AirPods Pro firmware 2B588 reduce the noise cancelling capability

I received replacement APP on Friday night. One was on 2B588 and the other on 2B576. The latter updated to 2B588 and they have remained at that firmware since the weekend.

I noticed that my originals, with 2C54, had significantly degraded ANC and severe battery drainage. On 2B588, both are much better.

RTings have updated their original review and confirmed the reduction of Active Noise Cancellation in 2C54

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-pro-truly-wireless

Update 01/10/2020: After updating to Firmware 2C54, we retested the headphones and our results showed a fairly significant drop in isolation performance, primarily in the bass-range. This means that with ANC turned on, these headphones won't do nearly as good a job blocking out the low engine rumbles of planes or buses as they did before this update. This review reflects these changes.

Right.

While you guys are here, I wanted to ask if any of you charge your APP wirelessly and if it works. I have actually two open cases w/ Apple now. One is about this (of course ) and the other is that no charger will properly wirelessly charge the APP (including the 2 that Apple sells -- Belkin Boost Up! or a slightly different SKU of it and the mophie wireless charging pad).

It's a much smaller thread but many people have the same issue and Apple has not owned up to it but Apple rep told me on the phone that his APP also cannot wirelessly charge with the Belkin that they sell...

Thread here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250857964?page=4

Some were claiming 2C54 fixed this. Didn't for me and now that f/w has been pulled and 2B588 (the bane of our existence here) is now up to date.

Just a mess.

I seriously doubt this a bug in the accidental sense though. I think they probably changed it intentionally because of complaints of ear-suck and low bass. Which is fine, it’s legitimate that people have those complaints. The correct response is to make the ANC adjustable though, not pick a massively reduced setting and force everyone who didn’t have the complaint onto it via stealth firmware updates.

Good thing I had a change. (roll eyes) - People don't even read and comprehend anymore.

My point is that the additional NC in the original firmware was causing the airpod to be pushed out.

My hypothesis is the seal they were creating with the extra noise cancellation was causing them to fall out more often. Probably part of the change in frequencies (that people and reports are noticing).

I mean it's all about air movement and there isn't much room in the ear canal, so it's not hard to understand that the change would cause a situation like this.

The firmware change was when I noticed this, besides the lack of NC.

It also gives me an opportunity to tell them that the problem either is exactly the same on the new device or slightly better, worse, whatever. 2B588 caused the problem and 2C54 kept it. 2C54 is gone now and we have to wait for a new update. But if I get new ones and both the ANC issue and charging issue are still there, it tells them they need to fix the firmware from yet another confirmed case.

It's too soon for it to be there. They are in contact with at least 4 or 5 of us and collecting our hardware.

If you have the problem too, you should have an open case. The more open cases = the quicker it will be that we get a solution.

Downgrading isn't possible. They will update to whatever is next... Mine are also 2C54 but I'm supposed to be getting a new pair in the mail (sometime) and then they want me to send these in for "evaluation" -- ooooh, do I get some extra credit for this special "evaluation". Loool.

Hi,

I had my APP that was on 2C54 with more then 70 % less ANC then on 2B584,

replaced by new ones that on 2B588.

it's much better again as on 2C54, but not the same as it was on 2B584. I think there is 30 a 40% less.

I still hope the ANC from 2B584 is coming back.

Yeah, I think it would be hard for anyone from Apple communities guys to come and comment here on a 29 page thread of people having issues when the party line seems to be a mix of “you’re hearing it wrong” and “maybe wait for an update”.

Given the volume they sell, and the amount of people who just didn’t notice, who got them after 2B588 and just presumed they were plain bad, have bad hearing anyway or couldn’t care, I think we will be hard pressed to get an official response to this issue.

I live in hope still.

I was hoping being update day today that I’d see new firmware but mine haven’t updated yet

Waiting on my Airpods Pro to ship and discovered this thread. I only ordered them because I desperately need the Noise Cancellation feature. Thinking about cancelling the order until I hear positive confirmation that this reduction in ANC will be fixed.

So, I have been reading several articles and blogs today about Apple releasing a new Airpods next quarter. No name for sure yet but the writers were calling them Airpods Pro Lite. They suggested they would probably be around $50 cheaper and have less features. The writers even speculated that Apple might greatly reduce the noise cancelling capability. I was thinking, heck, that is what we have now. Any thoughts?

I have a pair ordered since the 24th of February with expected arrival the week of the 26th of March. I used a pair my son bought back in November and experienced the same quietness while working out in the Gym. He has had his replaced due to little or no ANC after receiving a firmware update and his replacement is not any better. The ANC degradation after the firmware updates had to be intentional or else Apple would have corrected the situation within several days with a firmware update. My plan was to not cancel the order and just keep sending the Airpods Pro back for replacement within 14 days but not sure how many times I can do that. I will probably just cancel within the next few days, keep using powerbeats 3 and see how this plays out.

I also exchanged mine and got back from 2C54 to 2B588. Unfortunately it is almost as bad as under 2C54. So the problem started earlier. So, unfortunately, you cannot have high hopes that it will get better with the new ones! Keep your fingers crossed, of course. Keep your fingers crossed for all of us, however, that there will soon be a firmware update and the problem will be fixed for everyone and the ANC is almost at the beginning.