Ralfi
macrumors 601
Very unusual to see this firmware inconsistency from Apple.
I’ll be surprised if we’re not ALL on the same updated firmware by this time next week, seeing as we got new IOS versions today.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple AirPods Firmware
- Thread starter whoisyourdaddy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I’ll be surprised if we’re not ALL on the same updated firmware by this time next week, seeing as we got new IOS versions today.
Schranke
macrumors 6502a
No, but it is the current, 2C54 is the latest but I got pulled as there seems to be a problem with it. Which is what causes some problems.
good question, it would at least make it so that fewer problems occur
My AirPods Pro are currently on 2C54 and have no issues with them, at least for connectivity goes as I've read some have issues with connectivity.
anthony13
macrumors 65816
I mis-spoke, I’m in 2b whatever, but was on 2c, Apple replaced my AirPods, so its ‘new’ to me.
morsecp
macrumors regular
This entire thread is based on here say and anecdotal evidence. Apple never released a statement saying the firmware was pulled. It's all speculation.
So releasing a firmware then it now not being available and the one before that being available again doesn’t mean it was pulled??
Here is what we know about each firmware version on the Airpods pro:
2B576- initial firmware.
2B584-released simultaneously with launch around October 30.
2B588- released November 15. Reports of reduced ANC immediately follow most notably the long Apple support forum. New units today are being shipped with this version.
2C54- released December 16. RTINGS.COM states noise isolation is significantly reduced but other aspects of sound profile and bass accuracy improve. Reports of connectivity problems follow. As new units on previous firmware cannot update to this version, it can be deduced Apple pulled it (date unknown).
These are facts. Nothing is based on speculation and anecdotal evidence.
morsecp
macrumors regular
All true. The speculation is in that 2C54 was "pulled" and that it was because of a problem. Often devices don't ship with the latest firmware and require an update. I'm not seeing it wasn't pulled I'm just saying there is no proof there is only anecdotal evidence.
j0nblayz
macrumors 6502
I have 2 chat logs with Apple support when I was getting my AirPods pro replaced confirming from their internal notes that 2C54 has been pulled. but you are correct Apple has not made a public statement regarding the pull, however there has been multiple other users confirming Apple support stated the same info regarding the pulling. Now let’s hope Apple releases an update soon as my new pairs have same issues again 🙁 3rd time exchanging
I believe the update was pulled but Apple Support will not have such information.
katbel
macrumors 601
Apple Support very often needs support.. I call them when I'm hopeless and after I'm even more desperate...
Let's hope Apple will come with a new firmware very soon
japanime
macrumors 68030
I agree. This is from a transcript of a support chat I had last year:
Note how the support rep misspelled "you're" as "your." A common error, but still embarrassing.
Asking me if I was having a "super day" seemed silly, but fair enough. Asking me if I felt like an "All Star," though, was juvenile.
gwhizkids
macrumors G5
Really? This thread has degraded to comments on the demeanor and common spending errors of Apple Support personnel?
Facts:
-Apple has made no official statement regarding 2C54.
-iOS updates have nothing to do with APP firmware updates.
-Many users, including me, have experienced no meaningful degradation of ANC
-Many users also apparently have suffered degradation of ANC
-The preceding 2 statements are not mutually exclusive
Pushpaw
macrumors newbie
So my wife and I each have a pair of AirPod Pros. Both developed the 'scratchy' static-ey noise, which appears to get worse over time. Mine were worse than hers, but both were not working like they did when new (we bought on release day). I'm not super thrilled with the support we've gotten so far. Talked to 3 different people on the phone as well as 2 chats. Total of 2 1/2 hours of my time. Finally get to the we'll send replacements part. They are now on the way, but they sent each separate airpod pro in a different package. Seriously. 4 tracking numbers, each one has either one left or one right pod in it. Presumably I will have to box up the ones going back the same way. Ludicrous.
I really hope these ones work as intended and don't just start having the same issue, as I have seen others reporting. At least they will not have the 2c54 firmware, though (which both pairs we currently have do.)
Apple needs to up their game a bit.
I really hope these ones work as intended and don't just start having the same issue, as I have seen others reporting. At least they will not have the 2c54 firmware, though (which both pairs we currently have do.)
Apple needs to up their game a bit.
Just chiming in to say, my Airpods are on the 2C54 firmware, and have been working as brilliantly as when I first purchased them back in November. I've used them almost every day walking a busy road in Los Angeles and there's been no noticeable change in the ANC's ability to cancel out noise.
So I guess I’ll add mine and wife’s experience. I use APPs mostly on bus/subway and both the vehicle noise and people talking used to be blocked almost entirely. Nice ”personal bubble” effect. Now no bubble at all, little bit is blocked but I can still hear what people say and hear the engine noise.
