After searching for a couple of weeks, I finally found a local Target that had some pros in stock. I was so excited to upgrade from my Gen 1 AirPods. However, after trying them out, I just can’t seem to get a good seal with any of the tips. Due to not having a good seal, I can’t tell much of a difference with ANC on or off. Really bummed. I’ve never had problems with my regular AirPods staying in my ears. Should I return the Pros and opt for the Gen 2s? Is there a substantial difference in sound quality compared to the Gen 1s? Or should I just stick with the Gen 1s?
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As much as I wanted to like the Pros...
- Thread starter IAmTheOneWhoKnocks
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Wrong! I hear a distinct difference between ANC on and transparency mode. Must be wrong combination of tips or defective unit. Another reason might be unrealistic expectations. I just finished vacuuming and there was a significant reduction in the noise level of the vacuum cleaner with ANC on. I could hear my music clearly at a lower volume than with ANC off. Oh, it could be the shape of your ears. Some people can’t wear Gen 1&2 Because, they fall out of their ears.
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For me the APP fit well and as has been said already, a big difference between ANC and Transparency mides. Gen 1 & 2 didn’t work for me at all, they either fell out or, if I tried to push them further into the ear, were immediately too uncomfortable to wear.
I think the OP was asking if there is a difference in sound quality between gen 1 and gen 2.
If so, there is a slight improvement but not a big difference.
If so, there is a slight improvement but not a big difference.
I believe the OP isn't talking between On and Transparency - that's definitely clearly different, at least on my set. But like the OP I also have very little difference between Noise Cancelling On and Off. There's a clear difference with higher frequencies, but no difference for most of the range. I can clearly hear noises I'd expect to be attenuated. The performance is nowhere near, for example, the cancellation I got with my several-year-old Bose earbuds.
I do get decent isolation - meaning that they are mechanically stopping noise by sealing to my ears (even though it usually fails the fit test). But these are supposed to be noise cancelling.
Looks like there are well over a thousand other users with this same concern, judging from this forum on Apple.com:
What firmware are yours running?
Seems like people are having two completely different experiences with these. Not sure if that's a software bug, or some sets of hardware are defective. My Bose set was just the earbuds, so not even as good as your QC25s, and they were still miles better than my APP set.
I did go to get mine replaced (I had other issues too, such as one side discharging in the case). Unfortunately Apple wouldn't replace the whole set, just that one side plus the case. That seems to have fixed the other issues, but the ANC is still poor.
