Loose Connection Headphone Jack MacBook

yeah i realise that now. But because my powerbook was so good, i just presumed that the macbook would be quality as well. I guess they're just being greedy using cheap parts like you say. It's my fault for trusting them. Trouble is, i need a mac laptop so i'm a bit screwed if they've all got the problem.

the fitz adapter doesn't really solve the problem. It makes the connection a little bit tighter but it still is a bit wobbly. Also the adapter doesn't take away the sssssss sound when it should be comnplete silence.

luke_am wrote:
Also the adapter doesn't take away the sssssss sound when it should be comnplete silence.

Try going into System Preferences/Sound... go to the "Input" tab and lower the volume on all input devices.

This might reduce the background noise.

Apple used to use Texas Instruments audio chips which were nearly as good as a $100-200 dedicated Firewire/USB audio interface.

pancenter-

I found a solution to the MacBook audio plug problem! It's virtually free, and it can't void the warranty because it's completely reversible.

Take a VERY tiny piece of aluminum foil and fold it up so its thickness is equal to the distance that your headphones pull out of the audio jack on the macbook when gently pulled. On mine, it's probably half a millimeter.

Your aluminum square should only be large enough to fold over the bulbous tip of the 3.5mm plug. Do not make it so large as to cover any of the colored lines on the tip of the plug. Mine was about 4mm wide (go figure, it's a 3.5mm plug).

Insert the plug with the aluminum cover all the way into the socket. When you pull it back out, the aluminum should stay in down at the bottom of the plug; it will serve as a spacer so there is no longer a gap in the slightly larger microphone/audio dual plug on MacBooks (made to be compatible with the Apple audio/mic headseats).

If you ever need to get the aluminum back out, just fish it out with a paper clip. I have not had any problems since I tried this; chances are you won't need to take it out anyway. However, I HAVE NOT tried to use the Apple audio/mic headseat since I installed it, and cannot tell you if it'll still work or not. But for anyone who uses their headphone jack for normal 3.5mm plugs, it's an easy, cheap, and safe solution. Your plug will fit much more snugly than before, and it takes a much greater pull to mess with the connection.

whatboutthis: I use a toslink optical cable for my home theater, so the foil won't work for me. Does anyone know of an adapter that takes the 3-ring (4-conductor) down to a 2-ring (3-conductor). I read about this somewhere as a good solution.

hi all.

I just got a new macbook yesterday (may 29-2009) and I've been using it extensively with my ipod headphones and my larger Sony MDR CD160 headphones and I haven't noticed any problems. Maybe because I'm working in a non moving environment (home) so the cord isn't being swayed around?

Or, it's possible this problem was fixed for my macbook?

In any event for those that are still having issues a low cost alternative would be to buy yourself a Griffin iMic for $49.00 which uses USB converted to mini pin audio in/out. That should solve your problems as the USB port won't easily come undone.

I have the iMic for an older mac that didn't have any audio in/out and I can tell you they do work great!

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic

It's a bummer some of you have this problem and Apple should fix it for you but if they don't rather than getting rid of your macbook get yourself a $49 solution and be happy. When using the iMic you also get an extra 18" of move around freedom because of the iMic's cable (see pic).

+1
I have experienced this issue since i got my MacBook in december 2008 and thought i had damaged the inside of the audio out myself...
Glad to find that it's a general issue 🙂
But i'd like a fix to be done too.

Yessur87 wrote:
+1
I have experienced this issue since i got my MacBook in december 2008 and thought i had damaged the inside of the audio out myself...
Glad to find that it's a general issue 🙂
But i'd like a fix to be done too.

I'd be curious to find out if they changed the headphone jack on the new just announced/released Macbooks.

pancenter-

+1, I also have this problem.

We are all having this problem because the port doubles as a optical audio out. No 3rd party 3,5mm jack fits into the port, they all stop going in about 1-2 millimeters short.
It seems that there is some kind of plastic thingy at the end of the port which is needed for an optical jack and prevents the analog jacks from fitting in.

The same jacks fit my iPod and iPhone just fine, meaning they go in all the way.

Unfortunately I threw away the cheap sounding headset that came with my iPhone and bought a Shure headset so I can't measure the length of the iPhone headset jack. I am pretty sure that the jack is 1-2 millimeters shorter than any other 3,5mm jack...

Message was edited by: fourmyle

KindredHyperion wrote:
For the record, the same problem exists on the old G5 towers. This is not a new issue...

Doesn't on mine, I can use any headset/speaker-set with it. I've tried the Macbook ports at the Apple store and it's a bad fit, nothing like the G5.

pancenter-

Hi

I have the same problem with my Unibody 13" from late December 2008, Bought at a local Mac supplier in Denmark. But at first I did not do anything about it, because I had read this thread, and seen people claim that Apple would not fix it.

But then a couple of weeks ago, my screen started making this strange noise when closing the lid, definitely from the Hinge. Then I decided to take contact, with the store where I purchased the Macbook, I told them about my problems, and without hesitating they sent the book, to a certified Mac workshop or whatever it is called, now yesterday I was told that they will change the Display and Logic board!! And as I can see, changing the logic board, must be to fix the audio problem.

So maybe there is a chance for my book to work as it was meant to be. Anyways, when I receive the book back, I will let you know whether the problem is fixed or not.

I am having the exact same problem with my sennheiser headphones. They used to work on my Macbook and now they won't connect. When I go to my system preferences the headphones won't pick up on the output list. What should I do take it into the apple store??

HELP HELP HELP

I have a MacBook Pro 17" which I purchased around the end of July. It is the most recent MacBook out.

I noticed my headphone jack being very loose for certain items. iPod headphones seem to hold alright. But I have Altec Lansing headphones and NXT brand external speakers, which seem to be held very loosely in the jack.

Now I do see other poeple with worser problems posting here. I am just posting this, because the external speakers and headphones I mentioned, used to fit fine in my older Powerbook G4. I find it weird that the are so loose in my new Macbook Pro.

I wonder if apple is going to do something about this, there is like 100 posts here.

2009 Macbook. Same issue.

Has anyone tried the fit of the connection on the microphone jack?

On my MacBook the Mic socket "grabs" a 3.5mm jack securely (you can feel it snapping in) whereas the headphone jack doesn't.

If anyones having trouble, thought this might be another way to demonstrate to the dude in the apple shop that is a legit problem with the actual headphone socket and not to do with the headphones being used.

I use my macbook to play music through the stereo at the cafe where i work and half the time when someones goes to change tracks the sound cuts out..

not really good enough.

I'm a sound engineer and use both pro audio external devices and the headphone port for connecting my macbook pro to audio systems, I've had my logic board replaced 3 times so far due to the headphone port failing. Unfortunately it seems this is a weakness on the current models. It is immensely frustrating as sometimes I really don't want to have to trundle along my equipment rack just to play audio through a PA system. Yes I also have a smaller USB interface that I can use, but the point here I think is that these current machines have a poorly designed connector. I like many others on this forum have used Apple laptops over many years and I'm disappointed that I'm going to have to rely on an extended warranty as I feel sure that I will have to have it replaced again in the future. I'm going to have to carry an extra interface in my bag so that I use the headphone socket less when I'm connecting to sound desks.... but I'm still going to use headphones as we all do!