Hi. Thought I’d share a mod that I did for my 2023 Fairbuds XL.
I have been unable to use the noise canceling outside. Or with a fan on inside. As any stress directly above the microphone holes has caused volume spikes.
I recently had the idea to try using one of those filter caps for microphones. I don’t know why they work. But it was inexpensive to try. I used a Shure A58WS for this. I cut some rings off the bottom of the filter, about 5mm high. And using double sided tape, after some trial and error, attached them to outer covers. I made them larger than the holes themselves, as the double sided tape I used didn’t stick to rubber, which the holes are directly surrounded by.
I am not really sure if it made sense to do the opposite side as well. I had some trouble to get the case to close at first. After moving the filter pieces away from the outer edge slightly, I could close the case no problem. I added bits on the opposite side, where there is no microphone nor hole, thinking perhaps it would even out the pressure on the case. But in any case, whether it does or doesn’t, it doesn’t harm. When the case didn’t close, any pressure applied to the case would be picked up by the microphone, leading to the same kind of volume spikes. So getting the case to close without problem was essential.
The wind noise is entirely gone now with noise canceling outside. So, happy with the results!
If I spotted correctly, the ANC microphones are separate. There is a hole on the front next to the joystick that looks like the call microphone. Though I never use the microphone of my headset for calls, so I don’t know.
Thanks! The way I’ve done it can surely be improved. Not sure exactly how. But this is a working version. Was thinking of using the slight indent between the cover and the speaker, of 1mm or less, to 3d print something. Or just use better double sided tape that sticks to rubber, if such tape exists.
Funny thing I worked for years in TV/Ad production company and I know what dead cat/windschutz is ( “filter caps for mic” in your post ), what does wind to the sound recording but I never connected the dots.
Now I work at AV integrator so I try consult colleagues who do room and industrial accoustics what will be the best approach.. I will report back. I also happen to have both old and new Fairbuds XL so I can mod the old one and compare. It may take a while but Im 100% interested.
I tested all four microphones in the headphones. The ones I covered with foam don’t show any peaks when I moved a finger over them. The only ones that did, were the ones next to the USB port. And the hole in front is for a light, not a microphone.
play reference audio I was thinking something from mynoise.net (2-3 different)
maybe
88keys
and Electric sheep
and spoken word reference audio probably this, short poem
at 2 volume levels
both noise cancelling settings
do call and record it (its hard to record phone calls so I was thinking Cisco Webex or Teams I can easily record that), I suppose this will not be affected at all, but who knows.
then do the mod with both windschuts I have and record again all variants
thats quite a lot of variants so Im open to suggestions, maybe its too much, maybe it wont come through the mics I dont know never done this before… I will get to it probably during the weekend
the microphone have jack with crews.. so I had to borrow also the transmitter receiver pair.. I just do quick test and it works, I can record inside the headphone and if I just hold the windschutz against the fan wind the noise goes out.
More rigid testing probably during weekend. Now when I have so much things for testing I HAVE to do ti
), what does wind to the sound recording but I never connected the dots.
. I am curious about the results though.