AirPods Pro firmware 2B588 reduce the noise cancelling capability

Yes I confirm. I have received my second pair 2 days ago, brand new from Amazon and they are on 2B588. I’ve tried to update but they stay on that version.

My first pair is on 2C54.

differences: 2C54 is faster in showing animation, less glitchy, works better when connecting to other devices. Can’t say if there are differences in the sound.

The ANC is identical in the two version (weak).

My pair, which I bought within 4 weeks of release, are currently on 2C54. Interestingly, I am getting a horrible noise which I could only describe as “peaking” (like an Equalizer that has been set WAYYY over the limit and has lost all detail but also very loud and irritating) whenever I’m in transparency mode and speak loudly or listen to someone else speak loudly over the phone.

I’m going to get them replaced this weekend and I’ll see what the new ones come with and how they sound.

Obviously it will be subjective though as I don’t have proper equipment to measure.

Lucky_st's post is exact confirmation of the issue with both a control and an experimental group (two pairs of AirPods, one that was connected to an iPhone which updated to 2B588 causing the ANC issue and then subsequently to 2C54 which kept the issue; and a control AirPods Pro which was only ever connected to Android and is still running 2B576 and does not exhibit the issue at all).

Seeing both together proves that the changes included in the 2B588 firmware (as well as 2C54) indeed is the problem. Devices running 2B584 or 2B576 are not and were not affected.

I will be forwarding this message along with Lucky_st's post to my rep as well.

Besides the decrease in actual noise canceling, you now don't get any NC with only one in. You need both in now to get severely decreased sound cancelation. I like having one side of my environment shut off.

The only thing I like is that they shut off before they drop out of my ear. The firmware update made them eh.

Received my replacement pair from Amazon today and shipped firmware was 2B588 same hardware version and model as original. Same issues with noise cancellation. Hoping Apple releases the new firmware to fix this soon.

I returned my replacement Air Pods Pro to the Apple Store today because same deal...noise cancellation was still worse. I’m now using my old AirPods and I guess I’ll repurchase if / when this issue’s fixed😔

I was supposed to hear back about a "final decision" (whatever the **** that means) as to what they are going to do with my situation this week... but it's the weekend now and no dice... so I'm guessing next week.

I still would like them to swap it out... Esp if 2C54 was pulled for other bugs and just... this whole thing is a mess. This forum now has like 20,000 views and almost 1,800 people confirmed that they have the issue.

It's not hard to fix. They legit could roll back to previous code. The code for the old firmwares are already written. It's not hard to fix at all.

If they want to make an iOS change (like a slider), yeah that will take some time to code but... the problem is really not hard to fix from a technical perspective.

The slider/option is ultimately what they need to do - it’s the only way they can satisfy both people like us who want max ANC and people who have problems with ear suck or want slightly improved bass response from lowering the ANC. And it would

mean parity with their competitors - Sony and Bose both offer something like 10 levels of ANC in their config apps.

Agreed. But in the meantime, they need to undo the damage they did to their product to prevent further backlash and then they can throw in a slider in an iOS 13.3.1 or iOS 13.4 or wait until iOS 14 (wouldn't be a good idea though).

Unbelievable how it has been almost 2 months without any solution. I use mine in an office setting with plenty of vocal chatter; after coming back from holiday vacation (during which this firmware installed) I noticed an immediate difference

Its all over the internet so its something that Apple can't ignore. Keep us posted as the Verge says that they have reached out to Apple for comment on the situation, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

I could clarify how the ANC went bad in my case after the 2C54 update. The headphones have a dedicated microphone that listens to body sounds. So according to my feelings after the update, it does not participate in the work of the ANC at all. All body sounds - walking, etc., all heard very well with ANC enabled.

Shanesnh wrote:

Agreed. But in the meantime, they need to undo the damage they did to their product to prevent further backlash and then they can throw in a slider in an iOS 13.3.1 or iOS 13.4 or wait until iOS 14 (wouldn't be a good idea though).

Was my first thought as well. Just re-release the initial fw and everyone will be happy. But I also remember there has been issues with red exclamation marks on several devices not being recognized at all. Guess that's what the update tried to address in first place. Well, it's been two month by now, I don't quite remember exactly. Anyway, would be real nice to get my product back as tested and purchased early nov, soon. It's getting ridiculous.

By the way, I would not expect to hear back from any Apple rep, support guy or whoever about this issue. Apple is not likely to inform anyone about anything, at least not within these ultra low hierarchy levels.

At the very least we’ve made it a mainstream issue with most tech media picking up the story. Apple may be forced to respond as a google news search of Airpods Pro has become dominated with the question of ANC reduction. Regardless if Apple comments the next firmware update will be the most scrutinized in airpods history and we’ll know whether they address our concerns and increase the ANC. If not I’d expect next steps of potential litigation.

Hi Guys,

I've received my replacement today and my unit has HW: 1.0.0 FW: 2B588 and manufacturing date Jan 2020 and as I predicted, the new unit has same degree of ANC reduction as old one so it clearly indicates that it is solely firmware update which did this change. As the issue is getting widespread I am really hoping for the prompt Apple's reaction where they will give us ability to adjust ANC strength to at least the level of initial power it has on previous firmwares.