I’m exactly the same was fine until last firmware, not taking any notice of the it’s dirty, silicon has worn out nonsense - it’s firmware end of. I suspect its because many of the owners didn’t get the original firmware and that there isn’t much difference between the latest available firmware and the pulled one in noise cancellation that’s why many people aren’t complaining. But mine are awful compared to when I bought them.
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Apple AirPods Firmware
- Thread starter whoisyourdaddy
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The quality complaints aren’t all delusion or ignorance, and it’s arrogant to imply so.
My left Airpod Pro was replaced due to a rattling sound when anything touched it. It was a quality issue, mine were from the first batch. Apple shipped a replacement in less than 24 hours. Very good service.
After this, the ANC was asymmetric on left vs. right. Right side (old side, with 2C54) was much more noisy in the 20...60 Hz region, causing vertigo when walking/driving. Left side replacement was perfect!
I then got the right side replaced too, again in less than 24 hours, and now both sides were perfect for a while. But a few days later, foot stomps and certain engine noises came back. No vertigo though, since they were now equally mediocre.
The replacements started good-enough to replace Bose NC700’s as a daily driver, and soon regressed so that now I prefer to use the Boses while driving.
The tips were the same originals all along, with a good fit. I got to experience a new vs. used on left vs right, and they were different in an immediately obvious way. And I got to experience out-of-the-box Airpods Pro twice. An A/B comparison in the sense of left vs. right, AND before vs. after.
My left Airpod Pro was replaced due to a rattling sound when anything touched it. It was a quality issue, mine were from the first batch. Apple shipped a replacement in less than 24 hours. Very good service.
After this, the ANC was asymmetric on left vs. right. Right side (old side, with 2C54) was much more noisy in the 20...60 Hz region, causing vertigo when walking/driving. Left side replacement was perfect!
I then got the right side replaced too, again in less than 24 hours, and now both sides were perfect for a while. But a few days later, foot stomps and certain engine noises came back. No vertigo though, since they were now equally mediocre.
The replacements started good-enough to replace Bose NC700’s as a daily driver, and soon regressed so that now I prefer to use the Boses while driving.
The tips were the same originals all along, with a good fit. I got to experience a new vs. used on left vs right, and they were different in an immediately obvious way. And I got to experience out-of-the-box Airpods Pro twice. An A/B comparison in the sense of left vs. right, AND before vs. after.
You should all try cleaning every vent/grill with some blutack. My left AirPod was about to go to service (even called Apple, was just about to go to a repair center) but cleaning it with blutack brought ANC to how it should be.
Dealing with thumping from footsteps and loud engine noises were exactly it’s main problem.
After cleaning, everything perfect. And let me assure you: they seemed perfectly clean, and I clean my ears every day as I’m used to wearing in-ear monitors for decades...
Could there be some difference in ANC between firmwares? Sure. But evident malfunctions? I doubt it.
Dealing with thumping from footsteps and loud engine noises were exactly it’s main problem.
After cleaning, everything perfect. And let me assure you: they seemed perfectly clean, and I clean my ears every day as I’m used to wearing in-ear monitors for decades...
Could there be some difference in ANC between firmwares? Sure. But evident malfunctions? I doubt it.
So you haven't gotten a replacement pair from Apple?
Don't you see how this proves the point? The majority of users are enjoying Airpods with ANC that doesn't even begin to approach "awful." So there is something wrong with your pair, or they're not fitting you correctly.
It would be different if you said you noticed a slight difference, or that some frequency ranges were leaking through slightly more. But you're saying it's awful. ANC is ruined.
Here's a review from 11 days ago. So they must have used a pair with the new firmware.
Determining if ANC is good or not doesn't require magic ears. You don't have to be a musician or the sensitive type to know if you're hearing a sound or not. Either noise cancellation works or it doesn't. And most people are saying it works great.
So if you haven't already, get a new pair, and if your new pair still isn't impressing you, check your earcup fit, and if you still aren't impressed, return them. And hey! It's a valid criticism to complain that earbuds shouldn't have to be cleaned with blutak or constantly pushed back into the ear. Again, I'm not saying ANC isn't worse with some people. I'm just saying...it's not the firmware.
The schadenfreude on this thread certainly doesn't disappoint ?
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You continue to make statements as if you positively know the answer. I seriously doubt you do. Time will tell with a new firmware release. Until then, I am done with you.
I just visited this page and it actually had a link to this article specifically talking about the firmware issue. Also, if they just got a new pair they will not have the 'latest' firmware that appears to have caused many people issues, they will have the previous one. APP no longer get updated to the 'latest' as it Apple is no longer pushing it out (hence people talking about it being pulled).
