You popped your new NL25s in, walked outside and – nothing. Cars humming, wind blowing, the neighbour's dog barking. ANC on or off, no difference whatsoever. Transparency mode doesn't seem to change anything either. You start wondering if the buds are broken or if this whole ANC thing was just marketing fluff.
It's not. But there are a few things to check before you declare the earphones faulty.
Why ANC doesn't seem to work
The most common reason by far is a bad seal in your ear canal. ANC works by having microphones listen to outside noise and the earphones producing an anti-phase sound wave that cancels it out. If there's a gap between the ear tip and your ear, outside sound leaks straight in and no amount of anti-phase electronics will save the situation. It's a bit like trying to keep water in a bucket with a hole in the bottom.
Second common reason: ANC isn't actually on, even though you think it is. Third: the firmware needs an update.
How to fix it
1. Try different ear tip sizes
This is the big one. The NL25 comes with both memory foam and silicone tips in multiple sizes. The right tip seals your ear canal properly, and the difference is massive.
- Try every size one by one. The right tip feels snug but not uncomfortably tight.
- Memory foam tips generally seal better than silicone. Squeeze the foam tip flat before inserting and let it expand into place.
- Good test: put the earphones in without any music playing. If outside noise is already noticeably reduced just from the seal alone, you're on the right track.
2. Check the ANC mode
A single press of the left button cycles through modes: ANC → Transparency → Off. So it rotates between three states. You'll hear a short tone or notice a change when pressing. If you can't tell any difference between any of the modes, the problem is most likely the seal (see step 1).
3. Update the firmware
Connect the earphones to your phone and check the Valco app for available updates. Firmware updates can genuinely improve ANC performance.
4. Do a factory reset
- Place both buds in the case
- Leave the lid open
- Hold the case button for 5 seconds
- Re-pair the earphones with your phone
A reset clears all settings and sorts out random software gremlins.
5. Check the fit in your ear
Earbuds often need a slight twist after insertion to sit properly and form a tight seal. Try gently rotating the bud into different positions.
What to actually expect from ANC
Let's be honest: ANC on earbuds doesn't create a sound vacuum. It's great at dampening steady, low-frequency sounds – airplane drone, bus engines, air conditioning hum. Sharp, isolated sounds like speech or a car horn are only partially reduced. This applies to all earbuds, including the pricier ones.
The difference between Transparency mode, ANC, and off is more subtle than on over-ear headphones. Transparency lets ambient sound through via the microphones, but if your seal is poor, it's hard to notice the difference – because sound is leaking in anyway.
If nothing helps
If you've tried every tip size, updated the firmware, done a reset, and ANC still does absolutely nothing – drop us a message at info@valco.fi. Include your order number and a brief description of the issue. On rare occasions it can be a microphone fault, and in that case our service crew in Kajaani will sort it out.
But try the foam tips first. Nine times out of ten, the fix is that simple.
