Airpods Pro: very bad quality in Headset mode on Windows 10

Anonymous
2020-04-02T12:50:11+00:00

Dear all,

I've got my new Airpods Pro, they work well with my iPhone.

Also on Windows 10 via bluetooth, sound quality is good when using the "Airpods stereo" mode.

However, in the headset mode ("Airpods Hands-Free AG Audio") sound and especially microphone quality is extremely bad. I tried to change the default format (see screenshot, it's only 8000Hz), but I cannot change it as it's grey. Any advice to get a better microphone quality?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2022-01-17T19:57:00+00:00

According to this post it should be fixed already in Insiders Build (currently Dev Channel only).

Was this answer helpful?

10 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

147 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T18:21:01+00:00

    Yeah, I am also having this issue.  The audio quality is great! Even spatial audio works with compatible headsets but the mic quality is poor, telephone quality like you mentioned before.  I wish I could use my BT Headset's high fidelity microphone on Windows.  Please fix this MSFT!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-09-10T07:46:44+00:00

    I'm facing the same issue, when I want to use two-way communication between my Win10 PC and BT headset (Meizu EP51), the quality of the sound is terrible. The combination of Android and the same headset gives me much better audio quality. Also reported via Feedback Hub. I don't know exactly where the problem is, but I'm sure it is on the side of Windows (independent on BT version 3.0-5.0, headset, etc.), not the Bluetooth problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-09-07T09:10:06+00:00

    Apparently this is not a Windows issue but a lack of support from Bluetooth. You can get a better idea of what's happening in here: https://www.reddit.com/r/sony/comments/fqf71z/wh1000xm3_can_only_use_stereo_or_handsfree_but/

    it's absolutely a Windows issue. Mobile phones can do it and so can Macs. Did you actually read it?

    I read it and understand it. Did you?The difference is that when using bluetooth headsets with cellphones or airpods with macs they are smart for switching between the HSP and A2DP profiles.

    I see that your problem is the mic quality, the are some reddit posts that mentioned using a BT dongle and installing their drivers to connect to the airpods. They report good call quality.

    If you have problems switching between the profiles, it is easy to do it. You just click on the speaker icon and select between headphone and headset.

    the fact that Windows does not do what Macs and mobiles  can do makes it a Windows problem NOT a Bluetooth problem (as you claim).

    The problem is not mic quality, it is that Windows sets the quality of audio through the headset to 1 channel, 16 bit, 8000 Hz (TELEPHONE QUALITY) which is too poor to use.

    I also made it clear that I'm not using Air Pods.

    You sure you understand the problem?

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-09-07T09:05:19+00:00

    we need to flood the Feedback Hub with this issue https://aka.ms/AA9k7uk

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments