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kotlos

macrumors member
Mar 20, 2017
57
50
I agree with @CreeptoLoser , there is too much speculation going on.
As far as I see from people exchanging their machines, it is a fairly widespread issue and Apple representatives have no idea why it is happening.
If it is a software issue, my guess is it will be fixed with the Mojave update. If it is a hardware issue, it will take months before we have glitch-free replacement laptops. In either case, the best thing to do is to wait cause I don't have the time to waste setting up and testing units only to hope that a good one randomly drops in my lap.
In the meantime for those who use the laptop for critical audio work, then a DAC or an audio interface can help.
 
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Lesser Evets

macrumors 68040
Jan 7, 2006
3,527
1,295
That's not how logic boards are made in 2018.

Stop speculating. It looks really silly. Contact Apple or return your machine if you're not happy and wait for news.
They ARE made that way, but they don’t have the amount of solid state parts they used to use. The size is now tiny, as well.

I was an electronics repairman for a decade. I know a certain amount about how electronics are made, break, and repair.

Apple has obviously had engineers on the case, and their opinion is that they have a hardware error. It most likely is.
 

BacToMac

macrumors member
Jun 26, 2009
54
20
I have not had the cracking issue, but I now notice that I get pops when muting and unmuting in iTunes/Apple Music and YouTube. It will do it a couple of times softly, then loudly, then not at all.
 

tehStickMan

macrumors 6502
Jul 19, 2018
341
157
Australia
I have not had the cracking issue, but I now notice that I get pops when muting and unmuting in iTunes/Apple Music and YouTube. It will do it a couple of times softly, then loudly, then not at all.
Check if your speakers hiss, too. Just go into the Sound settings and play the alerts.
 

AlekT

macrumors newbie
Jan 31, 2018
13
27
Is Apple saying it is a hardware issue? Looking through this thread, the general suggestion seems to be that it is likely a software issue. But Apple do seem to be sending out a lot of returns. Does anyone have any direct information from Apple on whether it's software or hardware, or does anyone have specialised knowledge on this?

Personally, I have the crackling, but only experience it on Boot Camp after running Civilization VI for about a half hour. I did not test extensively on Mac OS though. I'm planning on waiting for Mojave and new Boot Camp drivers or new firmware to see if this is fixed by software. If it isn't, I will return it for a replacement under Australian consumer law.
 

tehStickMan

macrumors 6502
Jul 19, 2018
341
157
Australia
Apple isn't saying anything. And they never will.

But they are also acutely aware that this is the second major screw-up that QA missed on $4K machines. And that we all have 14 day return period.
 

Florent

macrumors newbie
Jul 28, 2018
13
3
Montreal
I just received my replacement MBP 13 inch today, a brand new one from shipped from Shanghai, after 10 days of shipping.
All the craziness I've had with videos and kernel panics is gone for now and I can enjoy surfing without random freezes of the computer. Also videos are back on iTunes, not a black screen anymore. I did not hear any crackling (for now...) except the little noise when you press shift key and play with the volume on the Touch Bar. I can live with that.

Let's see in a week or two if it is still the same.
 

Mikedewet

macrumors newbie
Aug 12, 2018
4
0
Strictly speaking there is no more separate SMC in new Macs (see System Info app). It has been integrated inside the T2 with the other controllers.

Apple shows how to reset the "SMC" in T2 Macs. It's not the same method as older systems. So in case you are using the old method, try the new one.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

But I say this will have limited effect until new firmware and drivers are done.


Appreciate this advice man. good to hear this but tell me something , Do you think this is a corrupt time machine causing this or is it an apple issue ?
 

motomotomoto

macrumors regular
Aug 3, 2018
104
43
Is Apple saying it is a hardware issue? Looking through this thread, the general suggestion seems to be that it is likely a software issue. But Apple do seem to be sending out a lot of returns. Does anyone have any direct information from Apple on whether it's software or hardware, or does anyone have specialised knowledge on this?

Personally, I have the crackling, but only experience it on Boot Camp after running Civilization VI for about a half hour. I did not test extensively on Mac OS though. I'm planning on waiting for Mojave and new Boot Camp drivers or new firmware to see if this is fixed by software. If it isn't, I will return it for a replacement under Australian consumer law.


