Level 1

45 points

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

EhsanTlb

Level 1

22 points

Posted on Feb 25, 2026 11:02 AM

Given the sporadic nature of the issue and the "enhanced" bass sensation, this sounds like a firmware-level phase-shift error or an internal microphone calibration bug rather than a simple fit issue. Because the ANC algorithm is failing to invert the low-frequency waves correctly—and is instead inadvertently reinforcing them—the hardware is likely experiencing "constructive interference" where it should be cancelling sound. Since you have already ruled out physical fit and toggled all Adaptive Audio settings, the next step is a full factory reset (holding the case button for 15 seconds until it flashes amber); if the "leak" persists after a reset on firmware 8A357, it points to a defect in the inward-facing microphone or the H3 chip's processing, warranting a hardware replacement under warranty.

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71 replies

Oct 12, 2025 8:20 AM in response to slavkolev

I have had the exact same issue for a bit now. During noise cancellation mode, the airpods blocks all noise EXCEPT low bass. It also enhances it louder than with the airpods out of my ears. Strange issue.

slavkolev Author

Level 1

45 points

Oct 30, 2025 3:12 AM in response to slavkolev

This is so disappointing and intrusive that I'm thinking of returning the AirPods Pro 3 and getting another product... This bug practically renders the ANC ineffective and pointless and we've paid that much money precisely for top-tier ANC.

I see multiple threads and hundreds of people complaining about this issue, Apple better address this.

Ptkbp

Level 1

44 points

Nov 13, 2025 9:41 PM in response to Ptkbp

Just a quick update. I have installed all the recent firmware updates, however the issue persists. I have taken these on a plane recently. Taking the buds off fixed the issue momentarily (about 3-5 minutes) before the low frequency leak came back. Still hoping for future firmware updates to work, otherwise might need to get a replacement unit.

Nov 27, 2025 5:02 AM in response to slavkolev

the same here. I am wondering how long does it take for Apple to solve this problem, which occurs to happen for almost everyone (I guess most of users

doesn’t recognize that it happens also in their airpods). It looks like common issue. HELLO APPLE TIME TO CHANGE SOMETHING!

slavkolev Author

Level 1

45 points

Dec 22, 2025 1:03 AM in response to slavkolev

I've had my AirPods sent to an authorised Apple repair centre for diagnostics and they "found no technical issues"... I can only infer their testing is fully automated so this elusive bug hasn’t been detected yet or they lack a procedure or test for it.

LJH098

Level 1

14 points

Apr 27, 2026 2:27 AM in response to slavkolev

8B39, not fixed. It seems it miscatch certain low-frequency sounds. When I take the bus, the AirPods Pro 3 amplify the engine noise of some buses, but not others — it depends on the engine condition.

võ66

Level 1

14 points

Jun 18, 2026 12:08 PM in response to slavkolev

I sometimes have the same issue. Sometimes, it’s the right ear (70%), and sometimes it’s the left. The car engine noise and bass music amplify the low frequency sound so loudly that it feels like a whole subwoofer is in my head.

[Edited by Moderator]

betamold

Level 1

8 points

Aug 4, 2026 12:30 PM in response to EhsanTlb

Please refrain from copy-pasting ChatGPT slop here. It looks smart by using complicated words but doesn't actually bring any value as people come here to discuss an issue with other users and not bots. Especially since this is clearly incorrect information as the H3 chip does not exist and that can be verified in a few seconds by opening the Apple specs page here...

slavkolev Author

Level 1

45 points

Oct 2, 2025 4:15 AM in response to slavkolev

Upgraded to iOS 26.0.1, the issue is still present. I guess this would take a headphones firmware upgrade, unless it is indeed some hardware issue...

Bobs_14

Level 1

50 points

Oct 9, 2025 7:54 AM in response to Brotherson85

Hasn’t fixed it for me. Maybe a little bit better, but definitely not fixed.

Bobs_14

Level 1

50 points

Oct 9, 2025 7:56 AM in response to slavkolev

8A358 didn’t fix it for me. Still have the issue.

slavkolev Author

Level 1

45 points

Oct 23, 2025 12:49 AM in response to slavkolev

OK, scratch that... the issue is still present even after the firmware upgrade to 8A358

Oct 29, 2025 8:15 AM in response to slavkolev

I did the 8A358 firmware upgrade and I'm still having this issue.

Nov 2, 2025 8:13 AM in response to slavkolev

well getting a replacement bud (which their tests showed had a fault) didn’t help. If anything it’s even worse now. Brilliant. I’m past the return window so what now, I’m stuck with them?

MoRoW-

Level 1

14 points

Nov 9, 2025 8:36 AM in response to slavkolev

Absolutely the same on 8A358, model A3063.

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