Crackling sound at right speaker of 2020 M1 MacBook Air

[incognito123]

Hello everyone! I have crackling sound at right speaker of my space gray 2020 M1 MacBook Air. I checked some units at the Apple Store, and found that most space gray units have the same problem, whereas the other colors seems to be fine.

Here is a sample song:

(For those who do not use Apple Music, the song is "La Lune" from L'Impératrice.)

Please listen to it with high volume (beautiful song by the way). Do you notice the crackling sound coming from the right speaker during first 25 seconds? If you listen to the same song from iPhone, you will see that it is actually some kind of smooth sound of waves.

Looking forward to hear whether you have the same problem.

 

[DMG35]

I've tried the song on my wife's 2020 M1 MacBook Air and it didn't pop at all. Hers is also the Space Gray.

 

[yitwail]

Don't hear either crackling or smooth waves from either speaker in Space Gray M1 MBA, just fairly loud pop music with a female singer.

 

[732]

Hi.

If you're still experiencing that sound issue, try to clean your left and right speaker grills a bit. Or try to bring up carefully a vacuum cleaner towards the small holes of the speaker grills. Sounds like some dirt got into there.

You can always try Apple's Support, they can sort things like that out, maybe for free

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

It's very easy to reproduce that crackle from right speaker of our MBA M1 2020.

1. Go to settings, sound and turn balance to the right.
2. Play some piano
3. Enjoy ?

Doesn't look like a software fault, seems that MBA speakers just crap.

 

[732]

It's very easy to reproduce that crackle from right speaker of our MBA M1 2020.

1. Go to settings, sound and turn balance to the right.
2. Play some piano
3. Enjoy ?

Doesn't look like a software fault, seems that MBA speakers just crap.

Either the amp is too strong for these little speakers or the source quality is pure crap.
It seems more like a quality thing. The recording was made with a mic and that video is compressed by YouTube, so you're either technically listen to a 192kbit/s stream or 128kbit/s stream, which explains that horrible white noise in the background.
I tested it with an better stream (2L-145_01_stereo_01.cd.flac) and it sounds way better. It makes that rattling sound only when I max them out on certain stages, which is a signal that the speakers are on their knees. It's nothing that is that uncommon, many speakers on laptops/smartphones behave (unfortunately) like that.

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

Either the amp is too strong for these little speakers or the source quality is pure crap.
It seems more like a quality thing. The recording was made with a mic and that video is compressed by YouTube, so you're either technically listen to a 192kbit/s stream or 128kbit/s stream, which explains that horrible white noise in the background.
I tested it with an better stream (2L-145_01_stereo_01.cd.flac) and it sounds way better. It makes that rattling sound only when I max them out on certain stages, which is a signal that the speakers are on their knees. It's nothing that is that uncommon, many speakers on laptops/smartphones behave (unfortunately) like that.

I'm a little bit of audiophile, so I understand what you are talking about, but that is not the case.
Please go to settings, sound and turn balance to the right, volume to the half and listen 2L-145_01_stereo_01.cd.flac
It's not a file quality issue. Poor MBA speaker just cracking and rattling as crap ?
Never had similar on any of my previous macbooks, even iPhone 12 Pro plays it clear.

 

[732]

I'm a little bit of audiophile, so I understand what you are talking about, but that is not the case.
Please go to settings, sound and turn balance to the right, volume to the half and listen 2L-145_01_stereo_01.cd.flac
It's not a file quality issue. Poor MBA speaker just cracking and rattling as crap ?
Never had similar on any of my previous macbooks, even iPhone 12 Pro plays it clear.

I'm really sorry but on my M1 MacBook Air it's not the case at all. What I can get is some slight distortion when I max the volume out, but that's normal for such tiny speakers.

