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Mac Mini 2018 Bluetooth Audio Issues

TacticalSS

TacticalSS

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 1, 2010
16
3
I have been experiencing issues with Bluetooth headphones while using my 2018 Mac Mini.

Almost every time I use them the audio will rapidly cut in and out like it is stuttering. On video, it either results in the audio and video not matching, or a sudden increase in audio speed for a moment while it "catches up". It does this while listening to music or watching TV/Movies on iTunes, on YouTube, Netflix, etc. I have tried it with the Beats Studio 3, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, and the Beats urbeats 3. I experience the same issue with all of these. Any thoughts?

Mac Mini 2018 running macOS 10.14.2
 
What are the your mac configs? Might be the case your mac is running slow specially if you are using firefox. I noticed that my mac consumes a lot of memory when I use firefox.
 
Mac Mini 2018
i7
16GB Ram
128GB Storage with several external drives attached

It happens when using Firefox with one tab open and in Safari.
 
TacticalSS said:
Mac Mini 2018
i7
16GB Ram
128GB Storage with several external drives attached

It happens when using Firefox with one tab open and in Safari.
Click to expand...

I suggest you to install cleanmymac x and monitor you CPU and RAM. cleanmymac X provides an option to free memory as well. I hope it will help to identify the issue.

Also keep monitoring the CPU temperature. It should no go beyond 55C or 60C with normal use. If it does, you processor is getting hot.
 
waheed said:
I suggest you to install cleanmymac x and monitor you CPU and RAM. cleanmymac X provides an option to free memory as well. I hope it will help to identify the issue.

Also keep monitoring the CPU temperature. It should no go beyond 55C or 60C with normal use. If it does, you processor is getting hot.
Click to expand...

No and no. OP’s issue is likely related to his/her use of multiple external drives. High speed USB can interfere with Bluetooth (this is a known problem) and the 2018 Mini’s Bluetooth is not immune to this. OP may need to experiment with placement of Mac and peripherals or even a Bluetooth dongle if desparate.
 
rmdeluca said:
No and no. OP’s issue is likely related to his/her use of multiple external drives. High speed USB can interfere with Bluetooth (this is a known problem) and the 2018 Mini’s Bluetooth is not immune to this. OP may need to experiment with placement of Mac and peripherals or even a Bluetooth dongle if desparate.
Click to expand...

You might be right, but my observation on my Macbook and Mini are otherwise. Specially with FF open, RAM consumption goes crazy.
 
I have unplugged all but the SSD (USB-C) and the problem still persists. I will try a few other peripherals and see what that does.

The memory usage is between 8-12gb using Firefox, depending on how many tabs I have open. The CPU usage when using Firefox generally remains under 7-10%.
 
TacticalSS said:
I have unplugged all but the SSD (USB-C) and the problem still persists. I will try a few other peripherals and see what that does.

The memory usage is between 8-12gb using Firefox, depending on how many tabs I have open. The CPU usage when using Firefox generally remains under 7-10%.
Click to expand...

Not sure if this will help, but u can give it a try:
http://osxdaily.com/2015/12/15/reset-bluetooth-hardware-module-mac-osx/

It might help the Audio stuttering issue over bluetooth.
 
So I didn't really find a solution, more of a workaround, but one that identified the probable issue. For some reason (yet another thing) my Mini, and my 5K iMac before it, had almost no luck connecting to the 5Ghz Wifi. They would connect with the 2.4Ghz mostly fine. The problem occurs when turning on my Bluetooth Headset, which also operates at 2.4Ghz. I could watch the YouTube loading bar start and stop in real time based on me switching my headphones on and off. I'm not sure what was causing the issue with connecting the USB hub (and more recently just a single external hard drive), but I did manage to get an Ethernet cable ran to my computer. So not having to use Wifi, I can use my headphones/accessories just fine without network interruption.

Not really a solution, but I figured I would post the update. Thanks!
 
If you go into sound preferences>input> internal microphone: make sure it's set to 'built-in'.
I know it doesn't sound very intuitive and I'll admit, it is a long shot as those headphones don't have a mike, but if for some reason there is another setting there and the internal mike is set to something else, it will mess up bluetooth.
I have experienced this on a Mac with Plantronics phones that were either silent, stuttered and cut out or sounded like they were in a tunnel. Changing that setting cured it so it's worth a quick look.
 
Just wanted to throw my experience in. 2018 MM i5/16/256. Plugged in USB 3 (Type A) Lacie hard drive and instantly had issues with 1st gen Magic Mouse and trackpad. Both with so much lag they were unusable. Switched to Type A hub, a solid Aukey one, same issue. Used a wired corsair M65 to ease the anger briefly. Thought about sending it back. Been reading all of the internet about this issue. Even closed off my 2.4 wifi (did nothing to help).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NH134L6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon basic USB 3 extension in USB port to hub. FIXED! No need to move hub away 3 foot or anything, just having the gold plated cable in has fixed all issues.

Ok, I know this is not ideal etc and Apple dropped the ball with USB power and bluetooth chips fighting each other, but if you want a cheap fix to use the ports and move on with your MM life, this is worth a shout. Sorted all my bluetooth issues out instantly. I've stuck one of these in each USB port and off I go.
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
New MacMini i7 here, I'm only using the TB3 ports, and I do have a small external hub built into a short aluminum stand that sits under the Thunderbolt Display unit. No Bluetooth issues at all. I love this little workhorse!
 
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