So when I first tried adaptive mode awhile ago I thought this is the dumbest thing ever. I can’t tell the difference between this and transparency mode.
Well I have been finishing my basement so often times I use airpods while working. I have custom tips that basically are earplugs so I use that when using the saw and the added benefit I get to listen to music.
Well I decided to give adaptive mode a chance again and I finally get it. It blocks all the white noise, and will dynamically lower and “loud” noise.
So you hitting a hammer? Nothing happens, the noise is filtered through unaffected. You running the table saw? You’ll almost immediately hear it lower in overall noise while keeping all other sound available to you.
I decided to go for a run with them in adaptive mode. It’s genius, all traffic white noise is lowered but you can still hear individual cars, foot steps, etc to stay alert.
I’ve completely removed transparency mode from my toggle and only use full NC and adaptive as you can hear people talking perfectly with it on.
I have no idea how it knows exactly what to pass through and what to block but it’s easily become my new favourite setting.
TLDR: It’s transparency mode that blocks white noise and extremely loud noises while allowing contextual sounds through.
If you are referring to the comply foam tips, please do not think that they are “noise reduction” or “hearing protection” tips. Yes, they get a better seal than the stock tips, but they are absolutely not ear protection devices, and arguably would be worse than going unprotected due to the false sense of confidence.
Hearing protection is a serious, serious deal - any damage, no matter how small, is permanent and will never heal. It’s also cumulative, so it will build up over time if you’re in loud environments. Earbuds are not protective devices, and noise cancellation is not protection. Noise cancellation filters out sounds that you don’t want to hear, but they absolutely do not do anything to the high energy pressure waves that cause hearing damage and permanent loss. If you work in a noisy environment (sustained sounds over 90dB) there are all kinds of great hearing protection devices that also have Bluetooth connectivity - sure, the sound quality might not be as good as AirPods, but I’ll take that for a short amount of time vs not actually being able to hear for the rest of my life. Look at brands like Walker and 3M. Net/net if it’s not explicitly labeled as hearing protection you might as well just have nothing in your ears.
Source: firearms enthusiast, woodworker and aficionado of other noisy hobbies who will have his ears go “RRRREEEEEEEE” and say “What?” a lot because he was stupid about ear pro when he was younger.
Noise cancellation filters out sounds that you don’t want to hear, but they absolutely do not do anything to the high energy pressure waves that cause hearing damage and permanent loss.
Is that right? I mean, a 20db reduction is a 20db reduction regardless of whether it’s done through passively dampening the pressure wave or actively cancelling it electronically, right?
There’s a great article from The Hearing Review. TL;DR it actively reduces the signal reaching your eardrums and provides a noticeable level of hearing protection.
It confuses me when people really do mean well, and this guy just doesnt want op to fuck his ears, but don’t actually research what they’re saying so it’s just wrong lol.
I just can’t get used to it.
Wow I didn’t know they could do that. That’s actually cool!
Sitting in the office during teams meetings, I’ve turned it on and off while in a call, and noticed a huge difference.
Never realized how much I can hear the hvac and computers in the office running. Until ANC is turned on
Is it better now? I remember after the update I couldn’t figure out why transparency was such shit and it’s because it switched the toggle to adaptive.
Just keep in mind that noise cancellation is not a safe method to attenuate ear-damaging noises. It’s not a replacement for real plugs or full size protection.
I tried adaptive mode and found it drains the battery of my AirPod Pros a lot faster. Have others experienced this too?
I’m confused, what do you mean it still allows contextual sound in?
You just convinced me to give it a go.
And why tf do the airpod maxes not have it…
I was wearing them on a flight, which was great as it totally drowns out the sound of the plane, but you can hear conversations just fine.
I got up to go to the bathroom at the front of the plane when the fasten seatbelt sign was off. The flight attendant totally startled me when she shouted at me to sit down because the pilot was out of the cockpit.
I’m a woodworker and adaptive mode is huge when I’m running my bigger machines for a long time. It doesn’t eliminate the sound completely but it is a huge reduction and it’s less cumbersome than wearing bulky earmuffs.
just so you know foam tips won’t give you as good of an experience you’re basically taking all their noise canceling engineering and throwing it in the trash, apple makes them so they are a tight fit to function perfectly with the buds.
Last night I was at a loud Friendsgiving party and I was so so thankful to have my adaptive noise control. It’s barely noticeable but that’s actually a good thing for its functionality. It completely eliminated the really annoying fan noise and when the crowd got rowdy it didn’t hurt my ears. Huge QOL improvement. And don’t even get me started on walking around near cars
A little off topic, but why were you wearing headphones at a party?
You don’t use earplugs for concerts? Same principle.
Sure, but at a house for a dinner with your friends?
I’m guessing it wasn’t that type of party.
Because it was loud?
To compliment his meta raybans
If I was invited to a party through my SO or someone else but I don’t know anyone, I try to avoid going there. But if I cannot, phone + music helps me to not feel awkwardness.
Sorry you got downvoted for expressing this. It is a valid perspective.
Well, I don’t care about imaginary internet points, don’t worry. But thanks for understanding the perspective. I definitely experienced that twice and iphone + airpod + Apple One service saved the evening for me from boredom.
The comment explains exactly why they used headphones at a party. Are you trying to be judgmental?
For that exact reason I just described! People who know me know that I have sensitive ears and I’ve long set the precedent of wearing headphones in social situations. People know I’m paying attention.
They complemented his Vision Pro AR headset spatial 3D recording his memories
I also noticed Transparency mode improved. Or it could be some kind of placebo.
In the past, transparency mode would make the music a bit too quiet in an environment with a lot of white noise.
Now, even with transparency I can hear the music clearly while also being able to hear my surroundings.
Transparency mode was great while I was at the airport this week. Was able to hear all of the boarding information and my music. I started the day with my Sony WH-XM5 but ended with the AirPods Pro.
I use mine with transparency at work and don’t feel the need to remove them at all (unless someone is talking to me obviously not to be rude).
I sometimes even forget they’re there tbh. They fit me perfectly out of the box.
Literally what i do haha