Hearing the “thump” of my own walking while wearing new AirPods Pro

[Benz63amg]

Ended up returning the AirPods Pro today. Couldn’t stand that “Vacum” plugged pressure in my ear even with transperancy enabled. The AirPods Gen 2 are better in my opinion. Sound wise, the AirPods pro are quite disappointing as well because other than slightly tighter bass the sound is very similar to the AirPods 2 minus the noise canceling obviously. I really wanted to love them but I just prefer the AirPods 2nd gen.

 

[fish09276]

Is it normal? It really bothers me even in transparency mode when I have the AirPods Pro in my ear and nothing is playing. Does one get used to that or is it always going to feel that way?

Exactly. I used my new ones running today and heard my body hit the ground every footstep. Especially evident on low volume passages of music. I found the same issue with the wireless beats. It’s like body conduction in the ear canal. I had to go back to old AirPods. Which aren’t inserted deep in ear canal. Very weird phenomenon

 

[Benz63amg]

Exactly. I used my new ones running today and heard my body hit the ground every footstep. Especially evident on low volume passages of music. I found the same issue with the wireless beats. It’s like body conduction in the ear canal. I had to go back to old AirPods. Which aren’t inserted deep in ear canal. Very weird phenomenon

I listened to my Gen 2 Airpods on my commute back from work today and i cant stress enough how much BETTER they are than the AirPods pro that i returned today. No ear pressure, no discomfort of any kind. No noise cancelation obviously but i can live without that, I really wanted to love and convince myself the AirPods Pro were better but that isn't the case IMO.

 

[Kaffebreak]

I took mine for a test walk today and felt exactly the same, hearing my own steps, just like I did with PowerBeatsX before. BUT as soon as I activated the ANC that totally went away. So this "problem" only exists if you turn of ANC. At least for me

 

[cmascatello]

I don't have either model, mainly because I've seen/heard enough that "yep - problem still a problem for me".

When the holiday return window starts, maybe I'll try them on a flyer, but not optimistic based upon what I'm hearing (due to this specific issue).

I'm probably just going to look for a deal on some Gen2's to replace my Gen1's which are nearly toast (battery).

For outdoors/working out, I actually still use wired B&O Earset 3's
At the gym I even still use an iPod shuffle! (gasp! - lol)

This is one thing that drives me insane about the disposable nature of AirPods.

My B&O's I've had for like 10 years maybe? I would have to go look it's been so long..
And they just keep working and sounding great.. It's very nice..

Wired headphones/earbuds eliminate most of the "thump" we are talking about. Especially ones that have over-ear hooks or cables run over the top of the ear (most IEMs). The walking vibration terminates on the outside of the ear and does not pass to the inner ear.

 

[davideotape]

i guess ymmv. i get this with my beatsx and pretty much every sealed in-ear headphones (wired or not). i’ve gotten used to it but i specifically noticed it lessened or even disappeared with these new airpods when i had the ANC on. in fact it was an unexpected bonus to the overall experience.

 

[keeper]

I have this with my B&Os, however with the right fitting tips and maybe replacing with foam tips, you can withdraw them slowly from the ear till it resolves the issue.

i found with practice you can insert to the correct depth which will remove the thumping and the buds remain in your ear.

 

[itsmilo]

You may not even hear it. It might be your brain doing it in your head because it expects the sound to be heard when you walk. Can’t describe it

 

[turbineseaplane]

Wired headphones/earbuds eliminate most of the "thump" we are talking about.

I'm not sure which sound you are referring to, because the "thump" when walking/running that bothers me is absolutely not kept at bay by wired headphones and is positively awful with every single in-ear bud I've ever tried.

I will still try APP when the holiday return window opens however.
One can never know about things like this without trying them yourself.

 

[oli]

Yes, there is a thump also with the APpro because it`s inEar. It does not go away with NC because it`s a physical phenomenon, it is less distracting with transp. on because you are not so absorbed to the "inner" thumb.
May disturb while walking and is definetely irritating when running/sports.

 

[haruhiko]

It most likely happens when you don’t have a good fit of the ear tips.

 

[Benz63amg]

It most likely happens when you don’t have a good fit of the ear tips.

You clearly have not read this thread, it’s got nothing to do with the ear tips having a good fit. The ear tips have excellent fit.

