Escalating to apple as we speak... also happens on latest version. sending diagnostics videos and sound files.
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New 16" Speakers Popping
- Thread starter jogales
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These small pops are pretty much on all Macs... even my 2018... when starting or scrolling through videos. the ones I have are pops / buzzing that just appears "out" of nowhere.
What did help, is reduce the Hz from 48k to 44m in "Audio Midi Setup" - It seems to make it less frequent / less loud.
I have a bluetooth speaker connected now and will see if that one produces same pops over 24hrs and then will try AirPods...
So far though, even heady benchmarking seems to have no influence... it just happens.
Though, try to use Firefox and play YouTube music / videos. For me that produced more pops as well.
:::COMPREHENSIVE COMMENT:::
I made an account just to comment here.
I know for a fact that it's software related. Latest macOS Monterey 12.2 update. I can easily replicate it by playing ANY audio source, such as music, and then running a cpu intensive task while sound is playing. Even typing in VScode, running scripts, or even while typing this message...
How to replicate:
What I do for the sake of testing is I run a YouTube (Safari and Safari Technical Preview, and MS Edge) video, and then I open my terminal and run a `fzf` (fuzzy finder search) which is very cpu intensive, and when I start searching for things by typing in the base `cd /` directory, it indexes thousands of files quickly, and there is very noticeable audio popping.
Note:
- It doesn't matter if I'm using
- I've tried killing coreaudiod
- tried 44100khz and 48000khz, as well as 96000khz.
- tried low power mode on and off
- tried with no devices connected
- tried with wifi/bluetooth/airplay receiver off
- airplay off
AUDIO POPPING STILL HAPPENS
Soon I will try the developer 12.3 beta.
There is NO POINT in returning a device when it's not device specific... Only software. (IF YOU HAVE THE BUG) This can 100% be replicated by trying out `fzf` searches or doing a CPU intensive benchmark while playing YouTube.
14" M1 Pro 16gb 500gb base model.
Edit: On 12.3 dev beta it appears there is no more audio popping for me at all. Will update again if it comes back.
Edit 2: If you're not having the issue then great. Be thankful! I think you just need to remember that it's a possible software bug that is causing this for some users. Not hardware. The Mac model you have does NOT matter. It also doesn't "only happen when playing X video", because it happens with all audio as I listed above.
In conclusion: There's nothing you can do besides try to update your Mac if you are experiencing this bug.
Returning your Mac does nothing. It's not your Mac. It's the MacOS software.
Not everyone will experience this. Why? Because it's a bug.
I made an account just to comment here.
I know for a fact that it's software related. Latest macOS Monterey 12.2 update. I can easily replicate it by playing ANY audio source, such as music, and then running a cpu intensive task while sound is playing. Even typing in VScode, running scripts, or even while typing this message...
How to replicate:
What I do for the sake of testing is I run a YouTube (Safari and Safari Technical Preview, and MS Edge) video, and then I open my terminal and run a `fzf` (fuzzy finder search) which is very cpu intensive, and when I start searching for things by typing in the base `cd /` directory, it indexes thousands of files quickly, and there is very noticeable audio popping.
Note:
- It doesn't matter if I'm using
headphones (EarPods),
built in speakers,
or bluetooth earbuds (AirPods or AirPods Pro).
- I've tried reinstalling the operating system and running from base Safari while doing a small CPU benchmark.- I've tried killing coreaudiod
- tried 44100khz and 48000khz, as well as 96000khz.
- tried low power mode on and off
- tried with no devices connected
- tried with wifi/bluetooth/airplay receiver off
- airplay off
AUDIO POPPING STILL HAPPENS
Soon I will try the developer 12.3 beta.
There is NO POINT in returning a device when it's not device specific... Only software. (IF YOU HAVE THE BUG) This can 100% be replicated by trying out `fzf` searches or doing a CPU intensive benchmark while playing YouTube.
14" M1 Pro 16gb 500gb base model.
Edit: On 12.3 dev beta it appears there is no more audio popping for me at all. Will update again if it comes back.
