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teh_hunterer

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 1, 2021
1,231
1,672
Apple is testing beta APP firmware. I haven't read any user reports but I suspect this will be the fix.
It's only happening with APP2's as my APP1's don't exhibit this feature.

Here's hoping we get a fix soon. Not because the issue is particularly bad, but for the small amount of vindication it will provide 😅

Once it's fixed, I will invite certain people back into the thread to reconsider their positions.
 
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thirdeyeopen666

macrumors 6502
Sep 16, 2007
460
128
Unfortunately it appears to be getting worse for me. More panning, more out of sync issues. I have found a way to fix it temporarily though. If I select iPhone as the output and then flip back to the airpods (without removing them from my ears) the issue is gone. However, I suspect it may be turning spatial off without actually showing that it’s off in software. If I turn spatial off and then back on… the issue instantly comes back.
 

SammyNad

macrumors member
Apr 27, 2016
41
33
Toronto
Here's hoping we get a fix soon. Not because the issue is particularly bad, but for the small amount of vindication it will provide 😅

Once it's fixed, I will invite certain people back into the thread to reconsider their positions.

Not particularly bad for you, maybe. I sent mine back for a refund. The constant disconnecting, coupled with this issue... so disappointed with APP2.
 

mebehere

macrumors 65816
Sep 21, 2012
1,104
1,120
When you go to the store, tell them 5 random internet people have this same behavior. That'll show em!

How about beaucoup. Don’t be an arse. People aren’t going to talk about this for no reason. The problem is confirmed among many different communities.
 

Zahni

macrumors regular
Jul 16, 2019
141
64
I have the same problem. It might have something to do with how much the tips are compressed in the ear.
 

teh_hunterer

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 1, 2021
1,231
1,672
Not particularly bad for you, maybe. I sent mine back for a refund. The constant disconnecting, coupled with this issue... so disappointed with APP2.

The issue is pretty sporadic for me, so I don't mind as long as it's fixed soon.

I think the disconnecting issue is software as well, as I noticed that in the last couple of weeks of my AirPods Pro 1st gen before I was able to get my hands on the 2nd gen.

The disconnecting issue is maddening, but the sound panning thing on its own isn't so bad as long as it can be fixed reasonably soon.

I don't blame you for returning at all. It's not on you to eat the cost of holding on to a faulty product past the 14 day return window in the hopes that they get around to fixing it.
 
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prodiguy2

macrumors newbie
Sep 26, 2022
10
3
I already noticed this issue after getting the first pair in the mail on day 1 (Sep 23rd).
Now, I'm on my 4th unit/pair in less than a month.

1st unit- noticed the issue (vocals moved to far left side and stayed there without moving back to centre after turning on ANC) on the same day it arrived thru mail, went down to Apple Store to get it exchanged for a full new unit.

This first pair the earbuds serial numbers both start with GN

2nd unit- Exact same issues. Got it refunded. This pair of earbuds are GX/GN.

3rd unit- Made an analysis with my wife's pair. Her's doesn't seem to have the issue, so took note of her serial number (Charging case starts with GN, and earbuds start with GW/GX), and went to Apple Store to take the leap of faith and got one new unit of similar batch (GHWxxxxXXX).

Issues still exist but not as bad as first 2 pairs. Forgot to take note of the buds' serial numbers.

4th unit- sent them in again after tolerating the nonsense for a few days (somehow i think Version 5A377 could be the cause of it as when i tested them out of the box, the older version seems ok). They finally had some diagnostics tools and as expected, can't find out what's wrong with them and all tests passed. Had only the buds changed, issue still happens but not as unbearable as first 2 pairs. This new pair of buds are also GW/GX.

Not sure why but i suspect GN earbuds are having more obvious drift. When i turned on ANC, i could hear the vocal drift all the way to the back left of my head.

Anyway these couple of days there's quite a lot of discussions on Reddit, and 9to5mac has already officially reported this (Google 'Airpods pro 2 sound shifting/panning/imbalance'). More tech websites are also reporting the same thing. I think it would help if everyone reports this in the Apple Discussion page. I already started a thread there in hopes to raise awareness.

I got so sick of the sound imbalance as it's constantly happening that I'm turning off both ANC and Transparency altogether. Now we can only wait for firmware fixes to happen.

Also, does anyone feel that the Geniuses in Apple stores are trying to hide that they know of this issue? Just by the sheer number of complaints in online forums, there's no way they are oblivious to what's happening. Just my 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
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thirdeyeopen666

macrumors 6502
Sep 16, 2007
460
128
I already noticed this issue after getting the first pair in the mail on day 1 (Sep 23rd).
Now, I'm on my 4th unit/pair in less than a month.

1st unit- noticed the issue (vocals moved to far left side and stayed there without moving back to centre after turning on ANC) on the same day it arrived thru mail, went down to Apple Store to get it exchanged for a full new unit.

This first pair the earbuds serial numbers both start with GN

2nd unit- Exact same issues. Got it refunded. This pair of earbuds are GX/GN.

3rd unit- Made an analysis with my wife's pair. Her's doesn't seem to have the issue, so took note of her serial number (Charging case starts with GN, and earbuds start with GW/GX), and went to Apple Store to take the leap of faith and got one new unit of similar batch (GHWxxxxXXX).

