AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[cmatuk]

I’m really curious what’s causing it for some and some just don’t deal with it.

I’m on my second right; first left replacement and I just gotta wonder.

Are we “doing” something that’s popping the mics? Like using them near microwaves or coughing or using them on a very specific way that makes them pop; maybe blowing our nose or singing, chewing, while using them? I have a high frequency bug trap and now I’m afraid to turn it on haha.

 

[vinegarshots]

I’m really curious what’s causing it for some and some just don’t deal with it.

I’m on my second right; first left replacement and I just gotta wonder.

Are we “doing” something that’s popping the mics? Like using them near microwaves or coughing or using them on a very specific way that makes them pop; maybe blowing our nose or singing, chewing, while using them? I have a high frequency bug trap and now I’m afraid to turn it on haha.

On one of my replacements, all it took was a loud sneeze to wreck mine.

 

[JWGold]

My left earpiece has developed the rattle. I checked my Apple support and see that I didn’t buy AppleCare for the APP. However, I called Apple support because I haven’t had them a year yet. After a somewhat lengthy wait, I got through to a service rep who walked me through a reset. When I told her there was still a rattle, she said she was putting me through to get set up for a repair. That’s where I am now, waiting on hold for the repair tech to come on the phone. Got bored of listening to elevator music, so I figured I would post something here While I waited. Finally got through to a senior service representative who didn’t make me do another reset, but asked me a ton of questions including had I done a reset, paired with another device, noise cancellation and transparency on or off, etc. He put me on hold to see if he could find any other possible solution. One thing that I find interesting is that he’s acting as if he has never ever heard of this issue. After much back and forth, he finally set up an appointment for local replacement.

I just hope my right one doesn’t go out.. It felt like I was having a tooth extracted.

 

[mouthster]

Aww damn, had the right one replaced and now the left one started doing it. Can't believe I paid $250 for these things.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

My left earpiece has developed the rattle. I checked my Apple support and see that I didn’t buy AppleCare for the APP. However, I called Apple support because I haven’t had them a year yet. After a somewhat lengthy wait, I got through to a service rep who walked me through a reset. When I told her there was still a rattle, she said she was putting me through to get set up for a repair. That’s where I am now, waiting on hold for the repair tech to come on the phone. Got bored of listening to elevator music, so I figured I would post something here While I waited. Finally got through to a senior service representative who didn’t make me do another reset, but asked me a ton of questions including had I done a reset, paired with another device, noise cancellation and transparency on or off, etc. He put me on hold to see if he could find any other possible solution. One thing that I find interesting is that he’s acting as if he has never ever heard of this issue. After much back and forth, he finally set up an appointment for local replacement.

I just hope my right one doesn’t go out.. It felt like I was having a tooth extracted.

I'm fairly sure, after all of this, that Apple is instructing their support reps to act as if they have never heard of the problem before. From a business standpoint it makes more sense.

 

[SickDimension]

I just came back with new pair of AirPods Pros from a retailer, 3rd time not counting the purchase. These things are made out of something special.. but without complaining the reason so far that I gather is large batch of faulty hardware, to be specific it is the small vent that balances the pressure of the ear and outside that is the reason behind the problems. My AirPods started first behaving like I had a clogged ear or both, then came the raddling sound of the sound. It seems they have hard time diagnosing all cases at the auth. service provider, this 3rd time I brought them back it took nearly 2 weeks to get them fixed (exchange to new pair): I decided I will not be willing to wait for the 4th time so the next time if they get faulty I will be returning the device under consumer protection law and wait for the next revision and hope the best.
And no I don’t think they are bad device, when they work they have awesome sound and are very comfortable to wear multiple hours. Over ears are out of question for me as I wear glasses and over ears tend to press the glasses so the I get a headache. But faulty design, not a nice perk.

 

[Vdovin]

So I’ve just got some AirPods Pro last week and I haven’t yet experienced this problem.

However I must admit these are by far the best in ear air buds I’ve used so far.

Whether it’s a hardware problem or not I am yet to find out but I’ve been using 2D27 firmware from the get go.

 

[MacRumorsRanger]

Looks like this issue and thread got some attention on HackerNews. Nice (in a sad way) to see so many people there also reporting to have the same issue.

The AirPods Pro “Rattlegate” | Hacker News

news.ycombinator.com

Apple really need to address this. It's becoming the next keyboard fiasco. In the same way Apple refused to admit there was a design flaw with the keyboard for so long, they're refusing to admit there is a design flaw in the AirPod Pros. Sadly it seems that the accounting and legal teams are in charge, and the product staff are out in the cold.

 

[chrfr]

So I’ve just got some AirPods Pro last week and I haven’t yet experienced this problem.

