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

[dspdoc]

Just wanted to say that I had the popping issue when I first got my 16" MBP, very noticeable on YouTube especially, and ever since 10.15.3 (or was it 10.15.2?) I have not had a recurrence of the issue. I regularly watch YouTube videos with the on-board speakers now and it hasn't happened once since I updated macOS. So I have changed my vote from "Yes" to "No".

The issue is still there. The only thing the update did was slightly mask the problem at a sample rate of 48. Switch the machine to 44.1 and then try to reproduce the pops and clicks. They will be much louder and more noticeable. The issue has NOT been fixed. Period. I am certain many of us are getting quite sick of people saying it has been fully resolved without thoroughly checking and researching. Even Apple is still acknowledging that this issue remains and was only slightly patched. I am happy that you don't "notice it" with your machine set to 48. But some of us in the audio industry don't just surf the web and watch YouTube videos. We are actually working and have to work at 44.1 using actual professional audio applications.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

My computer is set to 44.1 by default and I don't notice it, so I don't know what to say. It's never been at 48 for all I know.

And I listen to and stream lossless music constantly but that is always through an external DAC (iFi Zen DAC) so I don't use the speakers for anything other than YouTube and Podcasts. I mention YouTube in particular because that is where I most clearly heard the popping sound; it was impossible to not notice. If it were still happening, I would notice it. I'm one of the people who complained about the coil whine sound from the SSD (which is very much still there and quite noticeable when I'm in a quiet room). Most people don't notice or care about that one.

 

[dspdoc]

My computer is set to 44.1 by default and I don't notice it, so I don't know what to say. It's never been at 48 for all I know.

And I listen to and stream lossless music constantly but that is always through an external DAC (iFi Zen DAC) so I don't use the speakers for anything other than YouTube and Podcasts. I mention YouTube in particular because that is where I most clearly heard the popping sound; it was impossible to not notice. If it were still happening, I would notice it. I'm one of the people who complained about the coil whine sound from the SSD (which is very much still there and quite noticeable when I'm in a quiet room). Most people don't notice or care about that one.

Part of Apple's "patch" actually set the machine to 48. I noticed that right away. If you are using an external DAC there could be a slight buffer happening. This also helps remedy the popping and clicking. But once again, this is a "workaround". The underlying issue is still not fixed. That's the whole point here that somehow for some reason people want to argue. We should all want Apple to FIX this. Not mask it. Not work around it. FIX IT!

P.S. I hear the coil whine too. I could care less about that as I know that is simply the SSD. What I do care about is software issues that linger for years!

 

[FloMZzz]

Easy way to simulate an issue
Run Massive Attack - Angel in AppleMusic or YouTube
Often click Play/Stop first 10 seconds of the track. And you will hear

 

[dspdoc]

Anyone tried the 10.15.5 beta to see if it does anything to fix this?

 

[sdp77]

The issue is still there. The only thing the update did was slightly mask the problem at a sample rate of 48. Switch the machine to 44.1 and then try to reproduce the pops and clicks. They will be much louder and more noticeable. The issue has NOT been fixed. Period. I am certain many of us are getting quite sick of people saying it has been fully resolved without thoroughly checking and researching. Even Apple is still acknowledging that this issue remains and was only slightly patched. I am happy that you don't "notice it" with your machine set to 48. But some of us in the audio industry don't just surf the web and watch YouTube videos. We are actually working and have to work at 44.1 using actual professional audio applications.

Auralux, what would explain the lack of bass? The first 16" I had, the sound was amazing, filling the room. The two ones I got afterwards, the bass is gone. The sound is crisp and clear but almost no bass. Any way to get that back?

 

[dspdoc]

Auralux, what would explain the lack of bass? The first 16" I had, the sound was amazing, filling the room. The two ones I got afterwards, the bass is gone. The sound is crisp and clear but almost no bass. Any way to get that back?

That is bizarre! Are you still getting pops and clicks? My first instinct would be to think Apple changed something hardware wise if you are not still experiencing the pops. If you are, then it would have to be something software wise. What application are you using when you notice this?

 

[sdp77]

That is bizarre! Are you still getting pops and clicks? My first instinct would be to think Apple changed something hardware wise if you are not still experiencing the pops. If you are, then it would have to be something software wise. What application are you using when you notice this?

I do not get pops and clicks.
The most obvious difference is with Sid Meyer's Railroads. On the first MBP 16", when the game started the sound was amazing, deep, rich bass. Now, with the last two MBPs, the sound is very clear but almost no bass. I checked with several songs that are supposed to have rich bass: doesn't happen.
After reading your post yesterday I have switched from 48 to 44.1, hoping it would make a difference. It didn't.

 

[dspdoc]

I do not get pops and clicks.
The most obvious difference is with Sid Meyer's Railroads. On the first MBP 16", when the game started the sound was amazing, deep, rich bass. Now, with the last two MBPs, the sound is very clear but almost no bass. I checked with several songs that are supposed to have rich bass: doesn't happen.
After reading your post yesterday I have switched from 48 to 44.1, hoping it would make a difference. It didn't.

