JBL Flip 5 + MacBook Pro

JPower70 Said:

"JBL Flip 5 + MacBook Pro: My new JBL Flip 5 speaker crackles and cuts in and out when connected to my MBP. It works fine with my phone but not the computer. Any ideas?"

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Reset the Core Audio:

Using Terminal, reset the core audio, seeing if that makes all the difference.

1. Go To: Utilities

2. Open: Terminal

3. Type: this command:

sudo killall coreaudiod

4. Press: Return

5. Type: Admin Password

6. Press: Return

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Also, Contact the Manufacturer about compatibility.

Use Chat:

1. Go Here: JBL FLIP 5 | Portable Waterproof Speaker - JBL.com
2. Click On: the Exclamation Button to Begin a Chat with JBL:

Have same problem with JBL flip 5 + MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) Catalina v. 10.15.4 (19E287). After turn off bluetooth on mac and turn on again it works correct but after 10-20 min it reconnect by it self or start crackles! When connect to iPhone it works good all the time!

Sounds like there's obviously some interference since you're connecting them wirelessly to the MacBook. A quick troubleshooting idea is connect them directly to the MacBook's Thunderbolt 3 port. I do see on JBL's website that it comes with a USB-A to USB-C connector cable.

With it being a 2014 it's possible that your bluetooth module is too outdated for today's wireless products, especially when dealing with 3rd party products. Well you can still try to connect the speaker using standard USB-A to USB-A cable. I'm recommending to try this just to be sure it's a not an issue with the speakers being compatible with MacOS. If the speaker works fine connected directly then the bluetooth module is outdated.

BTW, which OS are you running?

Sadly Bluetooth modules have a limited life span. That's why Apple keeps putting in updated ones in each new Mac released. They'll tend to work fine with older bluetooth-enabled products but new products are generally compatible with the latest Bluetooth technologies. It really depends on the manufacturer. For example I have a 2011 iMac and my AirPods work perfectly with it, but perhaps because their both Apple products.

How are your speakers connected to the MacBook?

No worries. Just out of curiosity which phone do you have?