Apple AirPods Firmware

[petterihiisila]

It’s now a week after the third set of APPs arrived. Firmware still at 2B588. Engine rumble and foot stomp sounds are back. This time only on the right side, only with ANC on. Left side hasn’t gone bad yet. But asymmetric ANC is quite annoying to listen to.

My favorite theory is that the grills indeed hate any and all particles. The firmware didn’t change. The rumble returned only on one side, the same side I tend to fall asleep with APPs on. Maybe it’s “pillow dust” that ruins these headphones. I just tried the blue-tack trick, to no effect.

I’ve kept them as pristine as one can, no chemicals or water, but a week seems to be enough for them to go from excellent to meh. Too bad the return period is over. Whatever the root cause is, a fourth replacement isn’t going to fix it for long.

EDIT: Called Apple about this. The call was escalated to senior support. I was informed that the engineers are no longer asking for escalations for this case, they're currently testing a new firmware which is meant to help with ANC issues. She suggested that at this point it's best to wait and see if the next firmware helps with the issue. There's still plenty of warranty yet.

She didn't have a release date available, but she suspected it might not be far in the future, based on them no longer having to send/escalate these cases to engineering.

I appreciate that they were now openly talking about a known issue, with a potential fix on the radar.

If the root cause is "pillow dust", then a firmware isn't going to fix that. But maybe it's bad software, because the problem started overnight and went from 0 to 100 right away. We'll see.

 

[japanime]

EDIT: Called Apple about this. The call was escalated to senior support. I was informed that the engineers are no longer asking for escalations for this case, they're currently testing a new firmware which is meant to help with ANC issues. She suggested that at this point it's best to wait and see if the next firmware helps with the issue. There's still plenty of warranty yet.

She didn't have a release date available, but she suspected it might not be far in the future, based on them no longer having to send/escalate these cases to engineering.

What the senior support rep told you is pretty much word-for-word what a senior support rep told me.

I'm certain that they are reading a boilerplate response. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I doubt we'll ever see a firmware fix.

But I'm sure Apple will hold a special event this Autumn to hype the "all-new Airpods Pro 2, featuring adjustable ANC." ?

 

[MJ22]

For the people who complain that ANC is really bad, it would be interesting to know whether they pass the Tip Fit test or not.

yes. I do.

 

[kissmo]

It’s now a week after the third set of APPs arrived. Firmware still at 2B588. Engine rumble and foot stomp sounds are back. This time only on the right side, only with ANC on. Left side hasn’t gone bad yet. But asymmetric ANC is quite annoying to listen to.

My favorite theory is that the grills indeed hate any and all particles. The firmware didn’t change. The rumble returned only on one side, the same side I tend to fall asleep with APPs on. Maybe it’s “pillow dust” that ruins these headphones. I just tried the blue-tack trick, to no effect.

I’ve kept them as pristine as one can, no chemicals or water, but a week seems to be enough for them to go from excellent to meh. Too bad the return period is over. Whatever the root cause is, a fourth replacement isn’t going to fix it for long.

EDIT: Called Apple about this. The call was escalated to senior support. I was informed that the engineers are no longer asking for escalations for this case, they're currently testing a new firmware which is meant to help with ANC issues. She suggested that at this point it's best to wait and see if the next firmware helps with the issue. There's still plenty of warranty yet.

She didn't have a release date available, but she suspected it might not be far in the future, based on them no longer having to send/escalate these cases to engineering.

I appreciate that they were now openly talking about a known issue, with a potential fix on the radar.

If the root cause is "pillow dust", then a firmware isn't going to fix that. But maybe it's bad software, because the problem started overnight and went from 0 to 100 right away. We'll see.

I had similar problems when ANC died. I took both airpods pro out of my ears and placed them back.
Everything was back to normal. Looks like sometimes one of the goes “loopy” - to quote Vernon from Harry Potter - but more like a syncing problem.

I used alcohol on my APP from day one because I hate the smell of that rubber on them.

They work the same since day one for me - thought I already said in NY they seemed to isolate better. Maybe the streets and flats there are taller and muffle sound...

