Background Static on MBP-SR?

[athimmig]

I just got my MBP-SR 2.4 15" yesterday! Man does it rock. Running games in Bootcamp is amazing... better than my 3 year old PC Desktop.

Anyways, I have noticed that in both MACOSX and Vista that there is a rather noticable amount of background static that is always present regardless of what I am doing. Though I normally would'nt be bothered by this kind of thing, it becomes pretty annoying when listening to music on iTunes or watching Movies.:(

Is this a problem you all have noticed in other MBPs?

What do you all think I should do? Should I bring in my computer to my local apple store? Call tech-support? Or do you think there is nothing they can do?

Thanks for the advice!

:apple:

[mrwizardno2]

I just got my MBP-SR 2.4 15" yesterday! Man does it rock. Running games in Bootcamp is amazing... better than my 3 year old PC Desktop.

Anyways, I have noticed that in both MACOSX and Vista that there is a rather noticable amount of background static that is always present regardless of what I am doing. Though I normally would'nt be bothered by this kind of thing, it becomes pretty annoying when listening to music on iTunes or watching Movies.:(

Is this a problem you all have noticed in other MBPs?

What do you all think I should do? Should I bring in my computer to my local apple store? Call tech-support? Or do you think there is nothing they can do?

Thanks for the advice!

:apple:

Mine does the same thing! I have a pair of Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 pro's that I plug in and the amount of white noise (even when nothing is playing) is REALLY annoying.

[athimmig]

I'm running the Shure e500 earbuds. It would be one thing if it were just a pair of crappy headphones but I use these with my stereo too so I know the problem is the computer.

[Trepex]

likely not the case but I'll throw it out there...

Any chance you have dirty power? I always had this issue in the past and it was so frustrating. A good power regulator fixed it for me.

[athimmig]

Nope, I am running of a monster cable surge protector... I really dont have much of a clue what could be wrong here, but I suppose I will take it to the apple store after work if they are open late.

[catachip]

I have the same problem on a new SR MacBook Pro. I'll notice the buzz/static will start when a sound is played (with a click right before the the sound), and then the humm will continue after the sound/music etc. stops for about 60 seconds and then go silent. If you look through the forums you'll see its a common problem with these new ones, I don't think you'll be lucky enough to get it fixed with a replacement. Sounds like shielding on the sound card is not good enough and is causing interference.

[athimmig]

Has anybody talked/dealt with apple tech support or one of the stores about this problem?

[jmilliron]

I've heard this in reviews.

I'm guessing a USB audio adapter would sound awesome though. This thing has always gotten rave reviews:

HeadRoom Total BitHead
http://www.dansdata.com/bithead.htm
http://www.headphone.com/products/things-on-sale/headroom-total-bithead-clear.php

Not sure what other options there are.

EDIT:
looks like there are some much less expensive (and smaller) options,
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/home.aspx

Not sure on quality but Turtle Beach is a legit company.

[kinetik]

I hear lots of interference with my new SR MBP, too. Unfortunately, when the analog audio components (the jack, wiring) are poorly shielded, they become VERY susceptible to noise. This is a common thing with laptops where the components are all crammed together, but it's a bummer (understatement) that it happens with Apple's "professional" line of $2000+ notebooks.

Alternatives are to use an external D/A converter (USB audio interface, USB speakers, or ExpressCard audio interface - if they make those?). Or class action. Heh.

[athimmig]

What a bummer. I still think I call up apple tech support tonight and see what their official word is.

[DarthTreydor]

wow. that really sucks. does everyone seem to be having this problem? i was planning on getting one but now i'm not so sure. i do a lot of serious audio editing and and this could be a major problem. it wouldn't be a problem at home because i plan on using my firewire mbox for audio outs, but the reason i wanted go with a MBP instead of a mac pro is so i can take my work with me and do mixing/mastering on the go through my headphones. but if the audio out sucks then there's no point.


any word on whether applecare covers this?

[rogerh]

Yep, I get this problem on my Sennheiser HD595s also.. pretty annoying.

[jamminph88]

i am having a similar problem, and the genius at the apple store could not help wiht it...any suggestions?

[jmilliron]

Anyone try a USB audio adapter yet? Quality and background noise significantly improved?

[r1400sch]

I wanna revive this thread..

Has anyone gotten results with calling apple?
I have this problem too. Stupid static, sometimes even a beeping similar to the one they give u on hearing tests, in the background. It goes off and on randomly...very strange. Anyone else have this?
I don't exactly wanna get the computer replaced for it as i've just started to get everything else running smoothly...solutions???

[brettanderson]

I noticed this problem on my SR MBP as well, however I realised it only occured when I had a second monitor plugged into the DVI port. When I took the second monitor out, the static stopped. I switched the outlet that my second monitor was plugged into and the static is gone.

[r1400sch]

hmmm....well itdoesnt seem to be a power problem for me...happens while running on battery power too. Unless the battery is faulty itself?

[brettanderson]

Is there anything else plugged into your MBP, like an external hard drive etc. When I heard static, the first thing I did was unplug the laptop to see if it was due to the plug. It didn't immediately occur to me that the static could come from the secondary monitor's plug.

