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AirPods Max active noise cancellation pared down by newest firmware

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There have been only anecdotal reports about AirPods Max having less effective Active Noise Cancellation since May's firmware update — until now.

In May, Apple released firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, which didn't add new features but tweaked the firmware of the personal audio devices. It appears that the firmware update has made the AirPods Pro's ANC system slightly worse.

Testing performed by RTings.com on how the AirPods Max handles noise isolation was updated on Friday, warning that the introduction of firmware 4E71 has changed ANC. After the update, the report found the system "blocks out a bit less noise between the mid-bass to high-bass range than the previous firmware."

The range found by the report spans low rumbling sounds, such as vehicle motors, train travel, and plane engines. Following the update users could expect to hear those more post-update than before — but this will vary per individual user based on hearing.

Even so, the report adds that while the update did slightly change the level of isolation it delivers, it's still a "relatively minor difference." ANC still reduced sounds such as ambient chatter and AC units "extremely well."

While there has been some low-level chatter about the ANC difference since the firmware's introduction, there hasn't yet been any official confirmation from Apple about the change. Research by AppleInsider also indicates there hasn't been an increase in service requests since the update, connected to the firmware or otherwise.



20 Comments

crazyexcalibur 4 Years · 36 comments

They did this with the AirPod Pro. They made the ANC worse in it after a firmware update. Why do they keep doing that?

4 Likes · 0 Dislikes
obiwanbill 14 Years · 18 comments

They did this with the AirPod Pro. They made the ANC worse in it after a firmware update. Why do they keep doing that?

To improve battery life?

Damned if u do and damned if u don’t? Apple losses both ways?

3 Likes · 0 Dislikes
foregoneconclusion 13 Years · 2904 comments

RTings is pretty good at the TV comparisons but the headphones stuff is not all that convincing. For example, 1 lb of clamping force is considered "comfortable" while 1.2 lbs of clamping force is considered to be too much. Why? They don't really have an explanation for that one beyond one number is higher than the other. And the ear temperature rating? That's just pointless and arbitrary. And why is the 'Virtual Soundstage' rating a 2.9? They have a very lengthy paragraph underneath that rating that has absolutely nothing negative to say about it. 

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes
crowley 16 Years · 10431 comments

And isn't it so great how Apple pushes this firmware to you and doesn't allow the user to manage upgrading it at all?

3 Likes · 0 Dislikes
racerhomie3 8 Years · 1264 comments

Apple should provide more data in AirPods update notes

5 Likes · 0 Dislikes