These were my settings.
I listened to the whole song with half and full volume and I cannot reproduce that issue..
Can I ask you when your Mac was manufactured? I bought mine from the certified refurbished store from Apple and it has the manufacture date: 11.10.2021
Maybe it's some quality control issue that could be pointed out to the manufacturing date? o.o

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

I'm really sorry but on my M1 MacBook Air it's not the case at all. What I can get is some slight distortion when I max the volume out, but that's normal for such tiny speakers.
View attachment 1949371
These were my settings.
I listened to the whole song with half and full volume and I cannot reproduce that issue..
Can I ask you when your Mac was manufactured? I bought mine from the certified refurbished store from Apple and it has the manufacture date: 11.10.2021
Maybe it's some quality control issue that could be pointed out to the manufacturing date? o.o

My MacBook Air run latest 12.1 macOS. Production date is 25-01-2021.
I've recorded following youtube sample, starting from this point:

Distortion is huge, please check recording here (better to download video):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dg4ksgdklorvwlk/AAAZuS_j-6hsw4gGn-gajidla?dl=0

 

[ignatius345]

Please listen to it with high volume (beautiful song by the way). Do you notice the crackling sound coming from the right speaker during first 25 seconds? If you listen to the same song from iPhone, you will see that it is actually some kind of smooth sound of waves.

I have the exact same machine you do (in Space Gray, not that that should matter at all) and the speakers sound fine. No crackling.

 

[732]

My MacBook Air run latest 12.1 macOS. Production date is 25-01-2021.
I've recorded following youtube sample, starting from this point:

Distortion is huge, please check recording here (better to download video):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dg4ksgdklorvwlk/AAAZuS_j-6hsw4gGn-gajidla?dl=0

Well, now with proof:

same config as in your video. No crackling. Sounds like a defect on your right speaker... if you have still warranty, you should absolutely contact apple to fix it for free. If you didn't spilled any liquids on the Mac than there's no fault from your side.
Btw. my Mac is silver, if that is of any interest.

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

Well, now with proof:

same config as in your video. No crackling. Sounds like a defect on your right speaker... if you have still warranty, you should absolutely contact apple to fix it for free. If you didn't spilled any liquids on the Mac than there's no fault from your side.
Btw. my Mac is silver, if that is of any interest.

Thanks for recording! Could You please tell, what is your macOS version, 12.1?
It's obvious that your Air have no such issue, and looks like my speaker is defected.
No liquids was spilled, moreover, I've never listen loud on it, just some youtube on volume 3-4 bars.
Seems to be a warranty case.

 

[StoneJack]

Thanks for recording! Could You please tell, what is your macOS version, 12.1?
It's obvious that your Air have no such issue, and looks like my speaker is defected.
No liquids was spilled, moreover, I've never listen loud on it, just some youtube on volume 3-4 bars.
Seems to be a warranty case.

Probably your speaker was damaged when reproducing some music at very high volume.

 

[StoneJack]

Hello everyone! I have crackling sound at right speaker of my space gray 2020 M1 MacBook Air. I checked some units at the Apple Store, and found that most space gray units have the same problem, whereas the other colors seems to be fine.

Here is a sample song:

(For those who do not use Apple Music, the song is "La Lune" from L'Impératrice.)

Please listen to it with high volume (beautiful song by the way). Do you notice the crackling sound coming from the right speaker during first 25 seconds? If you listen to the same song from iPhone, you will see that it is actually some kind of smooth sound of waves.

Looking forward to hear whether you have the same problem.

Your speaker is defective, crack in speaker. Get it replaced or glued

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

Probably your speaker was damaged when reproducing some music at very high volume.

Nope - I own this air for 9 month and I never listen a music on it ?
Just some youtube videos on 3-5 volume bars.
So recently, when I try to turn the music, I've discovered that speaker was defected since purchase.
It just needed some strong mid-range music (like piano) to discover crackling. Now when I've discovered it, I hear cracking even in normal voice on youtube, while I was thinking that it is some software safari bug

 

[732]

So recently, when I try to turn the music, I've discovered that speaker was defected since purchase.

Oh noo... then contact Apple asap in the hopes of replacing maybe the whole laptop?

 

[MrJellee]

I have this same exact issue. It's the keyboard, not the speaker. I have had my speakers replaced twice but the issue persisted, so I realised its the keyboard.
The right side keys of they keyboard vibrate at high frequencies. If you keep a book, or your palm on the right shift, delete and return, this issue disappears.

I have had the top case replaced once but the issue persisted, it seemed to be an issue with a lot of MacBook Airs.

 

[outlawarth]

I cannot reproduce this issue on my Space Gray M1 MBA. The speakers on mine are fine.

