If this is the first time you’re owning a pair of AirPods then you might wonder, Do AirPods Have A Mic Built In?
Well, the answer is yes. By adding a built-in microphone, AirPods go above and beyond ordinary earphones. This built-in microphone allows music listeners to take calls and issue voice instructions without having to take their AirPods out of their ears. The built-in mics in the AirPods allow you to use the virtual assistant “Siri” on Apple devices to make and receive calls. Whether you’re wearing both AirPods or just one, they’re connected to sensors and motion accelerometers that recognize when they’re in your ears.
On that note, i’m going to take you through the topic, Do AirPods Have A Mic Built In and cover everything there is to know about these powerful little earbuds. I will even take you through where the mic is located in the AriPod’s along with how to test the microphone to check if it’s working appropriately.
Recommended Read: How do you know if your AirPods are Generation 1 or Generation 2
Table of Contents
Do AirPods Have A Mic Built In?
Where is the Mic Located on the AirPods?
AirPods contain two built-in microphones on the bottom and back of the device. The microphone was embedded into the wire in Apple’s wired headphones. As a result of the AirPods’ wireless nature, the microphones had to be moved to a new location.
The position of the microphones is shown by two holes in the AirPods. One of these holes can be found at the bottom of the AirPods, while the other can be found at the back. The perforations serve as sound receptors for your microphones, allowing for easy and effective communication.
How Do I Check the Mic on My AirPods?
It’s critical to test new AirPods before using them to confirm they’re functional. However, if the holes where the microphones are located become clogged, they may not work effectively.
You can do a test on your AirPods by following the steps below:
1.From your Home screen, go to Utilities and select Voice Memos.
2.To begin recording, press the record symbol.
3.Speak into the microphone if you want to be heard.
4.Connect your AirPods and tap the Play symbol to listen to the recording.
You may also use Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, to perform this test. If your voice isn’t clear, make sure your AirPods’ microphone holes are clean.
Why Can’t I Hear my Voice Recording?
Remove the dirt on the mics with a small piece of cotton and alcohol, then gently remove the remaining particles with a toothpick or tweezers.
Make sure there isn’t any liquid inside. Make sure the mesh covering on the mics isn’t tampered with. If your AirPods don’t pick up your sound, try putting them back in the charging case and reconnecting.
You can also look at the settings for the active microphone. Sure, you can only use one AirPod, double-check your settings to see if both AirPods are configured.
How To Maintain your AirPods
AirPods require regular maintenance. Consider the following methods to extend the life of your AirPods.
These are some of the practices:
- Water should not be used to submerge AirPods or AirPods Pro. This is due to the fact that they are not water proof.
- Use cotton swabs or a lint-free, soft, dry cloth.
- Clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth if they come into touch with anything that could cause stains or other harm, like as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, fragrances, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, etc.
- Make sure they’re completely dry before putting them in the charging case. Make sure you wait till they’ve dried before using them.
- Ensure that no liquid enters the openings.
- Clean the microphone and speaker meshes with a dry cotton swab to remove any dirt that has accumulated.
- Avoid using sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro.
- Your AirPods Pro are water-resistant but not waterproof. The Wireless Charging Case for AirPods Pro does not keep moisture out of any apertures because it is neither waterproof nor water-resistant. Turn your case upside down and open the lid to dry it if it comes into contact with liquid.
What Are Some of The Issues with The Built-In Mics on The AirPods?
Some AirPods Pro customers have complained about the gadgets’ poor sound quality. Furthermore, some users have reported that when they use them for calls, others complain that they are unable to hear them.
However, some study suggests that the AirPods’ active 8 to 16 kHz SCO is to blame for the poor sound quality of the microphones.
The SCO Codec is required for audio transmission utilizing your AirPods microphones. It is the standard codec for all iOS devices. The AAC Codec is the codec that generates the high-quality audio that AirPods are known for.
