Some AirPods Pro 3 owners are complaining of an issue with a static-like sound when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing, reports MacRumors. Numerous complaints have been posted on both Reddit and the MacRumors forums.
Affected users describe the noise as static, an audible hiss, white noise, rain, and even as an “ocean-like sound similar to holding a seashell up to the ear.” Users report hearing the static sound in ANC, Adaptive, and Transparency modes.
It’s very strange, I would think it’s defective, but it’s on both ears?? You can switch ANC from on to off, clearly ANC is quieting down the lower frequencies, but the higher frequencies seem to actually get LOUDER in a quiet room when turning ANC on. It just sounds like I have a small fan on in the room all the time (I do not).
OMG after one week of ownership I had to exchange my AirPods Pro 3. During a flight from NYC to Chicago I had a whistling/wind noise on my right Airpod the whole time. I reset, repaired, cleaned them and same thing. Hopefully this is not a widespread issue.
Some user report the static is worse in one earbud than the other, while others indicate that high frequencies also seem to be oddly amplified. Playing music resolves the problem for some users, but others say they haven’t had the same results.
A Reddit user reports the same issue, but says only switching the microphones off silences the issue.
The only reliable option for eliminating the static entirely appears to be toggling ANC and Transparency off in the Settings app.
While not all AirPods Pro 3 owners seem to be affected, some are apparently experiencing no issue at all. It is also possible that some users may also be less sensitive to ambient static sound.
While some users have received replacement AirPods Pro 3, but have experienced the same issue with the replacement pair.
At this time, it isn’t certain whether the issue results from hardware or software flaws. If it is a software issue, Apple could fix it in a future firmware update.
In related news, Apple was able to get convince the judge presiding over a November 2024 class action lawsuit over similar claims with the company’s first-generation AirPods Pro to throw out some of the claims related to the case this week.