Mine were fine for about 5 months. Generally, it's not a problem that occurs immediately.

 

[Vdovin]

Mine were fine for about 5 months. Generally, it's not a problem that occurs immediately.

has anyone here that is a frequent user from day one not developed this problem? Or are they all faulty and eventually break?

reminds me of the iPhone XS smart battery case that they eventually made a replacement program for.

very frustrating if that’s the case. I really enjoy the AirPods Pro but if they going to break in 5 months I will be annoyed as hell.

going back to the store every few months is not the ideal. Just wish Apple can get it right first time for once.

 

[sammous]

Have to share my story as I got the same problem.
First problem was my case that was so clicky that it was frustrating, I went to an Apple Store, the genius guy assessed the issue and change the case.
2 months later, rattlegate begins.

I immediately understood it was not a problem coming from me but hardware.
If you press the faulty airpod in your ear, you will ear a high-pitched venting sound.

Went a couple of days ago at an Apple Store, they changed the faulty airpod without even trying to diagnose the issue, especially as I asked what was the issue, if it was coming from me, no real explanations.

In my opinion, they have an issue with the mic that creates interferences when there is wind, or bass.

I hoped it was software, but from all the sharings here it looks like hardware, which sounds bad for us.

 

[Vdovin]

Have to share my story as I got the same problem.
First problem was my case that was so clicky that it was frustrating, I went to an Apple Store, the genius guy assessed the issue and change the case.
2 months later, rattlegate begins.

I immediately understood it was not a problem coming from me but hardware.
If you press the faulty airpod in your ear, you will ear a high-pitched venting sound.

Went a couple of days ago at an Apple Store, they changed the faulty airpod without even trying to diagnose the issue, especially as I asked what was the issue, if it was coming from me, no real explanations.

In my opinion, they have an issue with the mic that creates interferences when there is wind, or bass.

I hoped it was software, but from all the sharings here it looks like hardware, which sounds bad for us.

Do you guys not think that it could have been the firmware that made the hardware to fail?

I wonder if anyone’s AirPods failed whilst being solely on 2D27.

just an idea.

 

[jbrandona119]

Just made an account to say I am experiencing the same issue and only today found out it is a widespread one deemed "rattlegate". I never thought I'd be involved in one of the numerous apple "-gates" but hey, here I am!

Bought them in December and they have been working fine...I actually really like them and how they fit/sound. A couple weeks ago I noticed a popping noise when someone would talk to me while they were in transparency mode. I didn't mind much but wow, it got annoying and louder very quickly. I am really disappointed that the one feature I really loved is now useless due to the popping. I have yet to contact apple and will have to wait until later today as I left my airpods in my car that's at the shop but I'm hoping to get a replacement. I'm a bit nervous that apple will just send replacements until apple care is up and then tell me I'm SOL but we'll see. I am glad I can get some replacements without much of a fight.

I don't think I'll buy any new headphones from apple again after this. $250 was already steep enough for these and to have them not last even a year without issues is crazy. Absolutely crazy.

 

[sammous]

Do you guys not think that it could have been the firmware that made the hardware to fail?

I wonder if anyone’s AirPods failed whilst being solely on 2D27.

just an idea.

I hope for Apple it is somekind of software issue seeing how widespread it is. Weirdly if you deactivate ANC or Transparency mode, no rattling is happening, hence my diagnose of the problem in the mic.

Just made an account to say I am experiencing the same issue and only today found out it is a widespread one deemed "rattlegate". I never thought I'd be involved in one of the numerous apple "-gates" but hey, here I am!

Bought them in December and they have been working fine...I actually really like them and how they fit/sound. A couple weeks ago I noticed a popping noise when someone would talk to me while they were in transparency mode. I didn't mind much but wow, it got annoying and louder very quickly. I am really disappointed that the one feature I really loved is now useless due to the popping. I have yet to contact apple and will have to wait until later today as I left my airpods in my car that's at the shop but I'm hoping to get a replacement. I'm a bit nervous that apple will just send replacements until apple care is up and then tell me I'm SOL but we'll see. I am glad I can get some replacements without much of a fight.

I don't think I'll buy any new headphones from apple again after this. $250 was already steep enough for these and to have them not last even a year without issues is crazy. Absolutely crazy.

I have to admit they have an amazing customer support but it's not sustainable to just replace them and not acknowledging the issue.

 

[vinegarshots]

Do you guys not think that it could have been the firmware that made the hardware to fail?

I wonder if anyone’s AirPods failed whilst being solely on 2D27.

just an idea.

It's not firmware

 

[Vdovin]

It's not firmware

Can I ask what facts are you basing this on?

