VERY loud sound when switching songs sometimes on Apple Music

A user (KeganAI) found a temporary solution to this in another thread. It's definitely a bug, and seems to be caused by an interference between either of the new sound formats (Lossless and/or Dolby Atmos) and the old Sound Enhancer feature. Sound Enhancer is only found on the Mac version of Music (and perhaps the Windows version of iTunes), which is why this issue doesn't seem present on iOS. Disabling Atmos and/or Lossless as iTim2009 suggests definitely does work, but so instead does turning off Sound Enhancer (found in Music by going to Preferences, then the Playback tab). If you're interested in trying either of the new sound formats, I'd recommend just turning off Sound Enhancer.

I have exactly the same problem on a 2018 MacBook Pro 15 running the most up to date OS + software. It happened a few times while using Airpods Pro, and it ABSOLUTELY HURT my ears. It also happens directly on the built-in speakers and it was even louder. I quit the Music app out of fear. For these scenarios, I had system volume set around 50%, and the BZZZZT sound was louder than the max volume I have ever heard on either of the speakers.

I thought it was something to do with the EQ which I turned off. Thinking its a hardware issue, did the usual PRAM, SMC, etc resets but that hadn't fixed it.

I would pause between songs, and that seems to prevent it, but the anxiety of getting to the Music app before the song is over is absolutely real.

Specifically turning off Lossless audio seems to have fixed it. Nonetheless, the sound is so traumatic, I am genuinely afraid of wearing my earphones again for music.

Mike, I found you discussion while trying to research the same issue. Thank you for the helpful steps to reproduce and here is what I found out myself and what I believe is the cause/solution:

AirPods Pro Gen 2 (A2084 - Firmware 3E751)

This issue appears to be related to crossfade and persists when it is on. When it's switching albums and it doesn't have a new song to sample from it will make the noise. I only experience the issue when: 1) switching to a new album, or 2) when it reaches the end of the playlist and it starts a genius "play on with similar songs" feature. Turning off crossfade resolved the issue and I used it this way for a week and there was no popping or cracking as well as the loud noise you and others have experiences. I turned on crossfade again this evening and started experiencing the issue again.

I turned off crossfade and it seem to resolve that issue. 

This happens to me only on my MacBook Pro (2016 15") when using my AirPods max. it's incredibly scary because of how loud it it is.

it only happened when switching albums. moving from song to song is fine.

I found that turning off Lossless stopped the issue.

have no idea how they can resolve this but this is dangerous. even at half volume with headphones it hurts incredibly.

hopefully they will resolve this.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252864819?answerId=255456566022&login=true&page=3

Good news – I found the solution on another forum post.

Go into Music>Preferences>Playback and turn OFF Sound Enhancer.

Haven't had an issue since unticking this box!

Anecdotally, I have found that disabling all lossless or Dolby Atmos functionality, and then REMOVING the previously download lossless/DA versions has fixed the issue. Since doing that, I've gone ten days without the issue.

I got a solution which seems to work for now : turn off the sound enhancer setting in your Apple music and the problem goes away.

Unfortunately turning off the sound enhancer did just kind of solved this problem for me, for a few weeks. Then all the songs started to have a continuous popping sound at the beginning and sometimes during playback. Lossless seems to be a problem too. Turning off all "high resolution" sound eliminates the problem completely.

Such a bummer.

Turn Off Sound Enhancer in Music Preferences under Playback, this worked for me.

Hi Mike Safar,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're getting having trouble with a loud sound since enabling lossless audio, correct? If so, we would love to help see if we can get the issue resolved for you. Let's go ahead and follow the steps we've linked for you below.

About lossless audio in Apple Music

If your setup is all good, let's go ahead and go to the top menu bar in the Music app, under Music > Preferences. Click the Playback tab, then select Sound Check to turn it on. Once that is on, let's see if that takes care of the issue for you.

Please let us know how it goes. We're always happy to help.

Cheers!

Thank you. I turned off Dolby Atmos, and the problem disappeared.

I was worried my speakers were going to fry/explode.

For me it only happens when using the headphone jack. It never occurs while using any Bluetooth devices or earphones including airpods and airplay.

'Edward21King' from another post found the solution and IT WORKS!!!

Go into Music>Preferences>Playback and turn OFF Sound Enhancer. Haven't had an issue since unticking this box!

Elsewhere, others have said that switching off 'Sound Enhancer' solves the issue. Speaking from my own experience, I have 2 Macs, an iPhone and iPad with no such issue. I have been using lossless through Airplay 2 on Mac Mini, MacBook Pro and on PC - and Dolby Atmos through wired headphones, However, I don't use wireless headphones and particularly not Bluetooth or features such as those checked in the screenshot above. Try unchecking Sound Enhancer.