The eacalated support manager who dealt with my case said Apple is aware of this issue, it is a hardware issue and does not effect all units.
 

Mikedewet

macrumors newbie
Aug 12, 2018
4
0
The eacalated support manager who dealt with my case said Apple is aware of this issue, it is a hardware issue and does not effect all units.

Of course my luck i get two units with the problem ahaha. What ended up having with you and your issue ?
 

tehStickMan

macrumors 6502
Jul 19, 2018
341
157
Australia
"Doesn't affect all units"

"I can't see any problem"

"I'm on my third swap and same problem"

"I tested all Apple Store, all have problem"

$5 says this issue is absolutely huge and likely affects something like 75%+ of machines.
 

AdamA9

macrumors 65816
Feb 2, 2010
1,232
355
Appreciate this advice man. good to hear this but tell me something , Do you think this is a corrupt time machine causing this or is it an apple issue ?

I never restored mine from a backup. It has been used from new and has this issue. I highly doubt it's because of a corrupt backup.

The eacalated support manager who dealt with my case said Apple is aware of this issue, it is a hardware issue and does not effect all units.

I got the same message from a senior support manager who my case was escalated to. Apple are saying hardware, people on the forum are saying software.

Who knows. My next one is coming this week so gingers crossed for one of the good ones.
 

michmo

macrumors newbie
Jun 15, 2017
6
16
Vancouver, B.C.
My 2018 15"/512/16 speaker just reduced to half the volume at maximum after a few high pitched noise while watching youtube. Prior to this there were loud pops whenever I click different time line in youtube (70% ish). I was going to return it anyways so I don't care so much. But what a disappointment.
 

fokmik

Suspended
Oct 28, 2016
4,909
4,688
USA
My 2018 15"/512/16 speaker just reduced to half the volume at maximum after a few high pitched noise while watching youtube. Prior to this there were loud pops whenever I click different time line in youtube (70% ish). I was going to return it anyways so I don't care so much. But what a disappointment.
and after even a restart the volume doesn't came up at the normal volume?
 

user3887

macrumors member
Aug 3, 2018
32
6
have had this second 2018 15'' i7 MBP for a week now

with the first...I installed Logic Pro x and only saw issues thereafter...the crackling started in youtube videos around 43mins into a video like clockwork.

Logic Pro x changes audio midi output from 48 000 to 44 100...
this is definitely the issue
at least for me
because
I got the second and checked the audio midi settings
default was 48 000 for the output
computer was fine...apart from small choking hiccupy-ness??? when pausing stating skipping through video

THEN I installed Logic Pro x on the new computer...and worked for a while and quit Logic Pro x
checked audio midi settings...
it had automatically changed to 44 100...I left it at that
later I experienced the crackling while watching a you tube video at around 50mins in...
changed audio midi back to 48 000 and have not had problems with 48 000...not once in a week
but with audio midi output at 44 100 its problems it seems...
so I've got the audio midi settings applications in my dock for now switching between 48 000 for recreational viewing listening
and 44 100 for work in Logic Pro x

anyone willing to give this a test on their machine?
the default is/was 48 000 output
seems fine
44 100 is where the crackling happens...after leaving a long stream or podcast on...45mins in the crackling will start if the computer us just left to play media
might be a power output issue at certain sample rates...??? I don't know

very very disappointed thats all
 

AdamA9

macrumors 65816
Feb 2, 2010
1,232
355
have had this second 2018 15'' i7 MBP for a week now

with the first...I installed Logic Pro x and only saw issues thereafter...the crackling started in youtube videos around 43mins into a video like clockwork.

Logic Pro x changes audio midi output from 48 000 to 44 100...
this is definitely the issue
at least for me
because
I got the second and checked the audio midi settings
default was 48 000 for the output
computer was fine...apart from small choking hiccupy-ness??? when pausing stating skipping through video

