AirPod Tip Problems

[Danorak81]

Hi all,

Annoying one this. Have 1st Gen AirPod Pro's. Still perform really well, no issues with them. Recently ripped one of the 'L' eartips when I removed to clean them. After a bit of research, found out the AirPod Pro 2 tips fit as Apple no longer make the 1st Gen tips, so picked up a pair from Apple. They fit nice and securely, so no issues there.

However, I now get this weird crackling noise when I walk, as in, when my feet touch the ground, it's like the vibration makes the AirPods crackle. Did a little experiment and popped my remaining original tip on and one of the new tips. The original one doesn't crackle when I walk, but the new tip does.

Anyone have any idea why this might be happening, or, how to cure it?

Cheers,
Dan

 

[okkibs]

The ear tips are mechanically compatible but not recommended by Apple for the first gens. I haven’t heard of your issue so I’m unsure if that’s normal. I don’t think first gen ear tips are still being sold so unfortunately I have no idea how you could resolve the problem. I do know the crackle you have as it happens with my Pro 2’s whenever the ear tips wear out and need replacing so I know how annoying it can be.

To avoid this problem I stockpiled a dozen replacements for mine when the new Pro 3 were announced.

You could wash the ear tips with soapy water and dry them off well, mine make noises when they are sweaty after workouts and then rinsing them under the sink fixes it.

You could look into upgrading to the Pro 2 as they have improved ANC and sound and adaptive ANC mode and they’ll be getting a system wide EQ with iOS 27 in September as well. You can still find them on clearance sales and then you already have an extra ear tips already. It sucks to throw out working hardware but after such a long time you might appreciate an upgrade. I saw them for as low as $160 with target membership discount last year.

Sorry that I don’t have a solution for you.