Initial Reports Suggest macOS Catalina 10.15.2 May Fix 16-Inch MacBook Pro Popping Sound Bug for Some Users

[MacRumors]

Early reports from 16-inch MacBook Pro owners who have installed the macOS Catalina 10.15.2 update suggest that the new software fixes some of the speaker popping issues that were plaguing these machines.

According to a reddit user, after installing the update, the popping issue is no longer occurring, even after attempts to trigger it in VLC, Safari, Chrome, Netflix, YouTube, Premiere Pro, and Amazon Prime Video, all apps 16-inch MacBook Pro owners previously complained were affected.

There are similar reports from 16-inch MacBook Pro owners on the MacRumors forums. MacRumors readers Dextera, donawalt, and Lobwedgephil say their popping problems are entirely solved.

Just installed it over 10.15.1, ran about 6-7 different loud Youtube songs, tried the skip ahead/right arrow, and stopping songs, NADA! FIXED!

Reports from other 16-inch MacBook Pro owners are more mixed, though. Some users say that the update improves the popping problem, but does not eliminate it entirely.

Some users are hearing lighter and more muted popping sounds in apps like Chrome and Safari, and some report that the popping has stopped for some apps like Spotify, but not for others. From MacRumors reader Ries:

10.15.2, occasional pops still happen for me in all scenarios. Thou a lot less frequent and at lower volume than they used to be.

From MacRumors reader covedrop:

Just installed 10.15.2 and can confirm that although the popping has been significantly reduced (more often it sounds like a minor crackle as I would expect when signal is cut), it is still there. I'm inclined to think that since the issue has been reduced as it has, if you're not hearing it you may just not be hearing the old sound, as it now sounds different. It's about 50% of the max it was previously (the loudest I experienced).

I also had to skip pretty aggressively in YouTube to really get a good pop - better, but certainly not fixed. I also had my volume up quite loud, but not full.

16-inch MacBook Pro owners have been complaining of popping sounds since the machine was first released in October. Apple in a memo to Apple Authorized Service Providers confirmed the popping issue and said that a fix would be implemented in the near future.

When using Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, QuickTime Player, Music, Movies, or other applications to play audio, users may hear a pop come from the speakers after playback has ended. Apple is investigating the issue. A fix is planned in future software updates. Do not set up service, or replace the user's computer, as this is a software-related issue.

Apple in its note to service providers said that the fix would require updates plural, not a single update, which may explain the mixed reports that we're hearing from 16-inch MacBook Pro owners. The macOS Catalina 10.15.2 software appears to partially address the problem, but further software updates may be required to stamp it out entirely.

Article Link: Initial Reports Suggest macOS Catalina 10.15.2 May Fix 16-Inch MacBook Pro Popping Sound Bug for Some Users

 

[currahee2100]

Do they not test this stuff before putting it in production? For a really expensive computer, this is unacceptable.

 

[tekmoe]

I've heard a couple of pops and crackles over the past couple of weeks with my 16" MBP. Definitely not anything to cry over though. A real professional wouldn't be relying on the built-in speakers in the first place.

 

[dogslobber]

You'd think a professional organization like Apple would inform customers as to whether the issue is fixed. If it is fixed then actually TELL the customer. If it isn't fixed then WTF are you playing at Apple?!? Either way, tell the customer. Inform the customer. Communicate with the customer.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Revision B should have this problem fixed.

 

[dspdoc]

Revision B should have this problem fixed.

Rev. B?

 

[ScreenSavers]

It’s not fixed for me. I don’t use Safari anyway but I did check.

 

[NO1EYENO]

Every MBP a Problem! Sad with all those Billions of our money Apple cannot do better than that! Im lucky so far with my 2018 MBP 15"

 

[farewelwilliams]

You'd think a professional organization like Apple would inform customers as to whether the issue is fixed. If it is fixed then actually TELL the customer. If it isn't fixed then WTF are you playing at Apple?!? Either way, tell the customer. Inform the customer. Communicate with the customer.

so you rather be lied to? jesus, could it not be the possibility that there are multiple causes and this one fixes only one cause? you need to chill out. this isn't some off-the-shelf, tried-and-tested standard speaker system. it's new tech.
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Do they not test this stuff before putting it in production? For a really expensive computer, this is unacceptable.

if testing captured every single thing wrong, we would never have any bugs in software, recalls, minor software updates, etc...

