So when I first tried adaptive mode awhile ago I thought this is the dumbest thing ever. I can’t tell the difference between this and transparency mode.
Well I have been finishing my basement so often times I use airpods while working. I have custom tips that basically are earplugs so I use that when using the saw and the added benefit I get to listen to music.
Well I decided to give adaptive mode a chance again and I finally get it. It blocks all the white noise, and will dynamically lower and “loud” noise.
So you hitting a hammer? Nothing happens, the noise is filtered through unaffected. You running the table saw? You’ll almost immediately hear it lower in overall noise while keeping all other sound available to you.
I decided to go for a run with them in adaptive mode. It’s genius, all traffic white noise is lowered but you can still hear individual cars, foot steps, etc to stay alert.
I’ve completely removed transparency mode from my toggle and only use full NC and adaptive as you can hear people talking perfectly with it on.
I have no idea how it knows exactly what to pass through and what to block but it’s easily become my new favourite setting.
TLDR: It’s transparency mode that blocks white noise and extremely loud noises while allowing contextual sounds through.
I go from noise cancellation to adaptive mode since it’s just better at cancelling sounds, but adaptive mode works great when you need to be aware of your surroundings and have it go to noise cancellation when needed.
I’m a woodworker and adaptive mode is huge when I’m running my bigger machines for a long time. It doesn’t eliminate the sound completely but it is a huge reduction and it’s less cumbersome than wearing bulky earmuffs.
I love it. I wish the Maxes had it too, I wear mine for 12+ hours a day due to sensory issues and having Adaptive Mode on them would be legitimately life changing for me. I like my Pros but the tiny batteries die way too fast. Hopefully when the Maxes get refreshed…eventually.
So the foam tips are interesting. I originally thought they were nothing special… just a different material which some people might like better than silicone. (There have long been foam and silicone options for in ear headphones)
I’m wondering if the foam actually gives you better sound isolation though? (The theory being that the sound attenuation through the foam is greater than a single flap of silicone.
Anyways, yes… the most annoying thing about transparency mode is turning on a faucet to wash your hands! God damn it’s annoying!
Adaptive mode fixes that quicker than turning on noise cancellation would take me. Within a second or so of the faucet being on, it takes the edge off.
Just keep in mind that noise cancellation is not a safe method to attenuate ear-damaging noises. It’s not a replacement for real plugs or full size protection.
Did the same thing talking to a customer near some diesel motors going full tilt, for which I had toggled to what I thought was transparency before I approached. I was wondering if he was hard of hearing; had no idea what I was saying but I could hear him fine. I finish up and remove an AirPod as I’m walking away and get shocked by how loud it suddenly is. Turns out I was talking about 40db too inappropriately.
It gets better the more you use them in the same environments. There’s something predicative about them that I don’t know how it’s doing it, but I use my everywhere, no exception. At this point, I have no need to take them out unless I’m asleep. It’s a fantastic algorithm that has some type of ML built in, because I’ve loved them since the feature was released in beta, but is is continually getting better to the point where I rarely, if ever, have to adjust my volume anymore.
Oh nice, didn’t know about that function. Thank you!
It’s amazing for walking and commuting
slightly hear things coming your way or interacting really close to you while removing all the shit hawks from far away
Works as advertised
I tried adaptive mode and found it drains the battery of my AirPod Pros a lot faster. Have others experienced this too?
I’m confused, what do you mean it still allows contextual sound in?
And why tf do the airpod maxes not have it…
Do not use AirPods in place of proper hearing protection gear. You can cause permanent damage to yourself.
I have tinnitus and it’s allowed me to enjoy concerts without the muffled sound of earplugs. As a huge music guy, I would have paid for these if that was the only thing they do.