THEN I installed Logic Pro x on the new computer...and worked for a while and quit Logic Pro x
checked audio midi settings...
it had automatically changed to 44 100...I left it at that
later I experienced the crackling while watching a you tube video at around 50mins in...
changed audio midi back to 48 000 and have not had problems with 48 000...not once in a week
but with audio midi output at 44 100 its problems it seems...
so I've got the audio midi settings applications in my dock for now switching between 48 000 for recreational viewing listening
and 44 100 for work in Logic Pro x

anyone willing to give this a test on their machine?
the default is/was 48 000 output
seems fine
44 100 is where the crackling happens...after leaving a long stream or podcast on...45mins in the crackling will start if the computer us just left to play media
might be a power output issue at certain sample rates...??? I don't know

very very disappointed thats all

I mentioned this to Apple as during my usage a week at 48,000Hz saw no issues whatsoever. As soon as I switched to 44,100Hz the issues came back almost immediately.
 

fokmik

Suspended
Oct 28, 2016
4,909
4,688
USA
same here...since i am on 48, no issues, thats why i think its 99% soft audio setup issue
Apple should remove 44 entirely ?
 

user3887

macrumors member
Aug 3, 2018
32
6
just don't get it
do you/they have any idea whether it is software or hardware?
cause here in South Africa it is hopeless to try get an answer

have apple said anything...?I can't find much but it slowly seems to be getting picked up by more than the forums

also can't understand why no big tech reviewers noticed this
or apple themselves

just don't get it

for a ''pro'' machine at the price point it should run like Usain bolt

my 2012 is still running okay on high Sierra other than the speakers being done through water damage
[doublepost=1534157113][/doublepost]
same here...since i am on 48, no issues, thats why i think its 99% soft audio setup issue
Apple should remove 44 entirely ?

damn man really really its software

think Logic Pro x and others need updates

they probably will eventually get away from 44 100
but at the moment apple seems a bit of a mess

hope Mojave is a good one for them and all the users
cause on the whole the users are loyal fuss free people who want a machine that simply just works without the stress
 

fokmik

Suspended
Oct 28, 2016
4,909
4,688
USA
the issue that is left on H sierra even on 48 is the pop sound when you mute/unmute a few times on itunes radio etc, or sometimes when you change timeframe on youtube etc...but a user here said that on Mojave beta is already fix..i hope is not lying
 

alriley

macrumors newbie
Jul 1, 2010
7
0
I just spoke to Apple support for the second time after testing the audio on a new test user account. Predictably, exact same issue - audio crackling after ~50 mins of any app playing audio.

I'm already in the middle of a work project so I can't return the machine for at least the next month, but the guy assured me I have a year under warranty so no sweat at this point. I figure I'll wait it out till we have an official answer on what's going on. In the meantime I use an external audio interface for work so I can live with it.

But yeah, disappointed that my £2700 laptop isn't up to basic operating standards. And it's kind of unbelievable that this issue seems to affect the majority of units and got through product testing...
 

fokmik

Suspended
Oct 28, 2016
4,909
4,688
USA
I just spoke to Apple support for the second time after testing the audio on a new test user account. Predictably, exact same issue - audio crackling after ~50 mins of any app playing audio.

I'm already in the middle of a work project so I can't return the machine for at least the next month, but the guy assured me I have a year under warranty so no sweat at this point. I figure I'll wait it out till we have an official answer on what's going on. In the meantime I use an external audio interface for work so I can live with it.

But yeah, disappointed that my £2700 laptop isn't up to basic operating standards. And it's kind of unbelievable that this issue seems to affect the majority of units and got through product testing...
So if you play youtube or itunes for 1 hour the speakers begin to have issues all the time or just 1 crack ? i mean you hear 1 issue every 50 min ? Or after 50 min you can no longer listen?
I suppose the volume doesn’t matter where it is,max middle etc
 
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alriley

macrumors newbie
Jul 1, 2010
7
0
So if you play youtube or itunes for 1 hour the speakers begin to have issues all the time or just 1 crack ? i mean you hear 1 issue every 50 min ? Or after 50 min you can no longer listen?
For me, after about 50 minutes the crackling begins, happens every few seconds, sometimes it repeats the same short chunks of audio. If I close the web browser or iTunes and relaunch then it's fine again for another 50 minutes.
 

CreeptoLoser

Suspended
Jul 28, 2018
369
333
Birmingham, Alabama
They ARE made that way, but they don’t have the amount of solid state parts they used to use. The size is now tiny, as well.

They are assembled most by automated machines with error detection during the design and assembly process. The same can’t be said for firmware and drivers which is still prone to human error.
 
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