VMK20's ANC isn't working like it used to
At some point you notice more bus rumble getting through than before. Your boss's voice reaches your ears despite the noise cancelling. You start wondering if there's something wrong with the headphones, or if the world just got louder.
Good news: it's probably nothing serious. Let's go through the usual suspects and how to fix them.
Why does ANC feel weaker?
There are a few reasons, and most of them are easy fixes.
1. The headphones need a reset
Actually, no: VMK20 doesn't get firmware updates, so the ANC algorithm is exactly the same as the day you bought it. If ANC worked well before and doesn't now, the cause is almost always the pads, the seal, or a reset that's overdue. Not the software.
2. The pads have softened up
ANC needs a tight seal to work properly. When the pads wear down, and they will, because you actually use the headphones instead of keeping them in a glass case, air gets in around the edges. At that point the physics of noise cancelling simply stop working. It's not a defect, it's just how things wear.
Pads that have been in heavy use for over a year inevitably start flattening out. That's normal wear, not a material fault.
3. The seal is bad
Even if the pads are fine, check the fit. Glasses, earrings, or thick hair can break the seal. Try pressing the headphones gently against your ears. If ANC suddenly feels better, the problem is the fit.
4. That faint hiss is normal
If what's bothering you is the quiet hiss you hear when ANC is on but no music is playing: that's completely normal. Four microphones are listening to your surroundings and generating counter-sound. A little background noise is a side effect of that. Put some music on and the hiss disappears.
How to fix it
- Reset the headphones by plugging in the 3.5mm AUX cable and unplugging it. This is the first and most important step.
- Check the condition of the pads Flattened pads twist off easily. New ones are available in our online store.
- Test the seal Press the headphones gently against your ears. If ANC noticeably improves, replace the pads or adjust the headband.
- Reset the headphones Plug in the 3.5mm AUX cable and unplug it. This disconnects the Bluetooth chip and resets the connection. Then power the headphones back on.
- Check the ANC button VMK20 has a separate ANC button on the left side. A green LED means ANC is on. Press the button and make sure you're in the right mode (Silence, not Transparency).
Note that VMK20's ANC doesn't turn off automatically when you power down the headphones. It's a separate circuit. If ANC was on when you put the headphones away, it'll be on again next time too.
If none of this helps
If you've done the reset, replaced the pads, and the seal is fine but ANC still feels clearly worse than when new, contact us at info@valco.fi. Include your order number and a photo of the headphones, and we'll take a look and decide whether the patient needs to go to Hannes's repair bench.
We fix devices in Kajaani. No tossing them in the bin, no shipping them off to China. We fix it and send it back.
And remember: ANC is great at killing low frequencies, like plane hum, bus rumble, or AC noise. It won't magically silence screaming kids or your coworker's laugh. For that you'll need music. Or earplugs under the music. Or a life as a hermit in the woods.