[r1400sch]

nope...nothin else. i think the problem is either in the OS or in the hardware...pretty sure its not external at this point.

[Freyqq]

idk..i have the 2.2 ghz version. I plugged in some headphones and put it on max volume in osx. I didn't hear any static.

[miniConvert]

Also affects mine if I put headphones in. It doesn't annoy me if there's constant sound, only if there are odd application beeps as then you notice the static for several seconds afterwards before it cuts off back to silence.

I'd imagine the issue affects all, or at least nearly all, of the new MBPs. I'm guessing the sound is on-board, so perhaps it's endemic of the new SR logic boards? Anyway, I can imagine it would be annoying to audio professionals in particular and as such I'd encourage people to log it with Apple as a fault. I'll try and do so myself if I get time.

Having never had an Apple laptop I didn't really consider this to actually be a fault. Fortunately I virtually never wear headphones. I guess the rest of you aren't so lucky.

[rogerh]

I hope theres a fix or replacement available soon!

I use my headphones every day at home AND work... The static/interference is making me go crazy. :mad:

[aliquis-]

As others have said in it's mentioned in the review, and it seems quite a lot of you have it so maybe it's not just an accident/only on some mbps :(

Damn, why can't Apple make a computer I can buy?

Not that i expect much from integreated sound cards, but the intel 965 chipset are supposed to have quite good sound doesn't it? Atleast in features.

Having to use an USB one suck, Apple should make sure their ****ing computers work instead.

Also since the MBP only comes with 2 usb slots in 15.4" case it will look like **** with that usb hub, keyboard, mouse, usb sound, printer, scanner, memory card reader, eventually a burner which doesn't suck, hdd, ..

[nateDEEZY]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple/os-10410-snap-crackle-pop-271672.php

[Hundo]

I'm glad... sort of... that I'm not the only one with this problem. I just purchased a new 2.2GHz MBP and received it yesterday and although I love the computer, this static is really annoying. I may call Apple but I doubt they'd do anything about it.

[afultz075]

Apple is replacing mine because of it. Apparently i'm one of the first people to phone in about the issue.

[Hundo]

Well then... I will have to call them.

Also, something I forgot to ask. I know apple says the headphone jack is for analog and optical, and I assume normal headphone operate through analog. Has anyone tried something that is optical through it? (I don't know if it would make a difference, but I have no way of checking and was curious.)

EDIT: I had tried some older, and in my opinion crappier, headphones and I actually didn't get any static, but when I try my $50 Sony earbuds or my original iPod headphones I still get static. I have no idea what it going on anymore.

[dordal]

Its definitely the laptop. I just tried my old PBG4 next to the new SR MBP. No static on the G4, there is plenty of it on the MBP.

Any word on repairs yet?

[randfee2]

Hey, I have the same problem!
The static is almost 3dB louder than on the C2D 2,16GHz I have standing right next to it! This sucks!
Using headphones at low volumes drives me mad!!!

Did anyone notice that the internal speakers are crap compared to the ones in the prior versions back to the Powerbook too? They also suck! Hm... get it replaced or not... why does it take forever!


I don't know if they will fix it with a firmware anytime soon or not. Got this MBP 2,4GHz today and don't wanna wait another 3 weeks to get a replacement! Damn!

[polycat33]

How loud is the sound you guys are hearing? I noticed it myself on my 3 week old MPB when the music was on pause and I clicked something, that a little sound would come on and then turn off again a little after the click. Doesn't bother me at all during music though cause it's SUPER quiet... are some people getting a significantly loud sound? I just listened closely during the fade out at the end of a song and I could really only hear it when there was no sound playing in the headphones.

Has anyone tried that USB thing?

[ardent11]

How is this situation going? I just noticed mine tonight as I was listening to music late at night in my room, volume was up one notch and I could hear it through my iPod headphones annoyingly! Especially when a song faded out.

Will Apple replace the laptop?

[r1400sch]

Has anyone tried using audio through USB port?
How bout through optical out?

Is there any improvement?
I'm really not in the mood to return my MBP as everything else besides this is fine...and I dont wanna risk getting a yellow or flickering screen, etc.

[r1400sch]

Come on...someone out there has got to have tried that???

[dordal]

Come on...someone out there has got to have tried that???

I did last night. USB audio is fine (this was with a Turtle Beach USB audio card). No static. So its the internal source.

I'm still waiting to hear if anyone has sucessfully had thier static problem fixed by Apple....

D

[topher2889]

I just ran software update today and it showed an audio update for MB's that said was to fix a problem with background static. I installed it, but not sure if it works as I have not actually experienced this problem in the past.

[phalewhale]

I just ran software update today and it showed an audio update for MB's that said was to fix a problem with background static. I installed it, but not sure if it works as I have not actually experienced this problem in the past.

I too have this problem with my new MacBook. If the MacBook is plugged into the mains all is fine but if I unplug it to let the battery drain, I find that my external speakers give off a low level hum which is really annoying!

As soon as I plug the power adapter back into my MacBook, it goes away.

It never did this on my iBook, or the Dell 6400 inspiron I had. Any ideas? I definately think it's the laptop!

