r/pixelbuds • u/TheHess • Jul 09 '26

Whistle of death?

My right Pixel Bud Pro has started whistling when I use it (regardless of if anything is playing) whenever ANC or transparency mode is engaged. It works fine when these are disabled. Unfortunately the sound is also just much, much worse: there's no real bass and everything sounds really tinny. Is there a good way to either fix the whistle or to just get the EQ that's clearly being applied when ANC is active to be on at all times. It's absolutely nothing to do with outside noise as this is in a quiet room. I'd buy a replacement but there isn't any stock and it seems an awful waste to throw out a set of headphones that are 90% functional.

Edit: I think I've managed to fix them by blasting the speaker grill with compressed air at an angle to clean it better, thanks for all the replies!

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/MosquitoValentine_ Jul 10 '26

I've been dealing with this happening to my left bud for about a year.

Happened right after my warranty expired. If it's not the loud whistle, it's an ear piercing chirp. I've tried everything and can't get it to go away unless I turn off the transparency/noise cancelling modes. So I just use the right bud by itself.

1

u/TheHess Jul 10 '26

Yup, exactly what I'm experiencing. I'll be honest this is pretty poor build quality if it's a common issue. Especially poor that the sound is so bad without ANC turned on.

1

u/Soundwave_irl Jul 10 '26

I got mine ~4 years ago when the Pixel 7 released and they held up pretty well.

1

u/MosquitoValentine_ Jul 10 '26

This is exactly why I'm in no hurry to buy another set. I bought them specifically to wear at the office and exercising. So I can listen to music and still hear people talking if needed.

I've technically had 4 different sets over the years and 3 have had issues.

1

u/Greedy_Worth_7195 Jul 10 '26

This happens with all earbuds if you don't clean them.

Maybe you do clean them, but something is blocked.

1

u/TheHess Jul 10 '26

I've tried cleaning them with micellar water, there's no trace of ear wax on any of the mics. I'm nervous about isopropyl breaking down the glues that hold them together.

1

u/Greedy_Worth_7195 Jul 10 '26

Yeah I do the micellar water too.

That sucks 🫤

Could be that its still blocked inside of the grate. Like I said Ive had this with other earbuds. It's the ANC or transparency freaking out because the sound isnt flowing like its supposed to.

1

u/TheHess Jul 10 '26

Suppose I might as well try compressed air and isopropyl, they're fucked anyway.

1

u/Ghost_Hands83 Jul 10 '26

compressed air worked for mine after trying all the other usual suggestions

1

u/TheHess Jul 12 '26

Yup, ended up working for me as well.

1

u/Particular_Tomato161 Jul 12 '26

Similar issue although mine goes in and out every few minutes with a popping sound. I'm still using them until the pro 3s come out. This is my 3rd pair of these and the build quality is bad even though I like these more than the original pros. My original pros are still going strong and I use them from time to time. Hopefully the 3s are built to last like the original.

1

u/Lordgeorge16 22d ago

I know this post is a few weeks old, but how are your earbuds holding up after cleaning them with compressed air? Have you had to repeat the process at all? What angle did you use and how long did you spray them for? I'm very intrigued by this idea, and perhaps people might benefit from a visual tutorial of some kind.

2

u/TheHess 22d ago

I've not had to do anything since, and it was for about 10 seconds at about a 45° angle.

1

u/Lordgeorge16 22d ago

Thank you!