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

I have this same exact issue. It's the keyboard, not the speaker. I have had my speakers replaced twice but the issue persisted, so I realised its the keyboard.
The right side keys of they keyboard vibrate at high frequencies. If you keep a book, or your palm on the right shift, delete and return, this issue disappears.

I have had the top case replaced once but the issue persisted, it seemed to be an issue with a lot of MacBook Airs.

Could You please record a video to show what kind of sound do You have when keyboard vibrate?
I don't think this is the same issue - I've covered right part of keys with iPhone 12, but issue doesn't disappear.

 

[MrJellee]

Could You please record a video to show what kind of sound do You have when keyboard vibrate?
I don't think this is the same issue - I've covered right part of keys with iPhone 12, but issue doesn't disappear.

Hey, sorry for the late reply. If you have covered the part of the keys where the issue occurs, then it's an issue with the speakers. Go to apple to have it replaced.

Here is a link to how it sounds on my laptop : https://gfycat.com/spanishimprobableatlanticsharpnosepuffer

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

Hey, sorry for the late reply. If you have covered the part of the keys where the issue occurs, then it's an issue with the speakers. Go to apple to have it replaced.

Here is a link to how it sounds on my laptop : https://gfycat.com/spanishimprobableatlanticsharpnosepuffer

Hi,

Thanks for response!
While this defect sounds similar to mine, there are no keys to cover to get rid of issue ? Keyboard and keys feel solid.
Looks like a permanent defect, that doesn't disappear, and makes music impossible to listen, especially tracks like this:

Will take to repair(

 

[incognito123]

Hi,

Thanks for response!
While this defect sounds similar to mine, there are no keys to cover to get rid of issue ? Keyboard and keys feel solid.
Looks like a permanent defect, that doesn't disappear, and makes music impossible to listen, especially tracks like this:

Will take to repair(

Hi,

Have you had your macbook repaired? What is the outcome?

I had my unit replaced, but the new one has the exact same problem, even maybe worse. I really do not know what to do. I hear that in a few months they will release 2022 Macbook Air. My Macbook will be under warranty until 2023, so maybe I have it replaced one more time, sell the replacement without opening the box, and purchase the new Macbook Air 2022 when it is released.

It is really disappointing to have such low quality product experience with Apple.

 

[6a6uhbhyk]

Hi,

Have you had your macbook repaired? What is the outcome?

I had my unit replaced, but the new one has the exact same problem, even maybe worse. I really do not know what to do. I hear that in a few months they will release 2022 Macbook Air. My Macbook will be under warranty until 2023, so maybe I have it replaced one more time, sell the replacement without opening the box, and purchase the new Macbook Air 2022 when it is released.

It is really disappointing to have such low quality product experience with Apple.

I'm going to take it to the Apple Service - I don't think they will offer a laptop replacement - it will be just a repair instead. So when my speaker will be replaced, I'll back with comments. Disappointed as well ?

 

[legrava]

I have this same exact issue. It's the keyboard, not the speaker. I have had my speakers replaced twice but the issue persisted, so I realised its the keyboard.
The right side keys of they keyboard vibrate at high frequencies. If you keep a book, or your palm on the right shift, delete and return, this issue disappears.

I have had the top case replaced once but the issue persisted, it seemed to be an issue with a lot of MacBook Airs.

Hey, I am also facing this problem on my 13" MacBook Air M1 2020 and discovered that the problem is about the keyboard, thanks to MrJellee. In this case, in addition to the "Enter", "Delete" and "Shift" keys, I also pressed the "F12". Fortunately, the crackling stops. Actually, I am a very calm user and I press the keys very softly. I see that it doesn't matter. They just vibrate. Well, I hope my experience helped.

I think this is covered under warranty but honestly, I don't want any modifications on my device for personal reasons. So I am going to try to ignore the crackling. I am sorry for all of us. I wouldn't expect such a problem on any Apple device, especially on my first one.

 

[noonscoomo]

I had the same issue. The reason is dirt in the little holes of the speaker grill. It blocks the air from vibrating inside out so all the frame starts to vibrate. You can test that even better by touching the grid on the lower side. The sound will change immediately because you stop the grid from vibrating. This is unwanted behaviour, since the grid is not supposed to be the speaker.
So the solution is simple, use a toothbrush to pinch threw all the tiny holes to get them free. Glassclear sound returns immediately.