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.
DigiTimes: New AirPods to Feature AirPods Pro Design Without Noise Cancellation
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
True, but the head of it is larger than the non-pro. At least for me, it doesn't fit my ear shape very well.
Comfort-wise, I like the design on the non-pro Airpods. They fit the shape of my ear well. I tolerate the Airpod Pros for flights and situations where I want better sound/less noise, but unless the skin of my ear canal is completely oil-free and moisture-free, they fall out easily.
At least Prosser gets the tip ... 'AirPods replacement until 2nd half of 2020' and NOT saying it's an AirPod Pro Lite or going to use this design.
If Apple is really that obtuse to kill a winning design (I still dislike it but it works and works very well) of the AirPods and kill off Beam-forming microphones) then it better just jump out of the truly wireless earbuds business.
If Apple is really that obtuse to kill a winning design (I still dislike it but it works and works very well) of the AirPods and kill off Beam-forming microphones) then it better just jump out of the truly wireless earbuds business.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
I'm glad these things exist for those that want them, but I just cannot bring myself to pay so much money for "headphones" (I know they do so much more, but I wouldn't use all of it myself).
I am more than happy blasting music via my cheapo $10 corded ones when mowing the lawn or working out, and going full wireless should not cost me more than $50.
I guess that makes me a Boomer (even tho I'm a Gen X'er)?
I am more than happy blasting music via my cheapo $10 corded ones when mowing the lawn or working out, and going full wireless should not cost me more than $50.
I guess that makes me a Boomer (even tho I'm a Gen X'er)?
Do you mean this? My guess is that it is just presented awkwardly. If they wrote it like “AirPods with (Wireless) Charging Case”, then it all makes sense, as the case itself charges-up AirPods battery, hence the longer use times.
No, just 30 years of watching Apple operate. Gathering information around the community about all the issues with the internal microphone, especially the mesh screen. Until that is redesigned no firmware will correct the ACN issues, IMO. I’m hopeful they at least have a redesigned silicone for the tips. The issues with them are also ridiculous.
Thats it really. Just giving an opinion.
What ACN issue do you mean? Sincere question. The issue some bring up is that a firmware update to 2C54 changed the parameters such that the bass response while listening was improved (rarely mentioned) BUT at the cost of lowering the bass noise cancellation efficiency (i.e. did not screen out jet engines as well). This would seem to be a deliberate software change by apple and hence could be changed back if Apple deemed it desirable (though logic dictates this is not a bug but a feature chosen by Apple the same way they tweaked the sound of the HomePods after first release, which btw, they never 'fixed.')
It seems you are suggesting that ANC does not work that well overall because of a physical design flaw and if that is the case, existed from day 1, not the result of a firmware change. All sincere questions, as I don't have an issue with my AirPods Pro, but then I dont expect them to behave as well as over the ear types for NC.
My personal opinion is that the ANC issues cannot be resolved through firmware due to the inner microphone being prone to clogging of the mesh and it's location on the device. Again, only my opinion. I look forward to the next version's teardown.
Full disclosure, I'm an AirPods 2 user.
AirPods Pro 2C54 Firmware: Worse Noise Canceling, Improved Frequency Response and Bass Accuracy
So... My visit to the Apple Store proved to be a waste of everybody's time. I was offered two options: (1) to send my AirPods Pros in for "repairs" (meaning the tech would flash them with an older firmware), which would take about a week, or (2) to just deal with the lousy noise cancellation...
forums.macrumors.com
There is a whole thread on this. The original ANC/Transparency/Microphone firmware was much better than the firmware update released in Nov (and on currently shipping), and the pulled firmware in December is horrible.
Those of us that are saddled with 2C54 are stuck until Apple releases an update. Even if you are lucky enough to get all new Airpods Pro from Apple many have had a behind the scenes update back to 2C54 because the firmware resides on one of the devices or the case the Airpods Pro pair to.
It is a mess, and Apple is completely ignoring the issue.
[automerge]1587507843[/automerge]
They don't sound good like that - they sound like an old AM radio (I'm not kidding) - the bass is non-existent and the treble is way off. They are designed to seal, and the built-in mic that does the 'tuning' to your ear (that can't be defeated) is messed up by the lack of the tips.
Regular Airpods have much more bass than Airpods Pros without their tips
Last edited:
Oh, I know the firmware jacked up the pros. Mine are. Still waiting for a fixed firmware release. I was specifically asking about the correlation to the mesh.AirPods Pro 2C54 Firmware: Worse Noise Canceling, Improved Frequency Response and Bass Accuracy
So... My visit to the Apple Store proved to be a waste of everybody's time. I was offered two options: (1) to send my AirPods Pros in for "repairs" (meaning the tech would flash them with an older firmware), which would take about a week, or (2) to just deal with the lousy noise cancellation...
