Cracking sound on bluetooth headphone connected to Catlina os 10.15

I had exactly the same problem with my Sony WH-CH500 headphones and I found a partial solution. I used Bluetooth Explorer app and turned off aptX codec.

Now my headphones operate on SBC codec and everything seems to be fine. I'm not experiencing this loud, annoying and cracking sound anymore.

You need to turn off Bluetooth at first. Run Bluetooth Explorer, go to Tools, then Audio options and click Disable aptX. Close the program, turn on Bluetooth and reconnect headphones.

I hope my solution will be helpful.

Download Additional Tools for Xcode... in this link https://developer.apple.com/download/more/

Open Bluetooth Explorer > Tool > Audio Option...

>>> Choose "disable ACC" and "disable aptX"

>>> Close

>>> Disconnect bluetooth headset then reconnect.

It works for me

Sony WI-C300

I was inspired by the solution https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250736951?answerId=251486600022#251486600022

But I searched for free way to do it. Please read https://ww.9to5mac.com/2018/08/31/mac-how-to-force-aptx-aac-on-your-supported-bluetooth-headphones/ . You can download xcode additional tools here https://developer.apple.com/download/more/?=additional%20tools

I had to select Disable aptX and Disable AAC. It will force SBC codec. So far it worked for me. I'm looking forward to official fix from Apple in order to continue using aptx&AAC.

I read your reply and was eager to fix this issue. As a developer i work 8 hours a day with my headset on and for almost two weeks i am destroying my ears with this issue.

I followed your steps but unfortunately this did not fix the problem for me. I still have the same cracking sound when switching songs.

The bluetooth options however still say i'm using AAC codec?

edit: after some clicking and checking, i am now on the SBC codec and the issue is indeed fixed that way. It had something to do with EqMac2 equalizer i was using that made it not switch to SBC directly.

Thank for your findings, allthough it is something Apple should be able to fix

The problem is that prior to Catalina, bluetooth connections on macOS were defaulting to the SBC codec. Catalina now defaults to the AAC codec if it's available, but as is evident in this thread, that is causing problems for a lot of people, for whatever reason that may be. Disabling AAC just reverts to the pre Catalina default SBC codec. Call it what you will, but switching back to the SBC codec solves the problem.

I followed this one

https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/31/mac-how-to-force-aptx-aac-on-your-supported-bluetooth-headphones/#:~:text=Open%20the%20Additional%20Tools%20drive,Audio%20Options%20in%20the%20menubar.

but instead of enable ACC and aptX, i marked disable AAC and aptX and so far its working on Sony Wh-CH500, here is what i did.

Open the link and download the "Additional Tools for Xcode" from the step 1 marked there and follow the instructions.

Once downloaded, dismount and copy bluetooth explorer to the application folder on your computer.

With your headphones playing, open it and go to "Tools" and then to "audio options"

Tick on "disable AAC" and "Disable aptX" and then close.

Disconnect and connect again your headphones.

It worked for me, hopefully will work for u.

cheers

Thank you @callmerocky9,

it works for me too !!

People are talking about issue with sony headset but I had the same problem with my plantronics headset, now it works perfectly. If you take the additional tools for Xcode, take the one of February 19, 2020.

Thanks very much for this.

I had to ask my son for help and download the developer tools.

My headphones were operating on the AAC codex and not aptX. They are now using the SBC codex and they seem to be working much better.

I have the same issue upgrading to Catalina using new WI C400. Apple has issued a 1 GB supplementary update for Catalina which is supposed to improve Bluetooth connectivity (fix something which was never broken in the first place). Can someone tell us if that fixes this issue?

When I updated to OS Catalina, I began to experience the same, extremely jarring, loud, high-pitched 'glitch' scratches when connected to my large Sony multi-channel AV receiver STR-DH590 that I listen to audio, video, and other content on my MacBook Pro 15".

Clearly, there's a Sony product commonality among this issue and the posts voicing the feedback, and I've looked online for updates of firmware and such on Sony's website to find no update or information regarding OS Catalina.

I have similarly researched how to remedy Bluetooth issues as others have listed, followed all the steps of deleting library files and the like with restarting and disconnecting and re-connecting and no option for fixing this has resulted in a successful solution.

@Apple this is jarring, disruptive, and highly inconvenient to research workarounds for Bluetooth options for audio.

I've resorted to plugging in a headphone jack 2-channel white/red splitter for my floor speakers and surround sound speaker system, but would like to be able to return to Bluetooth connectivity as there are plenty of opportunities for me to make my MBP laptop move around my design studio away from being hard-wired to my Sony receiver.

Solved what? This problem persist for several weeks and drives me crazy. This cracking noise makes me mad and completely fries my brain.

The only thing which help me is to listen/watch another song/video in parallel ( I set it at low volume, so that the main track/movie stands out

I can almost agree that it will not be a macOS issue, but a Sony problem. I have a soundbar which is doing the same as you all describe. When I use it via bluetooth I have the crack sound every time Apple Music gives me a new song. But I don't have this with my B&O headset or with my AirPods. And on the site of Sony you don't find any firmware updates. It is true, it's something that started 2 or 3 years ago. Before I didn't had the issue.

Same problem here with a Sony WI-C300, started happening since I updated to Catalina. My headphones work fine with my iPhone XS, but when I use them with my MacBook Pro (2014) it makes this weird noise like a screech for like a second sometimes when I pause o play a new song. I tried pairing my headphones again with my mac but the issue persists. Please fix this.

Exactly the same issue with Sony WI-C300. The Catalina update is a disaster: issues with bluetooth and sound, bugs in Finder and Preview. This is absolutely unprofessional for one of the most expensive laptops out there. I am seriously considering moving back to Thinkpad and Linux.