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Apple Updates AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 4A402 and AirPods 3 Firmware to 4B66

Kylo83 said:
Has anyone updated them and seen any changes to sound quality, it amazes me how so many reviews and people on forums don’t speak about the sound quality
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and @srbNYC

Here are the things I have found (13 ProMax @ IPP11 2020 - both on 15.2 beta 3) using Air Pods Pro

Bass is muffled, mid range has improved (more fore ground sounding)
Spatial Audio sounds better
Phone calls frequently have the other end saying it sounds muffled - like from a distance
Crazy random switching between iPhone and iPad has stopped
ANC less effective on noises like tv shows.
 
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bmustaf said:
It's not exactly what he's saying, but one modality is that the ANC circuitry's longevity (as with *any* semiconductor) is related to thermal ranges in which it operates, and it is possible that Apple has collected data that indicates a certain elevated percentage of warranty-related service on failure related to the ANC circuitry (which would increase warranty cost, remember, warranty expense to revenue ratio is a major metric tracked my all vendors...) and to maintain their warranty E/R there may have been a slight engineering change (these happen and are not generally noticeable) in production runs after a given time/date where perhaps this tweak is not necessary, thus creating a phenomenon where early revs of the HW of the AirPods Pro have degraded ANC performance under newer firmwares and replacements (even on the same firmware rev) do not exhibit this as their ANC circuitry or design is very slightly tweaked to afford different dynamics.

Who knows, this is all wild speculation to try to come up with hardware-based explanations for this, and it isn't necessarily even likely, but the most credible "hardware degradation" story I could come up with that is plausible (but admittedly, not probable, more likely is just placebo effect by users).
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While what you say makes sense but ….
Frequently in the evening my other half likes to watch a couple of shows I could care less about. So I pop in my APP on NC and it reduces it a low muffle at best. Last update and this update it was noticeable that more tv sound bled through then before the update. So no, not a placebo in this case.
 
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FattiesGoneWild said:
I get so tired of ANC reports being worse with every update. These are in ear not over the ear. It’s never going to be like that.
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That's literally what's been happening though. I am a Day 1 user and ANC was phenomenal at the beginning.

I don't understand why Apple purposely made them worse over time with the firmware updates. The first firmware update after launch made a significant negative impact to the effectiveness of ANC and it's been downhill from there.
 
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My APP won’t update to 4A402. No matter what guess I should be happy. Who knows if anything worthwhile will occur
 
I frequently use ANC in AirPods Pro against noisy neighbours upstairs.

I couldn't compare it with 1st firmware as I purchased it in Oct 2020.

Usually with other ear headphones I used medium size of ear tips. But I discovered that Large size of ear tips dramatically increased noise cancelling in AirPods. ANC really worked much better. Try it with your AirPods Pro even if you think that large is not for your ears.
 
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Dustin5654 said:
This makes sense. When I was listening to music today the highs were terrible, almost nonexistent. All music sounds flatter than before this update. I tried adjusting to no avail. Guess I now have earbuds that sound as good as a $15 pair. Anyone else notice this?
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I've had sound issues in the past with mine which was fixed by doing a reset. If you haven't done that give it a try.

How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro
 
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It has improved my FindMy experience. I used to get alerts saying I left my AirPods behind but they were still in my pocket.
 
rgwebb said:
I have a hunch that the ANC complaints due to these updates are mostly people noticing a hardware level degradation of performance over time when they hear about a software update.

I got both of my AirPods Pro buds replaced recently with the support program and I noticed a substantial improvement in ANC quality with these brand new buds. It is not scientific by any mean but I'm starting to think this product just has a lot of hardware level problems related to durability and sustained performance.
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No. Clear difference between firmware updates. Literally minutes apart and reported by many people simultaneously. That’s a firmware update, not “degradation” of everyone’s devices in a matter of minutes. The ANC got dramatically worse with 4a400/4a402 updates and they are tweaking with the frequencies.

I had heard about many past complaints of anc issues and other firmware ever since they were released, but I personally found all of those to be extremely minor or overblown…. However this time it’s way worse and there’s almost no difference at all between ANC on/off anymore. I relied heavily on ANC on a near daily basis and this has caused me to shop for a replacement non-Apple pair with better ANC—as well as this issue alone causing me to completely ditch my plan to buy the eventual Pro 2s. I won’t be buying anymore Apple/beats audio products unless this is specifically addressed and I am extremely disappointed to have to make that decision. The users have no option on whether they even want AirPod firmware updates, and that lack of choice makes this worse.
 
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AirPods Pro, I just tested anc and it's working not sure if it's the same as before the update. It's better than off.
Transparency mode is working fine
 
Not a MASSIVE deal, Nov. 27 I am still seeing the older 4A400 firmware on my APPro. ??‍♂️
I saw it mentioned elsewhere, another site also....there has to be a FAR better way to update these (AirPods, APP, AP Max rather than checking the FW deeper in the settings.

Just create it's own app like Apple Watch. With more controls, How the earbuds sound (presets maybe w/ custom EQ) and forcing FW updates when needed. This process right now is just bad.
 
For my APP, I have to say this has been a disappointment of an update.
Music: decreased the bass end and brought the midrange to the fore - not good.
Voice: almost all calls the recipient says my voice sounds muffled.
 
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One of my Pro’s now seems to lose charge way ahead of the other. I swear it’s new with this update. Is that even possible?
 
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dk001 said:
@xpxp2002 - what do you disagree about?
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Music: decreased the bass end and brought the midrange to the fore - not good.
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I don’t agree that either of these changes took place, and if they did that would be for the better. AirPods Pro are already way too bass-heavy, and the iPhone’s barebones preset EQ options and lack of detail on how each range is being adjusted are a woefully inadequate solution.
Voice: almost all calls the recipient says my voice sounds muffled.
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This could very likely be an issue with one of your mics. You may want to make an appointment to have them run a check on your AirPods at an Apple Store to see if either or both are eligible for replacement under the service program.
macintoshmac said:
They never tell. Never.
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Ok.
 
xpxp2002 said:
I don’t agree that either of these changes took place, and if they did that would be for the better. AirPods Pro are already way too bass-heavy, and the iPhone’s barebones preset EQ options and lack of detail on how each range is being adjusted are a woefully inadequate solution.

This could very likely be an issue with one of your mics. You may want to make an appointment to have them run a check on your AirPods at an Apple Store to see if either or both are eligible for replacement under the service program.

Ok.
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The challenge is this only started with the 402 update.
 
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srbNYC said:
One of my Pro’s now seems to lose charge way ahead of the other. I swear it’s new with this update. Is that even possible?
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I was also experiencing some bizarre charging issues on this update. I’ve also been having constant static with Noise Cancellation and Transparency (even sitting in a completely quiet room).
 
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I just got my Pro's and I'm seeing a 10-15% discharge of the case in 24 hours during no use (disconnected from phones bluetooth) and not sure if it's normal. My 1st gen's lasted days before losing any case charge. I do notice that find my works better and seems to update location more frequently. I just charged them to 100%, reset them, removed them from my bluetooth list then re-paired them to see if it helps with the battery drain on the case.
 
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BugeyeSTI said:
I just got my Pro's and I'm seeing a 10-15% discharge of the case in 24 hours during no use (disconnected from phones bluetooth) and not sure if it's normal. My 1st gen's lasted days before losing any case charge. I do notice that find my works better and seems to update location more frequently. I just charged them to 100%, reset them, removed them from my bluetooth list then re-paired them to see if it helps with the battery drain on the case.
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Not normal.
This latest update has some issues.
 
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