AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[casjohnr]

I've got a appointment at the Leeds (UK) store first thing on Friday morning just to get mine checked out as I keep hearing a 'crisp bag rustling' type sound in my left particulary and they're a fairly early batch anyway so might as well get them checked out

If they fail the tests do they just have stock to replace them there and then or do I have to make another visit to collect the replacements?

 

[Sikh]

Can anyone explain me the tests they run in order to check if you are eligible? My right one started to click and I want it to be replaced and I would like to know what they need to consider the pod as faulty…

Why? Just take it in and let them run the tests.

The test they run isn't something thats accessible to us. They take the pods in the back and put them in some kind of box / chamber. It was covered here years ago but its a special tool that they put your airpods in and it takes 10 minutes for the test to run

 

[Sikh]

I've got a appointment at the Leeds (UK) store first thing on Friday morning just to get mine checked out as I keep hearing a 'crisp bag rustling' type sound in my left particulary and they're a fairly early batch anyway so might as well get them checked out

If they fail the tests do they just have stock to replace them there and then or do I have to make another visit to collect the replacements?

They usually have stock to replace them but if they dont, you can either go back and pick them up when they come in (usually 1-2 days) or they will offer to ship them to you for free.

 

[dannyyankou]

Also even though the support page says they have to be manufactured before October 2020, they'll replace them no matter when you bought them.

 

[japanime]

They take the pods in the back and put them in some kind of box / chamber. It was covered here years ago but its a special tool that they put your airpods in and it takes 10 minutes for the test to run

Has anyone actually seen the testing device? Honestly. I've always suspected that they simply take them into the back so we can't see the "Genius" stick them in their ears to check for the rattle.

 

[Sikh]

Has anyone actually seen the testing device? Honestly. I've always suspected that they simply take them into the back so we can't see the "Genius" stick them in their ears to check for the rattle.

Here's the one for the Airpods. I remember the Pro one was leaked too and its a chamber. The mic listens to the airpod pros in a confined space to determine audio quality.

I talked to the genius when I got mine replaced earlier this year and he said they put the airpods individually into the chamber, close it and then start the test. The case gets tested with a lighting cable. The reason he told me all this was because I also joked that they probably put their own tips on and listen to it themselves for a few minutes in a quieter space (backroom vs front of store) to determine if there's an issue and he laughed and said no and then told me the details.

 

[japanime]

Here's the one for the Airpods. I remember the Pro one was leaked too and its a chamber. The mic listens to the airpod pros in a confined space to determine audio quality.

I talked to the genius when I got mine replaced earlier this year and he said they put the airpods individually into the chamber, close it and then start the test. The case gets tested with a lighting cable. The reason he told me all this was because I also joked that they probably put their own tips on and listen to it themselves for a few minutes in a quieter space (backroom vs front of store) to determine if there's an issue and he laughed and said no and then told me the details.

Thanks for the link!

I probably should have put /s at the end of my previous post, because I was being a little silly.

I got a firsthand look at the device yesterday, when I took my APPs to an Apple Authorized Service Center because both buds had developed the crackle. To my surprise, the employee actually placed the testing device on the bench and tested them right in front of me. He confirmed the crackle and replaced them for me on the spot.

Also worth noting is the defective buds were manufactured after October 2020.

 

[tor_2]

I got my replaced too. They were manufactured before October 2020. I took them because they developed the click sound. The genius took both of them to the back room and after 5-10 minutes the genius got back with two boxes, one for each AirPod… So very happy with the service

 

[chiefdave]

A month after the last replacement the problem is back. Does the same problem exist with the Pro 2? Don’t really want to spend another £250 when the original product clearly isn’t fit for market but I can’t keep sending them back every few weeks!

 

[msackey]

Welp, I might be replacing my replacement Airpods Pro soon if Apple is willing to replace them.

It looks to me that mine have developed the crackle/rattle which I've been noticing every now and then although sometimes I wonder if I'm just losing my mind. I have an appointment to take them in at the end of next weekend.