However, the updates have not done anything for me.

[r1400sch]

Hmm,
So today I took mine into the genius bar...the guy actually replaced it even tho he said he really couldnt hear it. So...im on me new model, in a more silent setting, and the noise persists (gaaaah :( ... ).

Maybe this is thing is widespread in more models than we think, but only some people who use their MBPs in very silent setting or have good hearing are noticing it?

Hmm...well at least they didnt make me pay anything for the replacement. Suppose I'll be picking up a USB headphone jack thingy some time soon.

[brettanderson]

Hmm,
So today I took mine into the genius bar...the guy actually replaced it even tho he said he really couldnt hear it. So...im on me new model, in a more silent setting, and the noise persists (gaaaah :( ... ).

Maybe this is thing is widespread in more models than we think, but only some people who use their MBPs in very silent setting or have good hearing are noticing it?

Hmm...well at least they didnt make me pay anything for the replacement. Suppose I'll be picking up a USB headphone jack thingy some time soon.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some variation in the quality of shielding for audio out on the MBP. I use mine strictly for audio work and I don't hear any static even when hooking the audio out to studio monitors and large PA systems. If there was any static on my particular MBP I would definitely notice.

[randfee2]

Guys, this thing has a very loud static level!!! Listen to this! I played back in iTunes hitting pause a couple of times and scroll through it once!
It is NOT(!!) the audio file doing that! Notice the beeping and periodical noise level?!? This sucks when using low impedance headphones!!!

http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/megajoule/temp/rauschenundpiepen.mov

[dordal]

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some variation in the quality of shielding for audio out on the MBP. I use mine strictly for audio work and I don't hear any static even when hooking the audio out to studio monitors and large PA systems. If there was any static on my particular MBP I would definitely notice.

I've done a bit more testing, and it seems to be a problem with low-impedance headphones. My guess is that your studio monitors and PA systems are high impedance.

For those that are brave, this thread shows how to make a device that may help:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=201098

I haven't tried it yet myself.

[dordal]

Another update. Went to Apple store today, along with my good headphones (Shure E3C). Tried two 15" MPBs, both build week 21, and both had the static problem. I think it may be endemic to the line, and that the people who claim they don't have it are simply using speakers or high-impedance headphones.... Or they just have bad hearing.... :-)

[randfee2]

LOL.... that's exactly the type of filter I built yesterday! Seems I won't have to describe how to build one since this guy already did it :) It works of course (simple electrical law) but it sucks that they had to crank up the output power and yet the base hiss on the MBPs!!!

easy!
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8305http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=201098

[phalewhale]

Another update. Went to Apple store today, along with my good headphones (Shure E3C). Tried two 15" MPBs, both build week 21, and both had the static problem. I think it may be endemic to the line, and that the people who claim they don't have it are simply using speakers or high-impedance headphones.... Or they just have bad hearing.... :-)

Well, I've done a few more tests with my new MacBook too. IT seems this humming noise starts EXACTLY 30 seconds after pulling the mains. It seems this is to do with the switch over to battery power. It happens every time, 30 seconds in. This is a bit of a pain in the a$$.

One thing is for sure, my old G4 iBook never did that. I'm seriously considering taking this MacBook back and getting a refund. This is unworkable for me.

[aliquis-]

Guys, this thing has a very loud static level!!! Listen to this! I played back in iTunes hitting pause a couple of times and scroll through it once!
It is NOT(!!) the audio file doing that! Notice the beeping and periodical noise level?!? This sucks when using low impedance headphones!!!

http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/megajoule/temp/rauschenundpiepen.movOh my that was just awful, much worse than I would had expected from the descriptions.

[Tasc]

I've got some low-level static as well and also sometimes some faint strange electronic tones (think R2D2) that sometimes sound when starting/stopping audio. A reviewer on macintouch.com also acknowledges the static/noise problem and unfortunately attributes it to hardware design:

http://www.macintouch.com/reviews/mbp15led/

Issues
Audio Noise

Noise from the headphone port (first identified by a MacInTouch reader) is a real problem, which has three components, we found in testing with sound-isolating headphones:

First, a very quiet hiss is present whenever the laptop is awake with headphones plugged in. It's on the same scale as the hiss we noted in the aluminum iPod Shuffle, so many people will never notice it.

A greater problem is a quiet but ubiquitous static. It is present only when the audio circuitry is working, and ceases within a second of pausing iTunes or QuickTime player. It is easily masked by music but shows itself during quiet passages.

The last component is an intermittent high-pitched noise. We've heard four distinct pitches, but never more than one at a time; it varies from a high tone to a faint whine. It goes away within five or six seconds of pausing iTunes; we believe this is when the audio circuitry turns off to save power. We cannot consistently cause the high pitched noise to happen, nor affect the pitch. We cannot trigger it with hard drive activity, spin-up or spin-down, display or keyboard brightness, or display activity. We assume it is caused by interference from other components within the machine.

These audio problems probably can't be solved without a hardware redesign, which is disappointing, given Apple's previous audio quality. If audio playback (or recording) is critical to your work, you'll probably need something like an external USB or FireWire audio interface. (We didn't test digital output from the headphone port.)