Shameful. It is at best unethical that they continue to sell computers with a fault (that they have known about for 6 months). It ought to be illegal to sell them without a warning.
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MacBook Pro 2018 - Speakers Crackling
- Thread starter jaack
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Shameful. It is at best unethical that they continue to sell computers with a fault (that they have known about for 6 months). It ought to be illegal to sell them without a warning.
Well I'm waiting on my third unit, so I'll report back on that front.
The second unit had worse speaker hiss than the first. The other issues like glitching and popping remained.
The second unit had worse speaker hiss than the first. The other issues like glitching and popping remained.
Installed it on a new partition to test it before downloading to my working volume, noticed this too...
Recommend people do the same... Create a 30 gig new partition and clean install High Sierra on the new partition and use Internet Recovery to instal to that new partition. (Shift+Option+CMD+R installs the OS that came with your machine. Unfortunately, this won't install earlier versions than Security Update 002).
Boot into it then install the new security updates and test...
Also, I hate sounding like a broken record but File A Complaint with Customer Relations...
And when they get to the part of their spiel about "submitting feedback to Apple" tell them your feedback is too long and ask to send them a written statement of feedback.
(This is where my case is now... I'm submitting a lengthy written document outlining to issue with PDFs of every thread I can find, then submitting all of it to the Customer Relations agent.)
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I have a 2018 15” MBP w/ i7 & 560X and I have only ever heard the macbook speakers crackle when playing Cities Skylines and the game is really stressing the system. No other application makes the crackling sound, even ones that push the system as hard. It is not so bad that I want to return it, just an occasional crackle under heavy load.
I had a problem with speaker hiss out of the headphone jack at first when I setup my eGPU but I traced the problem back to my monitor’s built in speakers. External speakers (with better electrical isolation) don’t exhibit the problem. Don’t forget to check everything, even speakers and monitors that work fine with other systems.
I had a problem with speaker hiss out of the headphone jack at first when I setup my eGPU but I traced the problem back to my monitor’s built in speakers. External speakers (with better electrical isolation) don’t exhibit the problem. Don’t forget to check everything, even speakers and monitors that work fine with other systems.
My 3rd MBP (vega20) just arrived. Exactly the same issues.
I've now had:
Either I'm extremely unlucky, or 100% of 2018 line is affected in some way, and people just can't hear it.
I've now had:
- 3x MBP2018 15in
- 1x MBP2018 13in, with all the issues, but I think some of the crackling/distortion was fixed in update. It has hiss definitely, and still bugged audio
- 2x 2016 MBPs I encountered in Apple shops
- MBP2017 15in that had hiss
Either I'm extremely unlucky, or 100% of 2018 line is affected in some way, and people just can't hear it.
Since you believe that 100% of 2018 MacBook Pros are affected, it seems that requesting multiple replacements would meet Einstein's definition of insanity.
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I want to try them out in the store, there's actually quite a bit of destructive testing I want to do on them. See what is what. But yeah agreed, I have had faults on all mine, apart from the 2016 MBPs, they didn't have the coreid overload, that just crashed whenever I did something heavy with the graphics like using illustrator
On my machine (Vega 20), I've noticed that there's an audible crackle whenever changing volume with both built-in speakers and headphones.
However, if I launch a DAW (either Logic or Propellerhead Reason) this stops occurring. As soon as I quit the app, the issue returns.
Not sure what's happening...
However, if I launch a DAW (either Logic or Propellerhead Reason) this stops occurring. As soon as I quit the app, the issue returns.
Not sure what's happening...
Mojave or HS? And how long are you playing for?
A lot of people, (including myself), find the same behavior. The issue doesn't show up unless continuously playing sound for about an hour. I can make the issue show up in any application that plays sound as long as I leave sound playing continuously for an hour or more... I'm not finding CPU impacting the issue, I can just have iTunes playing, nothing else and the issue will kick in after about an hour of music playing. As soon as I quit all applications it goes away for another hour then comes back.
I also notice that if I have iTunes playing but hit pause before the issue starts, it resets whatever "timer" causes the issue to kick in. Then it's another hour or so wait before I see the problem again. For me it's been consistent to the point of predicting when it starts...
