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Speaker Issues with Macbook Pro 16?

CriticalMiss

CriticalMiss

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 29, 2020
8
1
I just bought the new Macbook Pro 16, and I have been facing a rather frustrating issue. The built-in speakers have a persistent rattling sound that is unpleasant and distracting. I have upgraded to the latest Mac OS, and I also tried resetting NVRAM. The strange thing is that resetting the NVRAM temporarily fixes the issue, but it returns after 2-3 minutes of use. If it matters, the issue seems to be triggered by using Logic Pro X, and I noticed it right away when I plugged in my midi controller for the first time.

Has anybody else ever faced this issue?
 
Thankfully, I have not had any problems with them. I wish I could help you. I would say, send it back for a new one.
 
Yes, that's exactly the issue! I guess I am somewhat comforted that others are facing this issue, but a little disappointed that such an expensive pro audio machine is facing such a basic software problem that hasn't been fixed almost 3 months after release . . . thanks for the information!
 
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Yeh I started that thread. Very frustrating. I have contacted Apple as you can see from the thread. I suggest you do as well and let them take a system capture and upload video. The more that do it the more they will take it seriously.
 
Got it. I contacted Apple and have an appointment coming up to bring the computer in. I can try to do a system capture as well before that. One thing I noticed with some experimentation is that plugging in my midi controller seems to instantly trigger the issue even after pretty significant periods of time with no issue.
 
Yeh, I have tried lots of things and thought I was getting somewhere but in the end, it just suddenly happened again.

It is very frustrating though and like you say for an audio pro machine it's really a bug they should have fixed way before now. I guess we just have to kick up a stink.
 
If it's not happening to everybody, I wonder if it's a hybrid software/hardware issue, where certain computers have faulty speakers that don't jive with the software? Or alternatively, maybe the reason there haven't been so many complaints is that many people either aren't using the built-in speakers, or aren't using the computer for audio production.
 
I think it's the latter. You wouldn't notice this playing music or watching videos. It's only on production you will notice it. I doubt it's hardware issue.

I'm sure if everyone tested the simple test I done in the video it would appear. I have tested two identical machines and got the same result.
 
Yeah, makes sense. I guess it would be a complete waste of time for me to send it away for Apple to attempt to repair it, which seems to be what Apple is suggesting I do right now.
 
Really??? No that would be a waste of time. Get your system data captured report the bug in detail and let them follow it up.
 
CriticalMiss said:
If it's not happening to everybody, I wonder if it's a hybrid software/hardware issue, where certain computers have faulty speakers that don't jive with the software? Or alternatively, maybe the reason there haven't been so many complaints is that many people either aren't using the built-in speakers, or aren't using the computer for audio production.
Click to expand...
It’s most likely related to the way the t2 chip is dealing with power management. I don’t know exactly how Apple operates internally but the impression I’ve gotten is that it’s not conducive to putting out bug free software. The 2018 models have a “crackling” issue which is actually worse than what’s on the 16 in models. The issue just hasn’t been addressed and there are still people active in the thread complaining. It’s possible that the update they give to fix the firmware will fix a whole host of these issues and that the cracklings and speaker popping come from the same power management issue but I wouldn’t hold my breath. If it’s a deal breaker I’d just return it, I don’t think Apple can fix this in repair since it is a firmware issue which is on every unit I’ve tried. I choose best speakers in a laptop with slight defect over returning them but in the long term I’ll see how wise that choice was
 
Bumping this thread. I'm suffering the exact same thing and I'm not entirely sure what to do either.

I've had an absolute plethora of issues with the 16" MacBook Pro including an actual hardware speaker issue. I sent it in for repair and they replaced the logic board as well as speakers, and that obviously fixed the hardware issues, but the thumping issue remains.

It affects the entire OS when it occurs but Logic seems to be a trigger. And since I'm taking a music production class right now, this issue is really impairing my work ability. Switching the MIDI bit rate to 48,000 seems to work for a bit, but then it resets itself automatically.

I called again today and scheduled another mail-in repair, but reading all these forum posts about it, is it worth it?
My return window for refund closes in two days... so I'm stuck a dilemma. Not sure if I should:
  • Miss the return window, send it in anyway, and hope it gets fixed. Either from sending it in or through a future software update.
  • Return it and buy the next gen MBP when it comes out.
 
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I have no issue whatsoever with my MBP's speakers. So, obviously, not all 16" units are the same.
The previous 16" I sent back because of overheating and very loud fans. This one hardly ever gets warm.
 
sdp77 said:
I have no issue whatsoever with my MBP's speakers. So, obviously, not all 16" units are the same.
The previous 16" I sent back because of overheating and very loud fans. This one hardly ever gets warm.
Click to expand...
Do you use Logic Pro X?
 
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