Edit 2: If you're not having the issue then great. Be thankful! I think you just need to remember that it's a possible software bug that is causing this for some users. Not hardware. The Mac model you have does NOT matter. It also doesn't "only happen when playing X video", because it happens with all audio as I listed above.
In conclusion: There's nothing you can do besides try to update your Mac if you are experiencing this bug.
Returning your Mac does nothing. It's not your Mac. It's the MacOS software.
Not everyone will experience this. Why? Because it's a bug.
Last edited:
incredible really that Apple, of all companies, can't seem to sort this issue out. Audio popping has been an issue for years and many MBP models.
Just read this thread and its not happening on my 16" M1-Pro 16GB/1TB even while playing the video which the OP posted.
Having the same issue with new MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021).
It even occurs when playing system alert sounds under System Preferences > Sound.
It occurs on battery and while plugged in.
It even occurs when playing system alert sounds under System Preferences > Sound.
It occurs on battery and while plugged in.
I've been following this thread for a few weeks and wanted to join in the annoying problem this is. Before finding this thread, I actually went to the local Genius Bar and they agreed to swap my unit. I agreed and ended up with the same issue. The first machine was newly setup but the second machine was set up from a TM backup. The problem got so bad on Teams and Zoom calls that it affected my daily work. So I decided, let's call Apple and return it if there was no other hope. Here is what was suggested:
- Create a new user account (Administrator)
- Log out of current user
- Reboot
- Log in as new user and test
Just got the 14" M1 Pro Base MacBook Pro and LOVE IT! Anyway, I do not have this issue and recently thought about exchanging it for the 16" but the popping issue is giving me second thoughts.
So after a little over a day of testing, I have been using the original profile and I get the odd crackling but for some reason it isn't as frequent. I think I'll restore and re-install everything from scratch but I'm convinced that this is not hardware.
Yes, you absolutely nailed it. I should have quoted your findings. The trouble is understanding what is causing this bug. It seems to be a combination of things running. I use a lot of Microsoft apps and run Parallels. I don't use any production tools so could it actually be some combination of apps. We may never know but would like to think a Monterey update will actually address it.
I completely agree when you said "the trouble is understanding what is causing this bug". I have tried to do my best to look deep within the files of the kernel for macOS itself and change different values but it never came to a result that I could think "Aha this is it"
I think I have figured it out for me. Parallels 17! In the second profile, I never heard a single pop or crackle. I was configuring each application. Then when I got to setting up my VM's, it was right back. Going back to my original profile, I stopped all VM's and NO MORE CRACKLE! I tried disabling the audio in Parallels but that still didn't help. So the fix may need to come from Parallels and not necessarily Apple.
I don't think this may be the only application causing this because I don't think everyone here is using it so it must be something about some applications. What I'd suggest people do is close all applications except their music app of choice. Then open each application one by one. My guess is you will have no issues with only the music app running.
Now knowing this, I will only use VM's when I will not use music or I will lose my mind! Now I can say that listening to music with the new Apple DAC at 96,000 Hz on my headphones (listed in original post) and it's FANTASTIC. I'll post if I figure anything else out but had to share this news and advice.
I don't think this may be the only application causing this because I don't think everyone here is using it so it must be something about some applications. What I'd suggest people do is close all applications except their music app of choice. Then open each application one by one. My guess is you will have no issues with only the music app running.
Now knowing this, I will only use VM's when I will not use music or I will lose my mind! Now I can say that listening to music with the new Apple DAC at 96,000 Hz on my headphones (listed in original post) and it's FANTASTIC. I'll post if I figure anything else out but had to share this news and advice.
I was prepared to return mine as well after swapping it once. Were you running Parallels?
nope. very vanilla MS Office and safari and pretty much little else. behaviour started again on YT within 5 days of setting up the replacement
TBH, I was thinking it was Office related because I've seen so many quirks between MS and Apple. I actually suspected Teams because it uses audio but so far since I've shut down Parallels, I've not had so much as a pop. I'll report back if it does start and if so, I'm returning mine as well and go back to my 2015 MBP. I'll miss how fast this M1 Pro is if I have to do that!
I've found doing a safe boot then normal boot buys a few days of good behaviour!