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HeadphoneAddict

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,041
888
So, I orderd mine last week and they sad it was schedule for delivery mid of feb. I see now that my local store got them in stock.

Should I get them? Or wait until my order is scheduled and hope that its fixed until then?

Since they pulled firmware rev 2C54 you should be safe. The rtings.com original review on 2B588 was positive, even though we don't have a review on the original 2B584.
 
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HeadphoneAddict

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,041
888
The noise control on the 588 firmware has also changed for the worse hasn’t it?

According to rtings.com blog they didn't notice an audible change from 2B584, and didn't have a test done on that version - they do, however, show a degradation in low frequency ANC with the change from 2B588 to 2C54. So, they say 2B588 is better.


I still don't see why those of us on 2C54 are stuck while they leave hundreds of thousands keep using 2B588.

Mind you, my ANC is still very good for the fan next to my bed or exercise bike, bedroom ceiling fan, running water, the clothes washer and dryer, fireplace fan or the stove fan. But, it's really irritating to use in my car as a passenger trying to rest and hearing all the bass come through the APP.
 

purpleparrotuk

macrumors 65816
Jun 26, 2010
1,059
306
According to rtings.com blog they didn't notice an audible change from 2B584, and didn't have a test done on that version - they do, however, show a degradation in low frequency ANC with the change from 2B588 to 2C54. So, they say 2B588 is better.


I still don't see why those of us on 2C54 are stuck while they leave hundreds of thousands keep using 2B588.

Mind you, my ANC is still very good for the fan next to my bed or exercise bike, bedroom ceiling fan, running water, the clothes washer and dryer, fireplace fan or the stove fan. But, it's really irritating to use in my car as a passenger trying to rest and hearing all the bass come through the APP.

I’ve only just had my APP so on 2B588 but I don’t like hearing the cars on my walk at lunchtime. The noise is reduced but wish it would cut out more if it.
 

Jutah

macrumors 65816
Mar 30, 2012
1,000
424
According to rtings.com blog they didn't notice an audible change from 2B584, and didn't have a test done on that version - they do, however, show a degradation in low frequency ANC with the change from 2B588 to 2C54. So, they say 2B588 is better.


I still don't see why those of us on 2C54 are stuck while they leave hundreds of thousands keep using 2B588.

Mind you, my ANC is still very good for the fan next to my bed or exercise bike, bedroom ceiling fan, running water, the clothes washer and dryer, fireplace fan or the stove fan. But, it's really irritating to use in my car as a passenger trying to rest and hearing all the bass come through the APP.

the rtings report is misleading. 2B588 and 2C54 have no differences at all in ANC.

I own 2 pairs with the two different firmware: believe me. Every user will give you the same feedback.

the huge decrease in ANC happens with 2B588.
 

purpleparrotuk

macrumors 65816
Jun 26, 2010
1,059
306
the rtings report is misleading. 2B588 and 2C54 have no differences at all in ANC.

I own 2 pairs with the two different firmware: believe me. Every user will give you the same feedback.

the huge decrease in ANC happens with 2B588.

That’s what I read too.
 

HeadphoneAddict

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,041
888
the rtings report is misleading. 2B588 and 2C54 have no differences at all in ANC.

I own 2 pairs with the two different firmware: believe me. Every user will give you the same feedback.

the huge decrease in ANC happens with 2B588.

I'm basing my comment on the following clip - at the point of the red arrow that I added.

Screenshot 2020-01-15 14.58.12.png


Also, apparently other than the deep bass rumble that still makes it through, I am having much better results with ANC than many other people, and it seems that the changes effected are different for some/many people.
 

supergt

macrumors 6502a
Feb 22, 2019
652
1,600
the rtings report is misleading. 2B588 and 2C54 have no differences at all in ANC.

I own 2 pairs with the two different firmware: believe me. Every user will give you the same feedback.

the huge decrease in ANC happens with 2B588.


Agreed. Despite rtings saying they found little variation with the 2B588 update, it is clear that update reduced the ANC (and it remained unchanged in 2C54). That is exactly when the Apple support forum on the issue started:

 
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Elektrofone

macrumors 65816
Jul 5, 2010
1,157
554
I'm basing my comment on the following clip - at the point of the red arrow that I added.

