AirPods sound quality issue

@andyf - it's not that I have poor sound quality. The quality with output sound *only* is perfectly fine (using the AAC audio code).

The issue is that when the AirPods mic is activated, the codec switches to SBC and the quality is terrible.

@Real Estate Steve -- I just tested codec being used by my AirPods when on a Skype call. On my home 2017 iMac running 10.12.5 the codec used was SCO. However, on my work 2014 Powerbook Skype running 10.11.4 the codec used was AAC and the test call sounded considerably better than the SCO on my iMac. Still voices (both mine and those from the other end) were easily understood using either codec.

Bought a pair of AirPods yesterday and I'm having this issue too. AirPods firmware 3.7.2, macOS 10.12.6 on a mid-2012 MacBook Air. As soon as I use FaceTime or Siri I can see the codec switch to SCO and then the sound becomes terrible. Siri doesn't even register anything I say, I guess because of the noise. It's frustrating because I do a lot of FaceTime/Skype calls on my Mac, but in both input and output the AirPods sound worse than wired EarPods. 😕

Unfortunately this is the only thing Apple support will do, after waiting on the phone: go through some useless 'reset' procedure with you. The sad thing is that this is an AirPod issue, by design, they are using a low quality Bluetooth protocol for for talking.

Return them - they will have new ones in the backroom. If you receive a good working pair, they are the best things in the world and they'll be worn like jewelry. If they aren't working right, they never will. Demand a replacement - apple allows replacements during the first 30 days.

Return them - they will have new ones in the backroom. If you receive a good working pair, they are the best things in the world and they'll be worn like jewelry. If they aren't working right, they never will. Demand a replacement - apple allows replacements during the first 30 days.

Once last thing, if they don't want to replace your AirPods, tell them you would like to return the item for a full refund which you are entitled to do and it's at that time they will find a pair in the back. Most likely they will refund the first pair and charge your for the second pair. Sounds like work, but it's how the system works.

I see different behavior from my AirPods depending on the program I am connecting to. If I use my AirPods with my 2017 iMac running OS 10.12, when talking on Skype I get SCO rather than AAC as the codec. However, when I have used BlueJeans, another teleconferencing app, on the same machine, the AirPods have exclusively connected with AAC. However, as I noted earlier, my 2014 iMac (running 10.11) used AAC when connecting to Skype.

So it really sounds like this is a software problem that Apple could resolve. Most likely they know about it and are working on it, but unfortunately, they never say anything to their users until they release bug fixes in updates (and sometimes not even then). It is clear from things he has said, that Mr. Cook takes particular pride in the AirPods. I suspect that if the AirPod engineers were not already working on fixing this problem, they will be soon.

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No – at this point we can conclude that this is 'expected behaviour' and not faulty hardware. Disappointing, but there it is. Hopefully Apple will fix this with a software update for macOS and/or the AirPods themselves.

Speaking of which, does anyone know if the behaviour is the same in High Sierra?

The problem is whatever you want to believe. Most are blaming on software and I’m no expert about that topic. My first set had poor sound quality and the replacement pair was perfect. So I guess what people are saying is that some airpods accept factory software better than others and if you have a bad set, just keep tinkering until the AirPods Sound right. O Kay Love my Pods my I’m not falling into that trap or way of thinking.

For those who are night fighters and tinkerers, return them within 30 days and purchase another set.

The real question here is, why do I still have the same issue after my 5th(!!!) pair of AirPods? I got them replaced many times, bought twice in different stores, they all have the same issues. When I ask my friends, they all claim they do not have this issue. So how is this possible?

Buy some sanitary wipes and try using your friends AirPods. If they sound all right to you then you are really unlucky. Stay away from casinos. If they sound like the other five you might want to get your hearing checked. Or check to make sure you are inserting them in the same manner as your friend.

Bad Luck is my guess.

Sorry you are having a problem.

About the only thing perfect is about the Pods is that they don't fall out of my ears while running single tracks, music and they are 100% perfect on calls 85% of the time.

Hope you finally come around to a good set - Mine are being used with an iPhone 7 plus and a late 2012 27inch iMac. I make calls from both devices.

I seems the audio quality is getting bad when the microphone is being used.
On macOS I found a workaround to select the internal microphone as input and not the Airpods. So now at least the audio quality is as normal.

That is not a normal issue where you need to go through that work around. I would go to the Apple Store or call support as I use mine for both my phone and watch/cellular and there are no such issues. Considering you paid good money for those go through support so they can work as intended.

Re: AirPods Bad Sound Quality on Mac