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.

[nashdm2]

Hi guys, new to this page.

If I buy a brand new pair of the xm3's, will they already be at 4.1.1, or, will they be at 2.0 please?

[Bigmick777]

Personally. I'd buy a different brand now after how Sony have dealt with
this.

[AndreasPe]

Totally agree, I will never ever buy another Sony product.

[dbenyakar]

I purchased Sony because of these exact reasons. I had different brand headphones and I found that the exact issues of bad firmware and not being able to revert to previous firmware version, exist with the other brand.

I guess there is no brand that doesn't have such issues.

Its just a matter of research and digging the forums before deciding to purchase headphones.

[Winster1972]

What would be great is if some clever individual could create an app that runs the downgrade process at the click of a button.  I've only had my MX3 for a few days and they are on 4.1.1 out of the box.  I am delighted with them but have not experience 2.0 so have nothing to compare them to. 

[delta.hotel]

It is getting so frustrating that I am thinking to buy another device just to get the 'original' firmware...

but knowing that they are now shipped with preinstalled FW4.1.1 makes me worry about.

As mentioned also on the amazon page.. they are not bad... even after the fw4.1.1 update.. but the ANC is so much reduced that you can understand everything in the office... (voice.. but also keyboard typing) .. 

Since I used them since February I can safely claim that his was NOT the case before the FW update and as a matter of fact it was immediately noticeable after the update at the same day.

I have no use for them in the office anymore...I bought them...for the office... and at home I use another brand...

[Ninyu4]

@delta.hotel just downgrade to 2.0.0

How to is mentioned in this thread.

[delta.hotel]

Did that, but as another one mentioned, I have no noticeable difference in the ANC anymore.

After FW4.1.1 update it was immediately noticeable, did the downgrade to 2.0.0 on the same day, but as another one also mentioned, no noticeable difference for me anymore.

So I didn't use them for a few days to get a fresh opinion.. today immediately noticed that the ANC is as weak as after the 4.1.1 update. Could try to update it again to 4.1.1 and downgrade again... but I have the feelling this wont change anything... 

since the 4.1.1 update I can also hear more of the static noise (that is used to achieve NC) before it was much more subtle.. also the feeling is a different one.. as if the pressure settings got screwed.

(befor the update they felt a little bit as if my ears were under artificial pressure... a little..sort of... difficult to describe... , not anymore.. the soft static noise is more present and the surrounding is much easier to be noticed. I can even hear myself type.. and I type usually softly.. the floaty feeling amazed me always whenever I was typing without hearing anything... )

No clue what else to try... maybe the settings reset is not touching the pressure adjustment.... maybe the manufacture side pressure settings were ..compared to my environment.. different... but overall I am looking to get rid of them. Will contact local Sony support tomorrow.. and if their handling is...as to be expected...(judging by others experience in this subject) ... they might wind up on ebay... (and I was really excited about these headphones)

[Martsky]

Hi one thing ive noticed is put it on focus on voices on the lowest setting then put it to full noise counselling no change in level of voices being heard this was not like this before that is proof something is not right with this update 

[VoiceOfTheBear]

I stumbled upon this thread by accident and I'm rather glad I did. I thought I was going slightly mad!

I hadn't used the phones for a few weeks, but nwas about to travel two hours on the train for work, so chrged them up and connected to the phone app. Saw there was a firmware update and installed.

I wasa quite happy on the train, but had this nagging feeling that I'd messed with the NC settings. Double checked, re-ran the personlision routine etc and ever since have thought that I was imagining the deterioration in NC ability. Now, I find that this is a generally accepted issue with 4.1.1 and nothing to do with my ears being clear of wax! I'm not crazy and my hgearing hasn't become superhuman; relief

I wonder what Sony would say about a general retest by all the HiFi mags & blogs etc that swooned over the 'best noise cancelling phones ever' that down-rated the XM3 to 'meh'? Perhaps that would get them to sort the issue?

I'd like to know what the thinking was behind the nerf in the first place. It's so noticeable that it can't have escaped from QA without comment which makes me wonder if was done to address dissatisfaction from other users regarding safety or comfort. If that was the case, they should offer the 'total isolation' mode as a selectable, with disclaimers if necessary. I loved being able to walk down the high street hearing only my my music.