View attachment 888816

Also, apparently other than the deep bass rumble that still makes it through, I am having much better results with ANC than many other people, and it seems that the changes effected are different for some/many people.

I'm confused about the different versions. Which order do they go in?
 

HeadphoneAddict

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,041
888
I'm confused about the different versions. Which order do they go in?

2B854 original
2B888 many people still on this and it's shipping with this
2C54 latest version that Apple pulled
[automerge]1579127078[/automerge]
So, I found something else disturbing while listening to my pair with 2C54.

I have usually only been using it in transparency mode and ANC mode, using a long press to switch between the two, depending on whether I needed to hear what's around me or not. I have not been using the "off" or passive noise blocking mode, so it doesn't cycle through the three modes with a long press.

Today I have discovered that the "off" mode which is just a passive physical noise blocking mode sounds bad, like an FM radio with little bass impact or sense of ambience and space/depth, something I can hear and appreciate with the other two modes. "Off" sucks, and sounds more lifeless and bland.

I don't recall it ever being this bad when I got them 2 months ago and tried all three modes before settling on only using "transparency" and "NC" modes.
 
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Elektrofone

macrumors 65816
Jul 5, 2010
1,157
554
When I first got my AirPods I could never hear the subway train pull up and now it sounds like they’re barely cancelling any noise out. Anyone have the same experience?
 

HeadphoneAddict

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,041
888
No.
  1. 2B584
  2. 2B588
  3. 2C54
2C54 was pulled shortly after release.

Siri changed this - how?

[automerge]1579135031[/automerge]
So, I found something else disturbing while listening to my pair with 2C54... snip

...Today I have discovered that the "off" mode which is just a passive physical noise blocking mode sounds bad, like an FM radio with little bass impact or sense of ambience and space/depth, something I can hear and appreciate with the other two modes. "Off" sucks, and sounds more lifeless and bland.

I don't recall it ever being this bad when I got them 2 months ago and tried all three modes before settling on only using "transparency" and "NC" modes.

Anyone else here hear the degradation in sound quality when not using ANC or Transparency, with just plain passive audio output?
 

japanime

macrumors 68030
Feb 27, 2006
2,916
4,846
Japan
Anyone else here hear the degradation in sound quality when not using ANC or Transparency, with just plain passive audio output?
I don't personally feel the sound when ANC and Transparency are turned off is any different. However, I do find that the difference between the "off" mode and having ANC on is negligible. Having ANC turned on is almost pointless now.
 
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Elektrofone

macrumors 65816
Jul 5, 2010
1,157
554
I don't personally feel the sound when ANC and Transparency are turned off is any different. However, I do find that the difference between the "off" mode and having ANC on is negligible. Having ANC turned on is almost pointless now.
At least I know it’s not just me at least. I thought mine were defective. I thought there was no way that the ANC had been reduced by that much. Sure hope they fix this soon.
 

japanime

macrumors 68030
Feb 27, 2006
2,916
4,846
Japan
Just finished speaking with Apple Support. Unfortunately, it seems like they are going with the line that this issue only involves 2C544, and not 2B588. I really fear that Apple is going to insist that the ANC quality of 2B588 is normal.
 

Elektrofone

macrumors 65816
Jul 5, 2010
1,157
554
Just finished speaking with Apple Support. Unfortunately, it seems like they are going with the line that this issue only involves 2C544, and not 2B588. I really fear that Apple is going to insist that the ANC quality of 2B588 is normal.

I’d be happy if they even reverted 2C to 2B cause it’s so much worse.
 
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Otflyer

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2017
1,474
999
SF Bay Area
I don’t think the average consumer will notice so Apple has no reason to say anything. In all likelihood they may just release new firmware without notice and be done with it.
 

supergt

macrumors 6502a
Feb 22, 2019
652
1,600
Just finished speaking with Apple Support. Unfortunately, it seems like they are going with the line that this issue only involves 2C544, and not 2B588. I really fear that Apple is going to insist that the ANC quality of 2B588 is normal.

This is unacceptable. We will have to await the next firmware update and re-test. At least now there is pressure to make a change. I do think you would be well within your rights to demand a refund in full if this is not resolved to your satisfaction. And as you stated, we are now paying for a different product than the one at launch.
 
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