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Call quality (outdoors / AirPods Pro): What's your Experience?

O

orschinger

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 14, 2006
72
12
While using my new Pros, I've today had two people on the other side of the phonecall tell me, my call sound quality was so bad, they simply had to hang up.

In the first case I was just walking next to regular city traffic, no wind. Second time was in a not too crowded café.
The Pros seemed to pick up unbearable amounts of surrounding noises for the caller.

Hm... what are your experiences?
 
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Do the airpod pro's have a directional mic? what made the airpods so effective was that the mic was on a stem so they can isolate your voice more. The other bluetooth earbuds don't do this which causes terrible call quality, if they changed the mic quality - this is a deal breaker.
 
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Dammit Cubs said:
Do the airpod pro's have a directional mic? what made the airpods so effective was that the mic was on a stem so they can isolate your voice more. The other bluetooth earbuds don't do this which causes terrible call quality, if they changed the mic quality - this is a deal breaker.
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The AirPods Pro has the stem angled towards the mouth, while the normal AirPods go straight down, that’s usually how people wear them too. I would assume they sound just as good regardless though.
 
melancholy said:
The AirPods Pro has the stem angled towards the mouth, while the normal AirPods go straight down, that’s usually how people wear them too. I would assume they sound just as good regardless though.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at the Airpods pro now, is there even a mic on the stem? I don't see one.
 
Dammit Cubs said:
I'm looking at the Airpods pro now, is there even a mic on the stem? I don't see one.
Click to expand...
It appears that the microphone is on the side of the stem, at the edge of the bottom rim, facing the outside. There is a slit in the rim too. This can be seen through Apple’s X-ray look of the AirPods Pro on their website.

I guess the microphone isn’t at the bottom of the stem like it was on the normal AirPods.
 
Did you let them update to the new firmware? The updated firmware should be version 2B584.

orschinger said:
While using my new Pros, I've today had two people on the other side of the phonecall tell me, my call sound quality was so bad, they simply had to hang up.

In the first case I was just walking next to regular city traffic, no wind. Second time was in a not too crowded café.
The Pros seemed to pick up unbearable amounts of surrounding noises for the caller.

Hm... what are your experiences?
Click to expand...
 
No issues here, I tested with my friend and asked him how my voice sounds, and told me that there were no issues.
 
bobsamm said:
Call are excellent here.
[automerge]1572479762[/automerge]


How do you do that?
Click to expand...

Put the AirPods in the charger. Plug the case in. Flip the top open and check the firmware
Version in the about tab. Should automatically update if it’s an old version.
 
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melancholy said:
It appears that the microphone is on the side of the stem, at the edge of the bottom rim, facing the outside. There is a slit in the rim too. This can be seen through Apple’s X-ray look of the AirPods Pro on their website.

I guess the microphone isn’t at the bottom of the stem like it was on the normal AirPods.
Click to expand...

I see it now. Thanks!
 
Donnation said:
Mine has been the opposite. I’ve had nothing but clear conversations on both ends. I’ve asked every caller I’ve spoken with how I sound and they have all said crystal clear.
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Same here. I always used my OG AirPods for calls, and everyone has said these new AirPods Pro sound just as good.
 
Guys who bought Airpod Pro please post about the microphone quality in phone calls. Most of the reviews on Youtube focus on sound quality, fit, NC etc. I can't understand why Apple sends free samples for such poor incomplete reviews. I have held off purchase until I get more feedback from the Macrumor members here.
 
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orschinger said:
But did you guys talk outdoors?
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LOL. Asking the obvious question which is important to your original problem.

Sorry, can't help out but if the "Pros" are no different than the Generation 1 or 2 for call quality, based upon external sources of sound, then I can tell you it greatly varies to each person. Depending upon the frequency, direction, and distance of the sound source, then I've had good call quality to downright, "They can't stand wherever the noise is coming from because it's too loud". Type of device you're connecting to, distance from it, and type/number of obstructions plays a factor in the call quality, as well. If you can alternate test with previous generations of AirPods with the "Pro", then this would help you to determine if the changes to the "Pro" are substantial that call quality for you has declined in comparison to the previous versions.
 
I have not heard anyone on the other line telling me I sound any different from the previous airpods. However, I think I sound different. Need more testing the next couple days to find out. I notice with these the fit is so tight, that when you have phone conversations, it seems like your brain thinks your voice is muted our more shallow. Can't explain it, but not the same as original airpods.

They also feel more heavy in my hears to me, so will see how they do today and tomorrow, when I use them for a full day of phone conversations.
 
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CHA05 R31GN5 said:
If you can alternate test with previous generations of AirPods with the "Pro", then this would help you to determine if the changes to the "Pro" are substantial that call quality for you has declined in comparison to the previous versions.
Click to expand...

I've been using the two previous generations virtually non-stop for phone calls in my daily business and private live - never had a problem.
 
orschinger said:
I've been using the two previous generations virtually non-stop for phone calls in my daily business and private live - never had a problem.
Click to expand...
I believe you've answered your inquiry about the "Pro". Obviously, for the environment you're using them in, then the comparison has shown the call quality has declined from either a change in the design/hardware/software/microphone location/device or various other differences. So, you're left with either it's worth the difference from previous generations for your primary use or it isn't and whether to keep them. At some point, I may try them but the Generation 2 suit me for calls, which is my primary use. However, since the "Pro" and Generation 2 have the same H1 chip, then I'm not inclined to believe these are worth over $100 more for "Force Touch", "ANC", design change, etc. If I could pick them up at the Generation 2 price, then I'd splurge.
 
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upnorth85 said:
Guys who bought Airpod Pro please post about the microphone quality in phone calls. Most of the reviews on Youtube focus on sound quality, fit, NC etc. I can't understand why Apple sends free samples for such poor incomplete reviews. I have held off purchase until I get more feedback from the Macrumor members here.
Click to expand...
Phone conversations: not good – very distracting with NC and even distracting with transpar. on: own voice like… numb.
 
GDF said:
I have not heard anyone on the other line telling me I sound any different from the previous airpods. However, I think I sound different. Need more testing the next couple days to find out. I notice with these the fit is so tight, that when you have phone conversations, it seems like your brain thinks your voice is muted our more shallow. Can't explain it, but not the same as original airpods.

They also feel more heavy in my hears to me, so will see how they do today and tomorrow, when I use them for a full day of phone conversations.
Click to expand...

If you haven't already, turn on transparency during voice calls. It will get rid of that muted feeling that you are getting due to Noise Cancellation drowning out your voice.
 
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Donnation said:
If you haven't already, turn on transparency during voice calls. It will get rid of that muted feeling that you are getting due to Noise Cancellation drowning out your voice.
Click to expand...

No way – tried this:

1. stays numb (little less though) and

2. this also means adding distraction cause of enviromental noise.

= not good apple
 
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