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AirPods sound quality issue

Hello. Today I received AirPods. I have issue with them and everyone who get it too. When I’m listening music sound is good, but when I’m calling or talking to Siri sound(not my voice, I mean sound of Siri or person with who I’m talking) is very very poor and laggy. It happens only when microphone is active. AirPods are working, but when mic is active sound became very bad quality, but then after mic is turn off (after call or talk to Siri) sound became good again. When micAll my friends have same issue. I tried to reproduce it on my MacBook, all the same issue with iPhone, MacBook and Apple Watch. Its mean that its not depend of iOS and macOS version and king of device. It needs to be fixed ASAP. Because its really bad… All my friends have the same with their AirPods.

iPhone 6, iOS 10.2

Posted on Dec 19, 2016 6:57 PM

Top-ranking reply

Jason McLeod

Level 1

39 points

Posted on Jan 12, 2017 10:26 AM

Bit of helpful information when looking at this issue.

If you hold down Option while clicking the bluetooth menu bar icon, you'll get more details about your bluetooth connection.

When the sound is terrible, it's using the codec SCO. With good audio playback, you'll find it is ACC.

The iPhone doesn't seem to drop down the codec. I'm not sure if there is a way to force ACC. I find sometimes, closing out other applications using audio clears the issue, without re-connecting the AirPods. I've also experienced this same problem with other bluetooth headphones with microphones.

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160 replies

Dec 21, 2016 10:12 AM in response to fenno1

Will wait for your reply

jojost1

Level 1

12 points

Dec 21, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Stan_Zabroda56

Same issue here, brand new AirPods.

Only happens on macOS for me, when using Skype or another application that uses the microphone (Hangouts for example) everything gets really low quality. I almost can't hear the other person and he/she can't hear me, also sound on the background (so other than Skype) is almost inaudible. Wired EarPods work fine still.

Blizzard Voice (battle.net, gaming application) doesn't work at all with AirPods even. I can't hear anything, other person can't hear anything.

jojost1

Level 1

12 points

Dec 21, 2016 1:40 PM in response to jojost1

More people with similar issues here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/5jadst/contrary_to_reports_the_airpod_mi crophones_are/?

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/5jkyea/anyone_else_getting_incredibly_ba d_mac_skype/

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/5j49p5/airpods_first_impressions/

Dec 21, 2016 3:13 PM in response to jojost1

Yeah. A lot of same issues with them. I think that its time to Apple step up

deschnl

Level 1

4 points

Dec 21, 2016 4:50 PM in response to Stan_Zabroda56

Just got off the phone with Apple support. They did not have any information about this specific issue. We went through some general purpose troubleshooting steps while using the AirPods with my Mac (reboot in safe mode, try with a different user account, zap PRAM, reset SMC) which did not resolve the issue. It was recommended that I have the AirPods checked out at a local Apple Store. Unfortunately I won't have time to do that until early January so I'll report back again in a few weeks.

Dec 21, 2016 4:52 PM in response to deschnl

Looks like it's AirPods issue, not depending with what it connected. I have no Apple Store near me to show them my issue :(

deschnl

Level 1

4 points

Dec 21, 2016 5:29 PM in response to Stan_Zabroda56

One other thing I noticed: I have the audio quality issue ONLY with my Mac. My iPad (Pro 12") dos not have the problem.

Tested on iPad by opening a stream in the Twitch app, then switching to GarageBand while keeping the Twitch stream open with picture-in-picture. In GarageBand, I recorded myself talking into the AirPod mic. The Twitch audio quality did not change, and the recording of me speaking sounded fine.

Dec 22, 2016 7:45 AM in response to Stan_Zabroda56

Any updates? 😟

jojost1

Level 1

12 points

Dec 22, 2016 7:47 AM in response to Stanislav_Zabroda

Apple? I've seen lots of people with similar issues.

Bottom-line: On macOS everytime the mic of the AirPods is used, everything goes low-res and the AirPods are unusable. I've also heard people with other bluetooth headsets with this issue, I'm hoping it's a software thing in macOS. We need a response, please.

Dec 22, 2016 7:49 AM in response to jojost1

I have that issue mostly on macOS, but on my iPhone 6 too, like noise, popping sound, scratchy...

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,901 points

Dec 22, 2016 7:50 AM in response to jojost1

jojost1 wrote:

Apple? ..

.. We need a response, please.

You are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community (as I explained earlier in this thread).

To reiterate: if you are concerned about a product issue, I suggest that you contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider with a view to having your AirPods checked and, if recommended, serviced or replaced under warranty:

Dec 22, 2016 7:52 AM in response to Jonathan UK

So if its hardware issue apple needs too start Exchange Program for defected AirPods... A lot of users have same issue

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,901 points

Dec 22, 2016 7:55 AM in response to Stanislav_Zabroda

AirPods are covered by Apple's One Year Limited Warranty.

fenno1

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2016 7:58 AM in response to Jonathan UK

My issue was With the iPhone call quality when using AirPods. Crackling and lots of hiss. In fairness Apple have already set up a collection and I'm now awaiting new replacements.

Dec 22, 2016 8:01 AM in response to fenno1

What is the ETA for replacement they gave you? Im waiting for call from AppleCare Supervisor to talk about my issue. He will call me tomorrow. I think that I also will send them my pair for replacement.

AirPods sound quality issue