I find that APP on FW 2B588 block bass noise a lot, but they have lower impact on highs and mids.
I hear voice quite well even though it’s lowered.

Funny enough all tips sizes are not so sturdy for me, all of them fall out of my ear during workout and running - I do sweat a lot - but I pass all the hearing tests on all sizes. Incredibly stupid because they pass even when they clearly don’t properly sit in my ear. I am inclined to believe it’s a gimmick.

waiting for the new FW though. They won’t fix the stability in my ear but I am bothered by the way they behave when charging and having to place them back into the case because of sync or one doesn’t play, etc...

 

[richard371]

I've done it to mine and my coworkers and it made all the difference. Unfortunately you have to spend some time doing it and keep trying the fit test.

Using blue tack made no difference with my APP’s.

 

[morsecp]

What the senior support rep told you is pretty much word-for-word what a senior support rep told me.

I'm certain that they are reading a boilerplate response. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I doubt we'll ever see a firmware fix.

But I'm sure Apple will hold a special event this Autumn to hype the "all-new Airpods Pro 2, featuring adjustable ANC." ?

IMO, Apple will never allow adjustable ANC. It's too far from the Apple ideal and much closer to an Android feature.

 

[dogg]

Yep Apple ALWAYS know what’s best for their users ?

 

[Ralfi]

To those saying one bud goes ‘loopy’, does it happen during Transparency mode & when a high pitched noise is on in the background?

When that happens to me, NC can turn on in the bud which is nearer to the high pitch noise. If the noise is loud/near enough, both buds enter NC mode. They then revert back to Transparency mode once the high pitch noise ends.

This also happens when they’re not paired to my iPhone & I get an SMS...

I think it’s a safety measure for your ears.

If the root cause is "pillow dust",

Are you saying you sleep with these in your ears? If so, I can see a risk of damage not due to the pillow dust, but the weight of your head on the bud over a long resting period.

 

[kissmo]

To those saying one bud goes ‘loopy’, does it happen during Transparency mode & when a high pitched noise is on in the background?

ANC is on.
Music plays normally. I get a call.
I hang up the call - then I play back the music and one bud has ANC off completely. Forgets to switch it back.
Then I remove the buds for a split second, put them back in and everything is fine.
Just some sync issue.

Transparency "loopiness" ( I'm glad this term catches on ) happened to me once in a store when I ordered something and I managed to be loopy myself and knocked my ear bud off. Then I put it on and it was ANC-ed.
I simply disabled on both the Transparecny (Turned everything OFF) and then re-enabled and both were fine.

Not sure if this answers your question.

 

[pdxa4]

I just got my APPs replaced at an apple store. The new ones have 2B588 and the ANC is definitely better. I was a little skeptical about the firmware differences but I can tell a difference.

I contacted Apple online support yesterday, got a case number etc, complained about the reduced noise cancellation since 2C54. From that chat got a store appointment today, Apple guy kinda played dumb about the firmware insisted that my firmware is the latest and correct (yes technically it is). Anyway he's doing it as a repair, (I would have preferred getting a new box but I didn't push it) he swapped my right airpod pro out today p/n 661-14475 as that was all they had in stock. With the left one 661-14474 arriving in approx 4 days. I deliberately kept the new airpod to one side and did not let it into the charging case, I'm going to wait until the left one gets handed over to me.
At that point I will then put them into my charging case.

To check with people here the firmware is on the actually AirPods right ? The case should not matter or does it ? It will be interesting to see when I pair the replacement AirPods what firmware they have, if they still have 2C54 then that will kinda suck, I'm hoping to have 2B588 again.

 

[Elektrofone]

I contacted Apple online support yesterday, got a case number etc, complained about the reduced noise cancellation since 2C54. From that chat got a store appointment today, Apple guy kinda played dumb about the firmware insisted that my firmware is the latest and correct (yes technically it is). Anyway he's doing it as a repair, (I would have preferred getting a new box but I didn't push it) he swapped my right airpod pro out today p/n 661-14475 as that was all they had in stock. With the left one 661-14474 arriving in approx 4 days. I deliberately kept the new airpod to one side and did not let it into the charging case, I'm going to wait until the left one gets handed over to me.
At that point I will then put them into my charging case.

