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2011 MacBook Pro: headphone jack still hissing?

2011 macbook pro audio out jack hissing

This is the second MBP i7: right out of the box both have loud hissing from the o/p jack. Speakers are ok but also have that unbalanced level out. More o/p from right side than left. But the hissing. Very bad indeed. I think I will just get my money back this time. Sell Apple stock.
 
Strange one... I have been using the previous generation MBP 15", looks just like the 2011 version I now have. The previous Macbook had no hiss at all, I have the MBP connected to a display that has speakers inside.

So, I hook up the new 2011 MBP, and, hiss! Hook up old MBP, no hiss.

Just for fun, I decided (since I have dozens) to try a new 3.5mm audio cable. Hiss went away on the new MBP!

So, I guess the moral is you never know. Even though the old one did not hiss with the old cable, a new cable fixed the new one. Go figure.
 
hi guys, i just noticed a sound problem, but not quite hissing.

once in a while, i would notice my speakers go pop. there is no hissing when there is no sound/music playing.

i tried to do the test where i play a sound n leave it for 20 seconds in an effort ot try to see if its because of the sound circuitry turning off, but it doesnt seem like it either.

what do u lot thing?
 
My 2007 15" MBP did hiss quite loud. My 2002 Powerbook G4 was a lot quieter, but still not something I'd consider noise- and hiss-free.

I'll test my 2011 13" MBA to see if the noise performance improves.

Just wondering, does the connection of an AC adaptor make any difference? Was the battery charging? I think these factors "may" affect any noise caused by the circuitry. Also, I would think hard drive based models "may" produce more electrical noise (in addition to mechanical noise) compared to SSD's, due to the motor that spins the disks. Also, were you using the SuperDrive? I would also try to shut down as many side components as I can, such as Bluetooth, AirPort and USB devices, just to test if the noise characteristics changes.
 
After weeks of usage, I can safely say that the 15" 2011 MBP does not hiss at all with 80 ohm headphones. As for 50 ohm ones, I have used them less often, but the hiss is so feint that I have to focus real hard on the hiss to notice it (never noticed it once in regular usage). Very pleased 😀.

I bought the 13" 2011 MBP too but have yet to test the headphone jack. This machine is a neat little gem... few "gadgets" trigger this feeling in me (not even the 15"). Hopefully it won't be affected.

GoSUV said:
Just wondering, does the connection of an AC adaptor make any difference? Was the battery charging? I think these factors "may" affect any noise caused by the circuitry. Also, I would think hard drive based models "may" produce more electrical noise (in addition to mechanical noise) compared to SSD's, due to the motor that spins the disks. Also, were you using the SuperDrive? I would also try to shut down as many side components as I can, such as Bluetooth, AirPort and USB devices, just to test if the noise characteristics changes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Should I encounter any hiss on the 13", I will give those suggestions a try as well.
 
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Plugged in my in ear headphones today into my new MBP 2011 17".
To my horror I hear this really loud white noise whenever the audio card is on.
Never had this issue with other devices.

It's like the thing is outputting at max volume, even though its set at the lowest.
Is there anyway to crank down the output of the card?

I have this pair of headphones:
http://www.maximoproducts.com/imetal/iP-HS5.php
 
lol, you guys are so dramatic.

if you care this much about background noise, get a dedicated DAC like the rest of us.

the audio chipset in the MBP is armature at best anyway. even at its best, cans will never sound as good as with an external dac/amp combo.
 
adrian1480 said:
lol, you guys are so dramatic.

if you care this much about background noise, get a dedicated DAC like the rest of us.

the audio chipset in the MBP is armature at best anyway. even at its best, cans will never sound as good as with an external dac/amp combo.
Click to expand...

I just bought a top of the line $2.5k notebook, I shouldn't have to carry around a USB dongle to play some music.
It's not really a problem with dance music, but stuff like jazz is just a pain to listen too.
 
I have used the 13" 2011 MBP (i7) for 6 days with 80 ohm headphones only. I didn't notice any hiss as the testing environment wasn't quiet enough, but the annoying clicks are definitely present. As with the 2010 version, it's the audio circuitry switching on or off that triggers it, very clearly.

That was with an SSD (Corsair F120, not Apple's), on battery, not charging, Wi-Fi on, Bluetooth off.

No such problem on the 15" (same SSD, Wi-Fi on, Bluetooth off). Music and human voices also sound fuller, clearer on the 15".