Not saying your machine's behavior isn't different, especially if you're on Mojave... There are a lot of users though who describe the issue starting after an extended period of time, many of which also find CPU isn't influencing whether the issue shows up. This may be what separates HS's behavior from Mojave's...
Are you using thunderbolt for audio? With an interface the behavior may be different. AFAIC though the real issue is that this insanely expensive laptop has issues with its own hardware, hardware that's part of the price tag... Incredibly unethical..
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I see this too. Even on the restored volume I mentioned a page or two back where the issue has mostly gone away... Although the bursts of distortion, (what most people call crackle), are gone I do get weird little pops when adjusting the volume.
Also get pops when playing back short 'one shot' audio samples in a wave editor, typically when the sample finishes playing. Makes editing audio pretty frustrating... It's not due to sounds not fading to the zero crossing either, I've checked...
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I had the same thing happen when using High Sierra. When the crackling occurs after about 45 minutes of playing music (almost exactly to the minute), I hit pause right before or when the crackling sound happens, then immediately hit play again, and it plays for awhile and then comes back. Maybe a caching problem or buffer issue?
I went to Mojave, and so far it "seems" to fix that issue (not totally sure still). I think it might be a T2 issue, but when I talked to Apple support, they (of course) did not agree. Again, they said that updating will probably resolve the issue...but...currently, I prefer High Sierra due to some software I use.
UNLESS someone sues Apple, this probably will not be taken care of.
I am not a big supporter of being "sue happy", but if apple knows about the issue (and will not fix it for High Sierra), then that might go against some consumer laws about working when bought "out-of-the-box" policy. Not an acceptable solution to "just update".
If apple released the MacBook Pro 2018 later with Mojave, probably there may not be a case of the crackling since it is "sum-what" fixed so far with Mojave updates. I personally am glad that they released this model with High Sierra due to still some 32-bit support, but they should at least fix High Sierra also.
You cannot tell me (apple) that it is not fixable in High Sierra. Mojave is an extension of High Sierra. It might also (thought) to be something with the "snapshot" backup or something with the new format. But...nevertheless, they should fix the issue regardless. Why do they think they are not obligated to fix this? $4,000 plus laptop...?
Heh, yeah, this is the 'audio pop and crackle' thing.
Try it on youtube video, while spamming the volume. The volume feedback stream will get muted at points, and the youtube audio stream will get massively garbled.
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If 100% of products are affected, that would warrant a total product recall. But zero word from Apple so far.
I mean, if you wanna buy possible entirely faulty products and put up with it, that's your prerogative.
My reason too, but this might be a lost cause because apple has given plenty of warning that 32-bit apps will have issues or stop working when Mojave matures or is the last OS is work with 32-bit apps.
My 32-bit app that is most important to me is an apple (older) product that they have made clear that they ended any support for it. So I am out-of-luck.
it shouldn't affect you in any way. In fact, some of apple's own apps or system elements are 32bit
I use iDVD that has issues with metal 2 and has become non-fuctional with every Mojave update.
iDVD is old....yes, but I have clients who still use hard media (non-U.S. countries).
Apple made it crystal clear that they have no thought period about or care any longer about hard media (cd,dvd, blu-ray etc.). Goes against their business plan. Understand...but they axed the technology too early. Many non-U.S. countries still use it, even in 2019.
Not everyone desires or wants all cloud or streaming base internet dependant service. As an option of many is good...but not the only and forced because Apple had a "beef" with Sony back in the day.
Anyway, no good third party alternatives. myDVD and others apps look like kid toy stuff and does not compare to iDVD. Awesome app in the day, but sadly had its day.
All of that said, I have little hope beyond High Sierra to be able to use any of my 32-bit audio stuff with the 15" MacBook Pro 2018. Have to use older systems for it. Tried VMWare etc., but audio issues occur in simulation apps.
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Lookit, there's a new article. They haven't added 1 + 1 together to make 2 yet, but, we have some new attention on MBP speaker problem.
