4 sourced reports, with what to check before you buy. Each one links to the page it was reported on.
Costly or dangerous
Left earbud emits constant hissing/static noise
A Best Buy owner review reports a constant, ever-present hissing/static noise from the left earbud that could not be resolved, which the reviewer rated as a 2-star defect despite praising sound and ANC.
What to check. A persistent hiss/static in one earbud is a reported unit-level defect that the owner could not eliminate; the buyer may need a replacement unit, and should test both buds in a quiet room before relying on them.
Multiple owners report static, crackling and thumping noises plus connectivity faults
A detailed Amazon UK owner account describes connectivity failures within a week, loud thumping noises during movement, and static in the right earbud after three weeks; the replacement unit reportedly showed the same crackling and connectivity faults.
What to check. This owner experienced faults on the original and replacement units, requiring multiple exchanges. The buyer should keep proof of purchase and be prepared for possible returns/replacements; the report also notes refunds were refused after the return window passed.
Bose confirms crackling/static under ANC in loud environments is 'normal'
Bose's own support bulletin states that crackling or distortion under noise cancellation in loud environments is expected behaviour of the ANC microphones and 'normal', not a defect.
What to check. If the buyer uses these in loud settings (commutes, transit, construction), they should expect intermittent crackling/static from the ANC microphones. Bose will treat it as normal and not a warranty fault, so it cannot be fixed by replacement.
Unit broke quickly with connection problems and uneven volume between buds
A Galaxus owner review reports the unit broke quickly, with constant connection problems and a volume imbalance between left and right buds, which the owner attributed to poor quality control and returned.
What to check. Reliability complaints include connection drops and a left/right volume imbalance. The buyer should check both buds' volume and connection stability early in the return window, since these faults may appear shortly after purchase.
These reports come from the pages linked under each item: owner forums, repair guides and workshops. They are not a diagnosis of any one unit, and a careful check of the one you are buying still applies.
Text from the Kriko Premium earbuds catalog, version 0.1.1, under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 license.