In a nutshell, having tested a 2011 15" and both a 2010 and a 2011 13": the 15" audio is perfect. No need for an external DAC + amp. On the other hand, the 13" hisses with 50 ohm headphones (2010 version at least), but not with 80 ohm ones (2010 and 2011), though clicks are clearly audible with both (2010 and 2011).

I'm glad the 15" is mine and the 13" goes to my mom 😉.

niteriderxp said:
I just bought a top of the line $2.5k notebook, I shouldn't have to carry around a USB dongle to play some music.
Click to expand...
+1
 
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I hate to bring up an old thread but I have this issue to its worst extent with my 2011 15" mbp. My earphones are Schoche IDR655m.
Just for the sake of it, I tried my iPhone's stock earphones and I can here no noise at all. perfect silence.
Can anybody confirm this?
 
I think the experience varies with different machines. I can only seem to hear a slight very low hiss with my 21 ohm IEMs; otherwise I don't hear anything.
 
MBP 15" 2011 here, and well, my results are that I don't get any hissing in headphones, but if I link it up to an external speaker, it's definitely hissing due to grounding issues.

Solutions I've attempted (and worked)
1. Using the 3-pin MagSafe adapter: Solved *most* of the hissing issues for me
(Therefore its grounding problem)
2. Moving the External Speaker and MagSafe adapter to the same power outlet: The hissing was 95% gone
3. Avoid getting in contact with any other electronic component that is not grounded in the same spot as my MBP and speaker = No hissing! ^_^

Also, factors that decide on this:
1. Cables connected to the MBP. I used to have an Ethernet cable connected, but it also caused hissing due to the fact that the router isn't on the same power outlet as my speaker and MBP. Removing the cables solves the problem.
2. You. I mean, me. If I am touching the MBP, and I'm touching something else (like my home server, which is just under my desk, or the roomba) it would start hissing. Possibly because I'm grounding the MBP. ;D
3. Where you plug your power adapter.
4. Your audio equipment.

Headphones aren't grounded (or are grounded via my MBP), so there's no problem. Also, if you don't want to move the power... just disconnect all cables, including MagSafe. Solves problem 🙂

Its just grounding issues for me, but well, everyone's laptop is different unfortunately. Or so it seems 😛
 
Here's some anecdotal evidence of my own... Plugged my Apple headsets, first the standard iPhone-type open set, then the silicone hatted in-ear headset into my 2011 MBP 13", booted up Spotify and started listening to Biosphere's Substrata album.

There's a fairly nasty static pop when first plugging in the headphone connector, but that's likely more the fault of the connector than anything else since it's not grounded immediately when inserted (my iPhone does the same thing).

Then there was a very slight pop when first pressing play. It did not subsequently come back after pausing and re-starting the music. I can detect no particular background hiss that I consider out of the ordinary - even when turning up the volume to max (pausing the music so I don't wreck my ears. 😛)

There's some background noise at my place from the ventilation and so on, but that's pretty much blocked out completely by the silicone in-ear phones.

So at least when using Apple's own - probably not exactly top-of-the-line (but stylishly overpriced, lol) offerings, you should get a good listening experience on my particular model at least. I'm currently running the computer grounded by the way by using the extension cord to my charger, since that makes me more comfortable.
 
jimmie32 said:
MBP 15" 2011 here, and well, my results are that I don't get any hissing in headphones, but if I link it up to an external speaker, it's definitely hissing due to grounding issues.

Solutions I've attempted (and worked)
1. Using the 3-pin MagSafe adapter: Solved *most* of the hissing issues for me
(Therefore its grounding problem)
2. Moving the External Speaker and MagSafe adapter to the same power outlet: The hissing was 95% gone
3. Avoid getting in contact with any other electronic component that is not grounded in the same spot as my MBP and speaker = No hissing! ^_^

Also, factors that decide on this:
1. Cables connected to the MBP. I used to have an Ethernet cable connected, but it also caused hissing due to the fact that the router isn't on the same power outlet as my speaker and MBP. Removing the cables solves the problem.
2. You. I mean, me. If I am touching the MBP, and I'm touching something else (like my home server, which is just under my desk, or the roomba) it would start hissing. Possibly because I'm grounding the MBP. ;D
3. Where you plug your power adapter.
4. Your audio equipment.

Headphones aren't grounded (or are grounded via my MBP), so there's no problem. Also, if you don't want to move the power... just disconnect all cables, including MagSafe. Solves problem 🙂

Its just grounding issues for me, but well, everyone's laptop is different unfortunately. Or so it seems 😛
Click to expand...

For me none of these factors have any effect. Right now my MBP is on a mattress with nothing connected to it and I can still here a loud hissing. The same headphones are silent when connected to an iPhone.

