Airpods Pro 3 - low frequency sound leak in noise cancellation mode

I travel daily by train for about ~2 hours (to work and back).

Had the problem since release of AirPods Pro 3, using them together with iPhone 16 Pro Max on newest stable iOS 26.2 release.

Mine were bought through Amazon Prime (Germany) and made in China.

I installed EVERY beta Firmware by using the Developer Betas on iOS (using an old iPhone SE 2nd gen as beta device) and nothing helped.

Contacted Apple Support (I have Apple Care) and got a complete replacement seven days ago from I think Poland or Czech Republic.

They were made in Taiwan and came with firmware 8A356.

Still same issues, EXTREMELY disappointing.

Yesterday, firmware 8B34 was released and is on my AirPods and case.

Traveling to work today, I had no problems, but the problem is sporadic.

Will test and update thread maybe next week Wednesday or Thursday after excessive testing.

Same issue, I thought it's a hardware defect and exchanged them, but the replacements are doing the same thing. Sounds like a low frequency feedback loop. Hoping for a software update to fix it.

I’ve been able to reliably trigger the problem by switching from adaptive to noise cancelling modes. Each time, the low freq noise comes through when doing this. When switching from transparency to noise cancelling this doesn’t happen. However it still happens on its own after some time when in anc mode. This is just another new bug. Losing hope for this being fixed tbh…

Getting the same problem with firmware 8B25. Absolutely atrocious experience, it’s unbearable when it’s happening. I managed kick it off for a while by disabling personalised Spatial Audio but the problem came back some time later.

Probably a combination of factors as well as just coincidence but recently I’ve stopped using the MagSafe charger and just using the cable to charge and I have not been getting the rumble issue. Could others see if this is something real or if it’s just coincidence that this is what I’m seeing.

I'm having the exact same issue as this post describes. It's a really unpleasant sensation when it occurs, it's especially bad in public transports where the engine rumble feels amplified and comes from a single ear.

I was really hopping that this would get resolved with a firmware update but it still happens regularly 10 months after release and makes me hate my AirPods Pro 3.

I previously got both the Pro 1 and 2 each on release date, never had a similar issue and really enjoyed them which makes me really disappointed.

When it happens I have resulted to either using the "Off" listening mode or simply stop wearing them as it's unbearable. I've also noticed that switching from "Off" to "Noise cancellation" makes the low-end leak stops but then it gradually comes back in about 10 seconds...

My new AirPods Pro 3 were flawless for the first three days, but then things went downhill. On a long train ride, I noticed the left bud suddenly started leaking sound out of nowhere.

Every time I take it out and pop it back in, the issue disappears for about two minutes. Just as I start thinking it’s fine, the low drone creeps back in.

I tried a hard reset, which fixed it for about two days. But earlier today, I noticed the ANC performance slowly declining again. It was manageable at first, but just a few minutes before writing this, the rumble became way too distracting.

For context, the issues resurfaced while I was on a train this afternoon. Now I’m on another (longer) ride, and about 20 minutes in, the problem flared up again. It really seems like prolonged exposure to low frequencies trips up the software somehow.

The funny part? Now it’s the right bud acting up while the left one has gone back to normal. 😂

Really hoping a firmware update drops soon, because this is getting pretty annoying. Haha.

I have this exact problem. It’s only on my right airpod and sounds like a low bass hum. Kind of like you are putting a cup over your ear. At first I tried to ignore it but now I can make it out even when listening to my music at a higher volume to try and cover it up. I was hoping the new firmware update would fix it but I'm currently at the gym after updating them and hear it right now.

I have also been facing the same problem. Also from around 3 days after purchase. Received on launch day and soon after this low freq leakage began. Seems to only happen when music is playing with ANC on. Turning off all of the relevant settings like convo awareness and hearing protection changes nothing. Still leaking low freq noise. Newest firmware 8a358 didnt fix it either.

I'm having the exact same issue. Feels like it is leaking in/amplifying low frequency sounds, such as bassy music in a cafe, noise in public transportation, vehicle engine noises from a crowded road etc.

Mostly happens in my right bud only.

My airpods are running firmware 8A358, and the device paired to the airpods doesn't seem to be a factor as the issue presents itself when paired to any of my iphone/ipad/mac, running beta/non-beta software.

Putting the airpods in the case for around 30 seconds doesn't seem to fix this. Resetting the airpods only temporarily fixes the issue.

I thought this was fixed but is still not. If anything it seems to happen more now. Not sure if caused by firmware update or because of the larger ear tips I’m trying. With the size large now it happens all the time but before with size medium it was a bit less frequent. Rules out a bad seal I guess. I have to reinsert my AirPods every couple of minutes to retrigger the anc to work as it should. Basically unusable.

At the gym and noticed a lot more noise coming through as a whole and the low freq still there. Thought maybe I’d just gotten used to the level of anc in these but they used to be completely silent even in a full gym. Scrolling Reddit and see someone mention a new firmware. Check my firmware and it’s the new 8B25. Bruh.

Same for A3064 (8B25). They replaced both pods, though an issue with the microphone was detected only with the left one. However, right now, when I'm on the train, I still can hear this low-frequency noise. I remember no such issue with Pro 1 or Pro 2. Very disappointing.