Even said, anytime Bluetooth bandwidth is limited, the AirPods produce SCO Codec. To resolve this issue, switch from utilizing the built-in microphones on your AirPods to using the microphone on your Apple iPhone.
All you have to do to make this switch is:
- To begin, navigate to your device’s Settings.
- After that, tap the Sound icon.
- Then, tap on the input tab.
- After a few seconds, click on the device’s built-in mic to change the codec, and you may enjoy high-quality audio once more.
AirPod’s Built-in Microphone Features
The microphones on Apple’s Airpods are placed on each side at the stem’s end. They have two little microphones on the inside and exterior of the building. When using AirPods to answer phone calls, the mics pick up the wearer’s voice and allow you to talk comfortably.
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off are the three different listening modes available on AirPods. When the Active Noise Cancellation feature is turned on. A single external and internal microphone are used to shut out external noise. Background noise is normally blocked from reaching your ears by the external microphone.
- The other advantage of Active Noise Cancellation mode is that it cancels outside noise for your microphone, preventing background noise from appearing while you talk and allowing the person on the other end of the line to hear only your voice. Any residual noise is blocked by the internal microphone. In Transparency mode, you can hear both what’s playing on your AirPods and what’s going on outside.
- AirPods have a unique mechanism that allows you to hear both external and internal noises at the same time. If you choose Off, neither Active Noise Cancellation nor transparency will work. The microphones of the AirPods are strategically placed.
- The stem of the AirPods, which is the long and protruding section, is closer to the wearer’s mouth, making it easier for the mics to pick up the wearer’s voice.
- The AirPods Pro, the second-generation AirPods, are more expensive than the first-generation AirPods. This is due to the fact that they have built-in microphones that vastly improve sound quality. Furthermore, the microphones aid in the reduction of background noise. AirPods are therefore great for phone calls.
Is Noise Cancellation Available on AirPods?
At the moment, active noise cancellation is only available on the AirPod’s Pro. It works by using an additional microphone to listen for exterior sounds, which are then filtered out before reaching your ear. The inward-facing microphone listens for extraneous noise within your ear, which is also filtered out by the AirPod’s Pro anti-noise technology.
Active noise cancellation is advantageous in two ways. The first is that it cancels noise around you, allowing you to listen to information without being distracted by external noise from your surroundings. The second method is to cancel outside noise for your microphone, which eliminates background noise while you speak and allows the person on the other end of the line to hear only your voice by reducing external background noise.
Final Thoughts
The more technological advancements in earphones are produced, the pricier they become. The AirPods’ built-in microphones have elevated them to the status of a luxury item. Because of their portability and efficiency, the devices are becoming more expensive.
Remember that while your AirPods will work with your Android phone and the microphones will function flawlessly, you will not be able to use Siri, the virtual assistant, through the mics.
It’s not easy to get a good earphone with a good built-in microphone. Fortunately, there are numerous options from which to choose, and some of them will surely satisfy your needs; you might fall in love with a beautiful set of AirPods even more than your headphones.
Customers have praised the AirPods, praising their exceptionally smooth communication, superior sound quality, and long battery life, among other features.
However, most of their assessments mention the AirPods’ comparatively high price as one of the device’s only drawbacks. The AirPods’ microphones are set to activate automatically, thus either AirPod can be used as a microphone.
When you just have one AirPod, though, that AirPod becomes the microphone. You can place your microphone on either your left or right Airpod, but you may switch it to the other AirPod whenever you want.
Also Read:
- What Do the Lights on AirPods Mean
- How to Make AirPods Discoverable
- How to Fix AirPods Case not Charging
Greetings! My name is Michael and this is my website.
I've been specializing in audio equipment and accessories for a while and have a little something in store for every kind of hi-fi enthusiast.
Based in California, I keep attending special launch events across the globe. This has helped me understand the products better, and with a unique hands-on experience I'm able to provide you with easy to understand reviews about the best in audio tech from around the world.
