Any one notices the cracking/popping sound of new 16 inch MBP?

[Viamusic10000]

Actually when someone suggests that T2 may cause theses audio issues this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a hardware problem.

Since T2 takes care of multiple tasks it could be related to both Bridge OS and the design of T2. It’s a new element (and a very complicated one) that has been recently introduced and almost every piece of data passes though it, including audio.

I still believe that this has to do with the original speculation that we all had in the beginning: the audio interface is being switched on and off to to save power.

But in the same time i believe that a simple issue like this, that 3 years ago could be resolved with a few lines of code (again, this happened with a script called AntiPop), is now harder to address since there is a new stage added to the audio path.

I guess we will never know what’s happening inside T2 since it’s a security chip and Apple is planning to use this in many different ways. Louis Rossmann has some valid points regarding T2 (i trust him more than Apple technicians by the way).

One way or another if this gains even more attention and stays unresolved i can see an official statement like "we did this to protect your privacy" coming. Nah i still regret my purchase.

I actually tried the command q test on my 2011 macbook air and could get the speakers to pop, granted not as often as some 2019 macbook 16 ins so I dont' think this is a valid test. I didn't really notice it during scrubbing on demo units, but there was occasional pops when moving webpages. Why do you regret it? Simply because of the popping? I'm probably going to pull the trigger on the 16 in boxing day. If not I have to leave the apple ecosystem.
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18 months, about 20 firmware updates and three operating systems later.

Article from summer 2018

'Apple did not respond to a request for comment.'

Some 2018 MacBook Pro Owners Experiencing Crackling Speakers

Following the release of 2018 MacBook Pro models last month, some customers have turned to the MacRumors Forums, Apple Support Communities, Reddit,...

www.macrumors.com

61 page thread prior to this thread we are in...

MacBook Pro 2018 - Speakers Crackling

macOS is now reinstalled and there was also a supplementary update available for me (assume this was the throttling update). I'm pleased to say that under conditions where the crackling would occur, they've not since I've done this. Stress testing for the last hour and so far so good.

forums.macrumors.com

But keep putting on the blinders, make excuses, shuffle words around, make distracting replies, and pray to the Apple gods.

No ones putting on blinders, no one is praying to the Apple gods either. If it wasn't fixed its possible they are just incompetent (like I said) but that this is actually a software issue and not a hardware issue and we don't have enough info to say either way. I just made my pre t2 macbook air running high sierra pop doing the command q test which is enough info for me to say that this isn't a t2 issue or there are multiple causes of little pops.

 

[dmstasinos]

I didn't really notice it during scrubbing on demo units, but there was occasional pops when moving webpages. Why do you regret it?

I regret this because i purchased a BTO 15 inch model this summer, just 40 days before the 16 inch came out and i can't update to Catalina to even see if there is fix there because other known bugs and compatibility issues will rise for sure (full time video editor).

So i am stuck in Mojave (the known workaround causes glitches after a while) knowing that every possible future fix will take place in Catalina (and perhaps only for the 16 inch model, who knows). So my machine can't serve me as a laptop (i don't use headphones for many reasons) and it has to be plugged in an external audio interface to avoid hearing thousands of pops during a normal editing session.

Also, it lost almost it's half value just only a month after purchase and Apple doesn't have a trade in program in my country. This is not the reason i am frustrated though as my plan was to keep it for at least 5 years.

This is what you are getting after paying 4500 euros to Apple these days. Oops i am whining again, sorry! Cheers!

 

[Viamusic10000]

I regret this because i purchased a BTO 15 inch model this summer, just 40 days before the 16 inch came out and i can't update to Catalina to even see if there is fix there because other known bugs and compatibility issues will rise for sure (full time video editor).

So i am stuck in Mojave (the known workaround causes glitches after a while) knowing that every possible future fix will take place in Catalina (and perhaps only for the 16 inch model, who knows). So my machine can't serve me as a laptop (i don't use headphones for many reasons) and it has to be plugged in an external audio interface to avoid hearing thousands of pops during a normal editing session.

Also, it lost almost it's half value just only a month after purchase and Apple doesn't have a trade in program in my country. This is not the reason i am frustrated though as my plan was to keep it for at least 5 years.