It's shocking to me that such fundamental flaw hasn't been really documented by the press. Problems far less widespread than this have made headline, just look at iPhone 4 antennagate.
you'd think Apple would have solved this basic grounding problem after 3 years of making unibody MBPs. it's even more amazing that Macs are considered the de facto standard in the music and film industry despite having this widespread flaw.
Don't get me wrong, I'm 99% happy with my MBP; but it's not reasonable to pay $2000 for a laptop that you can't use to listen to music.
 
It varies between every person's MBP really. Some people have grounding issues that are related to cables, some others don't and have other problems...

It is sad, really, paying nearly 2k for a MBP which, well, "Pro". If this was a MacBook (which, ironically, doesn't have such issues, at least not my '10 model), I'd say, well, $1k, whatever, but a Pro machine shouldn't have these issues.

As for the press problem, iPhone is like a really popular topic to talk about right now. Macs, not so much - Apple has been shifting focus away from them, and being more iOS-centric (as demonstrated by Lion).

Though, I just tried today, the laptop speakers do have unbalanced sound in some degree. It is noticeable if you try hard, like slightly shifted to the right..Strange, but anyway, I'll be happy with my external speaker. As long as its properly grounded.

Anyway, I'm happy with my MBP too - nothing is perfect anyway.
Lets hope the 2012 revision solves these issues. ;D
 
jimmie32 said:
It varies between every person's MBP really. Some people have grounding issues that are related to cables, some others don't and have other problems...

It is sad, really, paying nearly 2k for a MBP which, well, "Pro". If this was a MacBook (which, ironically, doesn't have such issues, at least not my '10 model), I'd say, well, $1k, whatever, but a Pro machine shouldn't have these issues.

As for the press problem, iPhone is like a really popular topic to talk about right now. Macs, not so much - Apple has been shifting focus away from them, and being more iOS-centric (as demonstrated by Lion).

Though, I just tried today, the laptop speakers do have unbalanced sound in some degree. It is noticeable if you try hard, like slightly shifted to the right..Strange, but anyway, I'll be happy with my external speaker. As long as its properly grounded.

Anyway, I'm happy with my MBP too - nothing is perfect anyway.
Lets hope the 2012 revision solves these issues. ;D
Click to expand...

Exactly. it's sad how every company is pulling away from the pc/laptop market. IBM did this a few years ago. HP did it today and Apple is doing it gradually.
I guess the only solutions are to either take back the laptop and hope that the replacement isn't faulty or shell out $50 for a USB DAC or a set of speaker with optical input.
 
Radio Shack Volume Control

Hiss occurs when the headphone is so sensitive (low in impedance) that it transmits the intrinsic noise in the sound hardware. The headphones are so sensitive you have to use very low volumes on the Mac to avoid bursting your ear drums.

The solution is to use the Radio Shack Volume Control Headphone Extension Cord (their part number is 42-2559) to raise the impedance from the sound output port.

INSTRUCTIONS: While not playing any song, attach the volume control to the sound output, then attach it to your headphone. Turn down the volume control until one no longer hears the hiss.

Then you can turn up the volume on the Mac to hear your sound - TOTALLY FREE OF HISS.

Enjoy.
 
Background noise very loud

I have Koss The Plug earbuds. Good with iPod & other MP3 players. But with Macbook pro 15" hissing is very loud. Also for sensitive earphones even lowest volume setting is too loud. My ears really hate that.

Main problem lies within OS X and it's sound card drivers.

Every modern sound card has level adjustment for its main amplification stage. The higher you set level the more there is static noise. Reduce main amplification level and you get less noise.

It seems that OS X just sets main amplification stage to maximum and does volume control just with software. This is proved easily and is very obvious, because when you turn volume up or down background noise does not change.

Try installing Windows or Linux on MBP where you can control sound cards main amp. Less amp = less background noise. So you get better sound quality on Linux.

This really is A BUG from Apple! No reasonable sound engineer would turn their main amp to loudest and keep their pre-amp barely on minimum setting. Because this means A LOT OF NOISE. Right solution is to turn up the pre-amp and keep that noisy main amp quiet.

Real solution is Apple to fix their software and allow volume control/sound card driver to control the amplification stage of sound card. And stop using software to control output levels!

Please call Apple to fix their software, it really is possible!
 
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Exactly!

niteriderxp said:
I just bought a top of the line $2.5k notebook, I shouldn't have to carry around a USB dongle to play some music.
It's not really a problem with dance music, but stuff like jazz is just a pain to listen too.
Click to expand...

