AirPod Pro Microphone Call Quality

I call AC and described the problem we are facing. I've also replied with this specificities discussion. They let me know.

Did you folks ever tried to make a voice recording test via native app in noise in environment?

I tried many test, around 70-80 db noise level, and between APP e AP2 there are no main differences.

But.. if you check here (AirPods pro) https://youtu.be/xX8l1Xhhrb8?t=616 and here (AirPods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Xu0vWWqOc&t=412sthe the difference is HUGE.

I'll doubt a fw update will enhnance the mics: so sad to go through a return,

Hey mate, just wondering what ended up happening? Did you return them??

Got them as a birthday present but if I can’t make calls on them I’m super disappointing. Everyone says that it sounds like it’s ‘raining’ when I try to call them.

Bewildering to me that this isn’t something you would iron out prior to release.

Nope the problem is still there.

I contacted Apple via Twitter and they told me to the usual bits - unpair and pair again etc. the funniest was that they asked if my phone was close to the AirPods and also to take off my case! Hahaha

I use an Apple silicone case.

also the AirPods are supposed to be wireless and are meant to be kept at distance I guess. Regardless.... my phone is literally in my pocket when on calls.

I have already returned one pair but the issue is still there.

I tried calling by turning the anc off and in transparency mode. Seem to work but still not clear. Genius bar seem to think its the software that can figure out your voice and outside noise. It cancels all outside sound when making a call. For $399 aud i got told to turn anc off to make calls. I’ve returned them. I’ll wait for firmware update, test at apple store and buy them in few months(maybe).

I faced the same problem today while walking next to traffic. The other person said the cars were so loud it had hurt in her ears. I don‘t even need to mention whether she was able to understand me. I‘m receiving replaced Airpods Pro in a few days because I also had problems with the noice cancelling making a slight hissing sound. I hope that this can be fixed via a firmware update.

The replace will do anything because all the model have a noise cancelling then the previous AirPods.

Who don’t find this problem is because is used to make the call in the car or I a quiet place.

I’ve escalated to the Apple engeneers, I was ask to log exactly all the moments the mic faults in canceling noise.

At the Genius Bar now. We tried removing the tips and one of them was stuck inside; he had to use a tool to remove it. When we replaced the tips things sounded so much better.

It's worth a try and I hope it helps someone.

I have the same issue with first gen Airpods. I spoke to support too. Same rigmarole, see genius bar, they can test etc. I've tested both mics separately. As you all know, this is spread across various versions and is absolutely software related. I'm surprised it's taking so long to release firmware that will address this inversion of ambient noise and voice. If Apple doesn't address it, it'll be like the Macbook Pro mainboard graphics fail of almost a decade ago (class action win).

I literally had to switch to my iPhone 7 during a call today because the one i was calling just didn‘t understand me. When I switched, everything sounded crisp and clean... Really disappointed for almost 300$

I experience the same thing as you, poor call quality on AirPods Pro in ANC mode in noisy environment. I don't have that issue otherwise when the room is quit silent.

I chatted with Apple Advisor and we end the chat with a support issue number and the conclusion the AirPods Pro should be replaced. When I arrived at the Genius Bar, we did some tests in that noisy environment with my set of AirPods and two other sets of their own. We did the test by recording my voice on the my phone with the Voice Memos app, once with the ANC ON and once with the ANC OFF (Not Transparency, just OFF like regular AirPods). We also did the test with the microphone picking the sound only on the left and then on the right (settings that can be adjusted in the Bluetooth Preferences page for the device - that was to see if one of the two AirPods is not working properly).

Conclusion: The sounds is crappy most of the time with all the 3 pairs (ANC or Not). The voice is muffle cover by an ishhhhing sound.

So replacing the AirPods Pro is not a solution here. The audio microphones have really an issue. Maybe it can be adjusted with some firmware update. I certainly hope.

AirPods Pro (Firmware 2B588), on iPhone X 13.2.3

all they can do is editing the software so airpods can switch over to transparency or noice-cancelling-off mode automatically when you make a call or receive a call. Then switch back to noice cancelling mode. Because those mics are causing the issue

No, of course not. What I’m saying is that this is the only thing they would do at this point I guess. Or they should come up with new product and collect the existing ones to replace. But I don’t think they would do the latter

that's for sure. 90% I will return, with a huge regret. In my experience nobody have a GOOD mic, so hw or sw, ALL the units are like ours. Any kind of swapping is a no sense.

Is there some one in the forum that can say for sure that their unit works well in noisy environment?

Make sure the iPhone is on the latest software (13.3) and the AirPods Pro are on the latest firmware (2B588). I was having the same call quality issues but after updating the phone they work perfectly. Note that you cannot push the AirPods Pro firmware, they sort of do it on their own. You can see which version you have under settings, general, scroll down to the pods.

I know right? But I was on with Apple support last night asking for permission to get a refund after the 14 day period ( which they have no authority to do, but asking anyway because I figured these AirPods Pro are duds) but they insisted on me updating the software. So I did. And it has been working perfectly all day and last night after the update. So. There.

From my observation they seem to default to transparency mode. That mode sucked almost as much as noise canceling and off modes before the update. Now it’s perfect.

So, there. Unimaginative as a solution I guess. But not prosaic.