There is a whole thread on this. The original ANC/Transparency/Microphone firmware was much better than the firmware update released in Nov (and on currently shipping), and the pulled firmware in December is horrible.
Those of us that are saddled with 2C54 are stuck until Apple releases an update. Even if you are lucky enough to get all new Airpods Pro from Apple many have had a behind the scenes update back to 2C54 because the firmware resides on one of the devices or the case the Airpods Pro pair to.
It is a mess, and Apple is completely ignoring the issue.
[automerge]1587507843[/automerge]
They don't sound good like that - they sound like an old AM radio (I'm not kidding) - the bass is non-existent and the treble is way off. They are designed to seal, and the built-in mic that does the 'tuning' to your ear (that can't be defeated) is messed up by the lack of the tips.
Regular Airpods have much more bass than Airpods Pros without their tips
That defeats the purpose of the ANC feature. May as well buy the regular Airpods instead.
The former is suppose to fit snugly, hopefully comfortably, in the outer ear canal, blocking out sound, hence why the ANC feature is welcomed.
The latter just sits on the outer ear, still allowing outside noise to enter.
Either way, everyone's ears are different, even from left to right. Either you like/love it or you hate it.
Apple should've provided foam tips instead of the cheaper plastic, silicone tips as the former generally provides a better seal and is relatively comfortable.
Anyone who's had stage monitor earphones like those from Westone/Shure knows how foam tips work along with passive noise cancellation earphones, which are a delight but more expensive than even the Airpod Pros with ANC.
How the line up should look:
1)EarPods (wired lighting/headphone jack)
2)AirPods (look like EarPods but wireless)
3)AirPods Pro (look like the current ones but without ANC)
4)AirPods Pro+ (look like current ones but with ANC also come with black colour option)
1)EarPods (wired lighting/headphone jack)
2)AirPods (look like EarPods but wireless)
3)AirPods Pro (look like the current ones but without ANC)
4)AirPods Pro+ (look like current ones but with ANC also come with black colour option)
I hope to hell the AirPod Pro design isn't the new AirPods design!! They're an uncomfortable (painful) fit. They create the worst sense of nausea vertigo. And worst of all (BY FAR X10000000) is the loss of TAP TO PLAY/Pause/Skip. Have any of you actually tried using AirPodPros with gloves, mittens, a hat, hoodie, helmet, snowboarding, biking, coffee in your hands, all of the above?!?! You can't do it! Press to play is a total UI Fail. Even bare handed quickly tapping through songs is 1000x better than squeezing song by song. Apple needs to fire everyone who thought ending Tap Controls was a good idea!
I thought the regular Airpods were going to come with the tips now? Wasn't that the news? They don't have ANC anyway
So you're easily confused when presented with more than 2 options?
It seems pretty simple and straightforward:
AirPods
AirPods Pro ANC,
AirPods Pro w/out ANC
A local big box store had the AirPods Gen 2 on sale for $120 where I live. Since I needed to go to this big box store and get some essential items, I picked up the AirPods. I use them every single day now while working from home for conference calls and I no longer have a corded mess on my desk. I may go pick up another set to have for backup as I am not a fan of the Pro models with their tip design.
As a user of both regular Pods and Pros I have to say regular Pods fit way better. My right ear Pros always falls off no matter the size of eartip I use. Frustration is real. Wish it had more options with tips. Foams would be good - something what Comply does for other brands.
Last edited:
My personal opinion is that the ANC issues cannot be resolved through firmware due to the inner microphone being prone to clogging of the mesh and it's location on the device. Again, only my opinion. I look forward to the next version's teardown.
Full disclosure, I'm an AirPods 2 user.
No I understand what your personal opinion was.. I was just trying to separate out the various 'issues' people have. I think most consider the ANC problem to is the software related one I referred to. Which to be clear, I do NOT have a problem with. But I understand now what you are talking about. thanks.
Full disclosure, I am an AirPod 1 user (next to my bed), and AirPod 2 user (relegated to backup now in my travel pack), and an AirPod Pro user (for work conference calls, hence at work).
My guess would be that 95+ percent of users are satisfied.No, just 30 years of watching Apple operate. Gathering information around the community about all the issues with the internal microphone, especially the mesh screen. Until that is redesigned no firmware will correct the ANC issues, IMO. I’m hopeful they at least have a redesigned silicone for the tips. The issues with them are also ridiculous.
Thats it really. Just giving an opinion.
There’s always a certain percentage that won’t be happy with whatever Apple does. For all we know, 70, 80, 90 percent or more of all customers like the new firmware better than the old one 🤷♂️