Asked the wife after I saw the article about firmware and she instantly said she had been wondering what is wrong with the noise canceling. Both of us are on 2C54.
It is so bad I am talking with Apple support and trying to return both sets which I bought the launch day. I’ll rather buy the normal AIrPods since these current ones are not noise canceling anymore in my experience, and that feature was the only reason we switched to the new ones.
Asked the wife after I saw the article about firmware and she instantly said she had been wondering what is wrong with the noise canceling. Both of us are on 2C54.
It is so bad I am talking with Apple support and trying to return both sets which I bought the launch day. I’ll rather buy the normal AIrPods since these current ones are not noise canceling anymore in my experience, and that feature was the only reason we switched to the new ones.
There are no noise cancelling headphones that effectively cancel human speech. If you thought they were doing a great job at it before (blocking almost entirely), then it was either placebo effect, or else your ears were just plugged more tightly with the AirPods acting as earplugs muffling the sound.
https://noisyworld.org/noise-cancelling-headphones-voices/
Last edited:
You are wrong, and I am not imagining things - otherwise I would be alone complaining!
Canceling was sufficient at first with the initial firmware. Now I went and bought Sony WH-1000XMs and the blocking on them is really nice. Of course I am playing music at the same time, but now with APPs even through music I can hear people’s conversations. In mostly concerned about engine noise and losing the ”bubble” effect. It seems the frequency the canceling is effective at has changed. Our dryer it blocks quite well, but there are no dryers on the bus or subway.. 🙂
I remember missing my subway stop once with APPs on as I could not hear the announcements. Definitely returning these unless a new firmware fixes this soon.
If you understand how active noise cancelling works, then you would understand why it doesn't cancel out human conversation. Read the link I posted, do some research. The conversation blocking is mostly done with the seal between your ears and the headphones, not the audio processing.
Now, if you have a very large crowd at a distance, so that the voices turn into a droning murmur, then the noise cancelling can have a decent effect (because it is no longer unique sounds without a uniform pattern). But up close conversation where you can make out words...doesn't work.
If it makes any difference my Sony 100’s certainly process out some talking. With noise cancellation off and just the over ear seal you can hear people talking fine. Turn on NC and it makes a huge difference. Can’t hear talking on the bus, wife is even nearly muted next to me!
Anyway. Got the pros on Tuesday and returning them tomorrow. Main reason is they really hurt my ears, so guess they do not suit my ear shape. Secondly the noise cancelling is very very poor for £250, I knew they would never beat over ear NC but I can hear the bus engine through my daily 2 hour journey. I bought them for the ease of use and size, but it’ll be back to the over ears for me.
Ralfi
macrumors 601
Sometimes, it takes a few days for your ears to get used to it (think breaking in running shoes....where there may be a period where you get blisters, but then the shoe & your foot adapt).
I’d try to hold onto them for the full returns period & wear them as much as you can.
Try having someone speak directly to you in an otherwise quiet environment while you turn noise cancelling on and off. Odds are, it’s not going to do much at all.
https://audiomav.com/can-noise-cancelling-headphones-block-out-voices/
Also, the AirPods noise cancellation is totally dependent upon the seal in your ears. If they don’t fit properly, they won’t sound very good either.
Seal is fine. They are just not as good as what I’ve been used to that’s all
[automerge]1580375297[/automerge]
Yeah going to give them until Saturday but can’t see the pain in the area it’s causing going away.
Based on what I am reading makes me wonder if the H1 processor or any other component in the airpods pro have been released although the factory that produces them may have issues.
Since the ANC not working properly seems to be affecting random people at random firmwares, I am starting to suspect a HW issue - some inconsistency on the electronics part.
If Apple released FW which behave erratically in terms of results on the same products, it means the products are not the same.
I cannot believe that Apple would not release a FW that bad without testing. And how come they missed such a big change in the ANC?
They must have pulled it back and ran tests on other ones as well and since there is such a long time since they pulled it without comments, I am being plagued by these "conspiracy theories" I tell myself sometimes 🙂)
Since the ANC not working properly seems to be affecting random people at random firmwares, I am starting to suspect a HW issue - some inconsistency on the electronics part.
If Apple released FW which behave erratically in terms of results on the same products, it means the products are not the same.
I cannot believe that Apple would not release a FW that bad without testing. And how come they missed such a big change in the ANC?
They must have pulled it back and ran tests on other ones as well and since there is such a long time since they pulled it without comments, I am being plagued by these "conspiracy theories" I tell myself sometimes 🙂)