 

[filteq]

I have experienced the same problem mine. The thumping with each footstep was apparent from the start. I tried to get use to it on a run this weekend, but ended up going back home and switching them out for the original AirPods. I like the APP for around the house, but they don’t work for me when walking/running, etc.

I also noticed that Transparency mode seemed to amplify wind noise when outside as well. It was a breezy day, but when I switched to the original AirPods the wind noise that I heard previously was no longer apparent.

 

[Nozuka]

i have the same problem with my jabra elite 65t. they also create a vacuum and i can hear every step.

interestingly enough i don't get a vaccum with the Airpod Pro and did not notice this thump problem on the treadmill. (ANC was turned on, but i don't think that should change anything....)

 

[Otflyer]

Is it normal? It really bothers me even in transparency mode when I have the AirPods Pro in my ear and nothing is playing. Does one get used to that or is it always going to feel that way?

I don’t experience this with any of my in ear or over ear noise cancelling Headphones. I have two over ear and three in ear types.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t experience this with any of my in ear or over ear noise cancelling Headphones. I have two over ear and three in ear types.

Lucky duck!
That just means this problem and topic doesn’t apply to you at all

 

[oli]

Everythone is experiencing a "thump" with InEars while walking, jogging or even (like me in the sportsRoutine) badly on the vibrationPlate…
Some are sensitive – some are insensible = not aware of…

Its physically cause of the transmission of movement – feet, body hitting something and the vibration of the APpro inside the ear.
Apple optimized it with the "openess" and with the earTips (for most users it does fit without too much penetration). It appears not that extreme with transp.mode because the sound from outside covers the inside-bone-thump.

 

[cdcastillo]

Is it normal? It really bothers me even in transparency mode when I have the AirPods Pro in my ear and nothing is playing. Does one get used to that or is it always going to feel that way?

It is normal, you will get used to it. It happens with every good sealing earphones, specially when you run with them.

It is not caused by the earphones, it is caused by your body conducting sound (from the thump of your feet hitting the ground) trough your leg bones to your head. That sound is always there, but you do not notice it because its volume is low and your attention is geared towards outside noises (just like you usually do not hear your own heart beating).

When the earphones block outside noise, your brain suddenly notice this sound much more.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It is normal, you will get used to it

The former yes, the latter, not necessarily at all.

If this particular issue really bothers you, I would argue you never “get used to it”

 

[barjam]

I assume this exact issue also exists with the PowerBeats Pro, yeah?

I use the largest tips on the powerbeats pro and don't really notice it so much. The large tip doesn't shove in my ear so far and seal it up. I might lose some bass with this but they are already bass heavy so it is fine.

 

[golfgrouch]

This phenomenon is caused by bone conduction and is normal with any earphone that seals the ear canal.

 

[rockingrick]

I also have the thump noise problem when walking. Also, if I'm just sitting down with ANC or or off, theres noise when I move my head. Also, I can hear my heart beat. I'm wanna try the comply ones on eBay to see if all of that goes away.

 

[golfgrouch]

What's interesting is that there are lots of AirPods Pro reviews for running on YouTube and none of them mention this bone conduction issue. Is it possible that some people aren't affected? I definitely can't run comfortably with the AirPods Pro sealed properly.

 

[stanft]

I have the same problems. The bone conduction is reduced if ANC or transparency mode is activated but it's still there during walking, head movement, etc.

 

[oli]

Everythone is experiencing a "thump" with InEars while walking, jogging or even (like me in the sportsRoutine) badly on the vibrationPlate…
Some are sensitive – some are insensible = not aware of…

Its physically cause of the transmission of movement – feet, body hitting something and the vibration of the APpro inside the ear.
Apple optimized it with the "openess" and with the earTips (for most users it does fit without too much penetration). It appears not that extreme with transp.mode because the sound from outside covers the inside-bone-thump.

Me and other found out, that the inward-NC that apple engineered to compensate the bone conduction fails after some time. The failing micro/blocked vents are then also indicated with a failed "Passtest" – Look at the thread:

AirPod Pro Ear Tip Fit test not working...Not the only one

As some (including myself) have found out from the fail of the inward-NC and the pass test, it is caused by a (rather quick) contamination of the microphone grille directed into the "ear cup". As a result, the "inward-facing" microphone can no longer trigger the function of the "inner NC" -...

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