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.

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi GapsOfTheGod,

I'll try to pass this to Sony.

Regards,

The_Black_Rose

[nickjf20]

Is there any way to downgrade the firmware?

Aside from the reduction in NC quality, the XM3s also seem less bass orientated than before (which is no bad thing!)

[Trillion2k]

I purchased a pair of refurbished Sony wh-1000xm3's from a Sony center, recieved them this morning, was really hyped to get a pair especially at a reduced price, but the noise cancellation  hardly works I'm guessing something is wrong, I get a sort of wind noise when it's on even inside in a silent environment and can pretty much still here everything. Tried everything ie resets even tested on YouTube vids with airplane noise, train noise , office ambiance and I can still hear it. The ambient sound off mode is the same as the noise cancelling mode for blocking out sound it is like I am just getting passive noise cancellation from the overhead cans, oh and a wind noise. I updated it straightaway so I don't know if it is the firmware or not. 

Really disappointed as I was so hyped about getting a pair of these 😞

Looks like I am going to have to ring the Sony center tommorrow where I got them from and either get a refund which I don't want I want working and headphones or maybe they can be fixed.

[mrlemur]

I can confirm the ANC is very bad after the update.

Sony, please fix this as soon as possible. It is not acceptable to DOWNGRADE features on a product after release, especially on headphones this expensive.

[ThaDoggFather85]

@The_Black_Rose I can also confirm the same issues after the firmware upgrade to 4.1.1 - the noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM3 is noticeable worse than it was prior to the update and the bass is lower too. I wish I had never updated, I didn't even need the new assistant features, but the Sony Headphone Android app kept pestering me to update the firmware with a banner.

If Sony are unable to fix the firmware, please could they make a firmware downgrade option available to restore the previous functionality of the headphones, they used to be the best noise cancelling headphones and that's why I paid a premium price for them.

[GapsOfTheGod]

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@ThaDoggFather85 wrote:

@The_Black_Rose I can also confirm the same issues after the firmware upgrade to 4.1.1 - the noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM3 is noticeable worse than it was prior to the update and the bass is lower too. I wish I had never updated, I didn't even need the new assistant features, but the Sony Headphone Android app kept pestering me to update the firmware with a banner.

If Sony are unable to fix the firmware, please could they make a firmware downgrade option available to restore the previous functionality of the headphones, they used to be the best noise cancelling headphones and that's why I paid a premium price for them.

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A downgrade in firmware would be great. I would like to have Alexa integration, but a working one, and one that doesn't impact the primetime Noise Cancelling feature of the headphones.

[Phyzer228]

Does anyone know if the WH-1000XM2 has the same issues after the update?

[vpaquette]

I updated my WH-1000XM2 to 4.1.1 and have the same issues along with an added issue mine power off after 3 to 8 minutes it varies and never the same amount of time twice. This is while listening to music or watching video on my Google Pixel 3 XL and my iPad Pro. Called support but since it's out of warranty they wanted me to pay to send them in to get fixed. However he was unaware of a fix. I went and did both resets to no avail. So now I'm stuck using the 3.5mm cable and ANC sucks now. I travel for a living so I'm on a plane twice a week and it is awful. The worst part is I can't fin anyian talking about the XM2 having issues from 4.1.1 yet.

[GordonWTee]

Sony Support are completely useless.  They keep asking me what phone I am connecting the headphones to, which is completely irrelevant as the problem is the noise cancelling, not the connected device.

I wish I had never updated as the SC is not even as good as my old Bose qc25’s.

[GapsOfTheGod]

Yes, I must agree. I've been going back and forth with Sony support since the day the update dropped. They continue to ask the same questions over and over again, and give no signs that they understand what the issue is. "Have you tried it with a different phone?", "Have you reset it?" "Have you charged it fully with the supplied cable?" etc etc.

As it stands, unless Sony can acknowledge an issue, these ex-Noise Cancelling powerhouses will be returned for a refund, or perhaps replacement (providing the replacement unit's not been updated to v4.1.1).