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Does anyone know if a similar problem exists in PC laptops with the Santa Rosa chipset? If both MacBook and MacBook Pro have had the problem since last summer (when the Santa Rosa motherboard was launched with the Merom C2D -- the recent update simply put a Penryn C2D processor on the SR motherboard), it follows that if PC laptops manufactured during the same time have it too, there's a hardware issue, while if they don't, there's a driver or firmware issue.



Thats a good point

* go's off to search the web for info ...will post anything of interest as soon as
 
Okay, just got off the phone with Applecare. One of THE nicest reps I have ever spoken with I might add. Anywho, went through what the problem was, what made it worse, what made it better (nothing) then she asked me if I'd done a pram reset, "yes of course." She had me do basic hardware diagnostics which showed nothing, typical, and I'm waiting for the "Extended Hardware Test" now. She sent me this link with no relevance other than the title. So after this is done, if there are any problems found, she told me to call back either tonight or tomorrow to schedule a repair. She said she's heard a couple things like this and it is most likely a software or firmware problem that will be resolved in the ".3 update in the next few weeks." Also, in case you wondered, the regular techs use mac minis with off brand lcds and don't have individual line extensions. haha Just some random conversation we had while waiting for the tests to finish.
 
I got my new macbook pro a couple weeks ago (mac virgin :D) and the hissing/whinning noise is really killing the experience. Been a PC user all my life.

I'm a software engineer and I use earphones all day (shure e2c)
It's muffled by the music when it's playing but when there's a silence or when I need to pause it for a while, the noise is driving me up the wall. I guess I should be glad that I don't hear it coming from the speakers when the earphones are not plugged in but I have them plugged in 90% of the time the computer is on.

I'm quite disappointed with Apple for this, all my cheap pc's never had this problem.
 
So here is an update on my sound issues: I finally got a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M30's. When I first plugged them into my MBP I immediately noticed a difference. There is no more hissing! An impedance of at least 60 ohms definitely fixes the problem! With my Apple in ear buds there was a constant hiss when ever the audio was inactive and the sound card had not powered down. With the M30's there is no more hissing at all. I can still slightly hear the R2D2 sounds when raising and lowering the volume, but just barely. The M30's sound amazing! I can finally use my MBP headphone port without getting a headache from the hissing!! Amazon has them on sale for $50 when they are normally $150 from Audio Technica.
 
My 2.5 Penryn MBP doesn't have any audio issues in OSX that I have noticed (other than the speakers just not being very good), but in Bootcamp XP with headphones in there is some poping, all be it intermittently; seemingly worse the hotter it gets.
 
.......still not found anything on the motherboard having issues across the market .....anyone else?




@ Marbles

http://www.dv247.com/invt/6454/

Very nice card I want to get, as my Lexicon Omega has a few issues that drive me crazy.


Thank you , I appreciate it :)


I need to a lot more research into digital recording ...it seems so much easier especially with the power of home computers now ...

so many ideas to get down ....so much research to do first :rolleyes:
 
Not to dig this up from the trenches, but I just noticed this problem on my laptop. I have very high quality headphones and earphones, so the suggestion earlier to buy "high impedance" headphones is laughable. I didn't notice it much with my E2c, but I just got SE530s and it is extremely noticeable with them.

I found a work around though, Shure includes a volume control for their higher end earphones that artificially increases the impedance. I have used one for using the E2Cs on airlines for a long time, if you want horrible hiss/buzz thats the place to go deaf from it.

"Some playback devices, such as airplane headphone outputs, may be too loud for comfortable listening even at the lowest volume setting. For this reason, Shure offers this level attenuator to reduce the level of incoming signals and allow for precise volume adjustment, minimizing background hiss. Works with all Shure Earphones. Included with E4, E5, and E500 Versions." model EA650 (or PA235)

It will work with any headphone. It sucks that its something we have to work around, but The MBP isn't the first laptop to have the issue. I had a Dell that made the sound anytime it was on, headphone jack or the onboard speakers. I actually took and cut the end off a mini-jack and stuck it in the jack so that it would disconnect the speakers...neither were usable anyway.

Now, don't get me started in my broken express card slot...
 
Not to dig this up from the trenches, but I just noticed this problem on my laptop. I have very high quality headphones and earphones, so the suggestion earlier to buy "high impedance" headphones is laughable. I didn't notice it much with my E2c, but I just got SE530s and it is extremely noticeable with them.

I found a work around though, Shure includes a volume control for their higher end earphones that artificially increases the impedance. I have used one for using the E2Cs on airlines for a long time, if you want horrible hiss/buzz thats the place to go deaf from it.

"Some playback devices, such as airplane headphone outputs, may be too loud for comfortable listening even at the lowest volume setting. For this reason, Shure offers this level attenuator to reduce the level of incoming signals and allow for precise volume adjustment, minimizing background hiss. Works with all Shure Earphones. Included with E4, E5, and E500 Versions." model EA650 (or PA235)

It will work with any headphone. It sucks that its something we have to work around, but The MBP isn't the first laptop to have the issue. I had a Dell that made the sound anytime it was on, headphone jack or the onboard speakers. I actually took and cut the end off a mini-jack and stuck it in the jack so that it would disconnect the speakers...neither were usable anyway.

