My 2017 used Macbook Pro has a blown speaker!

[soundsystem00]

Wow! I just got a used Macbook Pro 15 inch. MINT CONDITION and nearly maxed out specs. I love this thing.

I found out the left speaker is either blown or malfunctioned. I read where SO many people were having the same problems. I contacted apple and have an appointment tonight but I know what they are going to tell me :

"The warranty is expired and we can help you for $500"

So, anything that I could tell them that would raise my chances at getting it fixed?

I remember my 2016 macbook pro had issues with the keyboard and they fixed it for free, and it was past the 1 year warranty and maybe even more than 2 years.

 

[pshufd]

Wow! I just got a used Macbook Pro 15 inch. MINT CONDITION and nearly maxed out specs. I love this thing.

I found out the left speaker is either blown or malfunctioned. I read where SO many people were having the same problems. I contacted apple and have an appointment tonight but I know what they are going to tell me :

"The warranty is expired and we can help you for $500"

So, anything that I could tell them that would raise my chances at getting it fixed?

I remember my 2016 macbook pro had issues with the keyboard and they fixed it for free, and it was past the 1 year warranty and maybe even more than 2 years.

You can get a nice set of external, powered speakers for far less than $500.

 

[Khaleal]

Just tell them that your having random keyboard issues, they’ll replace the top case (including keyboard, battery, and speakers) for free.

 

[Airboy1466]

Just tell them that your having random keyboard issues, they’ll replace the top case (including keyboard, battery, and speakers) for free.

What this guy said, your laptop is covered under the keyboard warranty until at least 2021

 

[LeeW]

What this guy said, your laptop is covered under the keyboard warranty until at least 2021

Only if they can replicate it, as it is out of warranty they won't do anything unless they see it happening.

 

[Khaleal]

Only if they can replicate it, as it is out of warranty they won't do anything unless they see it happening.

Not completely true, if he tells them it’s random, they’ll replace the top case even if they couldn’t replicate it at the store

 

[LeeW]

Not completely true, if he tells them it’s random, they’ll replace the top case even if they couldn’t replicate it at the store

Ok, he can give it a go, I am ready with my told you so. Directly from Apple, I have been told they must be able to replicate any keyboard issues to qualify under the keyboard warranty repair.

 

[Airboy1466]

Ok, he can give it a go, I am ready with my told you so. Directly from Apple, I have been told they must be able to replicate any keyboard issues to qualify under the keyboard warranty repair.

Ehhh if he’s never had the keyboard replaced I’m sure they will do it. I cracked my 2015 mbp screen and they replaced it just because.

 

[soundsystem00]

Ahhh dangit. On my last laptop, I had the keyboard replaced. Can I just tell them I got a new laptop used and the keyboard is busted? can I say that I KNOW that keyboard and speaker issues are common problems?
[doublepost=1557566115][/doublepost]I really feel like this should be an easy fix via a software update/patch. It sounds like a software malfunction rather than a physical defect because it works for a while before it muffles.

 

[smbu2000]

Are you sure the speaker is actually blown? Does it have cracking/crackling sound? Or just kind of low/muffled?

I just recently picked up a max 2016 15" (2.9/16GB/R460/2TB) that had a speaker problem. When I received it and tested it out the sound was a bit low/muffled on one speaker. I opened up the bottom and was surprised to see that the speaker connector had come slightly unplugged. After putting the connector back in all the way, the speaker was totally fine and sounded great.

I thought I would have to replace the speaker and I had already bought replacement speakers (a pair for under $20 from Aliexpress), so I guess I have them as backups now.

OTOH I had a 2015 15" with a crackling speaker. That speaker was blown and I simply had to replace the speaker to fix the sound.

The good thing about the 2016 and later 15" MBPs is that the speaker is fairly easy to replace. Just open the bottom, unplug, unscrew and peel the speaker off (stuck on with some adhesive) and replace it.
The older retina 2012-2015 15" MBPs are harder to do as part of the speaker is under the mainboard, so you generally have to remove the mainboard to replace the speaker, which takes more time/is harder to do.

 

[soundsystem00]

Are you sure the speaker is actually blown? Does it have cracking/crackling sound? Or just kind of low/muffled?

I just recently picked up a max 2016 15" (2.9/16GB/R460/2TB) that had a speaker problem. When I received it and tested it out the sound was a bit low/muffled on one speaker. I opened up the bottom and was surprised to see that the speaker connector had come slightly unplugged. After putting the connector back in all the way, the speaker was totally fine and sounded great.

I thought I would have to replace the speaker and I had already bought replacement speakers (a pair for under $20 from Aliexpress), so I guess I have them as backups now.

OTOH I had a 2015 15" with a crackling speaker. That speaker was blown and I simply had to replace the speaker to fix the sound.

The good thing about the 2016 and later 15" MBPs is that the speaker is fairly easy to replace. Just open the bottom, unplug, unscrew and peel the speaker off (stuck on with some adhesive) and replace it.
The older retina 2012-2015 15" MBPs are harder to do as part of the speaker is under the mainboard, so you generally have to remove the mainboard to replace the speaker, which takes more time/is harder to do.

Wow! Thank you for the response! It is not blown, it is muffled! It is weird because it sounds fine at first, but then become muffled after a few seconds on max. Maybe the left speaker has a loose wire and turning it up full blast knocks the cable loose.

Is it very hard to open the bottom part? Will I be able to see the cable immediately or am I going to have to remove a bunch of other stuff besides the opening up the bottom?

Thanks again!!

 

[soundsystem00]

Just tell them that your having random keyboard issues, they’ll replace the top case (including keyboard, battery, and speakers) for free.

Thanks again. I have an appointment this afternoon for the apple store. I was just going to live with the faulty speakers, but this morning my whole keyboard went out for about 20 solid minutes before suddenly working again ( took a violent and frustrated 4 fingers dragging across every key ) so now I am worried that I have keyboard issues about to hit as well. Time to nip this in the bud. I can't believe a $3000 laptop would have such simple issues. It all seems to be this generation of laptops so I think all the USB-C and downsizing stuff has really bit them in the ass with this generation.

I do like how small this thing is though, and how the keyboard feels. and the speakers sound great. When all this stuff works, its great.
[doublepost=1558112489][/doublepost]

Ehhh if he’s never had the keyboard replaced I’m sure they will do it. I cracked my 2015 mbp screen and they replaced it just because.

I had a keyboard replaced but it was a different laptop. Think that will matter?

 

[soundsystem00]

Update : I dropped off the laptop for free repair. And the cool thing is that they have the part on site. Last time they had to ship it off on the 13 inch.

I was having keyboard issues today too so that is great that I’m getting 2 for 1 repair on both problems for free.

I lucked out. Almost bought a dud on Craigslist.