To replicate the issue, just watch a video on youtube, start a zoom call and join audio.. then the audio will change and will sound muffled quick from zoom and it'll come back to normal Thank you!
If you've set your AirPods to Stereo but the sound quality still suffers, it may indicate a Bluetooth adapter driver issue. A faulty or outdated Bluetooth adapter driver could lead to an unstable connection, so your AirPods may sound muffled or choppy.
Dirty AirPods. If you ever wondered why Siri sounds muffled when you're using AirPods, it's because they are dirty.
The most common cause of muffled sound in your AirPods comes from dirty speakers. Since they sit directly inside your ear canal, earwax and other material can build up over time, reducing the quality of the sound. Other reasons could include Bluetooth interference or the fact that your AirPods need to be reset.
Wired or wireless connection issues For wired headphones, muffled audio can be caused by a loose connection to the audio source. If the plug of your headphones isn't properly plugged in the audio port, sound quality will be inconsistent.
I solved this by turning off the mic from System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Privacy > Microphone. It involves an app restart each time you want to switch between mic off and on, but it works.
Softer or quieter sounds on the Apple AirPods after update of computer to Windows 11 is a software issue. Most likely, the issue is one of compatibility or inability of the driver to work seamlessly with the updated Windows 11 operating system.
One of the most common causes of muffled AirPods is that they've become dirty. Whether it be earwax, dust, dirt, or anything else that's found its way on the AirPods' speakers, having a bunch of gunk clogging up the earpiece is a surefire way to get muffled audio.
Dirty speakers are the most common reason why your AirPods sound muffled. Due to the placement of EarPods in the ear canal, earwax and other debris can accumulate and degrade the sound quality over time. Bluetooth interference or the need to reset your AirPods are two other possibilities.
Make sure it's not the speakers or headset If a speaker cone is damaged, it can cause muffled audio. The easiest way to tell if this is an issue is to try another set of speakers or a pair of headphone with the PC. If these work, then it's almost certainly the first audio device that's the issue.
Other Ways To Fix Muffled AirPods
If you're having trouble hearing, or if the volume is muffled, try rebooting or resetting your headphones. You can also try changing the volume settings on your paired device.
The Problem One of the reasons your AirPods are sounding very low in quality or muffled is dirt, debris, or ear wax are blocking the sound. Dirt might be blocking the audio from flowing from the speaker to your ears if you haven't cleaned your AirPods.
Do you currently have your AirPods set to use the microphone automatically or do you have it manually set to either the left or right side? To check, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap the info button next to your AirPods.
A buildup of gunk in your AirPods can make them sound muffled. To get them clean, wipe them down with a dry, lint-free cloth. Choose a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cleaning wipe, so you don't scratch up your AirPods. You can also remove the ear tips, if your AirPods have them, and rinse them in plain water.
The most common reason why AirPods sound muffled is dirty speaker grilles. Apple's wireless earbuds rest inside the ear canal, where earwax and other debris can accumulate over time. These factors can affect sound quality.