Well if you aren’t getting any pops and clicks at all it sounds like Apple may have changed something with the speakers. It wouldn’t surprise me. I’m assuming the two machines that you say are lacking bass you bought recently and the one that had lots of bass was older? How new are these latest two and when did you buy the first? Do you still have the first? Does it still pop and click? These are all things I’d consider. Also, are they all running the latest OS?

 

[sdp77]

The first one was delivered Dec. 9th. The last two: one week ago and yesterday.
Don't have the first one any more. The last two run the latest OS.
Looks more and more like different hardware. I do miss that sound, though.
On a funny note, when I called AppleCare to complain about it, they had me reset a couple of things and, when that made no difference, they told me to get an appointment at the Genius Bar because it's, most likely, hardware related.

 

[dspdoc]

The first one was delivered Dec. 9th. The last two: one week ago and yesterday.
Don't have the first one any more. The last two run the latest OS.
Looks more and more like different hardware. I do miss that sound, though.
On a funny note, when I called AppleCare to complain about it, they had me reset a couple of things and, when that made no difference, they told me to get an appointment at the Genius Bar because it's, most likely, hardware related.

It is quite peculiar. And if Apple has changed something hardware wise to mitigate the popping and clicking they need to make an announcement. This is how class action lawsuits start unfortunately.

 

[sdp77]

I will register a complaint about this bass issue. Not sure what I'll achieve (probably nothing).
I'm sure they rely on the fact that new customers won't know any better since they have nothing to compare the new MBPs with.

 

[dspdoc]

I will register a complaint about this bass issue. Not sure what I'll achieve (probably nothing).
I'm sure they rely on the fact that new customers won't know any better since they have nothing to compare the new MBPs with.

Bingo! I sure wish I had the money to order another “new” MBP to see if something about the speakers has changed from the first batch. Please let me know if you talk to a senior advisor and if they indicate there has been some kind of change. I highly doubt it would be documented for them, but it’s worth looking into.

 

[sdp77]

Will do.

 

[dspdoc]

Will do.

Thanks for all your insight btw. Cheers!

 

[Kylo83]

Just to confirm the beta 10.15.5 is still popping, how hard is it for Apple to fix this they said months ago they was working on a fix, it’s not right a £3000 laptop has this issue, so many updates and none has fixed it

 

[AustinIllini]

Just to confirm the beta 10.15.5 is still popping, how hard is it for Apple to fix this they said months ago they was working on a fix, it’s not right a £3000 laptop has this issue, so many updates and none has fixed it

Did they say they were going to fix it in 10.15.5?

 

[dspdoc]

Just to confirm the beta 10.15.5 is still popping, how hard is it for Apple to fix this they said months ago they was working on a fix, it’s not right a £3000 laptop has this issue, so many updates and none has fixed it

Quite troubling indeed. Pathetic really.

 

[sharik2009]

Hello friends. 7 days after using my MBP 16 I noticed no crackling or popping.

 

[dspdoc]

Hello friends. 7 days after using my MBP 16 I noticed no crackling or popping.

I hate to break the news to you, but they all do it. There are no exceptions. This has been confirmed time and again by Apple internally. It has not been fixed. If you are not noticing that’s great for you, because once you hear it you cannot un-hear it. If you take the time to read back through this entire thread and do all the things mentioned to replicate it, you WILL hear it. My advice is that you don’t since you haven’t noticed yet. That’s better for your sanity.

 

[Kylo83]

Did they say they were going to fix it in 10.15.5?

No but they said in December a software fix was coming so months later you would expect a fix

 

[sharik2009]

Easy way to simulate an issue
Run Massive Attack - Angel in AppleMusic or YouTube
Often click Play/Stop first 10 seconds of the track. And you will hear

I tried it. Still no crackling or popping. I am normally the guy who always has bad luck with tech lmao

 

[dspdoc]

I tried it. Still no crackling or popping. I am normally the guy who always has bad luck with tech lmao

I can guarantee you that I could walk you step by step through replicating the issue. Do you really want me to do that? First things first, I can tell if you just got this machine you have not set the sample rate to 44.1 where it happens most glaringly. When I said read back through the entire thread; I meant ENTIRE THREAD. It’s been spelled out. I warned you though. You don’t want to go down this path if you don’t notice it yet.
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No but they said in December a software fix was coming so months later you would expect a fix

It’s looking like this is not going to be fixed in Catalina at all. Not to sound all doom and gloom, but I predict there is a hardware aspect to this and that it will not be resolved until they update the 16”.

 

[fokmik]

Since the new MBA has it too...lets see the new upcoming 14" MBP....

 

[dspdoc]

Since the new MBA has it too...lets see the new upcoming 14" MBP....

The new MBA does it too?!?! I have not read that yet and do not own one.