Sony WH-1000XM3 - v4.1.1 firmware failure?

[GapsOfTheGod]

Having updated my 1000xm3's over the wekeend, there seems to be an introduction of hiss and a background noise of what sounds like distant traffic (even though I can hear nothing at all without the headphones on) when using Active Noise Cancellation, which was previously stellar. The potency of the noise cancelling is noticeably weaker since updating (I'd estimate around 40% less). Familiar auditory environments which were previously rendered almost entirely silent are now notedly audible. I've checked that the noise cancelling slider is left-most, and indeed it is.

I'm also disappointed to find I can't ask Alexa to play music from Spotify, and I press the button and just say "Play Metallica", it responds with "Shuffling music by Metallica on Amazon Music", yet nothing plays at all.

This update is very much a downgrade as it stands.

[delta.hotel]

Some less helpful update:

After contacting Sony Support... to keep it simple... they are not 'aware' of any issues with the 4.1.1 FW.

So it would be pointless (in my case) to file a support request... as it would simply be returned as-is (as it happened to others)

Also tried to buy it again on Amazon.. unfortunately that one already had the 4.1.1 FW preinstalled... will return it today.

I seriously hope that some reviews get an update.. especially in comparrison with the previous firmware... otherwise the small folk (us) will never get an official issue confirmation...

After the Amazon return gets processed I will look into alternative solutions, as I doubt anything will happen regarding this issue from Sony.

cheers

[Ninyu4]

Try to downgrade.

Or get Bose CQ35.

[Majidah]

Have you tried buying the international version? I want to get these, but would rather get ones that came with 2.0 out of the box, and I think the international version might come like that (according to the comments on the amazon page and how it doesn't come with alexa out of the box)

[rakkuj]

At the workstation I hear when the laptop fan is spinning. The unfortunate action from Sony when they don't get the upgrade done. 

[Ninyu4]

Try the downgrade.

[Liersi]

Speaking of downgrade: to my knowledge there still is no procedure to downgrade XM2s, or is there?

[rakkuj]

Downgrade instructions? 

[Ninyu4]

In this thread or check on Reddit.

[JayAll]

I previously had the xm2's but the mico usb port eventually became so loose the cable had to be specifically positioned to allow charging (they even arrived with a loose socket).

Now the ANC on the xm3's is meant to be 3x as effective of that on the xm2's (Sony's marketing m/c) - A/B testing (xm3/xm2) with brown noise 20 - 20khz; I can clearly hear that the ANC is more effective on the xm2's (xm3's came with 4.1.1 firmware preinstalled). 

Seems ludicrous that Sony is ignoring this issue, surely it's easier just to provide customers with a downgrade path than to damage your/one of your flagship product's reputation!

I'm skeptical of the effectiveness of the downgrade procedure in this thread - too many peeps have reported that it makes no difference and surely if it was that easy to remedy Sony woud have done so. Frustrating as I loved the ANC on the wh-1000xm2's and is now essential part of my workflow.

There's a petition re this issue on change.org maybe worth signing?!?

Maybe time to try the latest Bose QCs...

[nashdm2]

It is really annoying. I have read some very recent reviews where they are comparing the new Bose 700's to the XM3's and comparing Sony XB900's to the XM3's. These are reviews made in the last week.

The reviewers refer to the XM3's as the class leader without a single mention of the 4.1.1 issues. How can that be?