AirPods Pro firmware 2B588 reduce the noise cancelling capability

There is no doubt Apple is aware of the issue. Personally I believe the ANC reduction to be intentional but the media coverage in January in addition to this forum and the Reddit complaints make it a no brainer. Whether they care or will issue a fix is very much in doubt.

Also I believe Apple low level phone and chat support know nothing about a possible fix or any firmware updates for that matter.

This article is a slap in the face for all AirPod pro customers:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2020/02/11/airpods-pro-update-may-not-have-affected-noise-canceling-after-all/

I hear all my colleagues at the office talking and typing.

Today when I heard people 15-20 feet away with the music at half volume, when before I couldn't hear a person standing next to me talking and no music on, there's a HUGE difference. It's barely there now. They 100% changed something. These types of #fakenews stories are probably bought and paid for by Apple to minimize the damage.

Here in Germany unfortunately the same problems with ANC on the AirPods Pro. In the version 2B588 I hadn't noticed it that way, but after the update to 2C54 it was blatant. After a phone call with the support of Apple my headphones were exchanged and I had the version 2B588 again. But again there is hardly any difference between ANC on or off. The difference is minimal. It would be a shame if Apple advertises with ANC and it doesn't work with a large numbers of people. On the weekend a friend comes by and I try out his in direct comparison. He claims he hears no degradation of ANC. Slowly I don't believe in a solution from Apple anymore. That would be really unacceptable. It ****** me off that Apple can't communicate that there are problems and they are working on a solution. At least that would reassure me a little bit, knowing something was coming.

Yeah I would not buy them right now if your main concern is ANC. I have a slim hope we‘ll get an update with the March product announcements, but honestly a big part of me now thinks they might have done this because the ANC was too good and would canibalize sales of the new over-the-ear phones they’re widely rumored to be announcing this month. I will bet almost anything those have the great ANC back.

ANC has been reduced for me after the firmware updates as well. Even went into an Apple store and they replaced my AirPods and had the same issue. Apple you’re throwing money away by not being transparent with the meddling you’re doing with the devices we have paid money for. Please don’t take the pro out of my AirPods.

I also ordered a new pair of AirPods Pro from Amazon. It will be delivered at 21/03/2020. I will let you know about the ANC quality. If it‘s worse as aspected I will send it back to amazon.

i also write to the support if apple and they said that the issue is known and they will work at high pressure on it to bring up a new firmware fix. So hope is still living.

I got the older firmware on the replacement set and it's not the same as when I first bought them. I will go with the Apple changed it to prevent people from wandering around not being able to hear cars and buses and trains, etc.

Also the last tech guy I talked to at Apple didn't know anything about any issues, and I got the impression that he was told to say that. He paused before hand and then was like, "Oh, i haven't heard of any issues with Noise canceling, people love it... " I told him it's well known that it's changed and he should know that.

This is not going to get better IMO. There is zero reason that they couldn't just change it back, if it was actually a firmware issue.

Also, I think they forced automatic Firmware updates with this all planned out. Release them with amazing ANC, let all the tech sites write about how amazing they are, then release a new Firmware that degrades it and people won't know any better who didn't have the first sets.

Aks yourself why Apple wouldn't just release the original firmware unless they were trying to hide something.

At least guys you have the option to make a return on the Apple store. I’m from Guatemala and in the most countries of Latin America you can make a return or demand a refund. Cause all the stores here are “authorized resellers” from Apple. If I could make a return for sure I would have done already. Cause I’m very disappointed with this product.

Apple wake up!!!

When my AirPods pro updated from 2B574 to 2C54

My ANC It went really terrible.

I get replacement AirPods that are on 2B588.

It’s a little bit better again.

But not so PERFECT as the ANC was on 2B574.

And also I have the problem now if I’m putting in the AirPods then 50% of the time only one side works.

And also when changing from transparency to ANC that one side goes off.

Also when I want to change from anc to transparency that nothing is happening. It’s stays in transparency. Or in ANC.

I don’t understand why this things are not solved yet.

I’m struggling with it already from end 2019.

This article is great.

Unfortunately I think the reason could be scenario #1:

Scenario #1 — The AirPods hardware (e.g. the battery) can not handle the launch ANC for a sustained period of time.

This is the only reasonable why Apple would destroy their best product ever through a firmware update and keep silence all the time.

I have received my replacements today, pretty good service! On firmware version 2B588. ANC noticeably better thankfully and i was able to do a direct comparison with both pairs. I'd still say not as good as the launch firmware but it is hard to say without having here for direct comparison. Just going on memory.

Anyway hopefully Apple don't bork the firmware again and degrade the ANC. I can live with this, despite it not being as good as at launch. I remain hopeful that it does get back to that level again though, it was awesome.

I should also say that I did the updating process which I think is---- 1. Turn on your device and connect Airpods Pro. 2. Listen to something for 30 seconds. 3. Connect power to recharge case. Leave case charging. 4. Put earbuds into charging case. 5. Close lid. 6. Leave device on, charging case in close proximity for 30 minutes. I am not sure this is necessary, but I did it anyway.

I am an AirPods Pro day-one user and I too have this problem.

I visited Genius Bar twice in the last two weeks and they didn't offer me a hardware replacement and insisted it was a software issue and asked me to wait for updates or "It's just the difference in hearing made you think it's worse".

Well, what can I say, pretty disappointed with how Apple handled the situation.

Been 6 months. They haven't done anything about it except push the blame elsewhere, call some of us delusional saying we have "perception" or "psychological" problems and replace a few 2C54 units with 2B588 units.

[Mods: This post does not break the ToS. It is factual and an update of the situation with this bug/issue.]