WF-1000MX3 on BigSur - sound cuts/disconnection/pour quality

[strykul]

Hello all,
I've just received my new WF-1000MX3 headset. For the first time I've connected them to my MBP 13" 2020 (Intel 8th Gen). Sound seems to be horrible (conversation on Webex sounds like highly compressed MP3 from 2000s, as well as Spotify), sometimes left earphone disconnects, sound is mostly shredded. I went through many BT headsets (mostly Momentum 3 and Elite 65t) with this Mac and non of them had any issues so far. I've tried to turn on aptX via BT explorer, but it's missing from latest Xcode tools. I used this manual: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/aac-aptx-force-on-big-sur.2274440/ - with no success. Any clues?

 

[leventozler]

First, AAC works much better with WF-1000MXx. You can choose connection priority (quality vs stability - which defaults to low quality SBC) via iPhone app.

WF-1000XM3 | Help Guide | About the sound quality mode

Once connected, option + click the bluetooth icon to confirm the codec.

Note that for the last couple of years, macOS only fallbacks to SBC if there are two or more other bluetooth devices connected. You probably won't need Xcode tools to force AAC/aptX on MBP since you're not using BT keyboard + mouse.

 

[Redhead101]

Hello all,
I've just received my new WF-1000MX3 headset. For the first time I've connected them to my MBP 13" 2020 (Intel 8th Gen). Sound seems to be horrible (conversation on Webex sounds like highly compressed MP3 from 2000s, as well as Spotify), sometimes left earphone disconnects, sound is mostly shredded. I went through many BT headsets (mostly Momentum 3 and Elite 65t) with this Mac and non of them had any issues so far. I've tried to turn on aptX via BT explorer, but it's missing from latest Xcode tools. I used this manual: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/aac-aptx-force-on-big-sur.2274440/ - with no success. Any clues?

strykul have you tried this:

[Foolproof] Pairing and Connecting SONY WF-1000XM3 to Mac

Learn how to connect the Sony Bluetooth headphones (WF-1000XM3) to Mac in this idiot-proof guide.

www.headphonesty.com

 

[strykul]

strykul have you tried this:

[Foolproof] Pairing and Connecting SONY WF-1000XM3 to Mac

Learn how to connect the Sony Bluetooth headphones (WF-1000XM3) to Mac in this idiot-proof guide.

www.headphonesty.com

Yes I did, no changes.

First, AAC works much better with WF-1000MXx. You can choose connection priority (quality vs stability - which defaults to low quality SBC) via iPhone app.

WF-1000XM3 | Help Guide | About the sound quality mode

Once connected, option + click the bluetooth icon to confirm the codec.

Note that for the last couple of years, macOS only fallbacks to SBC if there are two or more other bluetooth devices connected. You probably won't need Xcode tools to force AAC/aptX on MBP since you're not using BT keyboard + mouse.

I switched to Sound Quality on mobile app, Mac shows:



It changes nothing with the problems. It still have in the background sounds like someone cleaning windows out there.

EDIT: One observation - the problem appears only when Cisco Webex/Skype are on - I presume then, that it's being caused by HFP profile...

 

[MiltonThales]

I recently upgraded to 11.1 on my 2020 iMac Intel i9. Since then my bluetooth mouse has frequently become unresponsive. This seems to be a bluetooth software problem in 11.1.