topic WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode in Portable Audio

WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Dillew — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 17:12:56 GMT

I have a pair of WH-1000XM4's and I have a rustling sound on noise cancelling mode from my right ear cup, this sometimes comes and goes when I turn them off and on, disconnect and reconnect. Does anyone have the same issue, or experienced a similar sound when in noise cancelling mode?

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Lord_viridis — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 18:18:18 GMT

Is there anything brushing up against the mic on that earcup?

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Dillew — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 22:30:39 GMT

No there's nothing brushing against it. I try flipping the headphones to hear it with my other ear and it sounds like muffled morse code. It's on the right side and only happens in noise cancelling mode. The sound is so annoying I can't bare it

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

dnicuk — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:00:41 GMT

Hello, Have you updated the headphones to the latest bluetooth software update via the headphone connect app?

If you have done this, I would then suggest you contact the place where you purchased them from explaining the problem and request a replacement set of headphones.

David

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Obss00 — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 16:06:31 GMT

I have the same issue. With noise cancelling mode on there is this strange jitter from the right ear cup during playback when Bluetooth is transmitting data. It is quite obvious when the volume is low or off entirely. It also always happens during connecting/disconnecting to my phone. I have the newest firmware installed, v. 2.0.6.

I found a way to reproduce my issue. When I go to the companion app and press rapidly the forward button with no music app open, I can hear low jitters that correspond to the frequency I am pressing the button in. The faster I click the more easier to spot the jitter is. It seems that there is an interference with NC when the phone sends data to the headphones via Bluetooth.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

0xABFF — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 15:24:26 GMT

I've been having this issue for the past few days, got my earphones in September and did not notice anything like that before.

It's very likely a firmware issue related to Sony's noise cancelling algorithms, probably arisen after some recent update. After wearing my earphones for about an hour in a moderately quiet environment (or even a complete silence) they start making a rustling noise in the right ear. I've tried making artificial noises, touching the right mic or blowing into it, and this didn't help much, although I think I noticed some differences in the noice after those manipulations.

A workaround fix that I've found for this is turning off the earphones for a few minutes (less than a minute doesn't seem to help), which makes the noise go away for another hour or so. This is probably related to some internal spectral stats buffers accumulating parasitic signal and then being reset. Starting the noise cancelling optimizer doesn't seem to reset those stats however, which is weird.

Hope Sony will be able to fix this in upcoming firmware updates. However, it's important that the community support forwards these complaints to a relevant team so they're aware of the problem and are able to reproduce it.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

tomisan — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 06:26:28 GMT

I got the same issue. Sony Australia wants to access my headphone so I have to send my headphone.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Tin0Tin — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:27:55 GMT

Hi, any news yet from AUS Sony? Same drama's. Not sure if I should go for another pair or another brand.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Joe_Dohn — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:59:24 GMT

Hey @Tin0Tin, do you have the same model and have you tried updating or resetting it?

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Tin0Tin — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 23:23:51 GMT

@Joe_Dohn , model XM4. Updated and resetting done. Sometimes better, sometimes most annoying. Item has been sent to Sony by the retailer under warranty.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

Joe_Dohn — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:29:05 GMT

Glad to hear it's being looked at for you. Do let us know what the solution ends up being so others can follow the steps you took as well ^^

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

uninterred — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 13:20:19 GMT

I spoke to Sony about mine. Told me to send them in. 2 weeks later I received a brand new replacement pair, so it's clearly a fault.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

JamesP88 — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 13:58:57 GMT

Hey me too! I bought mine from Amazon nearly a month ago, they were fine up until I wore them whilst walking or up a flight of stairs.

I can only hear it when I’m listening to a audio book or when the track changes, very low volume and I can hear like a weird scrubbing or as if some thing is loose in the right ear phone.

I was on the phone to Amazon for 20 minutes or more going through some resets, when they did not work they arranged a call back from a Sony representative to address the issue.

if I’m sat still listening to music they’re awesome as soon as I start to move the weird noise starts and I must admit it’s annoying and I hope it’s something they can fix as I really like them.

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

John441 — Fri, 14 May 2021 02:20:58 GMT

I had this problem and I have completely resolved it. The rustling sound Emirates from a firmware update. Remove the Headphones App from your device completely. Reset the headphones to factory settings. Start from scratch with the App and choose the option to NOT automatically receive updates. Don’t do ANY firmware updates. I hope this works as well for you as it has for me. Now I’m happy with my xm4s again 😁

Re: WH-1000XM4 - rustling sound on noise cancelling mode

John441 — Fri, 14 May 2021 02:40:55 GMT

Another tip: If the rustling is persistent try placing your lips over the upper microphones and suck for a couple of seconds. You may have dust in there which is contributing to the problem, particularly if you store the headphones on a stand rather than keeping them in the case.