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/06/adobe-premiere-pro-blown-out-macbook-pro-speakers/
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/06/adobe-premiere-pro-blown-out-macbook-pro-speakers/
Apple's T2 proving troublesome for some professional audio interface users.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/19...e-for-some-professional-audio-interface-users
http://appleinsider.com/articles/19...e-for-some-professional-audio-interface-users
Interesting. I wonder it is a particular setting with the timing on sampling. I use 44,100 but I think some people also use 48,000. So far, never had any of the T2 issues (pops and crashes) that seems to bother others.
To anyone not sure about how to test the speakers buzz , bursts or crackling, here is what I did to reproduce it every time:
I am a pro audio User and use among other DAW's Logic Pro X.
- Open Logic pro X
- In the audio preferences put your latency buffer size to 64 Samples.
- Load an Alchemy Patch (heavy one) Instrument track
- Put a Hi CPU reverb as an insert. (Chromaverb)
- Record let's say 8 bars of this sound
- Loop this 8 bars and play it back
While playing the track (let it be in Record Armed mode), Open youtube and play a video.
The buzz should happen but beware of your speakers volume as it could blow them!
This is of course on the internal speakers as a sound output device @ a 44.1 Khz sample rate
I returned my 6 core 2.6 after experimenting this as an accident (looking at a Logic Pro X tutorial while my Logic Pro was open)
Was able to reproduce the loud bursts (LOUD buzz sounds) and sample rate sync error messages each and every time.I am pretty reluctant to buy anything T2 related after this...
I can't believe I sold my 2015 Quad 2.5 4 core for this machine...
Good luck everybody.
I am a pro audio User and use among other DAW's Logic Pro X.
- Open Logic pro X
- In the audio preferences put your latency buffer size to 64 Samples.
- Load an Alchemy Patch (heavy one) Instrument track
- Put a Hi CPU reverb as an insert. (Chromaverb)
- Record let's say 8 bars of this sound
- Loop this 8 bars and play it back
While playing the track (let it be in Record Armed mode), Open youtube and play a video.
The buzz should happen but beware of your speakers volume as it could blow them!
This is of course on the internal speakers as a sound output device @ a 44.1 Khz sample rate
I returned my 6 core 2.6 after experimenting this as an accident (looking at a Logic Pro X tutorial while my Logic Pro was open)
Was able to reproduce the loud bursts (LOUD buzz sounds) and sample rate sync error messages each and every time.I am pretty reluctant to buy anything T2 related after this...
I can't believe I sold my 2015 Quad 2.5 4 core for this machine...
Good luck everybody.
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Has this been fixed with the 10.14.3 Supplemental update? It seemed pretty hefty at 900MB+ just for a FaceTime fix?
I just picked up a quad-core 13 Pro Yesterday (I mainly do FCP X and Lightroom). Waiting nervously now on while a custom order 15-inch Vega 20 comes.
Have been trying to get any pops or crackles with no luck today??? play music from Spotify and iTunes for over an hour, all g
Opened Logic Pro X up and followed Krubbadoo instructions ( I think, I haven't used Logic for ages). Tried with Headphones also...
Ha ha, ohh ****, literally after typing this I get random popping in headphones just swiping the mouse around with the youtube website, its like rollover states on links/buttons are triggering the pops. Can't get any playing videos as yet
I just picked up a quad-core 13 Pro Yesterday (I mainly do FCP X and Lightroom). Waiting nervously now on while a custom order 15-inch Vega 20 comes.
Have been trying to get any pops or crackles with no luck today??? play music from Spotify and iTunes for over an hour, all g
Opened Logic Pro X up and followed Krubbadoo instructions ( I think, I haven't used Logic for ages). Tried with Headphones also...
Ha ha, ohh ****, literally after typing this I get random popping in headphones just swiping the mouse around with the youtube website, its like rollover states on links/buttons are triggering the pops. Can't get any playing videos as yet
I agree the supplemental update seemed suspiciously weighty to just include a Facetime fix. There's no change in T2 firmware, but (wishful thinking) I would love Apple to give us detailed release notes.