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.

[mwe._.]

Just to add :

After about one hour of constant use of the noise reduction, the volume of the white/pink noise in the left cup becomes really high and the noise reduction itself seems to be really less effective ...

After 15 minutes not using the noise reduction, the behavior is quite ok, ie: noise cancelling is working as intended and the white/pink noise is audible but bearable. Is that a heat problem ?

[trexiyu]

bought the headset last year, it was working fine until I have it connected it to the sony app and decided to upgrade to the latest firmware (4.5.2), since then I hear a hissing/white noise on the right ear when noise cancelling is enabled, tried to downgrade the firmware with the python script but no luck it would not propose the "update firmware"

I'm going to RMA it since this is really annoying since I mostly use this with ANC enabled.. given the number of people affected by this I just dont understand Sony's strategy here ?? 

[nashdm2]

I see the XM4's are out now. I will wait for a couple of weeks and then get some.

On the XM3's, the issue was caused by a software update. When I get my 4's, can I force the app not to upgrade them, or am I at the mercy of the auto update? Thanks.......

[uninterred]

I have the XM4’s. I haven’t updated, doesn’t force you to, I have auto download of software turned off. Waiting to update just to see if there are any problems first.

[nashdm2]

Perfect reply, thanks, appreciated. Did you have the 3's before?

[uninterred]

Yes. Only got these yesterday, but early impressions are good. I had a £50 Amazon gift card on my account otherwise I may have waited a bit!

[dnicuk]

Hi I have the new XM4’s I updated to the latest version, fix’s for Bluetooth. 
No problems so far, NC is very good, better than my XM3’s which I don’t have a problem with. 
Posted a quick review on here of the XM4’s

[trexiyu]

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@mwe._. wrote:

Just to add :

After about one hour of constant use of the noise reduction, the volume of the white/pink noise in the left cup becomes really high and the noise reduction itself seems to be really less effective ...

After 15 minutes not using the noise reduction, the behavior is quite ok, ie: noise cancelling is working as intended and the white/pink noise is audible but bearable. Is that a heat problem ?

---

Noticed that too, the wind noise only appears after using ANC after few hours and it increases gradually until you can actually hear it even with music ON

[trexiyu]

---

@mwe._. wrote:

Just to add :

After about one hour of constant use of the noise reduction, the volume of the white/pink noise in the left cup becomes really high and the noise reduction itself seems to be really less effective ...

After 15 minutes not using the noise reduction, the behavior is quite ok, ie: noise cancelling is working as intended and the white/pink noise is audible but bearable. Is that a heat problem ?

---

Noticed that too, the wind noise only appears after using ANC after few hours and it increases gradually until you can actually hear it even with music ON

[Win_88]

Hi @trexiyu

Is your comment in reference to the M3's or M4's? I've been reading reviews but this is the first time I saw mention of such an issue. Does it happen everytime?

Win_88

[trexiyu]

XM3 - Contacted the Sony support and they told me to send it to local repair facility to be checked