Introduction
Many people own AirPods but don’t know how to activate the noise cancelling feature, which can greatly enhance the listening experience. This article is written for those who are interested in learning how to turn on noise cancelling on AirPods and want to know the best practices for optimal performance.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Activate Noise Cancelling on AirPods
There are two ways to activate noise cancelling on AirPods: with your smartphone or with a voice command.
Method 1: Using Your Smartphone
- Ensure that your AirPods are connected to your smartphone.
- Go to the Settings app on your smartphone and select Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods in the list of Devices and tap on the ‘i’ button next to it.
- Select Noise Control.
- Choose which type of noise cancelling you would like to use: either Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) or Transparency mode (AM).
If you want to listen to your surroundings while still wearing your AirPods, select Transparency mode. If you want to block out surrounding noise, choose Active Noise Cancelling.
Method 2: Using a Voice Command
If your AirPods support Siri, you can use a voice command to activate and control the noise cancelling feature. Simply say ‘Hey Siri, turn on noise cancelling’ or ‘Hey Siri, turn on transparency mode.’
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Issues
If you encounter issues with the noise cancelling feature, try the following:
- Ensure that the AirPods are connected and that your device supports noise cancelling.
- Reset your AirPods by placing them in their case, holding the setup button until the LED flashes white, and then reconnecting them to your device.
- Ensure that your AirPods are updated to the latest version of firmware.
- Make sure the tips of your AirPods are properly fitting your ears.
Best Practices for Optimal Performance
Optimal performance of the noise cancelling feature is dependent on a number of factors, including the fit of your AirPods and the environment in which you are using them. Here are some best practices to ensure that the noise cancelling feature is working optimally:
- Ensure that the tips of your AirPods are properly fitting your ears; a loose fit can negatively impact the noise cancelling feature.
- Avoid using noise cancelling in extremely loud environments such as a concert or fireworks show, as it may not be effective and may damage your hearing.
- If using noise cancelling in a windy environment, consider using a windscreen to protect your ears and improve the quality of your listening experience.
Comparison of Noise Cancelling Features on Apple Headphones
Apple offers a variety of headphones with noise cancelling features, including AirPods, Beats, and the AirPods Pro. Here is how the noise cancelling features of different headphone models compare:
- AirPods – Good noise cancelling; not as effective as high-end noise cancelling headphones but still offers an excellent listening experience for everyday use.
- Beats – Very good noise cancelling; Beats Studio3 headphones are designed for active noise cancelling and have a strong focus on quality bass frequencies
- AirPods Pro – Excellent noise cancelling; designed with three built-in microphones that detect external noise and neutralize it, providing excellent performance.
The main advantages of AirPods are their relatively low cost, ease of use with other Apple devices, and good quality sound. However, if you’re looking for the best noise cancelling performance, you may want to consider the AirPods Pro or Beats headphones.
Impact of Noise Cancelling on Music Listening Experience
Noise cancelling technology can greatly improve the listening experience by blocking out distracting background noise. This can enhance the clarity of the music and allow listeners to fully appreciate the nuances of their favourite songs.
However, noise cancelling can sometimes have a negative impact on the listening experience. For example, some listeners may prefer to hear some background noise to maintain spatial awareness or to avoid discomfort in their ears. In addition, poorly fitting ear tips or use in a windy environment can compromise the effectiveness of noise cancelling.
Overall, the impact of noise cancelling on music listening experience is generally positive, but individual preferences and situations can affect how listeners perceive the technology.
Common Questions About AirPods’ Noise Cancelling Feature
Q: How long do AirPods’ batteries last when using noise cancelling?
A: Noise cancelling can significantly reduce the battery life of your AirPods. On a single charge, AirPods with noise cancelling last in total up to 4.5 hours and without noise cancelling, they last up to 5 hours. The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of battery life.
Q: Does noise cancelling affect call quality on AirPods?
A: In our testing, we found that noise cancelling on AirPods does not affect call quality; your voice is still clear and understandable to the person you’re speaking to.
Q: Can I turn off noise cancelling on one AirPod?
A: No, the noise cancelling feature on AirPods is not configurable independently for each AirPod.
Conclusion
In conclusion, noise cancelling is an excellent feature on AirPods that can greatly enhance the listening experience. This article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to activate noise cancelling on AirPods and has highlighted best practices for optimal performance. We have also compared noise cancelling features on different Apple headphones and discussed the impact of noise cancelling on the music listening experience. Finally, we have answered common questions related to AirPods’ noise cancelling feature. With this information, you should be better equipped to use and optimize the noise cancelling feature on AirPods.