 

[illicit2k1]

I’ve always wondered if issues like these are actually true hardware issues that get covered up by software. The fact that this is still there for some and is just a different tone/level makes me believe that’s the case.

 

[twennywonn]

I use chrome and this update fixed the issue for me.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

"may...some"? Should be "will...all" or nothing. 😐

 

[UglyCowboy]

My guess is that this will be a software workaround for a hardware issue. Not unusual as many hardware issues have software workarounds. For example the software patches to address the Spectre / Meltdown CPU issues with performance penalty. The true hardware fix will likely be in the next MacBook Pro release.

 

[mi7chy]

Sounds like the issue is suppressed rather than fixed. For those with less sensitivity it'll be suppressed enough that they won't notice while for others with higher sensitivity the issue isn't fixed.

 

[fokmik]

Sounds like the issue is suppressed rather than fixed. For those with less sensitivity it'll be suppressed enough that they won't notice while for others with higher sensitivity the issue isn't fixed.

For those with normal and high sensitivity already knows and hear that even ios12 and ios13 new devices has this..easy to reproduce when speaking with speaker on

 

[Bokito]

As this issue is only fixed for some users it might’ve been fixed by resetting the PRAM/NVRAM/SMC after the issue. If they included a fix they would’ve put it in the release notes or in a support document.

 

[GadgetBen]

What is up with Apple and the popping sounds?

My HomePod has been doing this for months, not sure this would even be covered for a repair.

 

[109582]

A real professional wouldn't be relying on the built-in speakers in the first place.

Exactly! Apart from 5 kilograms of dongles, real professionals also carry 7 speakers and one subwoofer in their backpacks. Duh!

 

[FlyingDutch]

Do they not test this stuff before putting it in production? For a really expensive computer, this is unacceptable.

yes, they test it and no, it is not unacceptable.
It is quite a minor issue, quickly solved.

 

[mdnz]

I've heard a couple of pops and crackles over the past couple of weeks with my 16" MBP. Definitely not anything to cry over though. A real professional wouldn't be relying on the built-in speakers in the first place.

And what about a real professional who's not in the audio/video business? Sucks to be him right?

 

[FlyingDutch]

My guess is that this will be a software workaround for a hardware issue. Not unusual as many hardware issues have software workarounds. For example the software patches to address the Spectre / Meltdown CPU issues with performance penalty. The true hardware fix will likely be in the next MacBook Pro release.

And this guess is based on what ?

 

[Substance90]

I had this yesterday on my 16" while messing around in Bitwig Studio and it was horrible. Like horror movie style distortion, not just some mild popping.

 

[Ries]

yes, they test it and no, it is not unacceptable.
It is quite a minor issue, quickly solved.

Clearly you don't have a Mac that has it. Having your muted speakers go POP POP POP POP, like a loud POP, every time you mouse over something that activates sound is laughable bad QC. Since it isn't fixed, they properly just masked the problem as good as they could using a software hack.

 

[morze]

I've heard a couple of pops and crackles over the past couple of weeks with my 16" MBP. Definitely not anything to cry over though. A real professional wouldn't be relying on the built-in speakers in the first place.

A lot of professionals use the built in speakers when they are on the run, film editors and assistants can have a mobile offline system on set. No, it's not for final print masters, but it's a fantastic convenient reference. Initial reviews have praised the speakers, why not take advantage of using them without irritation.

 

[ikir]

Do they not test this stuff before putting it in production? For a really expensive computer, this is unacceptable.

Cmon these are super minor issue. Anywhere else other than on Mac land forums this is no sense. I work for IT and we live in bugs and issue, sometimes never fixed, sometimes fixed after months... If you think this is an issue you really have poor hardware, software and operating system knowledge. It is complex world.
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My guess is that this will be a software workaround for a hardware issue. Not unusual as many hardware issues have software workarounds. For example the software patches to address the Spectre / Meltdown CPU issues with performance penalty. The true hardware fix will likely be in the next MacBook Pro release.

On a new machine it is vey common to have minor software issue, drivers need to be tuned. Like for GPU performance, 10.5.2 boost Navi drivers speed for example. This is not hardwire just software, I bet 99% of whiners here are not developers, IT specialist or just hardware and software experts. Having issue fixed this fast with software updates is good, issues will always be there at product launch.
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Rev. B?

He is just spreading FUD. And it works every time. Reading forums comments these days confirm mass extinction is near and especially is welcome.