The first time I experienced the rattle maybe 1 or 1.5 years ago, I didn't realize that that was what they were. I thought the ear tips were getting just a bit loose after having used them for so long. I also noticed that the ear fit test showed that the Left side wasn't "good" and the program suggested trying different tips. So I shelled out addition ear tips from Apple to see if that would solve the problem. It didn't. So finally I went to an Apple Store and they determined it needed to be replaced. What exactly is causing this problem? I think my replacement needs replacing too.

 

[michaelant]

A month after the last replacement the problem is back. Does the same problem exist with the Pro 2? Don’t really want to spend another £250 when the original product clearly isn’t fit for market but I can’t keep sending them back every few weeks!

The Pro 2 doesn't have the same problem. (Yet! And let's hope there are no other problems.)

They moved the grille that presses in the inside of the ear. Now it's in a different spot where it won't be affected by that pressure and potentially fail, and in its place is a skin sensor, to tell when they're in your ears. The skin sensor is not a grille, it's flat and closed, so pressure won't affect it.

The Pro 2 is a good upgrade. If you pay attention to sound quality you'll hear it - bass is considerably fuller, and the highs are more crisp. They sound great. But bigger than that the noise cancelling is much improved. I'm very happy with mine. BUT, I'd probably have run the battery out on my Pro 1 pair(s) if I didn't have to get them replaced multiple times. What a saga.

 

[chiefdave]

The Pro 2 doesn't have the same problem. (Yet! And let's hope there are no other problems.)

They moved the grille that presses in the inside of the ear. Now it's in a different spot where it won't be affected by that pressure and potentially fail, and in its place is a skin sensor, to tell when they're in your ears. The skin sensor is not a grille, it's flat and closed, so pressure won't affect it.

The Pro 2 is a good upgrade. If you pay attention to sound quality you'll hear it - bass is considerably fuller, and the highs are more crisp. They sound great. But bigger than that the noise cancelling is much improved. I'm very happy with mine. BUT, I'd probably have run the battery out on my Pro 1 pair(s) if I didn't have to get them replaced multiple times. What a saga.

There's already a post on here about "airpods Pro 2nd generation squeaky sound issue in noise canceling mode" which has me a bit worried, no replies though at the moment.

I got a cheap (£45) pair of Audio Technica today as I will need something with the AirPods are away for repair again and tbh I'm blown away with the sound quality compared to the AirPods, especially with lossless on. Not sure I feel like spending £250 on replacement AirPods in the hope another fault doesn't become apparent a few months down the line, especially as it seems Apple with give me precisely £0 trade in.

 

[casjohnr]

I've got a appointment at the Leeds (UK) store first thing on Friday morning just to get mine checked out as I keep hearing a 'crisp bag rustling' type sound in my left particulary and they're a fairly early batch anyway so might as well get them checked out

If they fail the tests do they just have stock to replace them there and then or do I have to make another visit to collect the replacements?

Only just got round to visiting this evening after having to cancel my original appointment

Both tested, both failed and both replaced on the spot I think there were also at least 3 other customers in having the same tests done just whilst I was there!

Very friendly staff to say they were completely rushed off their feet too (apparently sickness issues not helping), as someone who doesn’t book the Genius Bar very often - this was perhaps my second or third visit in over 15 years! - I was amazed how many customers were turning up with all their various issues

 

[LFO8]

So can we still get our Airpods Pro replaced even if they are no longer covered by warranty or Apple care?

 

[Sikh]

Yes. Its a "repair/service program" which usually last for 3 years regardless of your warranty status.

Best thing to do is to take them in and see what they say

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues - Apple Support

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues

support.apple.com

 

[japanime]

Replacement pair #7 has started to fail. They lasted just over two months before starting to shake, rattle, and roll.

 

[Itinj24]

Replacement pair #7 has started to fail. They lasted just over two months before starting to shake, rattle, and roll.

I say screw ‘em. Keep sending them back until you find a pair worthy of the price they’re selling for. Apple’s audio engineering department stinks. The OG HomePod is also plagued with all kinds of farting noise, overheating and sync issues.

 

[ninecows]

Replacement pair #7 has started to fail. They lasted just over two months before starting to shake, rattle, and roll.