 

[vinegarshots]

Can I ask what facts are you basing this on?

A) I'm on my 4th pair. From original firmware all up to the latest.

B) The "rattle" is two different things:
1) Some people have something break loose inside their pods that mechanically rattles around
2) But most of the complaints about a "rattle" are actually an audio distortion. This distortion is caused by problems with the MEMS microphones inside the AirPods. Two of the microphones are used for noise cancellation and audio processing, and if they are not operating 100% up to spec, the audio output distorts or contains noise.

C) On my second pair, by blowing into the microphone port extremely hard to try to clean debris, it damaged the mic and immediately introduced the "rattle" sound distortion.

D) On my third pair, I sneezed loudly, which immediately damaged the mic and introduced the "rattle" sound distortion.

It's not firmware. The problem lies in linking the functionality of the AirPods to multiple easily-damaged MEMs microphones. Read page 4:

https://vespermems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Vesper-Microphone-Arrays-whitepaper-1.pdf

 

[Vdovin]

A) I'm on my 4th pair. From original firmware all up to the latest.

B) The "rattle" is two different things:
1) Some people have something break loose inside their pods that mechanically rattles around
2) But most of the complaints about a "rattle" are actually an audio distortion. This distortion is caused by problems with the MEMS microphones inside the AirPods. Two of the microphones are used for noise cancellation and audio processing, and if they are not operating 100% up to spec, the audio output distorts or contains noise.

C) On my second pair, by blowing into the microphone port extremely hard to try to clean debris, it damaged the mic and immediately introduced the "rattle" sound distortion.

D) On my third pair, I sneezed loudly, which immediately damaged the mic and introduced the "rattle" sound distortion.

It's not firmware. The problem lies in linking the functionality of the AirPods to multiple easily-damaged MEMs microphones. Read page 4:

https://vespermems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Vesper-Microphone-Arrays-whitepaper-1.pdf

When did you get you third pair? Also how is your 4th pair going and when did you get it?

 

[vinegarshots]

When did you get you third pair? Also how is your 4th pair going and when did you get it?

Third pair was sometime around late Feb. / early March, as I recall. 4th pair I've had since early June. I seem to get about 3 months out of them on average before I have problems

 

[Vdovin]

Third pair was sometime around late Feb. / early March, as I recall. 4th pair I've had since early June. I seem to get about 3 months out of them on average before I have problems

I am going to be honest with you. Everything you stated above doesn’t suggest that potential poor firmware could be the cause of the blowouts. I am not in any shape or form defending apple as it’s clearly a fault. However a simple firmware update that came at the end of June possibly addressed this.

I guess we won’t know until we get few more cases of the blow outs on the new 2d27 firmware.

 

[vinegarshots]

I am going to be honest with you. Everything you stated above doesn’t suggest that potential poor firmware could be the cause of the blowouts. I am not in any shape or form defending apple as it’s clearly a fault. However a simple firmware update that came at the end of June possibly addressed this.

I guess we won’t know until we get few more cases of the blow outs on the new 2d27 firmware.

Lol, wut

Firmware can't address blown microphones from sneezing too loudly. There is no firmware that is going to fix this.

Did you even read that article I linked on MEMs microphones? First you need to understand the components in these, and what happens when they fail...

 

[TheRock88]

Started getting the problem a few days ago with my left Airpod. Just chatted with a tech and they're gonna send a box with the replacement Airpod and I gotta send back the bad one. Put a temporary charge on my credit card and they'll release it when they get the bad one back. All in all, took about 10 minutes.

 

[cmatuk]

I've had the right AirPod replaced twice and the left one once...

I am 100% sure this is not software related; my bet is that some of the mics are super sensible (theres a full breakdown in the thread) and they can be "popped" by somewhat common stuff like sneezing, dropping them, getting dust or water in them (even a tiny tiny amount) or maybe even just because of use and wear (hence the "fail" on Apple's part)

The fact that it happens when either ANC or Transparency is on is due to the fact that the mics are used to listen for the noise it then cancels... and they are scanning 200 times per second so any damage might result in the "anti noise" being damaged too and we hear it as the rattling sound..

 

[bigdog5142]

Yup...I've had my right AirPods Pro replaced twice and my left once. Pretty ridiculous, IMO. A friend of mine had right one replaced and the replacement is now messing up again about two months later.

 

[wills11]

Same issue here—and when I touch the right one, there's a continuous, regular, rapid clicking noise for as long as I touch it. I've never bought such a dud of an Apple product—I stupidly thought I had 30 days to return them, and went to do so on day 17. I've replaced them before. I asked today if they would finally just refund me and take them back—but after bouncing me around for most of an hour, no dice.