This is what you are getting after paying 4500 euros to Apple these days. Oops i am whining again, sorry! Cheers!

Ahh I see, I thought you meant about the 16 in. Yeah the keyboard issues with the 13 and 15in were enough to keep me away alone. I was going to drop money on a 2015 pro before the 16 was announced. I'm sorry the value is dropping so quick.

 

[49erRedGold]

I regret this because i purchased a BTO 15 inch model this summer, just 40 days before the 16 inch came out and i can't update to Catalina to even see if there is fix there because other known bugs and compatibility issues will rise for sure (full time video editor).

So i am stuck in Mojave

Sorry please explain? Why can't you update to Catalina? I have a 2018 MBP 15" and I've zero issues going upgrading to Catalina.

 

[CarbonCycles]

Been trying to follow the updates, but between the chatter and lack of time, can anyone cite a reputable source that either confirms or denies the fix?

I'm ready to purchase but wonder what other things this fix (if it is indeed fixed) may have broker.

 

[49erRedGold]

Been trying to follow the updates, but between the chatter and lack of time, can anyone cite a reputable source that either confirms or denies the fix?

I'm ready to purchase but wonder what other things this fix (if it is indeed fixed) may have broker.

The front page news of MR would have that info if it was put out by any other reputable source. Apple has not made any official announcement of the software fix being out yet. They've only stated there will be a fix. Just wait it out.

 

[CarbonCycles]

The front page news of MR would have that info if it was put out by any other reputable source. Apple has not made any official announcement of the software fix being out yet. They've only stated there will be a fix. Just wait it out.

Cool...been trying to track the front page but it's a bit out of date. Oh well..as anything code related, a few extra cycles for things to shake out is about right.

 

[Viamusic10000]

I guess my last question is given all the issues, I was going to buy this to use as a desktop which could be a laptop when I need it too. Would I be better off buying a mac mini? I'm mostly going to be doing audio oriented workloads which aren't GPU intensive. I only need it to power my 4k moniter as a retina moniter for regular use. The increased IO is pretty attractive.

 

[dmstasinos]

Sorry please explain? Why can't you update to Catalina? I have a 2018 MBP 15" and I've zero issues going upgrading to Catalina.

There are always some issues in the first releases waiting for you to discover them. Some times you update the OS and everything seems perfect in simple tasks like browsing etc but after a week you realise that a specific video codec is broken (just an example). From my experience the best time to update (if you are doing pro work) is when the next release comes out.
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I guess my last question is given all the issues, I was going to buy this to use as a desktop which could be a laptop when I need it too. Would I be better off buying a mac mini? I'm mostly going to be doing audio oriented workloads which aren't GPU intensive. I only need it to power my 4k moniter as a retina moniter for regular use. The increased IO is pretty attractive.

I am definitely considering the mac mini 2018 even for video editing. It's fast, tactile and easy to replace while keeping your peripherals as long as you want. And if the lack of GPU turns into a problem just buy a Razor Core X.

 

[49erRedGold]

There are always some issues in the first releases waiting for you to discover them. Some times you update the OS and everything seems perfect in simple tasks like browsing etc but after a week you realise that a specific video codec is broken (just an example). From my experience the best time to update (if you are doing pro work) is when the next release comes out.
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While I don't disagree about issues early on when it comes to new OS's I would recommend doing what I did. I created a partition on the SSD and installed Catalina on that partition to see if I would have any issues with my software. Everything checked out perfectly so I deleted that partition and upgraded (actually did a full erase and install to prevent any upgrade issues) to Catalina and it's been rock solid.

 

[Viamusic10000]

There are always some issues in the first releases waiting for you to discover them. Some times you update the OS and everything seems perfect in simple tasks like browsing etc but after a week you realise that a specific video codec is broken (just an example). From my experience the best time to update (if you are doing pro work) is when the next release comes out.
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I am definitely considering the mac mini 2018 even for video editing. It's fast, tactile and easy to replace while keeping your peripherals as long as you want. And if the lack of GPU turns into a problem just buy a Razor Core X.