Issues still exist but not as bad as first 2 pairs. Forgot to take note of the buds' serial numbers.

4th unit- sent them in again after tolerating the nonsense for a few days (somehow i think Version 5A377 could be the cause of it as when i tested them out of the box, the older version seems ok). They finally had some diagnostics tools and as expected, can't find out what's wrong with them and all tests passed. Had only the buds changed, issue still happens but not as unbearable as first 2 pairs. This new pair of buds are also GW/GX.

Not sure why but i suspect GN earbuds are having more obvious drift. When i turned on ANC, i could hear the vocal drift all the way to the back left of my head.

Anyway these couple of days there's quite a lot of discussions on Reddit, and 9to5mac has already officially reported this (Google 'Airpods pro 2 sound shifting/panning/imbalance'). More tech websites are also reporting the same thing. I think it would help if everyone reports this in the Apple Discussion page. I already started a thread there in hopes to raise awareness.

I got so sick of the sound imbalance as it's constantly happening that I'm turning off both ANC and Transparency altogether. Now we can only wait for firmware fixes to happen.

Also, does anyone feel that the Geniuses in Apple stores are trying to hide that they know of this issue? Just by the sheer number of complaints in online forums, there's no way they are oblivious to what's happening. Just my 2 cents.
They’re not really allowed to acknowledge how widespread something is or that it’s a “known issue.” Trust me, most folks behind the Genius Bar are just as frustrated when they can’t help. Apple policies prevent them from saying things like “wow five other people have come in here today with the same issue.” It sucks, but it makes sense.
 
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prodiguy2

macrumors newbie
Sep 26, 2022
10
3
They’re not really allowed to acknowledge how widespread something is or that it’s a “known issue.” Trust me, most folks behind the Genius Bar are just as frustrated when they can’t help. Apple policies prevent them from saying things like “wow five other people have come in here today with the same issue.” It sucks, but it makes sense.
Ahh i see.. I think i ever saw you commented that you were a former Genius. Sigh.. Was trying to find out about that so that I can make an informed decision whether was it only my issue, and if it is and no one else had this issue then I'd be better off returning it. I could be that only one outlier. But Apple policies while good for themselves, ain't very helpful to hopeful owners who were waiting so long for an upgrade over the problematic gen 1s.

Yeah could actually tell from their body language that they weren't very honest about their replies, but I don't really blame them. Think Apple really need to improve on their QC before releasing new products with that much hype..
 

msackey

macrumors 68030
Oct 8, 2020
2,867
3,297
Does the Apple store have equipment to analyze AirPods or does a genius have to stick them in their ears? :eek:
Someone else on another thread said they had said the same thing, as a joke, to an Apple Store employee when they brought in their AirPods for analysis. The employee told them that they actually have equipment in the back to diagnose problems.
 

MarkVeldhuis

macrumors member
Sep 14, 2020
59
44
the Netherlands
Switched off "Personalized Spatial Audio" earlier today today, and haven't noticed any drifting/panning since.
Wonder if this has something to do with it, regardless if you have Spatial Audio on or off? 🤷🏼‍♂️
 

LogicalVue

macrumors regular
Aug 28, 2007
103
86
USA (Maine)
Got my my APP2 yesterday and using them for the first time today at the grocery store I noticed this “drifting” in the first couple songs I played. I didn’t notice it after that, though. I have all the spatial stuff turned off.
 

prodiguy2

macrumors newbie
Sep 26, 2022
10
3
Spoke too soon. Drifting is back... ☹️
Yeah.. Regardless of Spatial on or off, the issue lingers if I'm on either ANC or Transparency. Turning off both ANC / Trans the balance is still acceptable.

I'm comparing with my Airpods Max where the balance feels most comfortable in any settings at all.
 

teh_hunterer

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 1, 2021
1,231
1,672
For me, the issue happens occasionally even with ANC and transparency off and spatial audio off.
 

TwoBytes

macrumors 68040
Jun 2, 2008
3,215
2,184
Is there a thread on the apple discussions site for this? I hope Apple know about this
 

teh_hunterer

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 1, 2021
1,231
1,672
Is there a thread on the apple discussions site for this? I hope Apple know about this
Doubt it. Even with the most obvious issues, everyone there just blames the users and deliberately misunderstands the OP in order to make out there isn't an actual issue. Kinda like what a couple people tried to do at the start of this thread.

Imagine trying to make the case for this subtle, sporadic issue over there.
 
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andyw715

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2013
1,844
1,404
This happens to me sporadically while listening to Audiobooks through my watch. (ANC on)

Does AW paired with APP2 provide spatial audio, specifically?

If not then I would def say it has something to do with APP2 firmware vs iOS/macOS/watchOS.
 

TwoBytes

macrumors 68040
Jun 2, 2008
3,215
2,184
I'm going to hope for the airpod firmware fix next week after 16.1 is released publically
 

richard371

macrumors 68040
Feb 1, 2008
3,738
1,924
Count me in. At first, I thought it was an issue with spatial audio, so I turned it off and it still does it from time to time. Not a showstopper as long as the fix it.
 
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