Sound Quality change with ANC turned OFF on AirPods Pro

[swandy]

I have had AirPods Pro since they were released and just noticed something. When I turn OFF the Noise Cancellation/Transparent, the sound quality of what I am hearing (referring to music, not phone calls) changes dramatically for the worse. When I turn ANC back on - whether Noise Cancellation or Transparency - the quality of the music is much better. I realize that with ANC turned off the external mics should be off, but I wouldn't expect such a decrease in the quality of the music itself. It just sounds very flat and tinny.
And this seems to happen regardless of which device I am using (iPhone 12, iMac, AW Series 6, iPad mini 5)
Anyone else experience this? Or am I missing some setting?

 

[ipponrg]

I have had AirPods Pro since they were released and just noticed something. When I turn OFF the Noise Cancellation/Transparent, the sound quality of what I am hearing (referring to music, not phone calls) changes dramatically for the worse. When I turn ANC back on - whether Noise Cancellation or Transparency - the quality of the music is much better. I realize that with ANC turned off the external mics should be off, but I wouldn't expect such a decrease in the quality of the music itself. It just sounds very flat and tinny.
And this seems to happen regardless of which device I am using (iPhone 12, iMac, AW Series 6, iPad mini 5)
Anyone else experience this? Or am I missing some setting?

The sound quality change is subjective, and perhaps your ears perceive it to be better because they have adjusted to it. This is normal.

If you turn on ANC, there's going to be some counter balance to frequencies which will of course also affect the music itself. Because there is a lot of artificial processing here, the fidelity should sound different than with ANC turned off. When ANC is turned off, that really is its natural headspace. Your miles may vary depending on the environment you have it off in. Generally in a quiet environment, it should not have a subtle white noise, sound more bassy, and have a larger stage presence.

It's very possible that you just prefer the artificial processing of sounds.

 

[Minarets]

I agree tho. Bass and treble are better with ANC/Transparency ON. Sound of overall better ON.

 

[MayaTlab]

If the mesh covering the vent facing your concha is clogged with wax then it will have the effect you described. So that could be the cause of it.

 

[Puonti]

Yep, this has been my experience as well since I bought them in late 2019. With ANC on bassy sounds sound deeper and boomier, while non-bassy sounds are affected less (according to my ears, anyway).

Depends on what kind of music you listen to whether you'll notice it or not, and your ears of course.

Try Highly Poisonous by Basso & Plastic Life, which combines both, and swap between ANC on and off. The foreground sounds don't seem affected, but the drumbeat loses power with ANC off.

I do also notice the effect in music I actually listen to, but this one seemed like a good demo song (as any part of the song is fine for testing higher frequencies, and lower ones after the 42 second mark).

 

[MiloCody]

I noticed it too.

Got mine when it came out in 2019. It was awesome. Now even when I don't have anything playing, I hear a slight noise or whisper (can't really describe it). It's basically not silent.

Have to take them off. Before I just had them in with nothing playing at times.

Wonder if you experienced that?

 

[BigPotatoLobbyist]

I actually dislike the sound with ANC on. I think it sounds much cleaner and more “open”, with it off.

Probably a good example is e.g. Helena Beat by Foster The People, or Southern Nights by Glen Campbell.

I had completely forgotten about the ANC ON/OFF discrepancy, but in the past it was the other way around for me - I enjoyed ANC ON a bit more. About a month ago, I tried ANC OFF once more, just screwing around. Since then if I’m in a quiet environment I virtually always turn it off. I’m not sure what it is about the processing; it almost reeks of an auditory “aftertaste” if you will, though.