Do you think the integrated graphics will be able to do hidpi with a 27 inch 4k? While it would be nice to have a pro to do dual monitor set up with even with the student discount I'm looking at around 2,000 usd whereas it's 1000 for similar specs on the mini and that's with the overpriced mac ram upgrade too.

 

[Passingby]

The front page news of MR would have that info if it was put out by any other reputable source. Apple has not made any official announcement of the software fix being out yet. They've only stated there will be a fix. Just wait it out.

Cool. I'll wait another 18 months. I'll have uncritical blind faith in the Apple Gods to deliver me to the promised land of no popping sounds.

Then after another 18 months if the popping sounds, sleep bugs, crashing bad magic BridgeOS is not fixed on my current machine I'll move to Dell, Razer or Lenovo. Permanently.

 

[dmstasinos]

Do you think the integrated graphics will be able to do hidpi with a 27 inch 4k? While it would be nice to have a pro to do dual monitor set up with even with the student discount I'm looking at around 2,000 usd whereas it's 1000 for similar specs on the mini and that's with the overpriced mac ram upgrade too.

I think it can drive a single 4K display with no problems.

 

[Sanpete]

18 months, about 20 firmware updates and three operating systems later.

Article from summer 2018

'Apple did not respond to a request for comment.'

Some 2018 MacBook Pro Owners Experiencing Crackling Speakers

Following the release of 2018 MacBook Pro models last month, some customers have turned to the MacRumors Forums, Apple Support Communities, Reddit,...

www.macrumors.com

61 page thread prior to this thread we are in...

MacBook Pro 2018 - Speakers Crackling

macOS is now reinstalled and there was also a supplementary update available for me (assume this was the throttling update). I'm pleased to say that under conditions where the crackling would occur, they've not since I've done this. Stress testing for the last hour and so far so good.

forums.macrumors.com

But keep putting on the blinders, make excuses, shuffle words around, make distracting replies, and pray to the Apple gods.

Repeating your claims didn't improve them. It remains that nothing in what you've posted suggests this issue was a priority for Apple until the last couple weeks.

Your rhetorical flourishes are overheated. Focus on the facts and you'll do better.

Cool. I'll wait another 18 months. I'll have uncritical blind faith in the Apple Gods to deliver me to the promised land of no popping sounds.

Then after another 18 months if the popping sounds, sleep bugs, crashing bad magic BridgeOS is not fixed on my current machine I'll move to Dell, Razer or Lenovo. Permanently.

OK.

 

[49erRedGold]

Then after another 18 months if the popping sounds, sleep bugs, crashing bad magic BridgeOS is not fixed on my current machine I'll move to Dell, Razer or Lenovo. Permanently.

Oh yeah excellent idea because those company's laptops are 100% perfect and free of issues, especially with Lenovo being rated #1 in customer service.....OH WAIT, that's Apple. Lenovo is 2nd to dead last since this summer when Laptop Magazine rated them.

 

[Whackman]

Updating to 10.15.2 changed nothing for me, regarding the popping sound when scrolling trough a vid.

 

[vemac575]

I've heard it on the models at the Apple store.

 

[Passingby]

Oh yeah excellent idea because those company's laptops are 100% perfect and free of issues, especially with Lenovo being rated #1 in customer service.....OH WAIT, that's Apple. Lenovo is 2nd to dead last since this summer when Laptop Magazine rated them.

When companies or individuals order a professional workstation or business computers from Lenovo, when the customers have a problem an engineer comes the NEXT DAY to your location to fix or replace it. No Genius Bar waiting. There's one guy now in the Mac Pro forum who spent $20,000 DOLLARS US for two new Mac Pros and they were both faulty. He was expected to carry this machine to an Apple Store and then carry it back home when he found out they can't even help him. ??

You also don't wait 18 months with a popping sound chip for a cure that will never come. You also don't wait 18 months with a crashing system controller or Bridge OS.

If your boot drive or memory fails after warranty expires your system doesn't die. You replace the SSD or memory.

But go ahead...keep waiting for the popping speakers and crashing BridgeOS to be fixed. 18 months, 20 firmwares, 3 operating systems, a dozen system updates, 20 interim betas, three MacBook Pro hardware revisions, and still the sound is popping and T2 is crashing.

Maybe the Gods of Apple will listen to your prayers and deliver you the promised land.

