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.

[i.alder]

Is the 2.x.x firmware available for the wh-1000xm2 headphones?

Many thanks

[selkess]

you are right

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@davidbfranks wrote:

1. If you don't know what you are doing I would advise against it, as you may end up bricking your headphones.

2. Probably best not to discuss the procedure on this forum, better to discuss it on the original reddit post.

So far after downgrade to 2.0 I have also noticed voices with ANC on are more subdued.

But apart from that overall performance is the same.

Thanks

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[Ninyu4]

Those that are on 2.0.0 can you hear the passing cars when walking/standing on the sidewalk? 

I'm on 4.1.1 currently and I can hear the cars passing by. Not sure if I did when I was on 2.0.0 

[selkess]

just got 2.0 and can feel the white noise little bit higher but not a big difference 

[jurachim]

Sorry for lame question, but when you are talking about hearing nearby talks in the office or passing by cars - do you have your headphones just ANC on without anything playing?

Because I'm on 2.0.0 from the beginning and I can hear nearby collegues in the office talking for sure. Yes, it's way quieter than w/o ANC on, but I still can hear them talking and if they are in couple of meters distance from me - I can understand what they say. 

Now it's a bit confusing, is it normal, or something doesn't perform as it should?

PS. I never calibrated ambient noise or anything using app. I set ANC to max and that's it. Now I'm connected to the laptop, so not using headphones with phone/app at all.

[jurachim]

Please don't remove reply, not a spam.. 

Sorry for lame question, but when you are talking about hearing nearby talks in the office or passing by cars - do you have your headphones just ANC on without anything playing?

Because I'm on 2.0.0 from the beginning and I can hear nearby collegues in the office talking for sure. Yes, it's way quieter than w/o ANC on, but I still can hear them talking and if they are in couple of meters distance from me - I can understand what they say. 

Now it's a bit confusing, is it normal, or something doesn't perform as it should?

PS. I never calibrated ambient noise or anything using app. I set ANC to max and that's it. Now I'm connected to the laptop, so not using headphones with phone/app at all.

[Ninyu4]

>when you are talking about hearing nearby talks in the office or passing by
>cars - do you have your headphones just ANC on without anything playing?

Yes, NC on full and music either off or playing in the background.


>I still can hear them talking and if they are in couple of meters distance
>from me - I can understand what they say. 

Nearby people talking is definitely still audible with NC on and music off
on 2.0.0 as well as 4.1.1 IMO.


@selkess you experience more white noise on 2.0.0 ?

[selkess]

I have my in work now industry

Used optimizing 

Not sure but the Nc sounds more comfortable?

In quite room I feel the white noise sound is just little bit higher  . White noise blocks noise .  If I'm not imagine this the 4.1.1 have little bit lower volume on the whitenoise

Still hear voices so need more testing  

[davidbfranks]

You are always going to hear some voices whether you are on 2.X.X or 4.X.X there is no such thing as 100% noise removal.... (unless you are playing loud music too)

Facts are 2.X.X voices are slightly more optimized, that's all....

Really not much in it though! The 40% worse claim was grossly exagerated!

[Martsky]

Hi I’ve been reading about this in a lot of places .and read all Sony’s reply’s to date .

plz plz plz help us with this problem I loved these earphones when I first got them was very impressed 

with them . but this is not a settings problem or a resetting /restarting issue it’s happened since the new update I’ve got 3 children at home and when first had them they did a great job at reducing most sounds and voices like it states on your adds and I was happy to pay 330 pounds for that . But now it’s almost like it’s not working for voices and a lot of other sounds it used To reduce a lot more it’s still ok with low feq  noises you must fix this update people including myself will not rush out and buy xm4s for another 330 for the same thing to happen to them with a update . plz plz listen to your loyal customers and fix this software problem with the update surely you can send out a new one to fix this or roll us back to before I don’t need Alexa or google assistant.like many others just want the working head phones we payed a lot for thanks 

I look forward to a positive reply 

martin