Why does my AirPod Pro gen2 sound terrible to others on calls?

I just got my first ever AirPods - AirPod Pro gen2. Did two phone calls today and people said I was muffled, inaudible and too quiet. Maybe I now understand why so many people on air pods shout. I have tried resetting and repairing. No help. I see many complaining about this for years - is there some magic setting I am missing. Why does just this not work (never had issues with my Sony or Bose as calling headphones). Pretty disappointed TBH.