 

[dmstasinos]

Oh yeah excellent idea because those company's laptops are 100% perfect and free of issues, especially with Lenovo being rated #1 in customer service.....OH WAIT, that's Apple. Lenovo is 2nd to dead last since this summer when Laptop Magazine rated them.

Do you live in USA? I suppose customer support in USA is fine, but believe me, in the rest of the world this is a different story. All you have to do is visit a genius bar and get a proper diagnosis or just a replacement. In my country there are no genius bars. In case of an issue like this my routine is: visit a "not so genius" bar, explain my issue to a monkey, watch some brain cells exploding and then come here to create a thread.

 

[Passingby]

Do you live in USA? I suppose customer support in USA is fine, but believe me, in the rest of the world this is a different story. All you have to do is visit a genius bar and get a proper diagnosis or just a replacement. In my country there are no genius bars. In case of an issue like this my routine is: visit a "not so genius" bar, explain my issue to a monkey, watch some brain cells exploding and then come here to create a thread.

Even in the USA many people do not have this Genius Bar or Apple Store available to them nearby. Amerca is a very wide and sprawling place. The gentleman who bought two faulty Mac Pros was completely left alone and let down.

 

[pshifrin]

I was just in the Greenwich CT Apple Store and the popping was clearly there while scrubbing YouTube videos on the floor model running 10.15.2. ?

 

[49erRedGold]

Do you live in USA? I suppose customer support in USA is fine, but believe me, in the rest of the world this is a different story. All you have to do is visit a genius bar and get a proper diagnosis or just a replacement. In my country there are no genius bars. In case of an issue like this my routine is: visit a "not so genius" bar, explain my issue to a monkey, watch some brain cells exploding and then come here to create a thread.

And?? What's your point? There's no "genius bar" for Dell either in the USA. There's no "Genius Bar" for Lenovo in the USA, nor is there one for Razer or HP. You make it sound like every other company has a store of their own outside the USA with genius bars to help customers. In fact Microsoft and Apple are the only tech manufacturers with stores for customers to bring their problematic products to for help.

 

[Passingby]

And?? What's your point? There's no "genius bar" for Dell either in the USA. There's no "Genius Bar" for Lenovo in the USA, nor is there one for Razer or HP.

Dell and Lenovo do on site repairs. If you want on site service from Apple, it's provided by....IBM? ??

Bought two Mac Pro for my business, problems with both.

Apple offers that service via IBM just like everyone else, it’s not free with the device (it’s not free from any company). https://support.apple.com/applecare-enterprise-service

forums.macrumors.com

 

[dmstasinos]

And?? What's your point? There's no "genius bar" for Dell either in the USA. There's no "Genius Bar" for Lenovo in the USA, nor is there one for Razer or HP. You make it sound like every other company has a store of their own outside the USA with genius bars to help customers. In fact Microsoft and Apple are the only tech manufacturers with stores for customers to bring their problematic products to for help.

My point is that Apple’s customer support outside USA is way worse than the one which you are used to and while it seems normal for you to just go down town and exchange a faulty 3000$ machine with a new one i will probably have to stick with the faulty one and wait for a repair program.

So we are having a different user experience and thus i may get kinda dramatic some times. It’s not that i can order some parts and fix it my self like a Dell unit since you mentioned it. These things are getting impossible to fix.

 

[Passingby]

Just a reminder that I posted a week ago that the popping was dependent on app, media codec and bit rate.

Some YouTube videos are VP9 and some are h264. This may explain why there is obvious popping that can be reproduced on some videos but not on other videos.

This YouTube popping also happens on some Windows laptops. With Macs with T2 the popping and sometimes crackling extends beyond Youtube and affects other apps.

This issue might also be related to how Coffee Lake CPUs decode streams and help the audio system turn on and off. This part could explain why only the internal laptop speakers are affected. Pre-Coffee Lake and Pre-T2 systems don't have popping problems.

Either Intel CPU, media codec and Apple T2 engineers messed it all up because they weren't testing the integration of each other's creations or there was an industry wide collaboration to make us buy all these earbuds they are selling for heavy profit margins. If they see these earbud profits rolling in because the speakers are popping then they don't have incentive to fix things quickly.