To check with people here the firmware is on the actually AirPods right ? The case should not matter or does it ? It will be interesting to see when I pair the replacement AirPods what firmware they have, if they still have 2C54 then that will kinda suck, I'm hoping to have 2B588 again.

Right, the AirPods is where the firmware is stored, not the case. If you pair that right replacement (2B588) with the old left (25C4) one then they will both be updated to 2C54.

 

[pdxa4]

Right, the AirPods is where the firmware is stored, not the case. If you pair that right replacement (2B588) with the old left (25C4) one then they will both be updated to 2C54.

Thank you.

yup I intent to not pair the one I was given today, I've put them both away and will not use them. When the new left ear airpod gets delivered to me, only then will I pair the new AirPods.

 

[oldcelt]

ANC is on.
Music plays normally. I get a call.
I hang up the call - then I play back the music and one bud has ANC off completely. Forgets to switch it back.
Then I remove the buds for a split second, put them back in and everything is fine.
Just some sync issue.

Transparency "loopiness" ( I'm glad this term catches on ) happened to me once in a store when I ordered something and I managed to be loopy myself and knocked my ear bud off. Then I put it on and it was ANC-ed.
I simply disabled on both the Transparecny (Turned everything OFF) and then re-enabled and both were fine.

Not sure if this answers your question.

Happens with my APPs when I pause what’s playing.

 

[Christian 5G]

Just glad I got AC+ for my APP's because I don't think they will survive for longer than a year with some random inconvenient issues with connections

 

[japanime]

Transparency "loopiness" ( I'm glad this term catches on ) happened to me once in a store when I ordered something and I managed to be loopy myself and knocked my ear bud off.

I don't mean to be critical of you for your affinity of the word "loopy" (I like the word, too), but I wanted to point out that widespread use of the word predates the "Harry Potter" series. "Loopy" has been in use for at least a century, and probably much longer than that. ?

Now, back on topic, I'm sad to report that my APPs continue to act loopy.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Hmmm, I just read on reddit that firmware 3CB4 was launched.
Edit: False alarm, just a fake lol.

It was a hoax. God damn it.

why on earth are you guys even reading or listening to Reddit boards?!

someone mentioned about pillowdust getting into the vents.

the case of these attract far too much lint and dust compared to the previous versions of headphones Apple makes despite the brand name. I really hope Apple drops the finish of the AirPods pro case soon.

someone chose poorly about the finish and someone dumb enough listened to the choice for production.

 

[Ikertxo40]

Hello all,

I was suffering with 2C54 since December, with NS being way worse, specially right ear. After 1h Apple chat, zzzz, they sent me 2 new airpods and a case, separately the 3 of them, annoying. They came with 2B588. My credit card blocked until i sent the old ones back.

They definitely isolarte more, and I am happy I did this. I will test them some days more, and if all good, send the 2C54 back, where they belong.

 

[dogg]

Hello all,

I was suffering with 2C54 since December, with NS being way worse, specially right ear. After 1h Apple chat, zzzz, they sent me 2 new airpods and a case, separately the 3 of them, annoying. They came with 2B588. My credit card blocked until i sent the old ones back.

They definitely isolarte more, and I am happy I did this. I will test them some days more, and if all good, send the 2C54 back, where they belong.

Another one who also received a case. I only had the AirPods replaced and was told there was no need for a case Replacement. Seems to be no consistency...

 

[Ikertxo40]

I didn't get neither why I needed a new case, but well, this one is new and mine is 4 months old, so i decided not to complain, as i was not sure where the firmare sits. Also installed in the case?...

 

[dogg]

I didn't get neither why I needed a new case, but well, this one is new and mine is 4 months old, so i decided not to complain, as i was not sure where the firmare sits. Also installed in the case?...

