Might also be related to allowing the just Siri wakeup word they reportedly are working on.
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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 1 and AirPods Max
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I just sent in several feedbacks about Apple reducing the active noise cancellation on the Airpods Pro 2 with the most recent firmware update. Reducing the ANC post release is a very, very scummy business practice.
Right, but for evaluating the reduced ANC in this new Airpods Pro 2 update, scenarios where you don't hear anything are the worst to test how the extent of which Apple reduced the ANC.
If it still cancels out certain sounds, more power to you. But for the sounds the APP2 ANC doesn't cancel out, they're still louder (because of the ANC reduction in this firmware update).
same problem for me with the AirPods Pro
Is ANC the reason music sounds quieter? I ride the NYC subway, which is very loud. The APP2s do a good job handling the noise, but music sounds more quiet. Can't say if it's better or worse after the firmware update, but I've definitely noticed it.
Your post is almost exactly the same as what those of us who bought the original APPs were writing a few weeks after that launch. Apple nerfed the ANC, and we began speculating that they might improve it in a firmware update or add an ANC slider in an iOS update.
Never happened. 😢
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If we bring enough awareness to the fact Apple significantly reduced active noise cancellation on this new Airpods Pro 2 firmware update, Apple will have no choice but to restore ANC or face negative publicity/lawsuits.
I doubt a lawsuit can be won unless somehow one can prove the advertising doesn’t match up to reality.
I’m on the 4 train now in NYC. I have my air pod pros 1st gen updated and I can’t hear anything but my music. Not the train or anyone around me and I have my volume 4-5 down from max. Don’t see what everyone else is seeing about the ANC. If anything, I think it might be better than it was yesterday.
AirPods Pro 1 updated here "easy" with the factory reset, charge and pair method in under 15mins. ANC works fine if not better than before in my opinion. I am more keen to see over time if it improves FindMy, and handover with with all my devices.
In my case the firmware update results in poor ANC performance for my APP2. I can clearly hear the metro train now when I’m working in the office. ANC is really the only feature I need and use! This was not the case with the old firmware. Already complained in the Apple Store Berlin and online. Apple Store Berlin offered to change my AirPods.
I'm still on the original Air Pod Pros. That muffled speaker thing that was fixed with an update a couple years ago has returned. Not sure if it's just age or if they broke it with a different update? I don't use them as much anymore since I work full-time from home now, so most things run through my desktop speakers. But it was VERY noticeable last month on my flight.
It always amazes me that authors fail to know that you can also do this on a Mac. One guy actually said there was no way to do it, well, dah, its easy.
1) alt-click the bluetooth icon on the task bar, whoop - there it is. Been there for awhile
2) go to system settings, bluetooth, click on the I on the right of your iPods pro (verified to work on Ventura, I also remember it working on Monterey, but I no longer run Monterey.
Obviously, you would have had to connect the AirPods at some time before and they be discoverable. Do not need to be connected. (This should be self-evident, but in case it is not)
1) alt-click the bluetooth icon on the task bar, whoop - there it is. Been there for awhile
2) go to system settings, bluetooth, click on the I on the right of your iPods pro (verified to work on Ventura, I also remember it working on Monterey, but I no longer run Monterey.
Obviously, you would have had to connect the AirPods at some time before and they be discoverable. Do not need to be connected. (This should be self-evident, but in case it is not)
I also got mine fixed (replaced) for the fault. They work great. I did read that the screens can get clogged, so don't ever clean them with alcohol or anything else. apple recommends just brushing the screens, the rest can be wiped down, but not soaked, (as the alcohol could get inside?) the originals got clicks, especially on head movement, then got worse and worse. No problems with replacements
No, there's still noise from both, the ANC has never been that good. All I'm saying it, anecdotally they're no different to pre update.
Not talking about you specifically, but there's a lot of placebo both ways on this subject. People read it's changed and immediately think there's has. Short of RTings doing a test or something, it's all anecdotal.
My APP2 are exactly the same post update than they were before with regard to ANC. It's definitely not worse at all. I think it is kind of funny that people with the same device have so many different "experiences" after such an update.
Btw, in case you follow other audio communities / forums or even reddit with regard to audio, you have the exact same reactions there after each update. "My XM4 have way worse ANC than before" yadda yadda yadda.
There can be many reasons for a perceived reduction (and improvement too btw) for something like ANC performance that it is way too easy to say "it's the update's fault". It can be a bad seal, a bad fit, even just a regular bad day for your own ears etc. Even a defect is possible as well as clogged speaker/microphone grills... The list is endless, really.
Ultimately, it cannot be just the update's fault if many people say that nothing has changed for them, some even say it got better for them and some say it got worse. So, yeah.
Btw, in case you follow other audio communities / forums or even reddit with regard to audio, you have the exact same reactions there after each update. "My XM4 have way worse ANC than before" yadda yadda yadda.
There can be many reasons for a perceived reduction (and improvement too btw) for something like ANC performance that it is way too easy to say "it's the update's fault". It can be a bad seal, a bad fit, even just a regular bad day for your own ears etc. Even a defect is possible as well as clogged speaker/microphone grills... The list is endless, really.
Ultimately, it cannot be just the update's fault if many people say that nothing has changed for them, some even say it got better for them and some say it got worse. So, yeah.
This doesn’t show the firmware for me. Only the General, About, AirPods does. iOS 16.1.1
APP1 - were already updated through the course of the day. Can’t really tell a difference. I also subscribe a bit to the “ANC has gotten weaker over time” statement and this update doesn’t seem to have changed that fact. Nevertheless, they’re still acceptable for my use case and manage to make train and plane rides much more pleasant.