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MXBY

macrumors member
Original poster
May 18, 2015
94
56
I've been having many frequently occurring problems with my AirPods losing significant volume, as described in this Ask Difference question. I'm now on what I think is my fourth pair of replacement AirPods (crazy but true!)

The problem is that the volume suddenly falls to become drastically lower, causing a very unpleasant difference between the left and right AirPod. This can be partially countered by panning the system audio to L or R, but the result is not perfect because something seems to be slightly off with the frequency range (I think tops may be weak and bass remains quite okay).

The latest replacement AirPod I've only had for about 4–5 days, and it has already lost approximately 20% of its volume (judged by how much I have to pan the MacOS L/R balance) in System Preferences > Sound.

The only thing I can think of that could have had an external effect on the AirPods is that I dropped the case when the AirPods was inside from a slight elevation, but still not far. So if the AirPods are extremely sensitive to fall impact, that could be the reason. But this link seems to suggest that they are robust: https://bgr.com/2016/12/20/airpods-drops-and-waterproof-tests/

I've been in contact with Apple so many times now about this issue, that it's starting to feel embarrassing. I'm therefore wondering if anyone else has this experience, and indeed what is really up with AirPods losing volume?

I should however mention to anyone having this problem, that so far Apple has agreed to replace all units and acknowledged their repair status, so it might be that this indeed is a known issue.
 
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