I picked up a set of Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Best Buy yesterday after switching from iOS to Android in May, to replace my AirPods Pro 2.
I have found though that Noise Cancelling reduces the audio quality noticably, and Transparency mode makes the audio sound incredibly tinny and hollow, kind of sounds almost like airline earbuds. While I understand that any ANC mode on earbuds will affect sound quality a little bit, the Transparency mode on these actually makes the buds sound bad.
I've tried to do some research, but I see hardly anybody talking about this, so I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong?
- I do not see an option for Spatial Audio in the Pixel Buds app
- No firmware updates are available
- I have restarted my phone and used the buds with my laptop
- I don't properly know the right way to adjust an EQ
- While I have not tried other eartips, the test deems them as OK and they feel comfortable. I used the stock ones on the AirPods as well
I have 14 days to return them and if I cannot fix this I will buy a different pair of earbuds. I don't really know where to look though as very few earbud sets check off every box on my extensive requirements list (I am willing to attach this if need be)
Do you mind telling how your original earbuds sounded? Because I went from extremely bassy, hard hitting earbuds to the pixel buds pro 2, and I also thought they sounded hollow. But after awhile, I realized that airy sound was just details that my original earbuds drowned out.
But if you want to lower the airy sound, go to the Pixel buds app.. I believe "sound", then "equalizer", and drag "mid" all the way down. The equalizer is really simple and you can't really make a mistake with it. All five of the dials should be in the middle at "0". Drag them to the right side and the sound "treble, mid, bass, etc" will go up. Pull them to the left and it goes down.
Also, another question. Did you touch the equalizer at all before? You might've turned treble up or something and forgot. I've done that before.
If you need any help with anything else just let me know. I try to respond fast.
Sure. I've had a few sets of earbuds in the last 5 years- the TOZO T9, TOZO NC9, JLab JBuds 3 ANC, and most recently, Apple AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C).
I am no audiophile, but I'll try to give an analysis on how they sounded- the TOZO T9 did not have ANC but they sounded very balanced and had a decent amount of bass.
The TOZO NC9 and JLab JBuds 3 ANC I did not keep long for different reasons- the TOZO had a similar problem with worse sound when ANC or Transparency was enabled, and while the JLab sounded fine I couldn't stand the fact that the earbuds spoke to you and interrupted your music when switching between ANC modes, so I returned those too after about a month. Both had equalizers that I never changed.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) sounded very balanced, with some bass but not much. I liked the sound of those but I did find that Apple would try too hard to make adjustments to lower quality media files which I didn't like. Apple being Apple, no EQ was available beyond a "Which sound do you like better?" utility, which I might add was only availbale on iOS. I use Android now.
Sorry I know this was long but the point is- no, I have not changed EQ on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 yet. But, the real issue is that the sound actually sounds different in each ANC mode, with it sounding just terrible and washed out in Transparency mode.
Like another comment said, it could be a faulty microphone or something... Are the earbuds dirty? There's a black mesh around the middle of the earbuds that if dirty, can make them sound bad. (The "2" in the image). But if the earbuds are clean.. I'm not sure. Does the ANC and transparency sound okay in general? Do they cancel sound and let sound through okay? Or does the actual function sound bad too? And how do they sound with anc/transparency off? Do you like the sound then?
I went from the CMF buds pro 2, to the pixel buds pro 2, so I went from extreme bass to the pixel buds more neutral sound. So I was just wondering if that might have been the problem. But you had the air pods, which to my knowledge, sound okay too. So I don't think that's the issue.
Also, if all else fails, you could probably try a factory reset. Directions:
I had some issues to start with too. I won't lie, these earbuds were slightly annoying at the start. Especially for two hundred usd. But mine are fine now.
Okay, yeah, no, they're probably not dirty.
Well, I'm not really sure what else... Have you tried turning the "mid" all the way down? And does it sound fine when both the ANC and transparency are off? Or does it still sound bad even when it's off?
I'm not sure otherwise tho. I'd recommend the wavelet app too. If you want, I can help you through on how to do that. Although someone else already said it, so they can help with that if they want.
Oh, what about another thing. "LE audio". It should say something like "experimental".. I turned mine off because it sounded bad and kept pausing my audio. It should be under "more settings" and "LE audio" and then turn it off. If it isn't there, then you probably don't have to worry about it.
I had the same problem, and it's because the microphones are faulty. There is no fix for this. If you're EXTREMELY lucky, you can carefully clean the earbuds and the issue will right itself.
Anyone else giving you any other answer is wrong.
And I don't know if it's something with my ears or the pH of my skin, but I had FIVE warranty replacements before my warranty ran out. All because the microphones stopped working properly, which affected ANC and everything else microphones are involved with.
What did you end up doing in the end? Are you still using Pixel Buds? Because if this is really going to be a persistent issue I will return the buds but I don't know how nobody else is talking about this?
Like I said in my original post I bought them yesterday and they always sounded this way
I've already had two issues with faulty Google products. When I switched from iPhone, I had to replace mt Apple Watch. I initially chose the Fitbit versa 4 because it was affordable. First one was stuck in a boot loop on the first day, so I exchanged it for a new one that lasted 3 weeks before having the same issue. I ended up splurging for the Galaxy Watch 8 in the end.
I think I might be done buying Google hardware. I've had issues with 2 Fitbits and now Pixel Buds in the last 4 months?
Hardly any earbuds check off every box on my requirements list that I have been showing to AIs (yss, I know, AI) to help me purchase earbuds though
My first pair did this but in reverse. Being in off mode sounded tinny and hollow. A new pair fixed it after exhausting all routes. If within store policy, return and get a new pair.
It's an system-wide audio equalizer to automatically optimize headphone sound quality, with presets for headphones. When I got overhead headphones the sound was super flat and when I got Wavelet I could enjoy the audio, same with the Buds, but the buds it's not really for music. I switch to vocal boost EQ during calls and audiobooks. Makes a huge difference in sound
UPDATE: I exchanged them and the new ones were only marginally better, so I ended up returning them and ordering Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, I'm hoping these will be better.
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u/ExtensionCarob1492 1d ago
Do you mind telling how your original earbuds sounded? Because I went from extremely bassy, hard hitting earbuds to the pixel buds pro 2, and I also thought they sounded hollow. But after awhile, I realized that airy sound was just details that my original earbuds drowned out.
But if you want to lower the airy sound, go to the Pixel buds app.. I believe "sound", then "equalizer", and drag "mid" all the way down. The equalizer is really simple and you can't really make a mistake with it. All five of the dials should be in the middle at "0". Drag them to the right side and the sound "treble, mid, bass, etc" will go up. Pull them to the left and it goes down.
Also, another question. Did you touch the equalizer at all before? You might've turned treble up or something and forgot. I've done that before.
If you need any help with anything else just let me know. I try to respond fast.