What's the difference between AirPods' Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio modes?
Modern AirPods offer several audio modes, and noise cancellation isn't always the best option.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) and Adaptive Audio are both features found in certain AirPods models, but they serve different purposes. ANC utilizes microphones to capture ambient noise, then generates "anti-noise" that cancels out incoming sound before it reaches your eardrum. This technology works best with consistent, low noise like a fan's hum, but can provide near-silence in quieter environments.
However, in loud situations or when listening to music, ANC can make it difficult to see or hear important sounds. This is where Adaptive Audio comes in.
Adaptive Audio aims to strike a balance by blocking out most ambient noise, but allowing important sounds to still be heard. Apple describes this feature as being based on changing noise conditions in your environment. So, while you might not hear the background hum of traffic on a sidewalk, a nearby horn or voice could still break through. This feature requires the use of compatible AirPods models with Apple's custom H2 chip or better.
One additional feature of Adaptive Audio is Conversation Awareness. This detects when you start talking and lowers media volume to improve your listening experience. Once you've finished speaking, the volume should return to its previous level. If not, you can manually adjust the volume using a button press or disable Conversation Awareness altogether.
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