Wauv…! Still? What on earth are they replacing them with?
My right started rattling after nearly two years of use. Got it replaced under the program. Now 9 months later the battery is starting to lose performance, but to be fair they have had a lot of recharge cycles. At least daily.

Any experience with the 2nd generation?

 

[Sikh]

my replacement pair thats over 6 months old has had no issues. They got used daily until I got the 2nd gen. If suspicions are correct, the relocated 2nd speaker that go moved to the top should resolve ANC and Rattling/cracking issue.

I have faith its fixed because the newer models of the Gen 1s didnt have it and with the speaker change, I am hoping its fixed.

 

[TD912]

So I posted here over year ago about this issue after getting my third replacement with the redesigned grille. Eventually went through a forth replacement with Apple's online support and now got a fifth replacement today from a local Apple Store after I saw the repair window was extended again. All of them had reduced ANC and bass or started rattling and failed the fit test 100% of the time. Can't believe there hasn't been a class action suit yet for this like there was for the MBP keyboard issues. If this happens again I'm probably going to email Tim Cook and see what Apple's executive team can do as I can't keep doing this. The repair program also ends for me next year since I originally bought these back in 2020. Meanwhile my sister with the regular 2nd gen AirPods bought back in 2019 is still doing fine.

 

[Sikh]

So I posted here over year ago about this issue after getting my third replacement with the redesigned grille. Eventually went through a forth replacement with Apple's online support and now got a fifth replacement today from a local Apple Store after I saw the repair window was extended again. All of them had reduced ANC and bass or started rattling and failed the fit test 100% of the time. Can't believe there hasn't been a class action suit yet for this like there was for the MBP keyboard issues. If this happens again I'm probably going to email Tim Cook and see what Apple's executive team can do as I can't keep doing this. The repair program also ends for me next year since I originally bought these back in 2020. Meanwhile my sister with the regular 2nd gen AirPods bought back in 2019 is still doing fine.

I am genuinely curious, do you sleep / lean on your airpod pros? My buddy is now on his third pair and the common pattern we found is he leans / sleeps with his Pro's in. This is your basic napping on the couch, not going to bed for the night. My best guess is this he's putting pressure on the outside speaker and eventually it breaks. He noticed ANC getting weaker before one of the sides would just go to ****. For him, its always been one side and never both so that also confirms my suspicions.

His 2nd pair only lasted ~6 months. He's going to pay more attention this time to see when he starts losing ANC and if that correlates with him leaning/laying on that specific pod.

 

[japanime]

My most recent replacement pair (seventh overall) has failed. I'm not going to bother going through the process once again, as I know whatever they send me will fail in a few weeks or months.

 

[mfram]

Also even though the support page says they have to be manufactured before October 2020, they'll replace them no matter when you bought them.

Oh I wish. The Apple Store employee took my crackling APP into the back and said they both failed the test. But they were manufactured outside of the allowed window and wouldn't replace them. Said I needed to pay $180 to replace them. Yeah right. I got different APP Gen 1s on the used market for much less.

 

[japanime]

Oh I wish. The Apple Store employee took my crackling APP into the back and said they both failed the test. But they were manufactured outside of the allowed window and wouldn't replace them. Said I needed to pay $180 to replace them. Yeah right. I got different APP Gen 1s on the used market for much less.

Contact Apple again. I've had three or four post-October 2020 pairs replaced under the service program.

 

[imlovinit]

i had this issue come up in recent weeks within my left ear bud. This is the first time I’ve ever had any issues with an Apple device but gotta say the process to fix was pretty nice and fast. Booked an appointment a couple days ago, went in yesterday where as soon as they began testing they heard the very loud static issue, and replaced both buds for me for free.

I haven’t had a chance to test them out fully yet *knock on wood* but the quick assurance that if I find any further issues to just drop by again or set up online with support is nice touch. Silly bc it’s routine but I appreciated the helpful and kind service I received. Not to mention as I was waiting I couldn’t help but to overhear other issues of customers - the amount of patience these reps have to try and help resolve their issues while staying friendly and positive, well, they should be paid more. Honestly, all retail associates deserve more.