topic WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone in Portable Audio

WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Stoobloo — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:35:01 GMT

This 'may' be an Apple issue with their iOS 14, but I wondered if anyone else had noticed that during playback there's quite often a 'drop out' of audio for a second at the most, not a connection drop but whatever your listening to goes silent for a second, playback continues so you 'miss' what was playing at the moment of the drop out.

During half an hour it will usually do this 2-6 times.

I have tried prioritising stable connection, audio quality and enabling and disabling DSEE HX to no avail.

Any ideas?

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Win_88 — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:12:57 GMT

Make sure the headphones are up to date and test if this only happens with your iPhone. Also, test the connection in different places, just to eliminate the chances of interference being the culprit.

Win_88

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:39:51 GMT

I have the issue. Only re-started using the headphones recently - used to use them on the commute but that stopped over a year ago. Since then, I've had a new iPhone and I've also updated the firmware to the latest version released this morning. Very disappointing this issue is still present - so frustrating as these are a great pair of earphones and had no issues when I first bought them. I would also add that on connecting these earphones to my mac (using bluetooth obviously), they work fine. It's clearly something between the iPhone and the earphones, or possibly the Sony Headphones app on the phone is causing it.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Joe_Dohn — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:38:03 GMT

Have you tried changing the sound mode when using your iPhone?

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:44:15 GMT

Yes - priority on stable connection (which I might add was set to quality when I used it over year ago without issue). I've just done a factory reset and reconnect out of curiosity. Will see how it goes.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 13:17:30 GMT

So, a factory reset didn't improve things. I've also tried removing the Sony Headphones app from my phone and just connecting without that. Possibly a marginal improvement but there's still some stutter every now and then. Really frustrating given this did not happen when I used them over a year ago. I think I've now tried everything including sound modes, but more than happy to hear from others if they have a solution. I can't help but think this is a Sony issue though, particularly the firmware on the earphones. I have a pair of WH-1000XM3s too and they work perfectly on the same phone.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Stoobloo — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:56:22 GMT

I also believe it's a Sony issue, as my Bose QC 35II's don't show the same problem, nor do my now new Airpod Pro's.

I still prefer the Sony's noise cancelling for earbud style earphones but the drop outs are too annoying to continue using them, I now just use them (the Sony's as a headset for making calls for work).

Shame.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Joe_Dohn — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:03:01 GMT

A new software version was released yesterday with the notes literally saying "Improves Bluetooth connection stability". Maybe give it a shot (v3.1.2)?

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Alerick — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:27:00 GMT

i have the same problem and i use a samsung s10+

so its not just an iphone problem.

sorry dont know how to fix it

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 12:58:55 GMT

Thanks, however, as i said in my earlier post, I downloaded that yesterday with high hopes but to no avail.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Joe_Dohn — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:00:46 GMT

@Alerick With the latest software version installed?

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:06:03 GMT

Not sure if you're addressing this me, but I have the latest version of the App installed and also the latest earphone firmware: 3.1.2 from yesterday.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Stoobloo — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:16:18 GMT

Since installing the latest firmware update I have used them for 5-6 hours over the weekend and things are looking better so far.

I did have them set to 'Prioritise sound quality' and did have a few dropouts during a couple of hours of use. Since chanignt them to 'Prioritise stable connection I've had 4 hours of rock solid stability with no drop outs at all. I'll see how things go this week...

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:24:34 GMT

That's good to hear. Would you mind confirming what phone you're connecting the earphones to please?

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Stoobloo — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:46:36 GMT

Of course, an iPhone 12 Pro with latest iOS.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:50:59 GMT

Well that's even more of a mystery then, unless there's something slightly different in my Pro Max version!

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Stoobloo — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:58:30 GMT

That’s a shame. At this stage for me at least it is definitely improved. It didn’t drop out at all in four hours (on two different occasions). It previously would drop out a few times an hour at least.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Joe_Dohn — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 14:44:43 GMT

@daleknowles

Have you tried restarting your phone, updating to the latest version, etc.?

@Stoobloo

Glad to hear things have improved for you! ^^

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

daleknowles — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:55:49 GMT

@Joe_Dohn this thread software doesn't lend itself very well to the task really and being able to see the conversation properly. I've done everything from latest software (iPhone and earbuds), factory reset of the earbuds, removing the Headphone app, reinstalling the Headphone app and changing the setting to priority on connection. Having just been for a walk, I have to say there is a marked improvement since last week, although curiously nothing has changed in the set up since my comments on Friday. It's certainly more listenable, but frustrating still not as good as about a year ago and still not as a good as my WH-1000MX3s.

Re: WF-1000XM3 drop outs during playback with iPhone

Joe_Dohn — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 12:33:21 GMT

Honestly, I'm inclined to think that your specific headphones have an issue, not the software or the general model.

Do you happen to have a friend or family member with the same headphones or yet another phone to test?

If you've been through all of that, maybe reach out to the Sony support reps as it may need repairing.

Hope this helps!

- JD