I have a question for you: Do you even own AirPods Pro, or are you just trolling through this thread? You have added nothing of value to the discussion imho, and your attitude is unpleasant and arrogant (whether intentional or otherwise).
The RTINGS review is the source of that and every other article you will find on the subject. Nothing else.
Yes, they would. I see from your post history that you say your issues started with 2C54. Others reported decreased noise cancellation with firmware 2B588 which is the latest that Apple is still pushing. If you needed more evidence this is bull hockey, people can't even agree on which firmware version started the problem.
I've owned a pair since November 12th. I have engineering knowledge and many hours of user experience with the buds that I want to share. If I remember, your issues have been scatchiness that were fixed with replacement buds, and from what I've read you've been relatively happy with your ANC performance. You shared info on cleaning your buds that I thought was very helpful. Not sure why I’m the target of your ire now.
Nothing of value? Perhaps I just haven't reinforced your preconceptions. I've made at least half a dozen well-reasoned arguments why it's not the firmware, and people have responded to virtually none of them. Instead all the replies have been essentially "thank you but I prefer to believe otherwise." If that's not arrogance, I don't know what is.
I’m on here because this is a fascinating issue with slight conspiratorial flavor that I find compelling, and it seems like plenty of others do too!
Nothing I've said depends on trust or believing me about anything. I'm just pointing at what we know and don’t know. In many cases I link to articles and quote users on this thread verbatim. All I've received in response is emotional gut reactions and speculation. There are serious flaws in the logic that no one seems willing to address. Regardless, as I read this thread, I do believe people have been helped by being nudged towards the idea that they needed to adjust their fit or clean the openings, so I do think I've provided plenty of value. And I have repeatedly been sympathetic to the idea that people really are experiencing decreased ANC. It's a bit silly to be emotional about it. They're just earbuds after all.BalutFX said:
To continue the discussion from a technical perspective, the questions I think are worth answering:
-If it’s a firmware issue, why have some declared the problem started with 2C54 and not before, when others declared it started with 2B588?
-Why have some reported “maybe” a “slight difference,” while others have reported the ANC suddenly “awful” and rendered virtually ineffective—and still others report no change at all? These inconsistencies point directly away from a firmware issue.
-Why did Apple pull 2C54? (Certainly worth an answer no matter what you believe. My theory is connection and charging issues which I have also experienced)
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I understand where both sides are coming from here. If there’s a dramatic drop in NC for you, then you deserve to have it fixed, if it can be fixed. If you’re happy with NC, then great.
There are cases that say firmware is to blame, but there are also cases that don’t back that up.
There are also people who never had the original firmware (me) who can’t say if firmware is to blame.
There are valid points being raised here, so there’s no need to get personal.
I’m just hoping this discussion stays on topic & doesn’t get locked down, as I’m very curious to see what Apple do to address this (if they do anything).
There are cases that say firmware is to blame, but there are also cases that don’t back that up.
There are also people who never had the original firmware (me) who can’t say if firmware is to blame.
There are valid points being raised here, so there’s no need to get personal.
I’m just hoping this discussion stays on topic & doesn’t get locked down, as I’m very curious to see what Apple do to address this (if they do anything).
Just had my pros replaced with the 2B588 firmware versions after having the 2C54 versions and noise cancellation not working properly. Apple "genius" and the tech team in the back confirmed that the noise cancellation didn't meet the expected requirements, compared to their test version, they also confirmed that all vents were clean and nothing was obstructing them and replaced them without issue they didn't replace the silicon buds so this is a pure firmware change. I'll give an honest update later when I've had chance to try them on my train journey home tonight.
I’m eagerly awaiting your assessment and glad your issue seems to have been fixed. You got an entirely new pair of earbuds, not just different firmware, so it sounds like a hardware failure in your pair.
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Which happened exactly the second that 2C54 came out? Sorry it's not a coincidence
Sounds like yours malfunctioned during the firmware update process. That's a hardware problem with your pair, not an issue with the firmware itself. Some users complained of ANC reduction problems at the moment of the 2B588 update as well, which is the version you're now using if I'm not mistaken. This is why I've been encouraging everyone with problems to get a replacement pair.
Seeing as how I have a 2C54 pair that I think works fine, I'm going to take them to the Apple Store and have them run the same test and see what they say. Between our two experiences that will be a nice data point to go on.
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No one should be comparing the differences between transparency and NC because transparency amplified the outside noise in your ear. To see a true difference you need to compare the off setting.
I did that too - sorry I thought that was Kinda obvious from my post.
