Active Noise Cancellation on your Fairbuds (XL)
Fairbuds (True Wireless Earbuds) and Fairbuds XL support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to help you focus on music or calls by reducing background noise.
What to expect with ANC turned on
Fairbuds (True Wireless Earbuds) reduce background noise by an average of 22dB (up to a maximum of 33dB), while Fairbuds XL offer an average reduction of 18dB (up to 31dB).
The effectiveness of ANC depends on your specific environment:
- Low-range: You will notice a solid reduction in deep, repetitive noises like airplane or train engines.
- Mid-range: This is where your Fairbuds perform the strongest. They are effective at blocking out office chatter or street noise.
- High-range: While your Fairbuds provide great reduction here, high-pitched or sudden sounds are harder for any earbuds to block completely.
It's important to remember that ANC is designed to dampen the world around you, and won't eliminate all sound entirely.
What to do if ANC is not working as expected
If you feel your ANC isn't performing as it should, we recommend the following:
Step 1: Make sure ANC is turned on
Your Fairbuds feature three different modes:
- Noice cancelling on
- Noise cancelling off
- Ambient sound (keeps important sounds audible)
To toggle between each mode:
- Fairbuds: Long press on the right earbud.
- Fairbuds XL: Press the button above the joystick.
You will hear a voice prompt confirming that Noise cancelling is active.
Step 2: Check the fit and seal
ANC relies on a good physical seal to block out noise. If air can leak in, noise can too.
- Fairbuds: Your Fairbuds come with three different sized ear tips (S/M/L). Make sure your ear tips have a snug, airtight fit. If your Fairbuds feel loose, try a larger size.
- Fairbuds XL: Check for "seal breakers." Thick glasses frames, earrings, or hair resting under the pads can break the seal. If you use your headphones heavily, the ear pads may flatten over time. If they no longer bounce back to seal against your head, you may need replacement cushions.
Tip: For the Fairbuds XL, the PU Leather cushions naturally block out more background noise and provide a tighter acoustic seal than the breathable textile version.
Step 3: Clear the microphones
The microphones on your Fairbuds are used for listening to sounds and cancelling them out.
Make sure they are free of dust and lint, which can gather over time and reduce the effectiveness of ANC.
Need more help?
If you've tried the steps above and ANC is still not working, try our Repair Request Portal or contact our Customer Support team.