AirPods Pro 2 New Firmware 6B32 - Sound Quality IMPROVED! 😲
A new firmware just dropped for the AirPods Pro 2 dubbed 6B32 for both lightning and USBC connector versions. As usual, no update notes from Apple, but some of you are saying that it fixed a volume issue when connected to the mac, so it appears to be a minor bug fix. How about when it comes to sound, noise canceling and mic quality? Any changes there?
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, this time, there are changes again. On the USB-C version there is a substantial gain in most of the spectrum including bass mids and highs with the exception of the upper mids. While the Lightning version also has changes but it shows a less substantial gain, and a slight reduction in the upper mids. This brings the sound signature of both versions more in line with each other compared to the previous firmware, but both now have a fuller, more crystalline sound on firmware 6B32. Have a listen.
Active Noise Canceling
In terms of active noise canceling, there doesn’t seem to be much of a change at all. Still as good as the previous firmware in terms of canceling low frequency rumbles and mid-range noise that encompasses human chatter. Have a listen to these samples recorded under loud simulated cafe background noise.
Microphone Pickup
In terms of mic pickup without Apple Voice Isolation feature, it seems that the difference is a lot wider in terms of reducing background noise. The USB-C version got a little better, the Lightning version not so. In fact, it got a little worse. Have a listen.
(Tested in both quiet and noisy conditions using the same background noise as before, and some wind noise from this fan.)
Do note that this is without the Voice isolation feature on iPhones. With that, both versions of AirPods and even buds from other brands can sound clean under noisy conditions. But if you’re not using an Apple device, this is close to the result that you’ll be getting.
Conclusion
So on both units, there were some changes to sound quality and mic pickup. Apart from bug fixes, it seems that this new firmware is intended to bring them more in line with each other in terms of performance, except for the fact that the gap in microphone pickup quality is bigger. But if you’ve also detected other changes not mentioned in this article, let me know in the comments.
If you’d like to check the latest prices and availability of the AirPods Pro 2, I’ve included links to their Amazon page below.
Amazon
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) - https://amzn.to/3RCis3o
AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) - https://amzn.to/3VbAmsW
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