VMK20 ANC isn't working like it used to
At some point you notice there's more racket on the bus than before. The boss's voice reaches your ears despite the noise cancelling. You start to wonder whether there's something wrong with the headphones – or if the world has just gotten louder.
Good news: it's probably nothing serious. Let's go through the most common causes and fixes.
Why does ANC feel weaker?
There are a few reasons, and most of them are easy to fix.
1. Firmware is outdated
The most common reason. With the Valco app you can update the VMK20's firmware, and the ANC algorithm gets a fresh version at the same time. This fixes a surprising number of issues no one even knew to expect.
2. The earpads have softened
ANC needs a tight seal to work properly. As the earpads wear out—and they will, because you use the headphones instead of keeping them in a display case—air gets in around the edges. Then the physics of noise cancellation simply fails. It's not a defect, it's just physics.
Earpads that have seen heavy use for over a year will inevitably compress. That's normal wear, not a material defect.
3. The seal is poor
Even if the earpads are fine, check the fit. Glasses frames, earrings, or thick hair can break the seal. Try pressing the headphones gently against your ears—if ANC immediately feels better, the issue is the fit.
4. That faint static hiss is normal
If your concern is the quiet hiss you hear when ANC is on but no music is playing: that's perfectly normal. Four microphones listen to the environment and produce anti-noise. As a side effect, there is a small noise floor. Start playing music and the hiss disappears.
How to fix it
- Update the firmware – Download the Valco app, connect the headphones, and update. This is the first and most important step.
- Check the condition of the earpads – Compressed earpads come off by twisting them. You can order new ones from the online store.
- Test the seal – Press the headphones gently against your ears. If ANC clearly improves, replace the earpads or adjust the headband.
- Reset the headphones – Plug in a 3.5mm AUX cable and unplug it. This disconnects the Bluetooth circuit and resets the connection. Then restart.
- Check the ANC button – On the VMK20, ANC has a separate 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 the VMK20's ANC doesn't turn off automatically when you power off the headphones. It's a separate circuit. If ANC was on when you put the headphones away, it will be on the next time as well.
If that doesn't help
If the firmware is updated, the earpads replaced and the seal is good 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 see if the patient needs to be sent to Hannes's repair bench.
We repair devices in Kajaani. We don't send them to the trash, we don't send them to China. We fix and return them.
And remember: ANC effectively removes low frequencies—airplane drone, bus rumble, HVAC noise. It won't magically remove children's shrieks or a coworker's laughter. You'll need music to help with that. Or earplugs on top of the music. Or a hermit's life in the woods.