Apparently it’s held in the AirPods. Someone on this thread confirmed it earlier. I wouldn’t have said no to a new case either ?

 

[Glideslope]

What the senior support rep told you is pretty much word-for-word what a senior support rep told me.

I'm certain that they are reading a boilerplate response. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I doubt we'll ever see a firmware fix.

But I'm sure Apple will hold a special event this Autumn to hype the "all-new Airpods Pro 2, featuring adjustable ANC." ?

Yup. AirPods Pro v. 2.0.0 on the way. Get the Class Action ready.

 

[that be me]

The update is definitely stored on the pods themselves. There have been reports of syncing issues where each pod was on a different firmware version.

 

[dallastigers]

I recently got APPs (2B firmware), and I am a little underwhelmed with them compared to first generation AirPods and even EarPods when price is factored in (I would settle for just being whelmed). They seem to have to have volume cranked up to have anywhere close to sound loudness of full range relative to others (not just loud for sake of being loud). I hate maxing anything but I feel like I have to especially using with AppleTV but not limited to that at all (tried reducing loud sounds on and off). Makes finding correct volume for stuff with a good mixture of more quiet sounds & louder sounds hard. I can hear maybe a deeper richer sound at similar volumes with others (still have original) but would like a little extra kick in volume instead of thinking I need to turn volume up with little to no ability to actually do this being maxed out or near it. I have tried various EQ settings and sound leveler on iPhone, but what may help a little for one song ruins the next. I just end up back at leaving both off. Overall experience has been more inconsistent than previous one or others in general.

I do still like possibilities of transparency and NC for some situations. I even like in ear for a more secure fit since they aren't attached to anything or to each other, but I also have a fit problem with included fittings/tips. One ear is really somewhere in between all 3 fittings that come with them. It's not just the test as I can pass it for both some times and can later feel right one slipping a little (and then test for right doesn't pass). Left ear fits like a glove and can easily put it with a little twist down and seems to lock in. Right never feels as far in as left or as easy to push it (fear it's going to snap one day) or as sealed after wearing more than 5 to 10 minutes with medium or large tips. The small tip is noticeably physically loose in ear and wants to slips out or shift around. I think I have noticed with in-ear headphones before that my ear openings are not symmetrical and foam worked best.

I figure I can get fit worked out,
but hoping a firmware update can update overall sound quality, power/loudness, and make experience more consistent without a lot of adjusting back & forth while mostly used mobile with phone.

Is increasing volume correctly while keeping sound quality possible with a firmware update? I am not sure if Apple is holding it back some or if its as good as hardware can do & increasing loudness would end up making many things sound worse like Late Night EQ on iPhone (works for some things if it's just a volume issue but makes many things sound worse).

 

[japanime]

I recently got APPs (2B firmware), and I am a little underwhelmed with them compared to first generation AirPods and even EarPods when price is factored in (I would settle for just being whelmed). They seem to have to have volume cranked up to have anywhere close to sound loudness of full range relative to others (not just loud for sake of being loud).

Although I'm extremely disappointed that a firmware update ruined ANC in my and so many others' APPs, my experience with volume level has been the exact opposite of yours.

My APPs are considerably louder than my first-gen AirPods, probably because of the seal the APPs require. If your APPs aren't as loud or louder as your AirPods, you might have a defective pair.

 

[morsecp]

Although I'm extremely disappointed that a firmware update ruined ANC in my and so many others' APPs, my experience with volume level has been the exact opposite of yours.

My APPs are considerably louder than my first-gen AirPods, probably because of the seal the APPs require. If your APPs aren't as loud or louder as your AirPods, you might have a defective pair.

I agree on the volume.
I have to say though I've had all three versions of the firmware and even on 2C54 I still feel the active noise cancellation is excellent. I don't notice a major degradation in the active noise cancellation between my original pair in November and the pair I have now with 2C54. I'd urge anyone who's having such lackluster performance to return them and get another pair as it may very well not be the firmware and may just be defects. I still hear the "whoosh" of white nothingness when I turn on active noise cancellation and the world fades away.