Now, don't get me started in my broken express card slot...

Are you positive it works with any headphones? On the description it reads
Works with all Shure Earphones.
 
Are you positive it works with any headphones? On the description it reads

Shure has interest to sell Shure branded products ;)

It should work with anything that uses a mini-jack. It is essentially a 6" mini-to-mini extension with a volume knob in it. Nothing about it is proprietary to Shure.

Btw, its stocked by Amazon.
ea650_200_200.jpg
 
Shure has interest to sell Shure branded products ;)

It should work with anything that uses a mini-jack. It is essentially a 6" mini-to-mini extension with a volume knob in it. Nothing about it is proprietary to Shure.

Btw, its stocked by Amazon.
ea650_200_200.jpg


This problem is not just with MBPs. I have a brand new macbook and this problem is very pronounced - but as stated the severity depends on the headphones/speakers you're using. I have a Dell 24" monitor with the speaker that attaches along the bottom, and the hiss/buzz and R2D2 were very bad. Turning up the volume (which has a sound effect) more than a couple notches was like listening to a ray-gun battle.

HOWEVER - I bought this exact product (Shure Volume adjuster), and the problem (from a basic consumer's POV) is completely solved. Makes me a little angry that it occured in the first place, but this IS a solution to eliminate most, if not all, of the problem.
 
It's probably an issue with the HDA codec. I hear the same noises on my HP dv2120us, which has an AMD processor, an nVIDIA nForce4 motherboard, and Conexant HDA audio. The noises are even worse and can clearly be heard when headphones are plugged into it even when music is playing. It's even worse than on the MacBook/MacBook Pro.
 
I've had 3 replacement MBPs from the most recent June 2008 stock and all of them have suffered from the hissing, static, bleeps and blips on the headphone out.
 
Not to dig this up from the trenches, but I just noticed this problem on my laptop. I have very high quality headphones and earphones, so the suggestion earlier to buy "high impedance" headphones is laughable. I didn't notice it much with my E2c, but I just got SE530s and it is extremely noticeable with them.

The SE530s have an impedance of only 36 ohm. My HD 280s with an impedance of 64 ohm have no whistles and pops and mysterious hissing.
When i used my CX300s with an impedance of 16 ohm, i could hear whistling, and hissing constantly. Furthermore, my HD515s with an impedance of 120 ohm had absolutely no hissing or whistling, but those headphones are open, and therefore not suitable when you have a roommate.
 
Why the chuff should folk have to use a volume adjuster or expensive headphones ??? this is an MBP were talking about ....get it fixed Apple !
 
I've had 3 replacement MBPs from the most recent June 2008 stock and all of them have suffered from the hissing, static, bleeps and blips on the headphone out.

Believe me, I feel your pain. I've been through 8 but the one that bothered me the most was the left speaker sizzling noise.

But all is good after I exchanged it the 9th time for a 17" hi res mbp, no problems whatsoever.
 
I'm going to provide this link again for those browsing the thread. This is for the Apple feedback page to submit feedback directly to them about the MacBook Pro. We can complain all we want on here but if it doesn't reach them in great numbers, we have accomplished nothing.
MacBook Pro Feedback Page
 
My few days old mbp has it as well. Has anyone got this fixed with a replacement? I was told to bring it in on Monday but since everything else is fine and this is not really that noticeable, I may not want to risk getting other defects with a replacement. I also found it helped if I turned up the system volume and turned down my speakers volume.
 
I'm going to provide this link again for those browsing the thread. This is for the Apple feedback page to submit feedback directly to them about the MacBook Pro. We can complain all we want on here but if it doesn't reach them in great numbers, we have accomplished nothing.
MacBook Pro Feedback Page

Quality post , it is very good idea for all affected to hit the link above to give Apple feedback otherwise nothing will ever get done ....strength in numbers !!
 
I gave up and just bought an iMic. Fits in the case with my headphones and I just plug in the USB instead of the 1/8" audio plug. Only $30 at newegg, $5 shipping. Remains to be seen if it adds noticeable battery drain when on the go, but the sound quality is much improved over the internal card. Probably better than most internal audio cards, but I haven't done any tests yet.
 
@ Marbles
http://www.dv247.com/invt/6454/

Very nice card I want to get, as my Lexicon Omega has a few issues that drive me crazy.

I know its a little off topic, but don't go for the Maudio410 if you want to avoid issues... MAudio devices are mediocre sound quality at best and their drivers have a less than superb track record. Plus, despite being billed as a "4-10" it has only 2 simultaneous analog inputs.

If you want a really great audio interface with lots of I/O, great drivers and for not that much more money, I'd suggest a MOTU ultralite. I love mine. Works day in, day out on stage and in the studio and makes excellent recordings. Pretty nice mic preamps too. MOTU thinks of pretty much every detail on their units - they can even be used as standalone digital mixers with presets and everything.

They say "buy cheap, buy twice". I bought thrice before i learned my lesson - first an Mbox (driver nightmare), then a Presonus Firebox (reliable, but CPU inefficient and noisy mic preamps), then finally thank goodness the MOTU.
 
I tried the iMic as a quick fix but the sound quality was so poor i returned it. THe iMic sounds much worse than the internal card on the MBP and has a much weaker signal.
 
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