I also just spent $3k on the late MBP 17" i7 with ALL the extras....
It's completely UNACCEPTABLE for the freakin headphone jack to be faulty!
 
My late 2011 15" hisses. If you know what real audio fidelity sounds like and know what to listen for, it will bug you. I'm listening to FLAC files on low volume and the hissing is very noticeable. The way ice bypassed this for on-the-go listening is picking up an $8 Syba sound card on Amazon. It sounds great for what it is, far better than the MBP's built in card. And the hissing is minimal to none. I really like it and have been satisfied with the purchase. He only thing I want to add is that the construction is not top notch so if your two halves begin to separate, just wrap it with tape. Best of luck everyone!
 
get a headphone with higher impedance, problem solved.

my 32ohm headphone does the same thing you described with my iMac.

my 250ohm headphone is completely silent (at least to my hearing)

No Amp or DAC needed.
 
i spent $4k on a 2011 mbp 17" and like to use high end in-ear buds where you can hear lots of detail and they're easy to carry about. unfortunately with all my earbuds i was really able to hear this hiss problem. it's ridiculous that these expensive, high end computers have this issue(my crappy pc laptop doesn't even have this problem) but what helped me out was to use something like this:

iLuv Black 3.5mm Splitter Adapter With Dual Volume Controls - I111.

i turned the volume down on the splitter to where i couldn't hear the hiss then just cranked the volume internally in osx and it seems to really have helped alleviate the problem for me. this solution is cheap($5-9 on amazon?) and lightweight and frees up a usb slot(rather than using an external usb audio interface like the iMic).

hope this solution helps others out there not to feel quite as ripped off with their crappy-hiss mpb's 😉
 
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Common Problem.. Simple Solution..

hbueain said:
get a headphone with higher impedance, problem solved.

my 32ohm headphone does the same thing you described with my iMac.

my 250ohm headphone is completely silent (at least to my hearing)

No Amp or DAC needed.
Click to expand...

As stated by MANY people, it really is most likely the 'impedance imbalance' that causes this.. Too Low = Too Loud, or more accurately it is trying to be.. ** To Confirm: Do you find that the headphones (often In Ear models) are quite LOUD with the MBP Volume Set on seemingly LOW, quite possibly the last Level before OFF..?? ** If so, continue on here.. 😉

I work in the Pro Audio Industry and often with artists who use In Ear Monitor systems to hear themselves on stage.. many of these 'headphones' are custom-made and of quite Low Impedance (very sensitive) and as such are easier to be made LOUD On-Stage, and as a result they ALL will appear to sound noisy in a MBP.. :apple:

A simple solution is an Attenuator piece that is included with some manufacturers called an 'Airline Adapter Kit' as airplanes also have notoriously HOT Amplifiers, to power CHEAP inefficient headphones to a reasonable level.. it is a simple 1/8" TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) in-out piece that has a Resistance built in (may be variable, as with the SHURE EA650 piece I'll show link to below) ~ When inserted, you will find that you can/will be able to Run Your Headphone Output to a much more reasonable mid-way Level, and the resultant 'noise floor ~ Hissing' will be rectified.. Most Likely..

That being said, if the above symptoms are NOT what your system shows, then THAT is not your issue.. and Good Luck may be involved!!

🙄

EA650 : http://www.shure.com/americas/produ...-headphones/earphone-headphone-cases-adapters

Ultimate Ears : http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/a/3578944/view/ultimateearsairlineadapter.jpg

More on the discussion : http://www.head-fi.org/t/370991/ultimate-ears-airplane-adaptor-whats-it-do
 
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This is the second old thread I dug up while searching Google for answers 😛

I just upgraded from a 2011 to 2012 13" MBP. On my 2011 there's no hissing at all - complete silence. Moved the SSD to the 2012 right away loud hissing on my speakers connected to the headphone jack. Just to be sure it's not software I put the original HDD back into the 2012, still hissing. I had a 2011 13" Air and it had the hissing problem, so I almost gave up trying to fix it.

Just for fun I plugged in a set of headphones. It was completely silent! So then I changed out the cable going from the headphone jack to the speakers and the hissing was gone! The original cable I used is much thinner, I like it as it's much more pliable. The cable that got rid of the hissing is much thicker. Just to be sure it wasn't a fluke, I switched the cables back and forth. It was repeatable everytime - thick cable no hiss, thin cable hiss. Thin cable on the 2011 MBP, no hiss.

Makes no sense, but whatever works.
 
iPhones 5 do the same thing. Amp clicking on/off when keyboard appears/disappears, music volume is lowered to 0 and then back up. Annoying.
 
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