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I’ll be very interested to hear the result of this visit as I have some APP on 2C54 that seem to have reduced ANC. As I won’t be anywhere near an Apple store until end April there’s nothing I can do at the moment - Apple wont even post here.
Agree.
I’m on 2C54, & think NC works fine. I don’t want to return them in case they’re swapped with a dodgy pair.
I’d suggest you don’t swap them either, but seeing as if they work well for you too, i’m expecting tests results to come back ok.
Looking forward to your outcome.
Yeah I don’t doubt the firmware did something to your APP, but it seems the update process for a number of people has screwed up. For it to be such an obvious degradation for a few people, yet many more can’t notice any change, the update itself (& perhaps a poor batch, though unlikely) may be to blame.
Keep diggin.
I have had a similar problem with reduced ANC since the firmware update and have been patiently waiting for an updated firmware from Apple to fix the issue - eventually got fed up with waiting and contacted Apple support via live chat. After going through all the things they suggested they admitted they were aware of an issue quoting:
"Apple has been made aware of the issue. At this time, Apple Engineers are working hard to find a resolution for the issue. The resolution may come in the form of an update or steps that may resolve the issue so that ANC is back to working efficiently.
At this time, there is no way of reverting back to the previous firmware version.
Yes, I definitely understand how important it is that your AirPods Pro work as expected because they are really expensive. Please know that Apple’s Engineers are working really hard to find a resolution for the issue. You can also provide feedback by going to www.apple.com/feedback about the issue as well." So we'll just have to wait a bit longer to see if they fix it.
"Apple has been made aware of the issue. At this time, Apple Engineers are working hard to find a resolution for the issue. The resolution may come in the form of an update or steps that may resolve the issue so that ANC is back to working efficiently.
At this time, there is no way of reverting back to the previous firmware version.
Yes, I definitely understand how important it is that your AirPods Pro work as expected because they are really expensive. Please know that Apple’s Engineers are working really hard to find a resolution for the issue. You can also provide feedback by going to www.apple.com/feedback about the issue as well." So we'll just have to wait a bit longer to see if they fix it.
Talked with Apple support, they’ll send a full replacement to replace the previous replacement units. It’s pretty tragic to have it be this complicated, but I’m happy the support actually tries their best to send a unit that’s good and stays that way.
This support rep didn’t have any info about 2C54 being pulled. To his system it was a valid latest firmware.
As I previously wrote, the first replacements were fine for a day or few, and then went sour again. Low Hz rumble signals generated by the ANC, as if over-compensating for certain kinds of sounds. It was most apparent when only the left side was initially replaced: the ANC result was very asymmetric between L/R. They replaced the other side too. Perfect for a day or few. After a while both sides then went bad.
Next up: full replacement incl the box. Really hoping the would stay good this time.
This support rep didn’t have any info about 2C54 being pulled. To his system it was a valid latest firmware.
As I previously wrote, the first replacements were fine for a day or few, and then went sour again. Low Hz rumble signals generated by the ANC, as if over-compensating for certain kinds of sounds. It was most apparent when only the left side was initially replaced: the ANC result was very asymmetric between L/R. They replaced the other side too. Perfect for a day or few. After a while both sides then went bad.
Next up: full replacement incl the box. Really hoping the would stay good this time.
I may have had something similar happen a couple of times - but ANC sounded like it was dropping in & out from both ears, first the left, then the right.
It hasn’t happened in a long while though.
I had a "senior Apple advisor" tell me the same thing. It might even have been those exact words. I suspect they've come up with a lame boilerplate reply to dissuade customers from requesting exchanges.
Rest assured they have a composed reply. They need to say something and this is a standard open ended answer that sets no exact expectations.
This usually happens especially when the company either ackowledged the issue and has no clue how to solve it, or has no priority on solving it (therfe are other things on their table they need to deal with), and so on...
Apple makes amazing HW (homepods as well - soundwise) for sound but seems to have issues with the SW updates. This makes it incredibly frustrating especially that they control the HW, SW and they don’t have as many versions of APP or HomePods.... I mean.... it’s one of each! How on Earth do they manage to screw up so often... I just don’t know..
Maybe they hired Lassie to test them... I don’t know.
Just got off a plane yesterday, same route, same type of plane. While not a scientific experiment, the wife's APP and mine did differ in NC and sound...
(same song on the same iPad).
It really doesn't make sense though to have 2 different firmwares on identical hardware. That said, sound is subjective.
(same song on the same iPad).
It really doesn't make sense though to have 2 different firmwares on identical hardware. That said, sound is subjective.
What was the firmware on each set?
& did you swap them, so you actually heard both, to eliminate the subjectiveness?