How much noise canceling on the pros?

[The Doctor11]

I just got AirPods and I’m intrigued by the noise canceling. I’ve used headphones with noise canceling in the past and I absolutely could not hear anything. So I was a little surprised that the AirPods Pro seem to only reduce noise by maybe 50%. Is this typical for AirPods Pro or do I have a defective unit?

 

[gwhizkids]

I just got AirPods and I’m intrigued by the noise canceling. I’ve used headphones with noise canceling in the past and I absolutely could not hear anything. So I was a little surprised that the AirPods Pro seem to only reduce noise by maybe 50%. Is this typical for AirPods Pro or do I have a defective unit?

Hoo boy...you are about to enter the crazy world of AirPods Pro and noise cancellation!

This has been the subject of several other threads here and there is a raging debate as to whether the active noise cancellation (ANC) that was present on the original AirPods Pro (APP) was (A) degraded by software that was deployed later by Apple, (B) degraded by faulty silicon tips (not maintaining a good seal, (C) degraded by becoming junked up with earwax or (D) not affected at all.

My own experience is that the seal matters. If you can get them jammed in your ears well, the ANC is pretty effective, especially if you are playing audio. But if not, then ambient noise (especially “spiky” noise) will get through.

Bottom line, they are not perfect, but they do a pretty good job considering the small package.

FYI, Comply just released foam tips that fit the APP. For me, they do a better job of sealing and are way more comfortable than the silicon tips that Apple ships.

 

[zhenya]

No active noise cancelling headphones of any sort will block out all sounds. They are most effective against consistent, low frequency sounds - airplanes, fans, etc. They do almost nothing at all for human voices, high pitches, etc.

If the Airpod Pro’s are seated properly in your ear - that is, proper size tip, inserted far enough to seal properly - this usually requires a bit of a twist as you seat them - then they are nearly as good as best in class over-ear models like the Sony WH-XM3’s.

If the seal is poor, all bets are off.

 

[Ralfi]

this usually requires a bit of a twist as you seat them

This is absolute key.

Sometimes when twisting them into the ear, I hear a click from the silicon tip closing the seal. When this happens, they’re performing at their best. But even without the click, I can twist them in & so long as they’ve been wiped of skin oils from prior usage, they’ll grip & stay in there, forming a nice seal.

 

[boswald]

This is absolute key.

Sometimes when twisting them into the ear, I hear a click from the silicon tip closing the seal. When this happens, they’re performing at their best. But even without the click, I can twist them in & so long as they’ve been wiped of skin oils from prior usage, they’ll grip & stay in there, forming a nice seal.

Never thought to try twisting them into my ears. I thought the tips just weren't the right size for my ears! Will try later. Thanks!

 

[seggy]

I just got AirPods and I’m intrigued by the noise canceling. I’ve used headphones with noise canceling in the past and I absolutely could not hear anything. So I was a little surprised that the AirPods Pro seem to only reduce noise by maybe 50%. Is this typical for AirPods Pro or do I have a defective unit?

50% - assuming you're referring to stuff like voices - would be right. I'd say it's pretty typical for mid-tier ANC.

I think a lot of fanbois got a bit too excited about the performance out of the gate, and the sound quality while in ANC on release was rubbish (while there were lots of praises about it, which just goes to show fanbois have no ability to discern anything beyond "Apple good"). The ANC in the voice frequencies is a tad worse now, but they've made the sound quality in surprise, surprise, the same frequency range - better.

However it should cancel lower-frequency environmental sounds, like fans, very effectively. If that's not working then there might be a problem with the unit.

 

[TimothyL]

50% sounds like about what mine do. I think that’s normal for them

 

[PTLove]

Sit next to a fan. They should block the fan out pretty much 100%. If they are doing that they are almost certainly working correctly and any other noise you hear is just noise that they cannot ANC.

 

[Ralfi]

It’s more than 50% for me. It can drown out a lawn mower, at my feet, by at least 70%.

I’d say they’re able to cancel out certain noise by as much as 85%-90%.

 

[seggy]

ANC is very effective against droning noises. The problem seems to be that people expect it to cancel all noise.

 

[MPclk2006]

I just got AirPods and I’m intrigued by the noise canceling. I’ve used headphones with noise canceling in the past and I absolutely could not hear anything. So I was a little surprised that the AirPods Pro seem to only reduce noise by maybe 50%. Is this typical for AirPods Pro or do I have a defective unit?

I’d say they cancel out a heck of a lot more than 50% for me. I used them while mowing the grass on a riding mower and the loud noise from the machine was reduced down to a tiny “buzzing” sound in the background of the podcast I was listening to. At the gym, they cancel noice like no other headphones I’ve ever used. I really love the AirPod Pros, they block noise when I want them to and don’t when i need otherwise.

 

[boswald]

I’d say they cancel out a heck of a lot more than 50% for me. I used them while mowing the grass on a riding mower and the loud noise from the machine was reduced down to a tiny “buzzing” sound in the background of the podcast I was listening to. At the gym, they cancel noice like no other headphones I’ve ever used. I really love the AirPod Pros, they block noise when I want them to and don’t when i need otherwise.

I really love mine too. I need to buy some foam tips yet, but the quality is excellent and sound is great.