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

Hey Team,

I've been using the new AirPods Pro 3 for some days now (model number A3063) and everything has been good and smooth up until now. As of today, when I put the headphones in "Noise Cancellation" mode and I am in a cafe where there is background music playing, all of a sudden the noise cancelling doesn't "cancel" the low frequencies anymore. Furthermore, I get the feeling that the low frequencies are even "enhanced" as if the headphones are adding additional bass to the "outside" music. The sound level of the outside music is pretty low (more like background music) so we are definitely not talking about loud sound source being blasted into the headphones.

This behaviour is sporadic, so if I try putting the headphones back in the case and then back on, sometimes the issue disappears and the outside low frequencies are blocked just fine. I've tried switching between modes when the issue is present, however this doesn't change anything. I am also using the headphones in Noise Cancellation mode, not Adaptive, and I got all Adaptive Audio, Personalised Volume and Conversation Awareness turned off. I've also tried changing tips, but that's not it either.

The AirPods Pro 3 are running the latest 8A357 firmware and I am running iOS 26.0 on an iPhone 16 Pro.

Does this sound like a software bug or could it also be hardware related? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

AirPods Pro 3

Posted on Sep 26, 2025 3:34 AM

Top-ranking reply

BitCrusher

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 12:53 AM

After heavy testing on my side, it seems to be fixed for me in 98% of the time.

My initial post is this: Airpods Pro 3 - low frequency sound leak … - Apple Community

But as stated: I got replacement buds from another factory, which still had the issues, BUT new firmware helped.

On 8B34 in public transport I had ZERO low frequency leaks (surface level, underground trains, cars, taxi) WHEN the airpods were properly set in the ear and sealed good.

If you wear a hat or beanie or such thing, and on airpod slips just a little bit, resulting in not properly sealing THAN I have VERY little low frequency leak.

But if they were in correctly it was fine for me.

In the office they worked as intended, only if you remove them on by one and put them back in the ANC seems to get "confused".

popping them in case and back on fixed it every time.

Even at home with a big 3d printer besides me in homeoffice or my portafilter for espresso (lelit bianca v3) or my espresso mill (eureka mignon libra) which all produce a lot of deep rumble, were filtered perfectly.

I hope it stays that way or even gets improved.

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46 replies

Oct 1, 2025 12:04 PM in response to Scott1797

I am having the same issue, noticed it at a festival and near traffic. Certain low frequencies seem to get amplified over time.

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