possible, despite me sending Apple transcript proof of their own online chat back to them.

Somewhat in limbo now. The retailer has my AirPods, and Apple are refusing to correct their mistake. Unbelievable.

 

[vinegarshots]

Did you just call iFixIt garbage? Lol on the website they clearly showed much better pictures from both sides of the entire unit. Anyway, for testing purposes I aggressively (think brushing teeth) cleaned mine 5 times with a swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol 99% and let it dry on its own, no issues, fit test ok, great anc and transparency.
I still believe those sound issues aren’t caused by defective microphone but because this mesh is so dense that it with enough oil/earwax it creates a sound block and this microphone instead of ambient noise it picks internal sounds and body moviments sounds and then try to invert them, producing weird results.
There’s another thread here that someone posted a very close picture and you could see there’s a even thinner mesh underneath the outside one and that’s why it’s so hard to clean... blu tack pull it out with glue, and isopropyl alcohol likely destroys those particles.
The “new” model even support this theory as the change Apple made was make this mesh more recessed hopping it don’t block as easily.

Dude, I'm the one who used my microscope to take photos of the mesh, and posted them on this forum.

Some of the sound issues are definitely from broken mics. Some are from clogged mesh. It's not as cut and dry as you think it is.

 

[rxp]

I use a reusable lint roller that leaves no residue to clean my grills. That combined with cleaning my ears before each insertion has kept my replacement pair in perfect working order.

Sucks they are so fragile. But there's nothing else like them on the market so I put up with it

 

[BigZ12]

Talked to Apple support just now.
He said my APPs are pre-October 2020, even if it has recessed grill and the serial number has 06CL as the last 4 digits.

Comments?

So no comments regarding that my Airpods Pro with 06CL serial (but 09/20 on box) and recessed grills are confirmed produced pre-Oct?
The left are completely gone. Rattling, static noise with calls, less bass, bad ANC and yellow fit test. Worst I've had.
I still get replacements on both, and will have them on Monday. (the Apple customer support thought it would be wrong to replace just the one when they were pre-Oct.)