Distorted speaker on brand new M1 MAX and not sure how to go about getting it fixed.

Same for me, but my tale is even more juicy: I purchased another M1Pro (14") and had my office handle the repair for the original system (since it could become an upgrade for a staff member). The system was repaired by Apple (description said ribbon cable replacement, but I suspect it was the speaker assembly).

Since I had previously suspected mechanical related issues I have been picking up my new system very carefully (two hands, one on each side).

However, after a few weeks I was holding the phone in my right hand and without thinking about it, picked up the MacBook with my other hand on the left side and heard the same little squeak/pop/tick noise I had heard previously on my original system--except it was the right side on that system, and within minutes I now had the same buzzing issue in my left speaker.

Apple: You have a serious mechanical defect in the design of the new cases. Under certain conditions the case is flexing just the right (wrong!) way breaking something loose near or with the speaker.

There are two things woven into this overall thread of sound distortion: 1) a software issue (which is probably easily remedied), and 2) a more dubious hardware/design issue.

I have had 2x M1 Pros with the later. Basically something breaks loose near one of the speakers and starts to rattle. The one I sent out for repair (right speaker issue) came back with a note that said a ribbon cable was replaced. Meanwhile I had purchased a second unit that was fine until one day I picked up from the left side with one had and heard a tick/squeak sound (which I heard on my original until on the other speaker after picking it up from the right side). Sure enough it started to rattle in the left speaker.

What's happening is the case is flexing just enough to break something loose inside. This is a design defect and likely will require Apple address through some sort of gluing/insulating of the cable (I am assuming) to keep it from breaking loose when the flexing occurs.

Suffice to say, I am very annoying by this defect as well. Right now I have a unit where the left speaker starts to rattle if I press down between it and the trackpad with my thumb, or when the unit is sitting on my lap (which I assume is flexing the case ever so slightly).

Apple: When will an intelligent fix be issued for this??

I have the same problem with my 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro bought in November 2021. Left speaker distortion just happened this week. I got an appointment at the Genius Apple bar in my area (30 away ) and they could not fix the problem on site. They told me they could send it away and I could have it back in a WEEK. He asked if I had backed up my data, I said no and that should have been the first thing the Apple tech told me on the phone; before I went all the way to the appointment. I had to drive back home, backup my data and then I will have to drive back or mail out the computer for repair. I can't go a week with out my computer. Very disappointing.

No, the latest OS does not fix the mechanical defect in the new form factor for these systems. There are two similar things woven into this thread, one may be software related and the other mechanical.

I don't know how common the software issue is, FWIW. But the mechanical issue is popping up everywhere.

I have had two M1Pro units that went bad with the same issue. Basically I discovered that if you grab it too quickly from the side the case flexes and something breaks loose around the speakers on the inside. I have had this happen on the right speaker for one of the units, and on the left for the other. In both cases I heard "a sound" when picking up the MacBook, like a high pitched tick/squeak. After that the speaker started to buzz, mostly on lower frequency sounds or music. Sometimes pressing on the case near the speaker or flexing it around a bit made the issue stop for a while.

I have this problem as well, and it developed after a few weeks and is now nearly constant. Putting pressure on the case near the speaker (in my case, the righthand side) makes it go away, as well as bending the case a bit.

Clearly there is a mechanical design defect. I would guess when Apple gets around to admitting it... it will require removing the bottom cover and installing something to mechanically decouple the speakers from whatever they are making contact with to create the distortion.

Update on the issue - Had the entire speaker assembly replaced by AppleCare, laptop was down for 5 days while this happened, very frustrating! I didn't even use the speakers that much for this to happen, that too just 3 months into the most expensive laptop in the line.

Lets hope this resolves it permanently.

Assuming it the same mechanical issue I have seen now on 2 (!!) M1Pros, it's possible it's just not (current) buzzing by way of whatever mechanical interference going on. You can probably pinch/flex the case and have it return (or stop, when it is buzzing).

I'll see if I can upload a video of it here, showing how I could start/stop the buzzing sound (see link: https://youtu.be/pkI-IUYxJSo).

Best of luck -- this is a real significant design issue with the new Macs.

I don't know what software update some of you are talking about. I have macOS Monterey 12.2.1., which was released on February 10th and I still had these pop/crackle sound showing up during music playback.

However after I received my MacBook back from repair at the premium seller (and still had these issues), I gave it to an Apple Store. They sent it back after roughly a week and when I got it and read the sheet that was included, I was disappointed at first. It wrote something along the lines that "our technicians conducted extensive tests and couldn't reproduce the issues I reported. My device succeeded all of our diagnosis and extended tests".

So according to Apple, they did not repair anything on my MacBook. But I noticed two things:

1. My MacBook has apparently been restored to factory settings (probably a common thing to happen)
2. The issue disappeared or at least didn't show up so far

I'm certainly happy about this, but I still wonder. Did they swap my MacBook with another one? Did the repair it but didn't admit it (so that they don't admit possible issues with production)? And finally: What fixed it?

I had some slight playback issues with my audio interface (Focusrite's Scarlett 4i4) and solved these with deleting my audio settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akP-IlX_Phk. I'll keep you posted on this, whenever I get these speaker issues again.

That is a bummer, ive just bought a 2021 MBPro M1 Max, that was of many big selling points made to me 6 speakers and 2 sub woofers. my speakers in my 2012 MBPro lasted until 2021 until the got weak and distorted and hard to hear.

Sounds more like a failed speaker than software is. Be careful with forums that are not actually the apple company, ive been told the wrong info that did not accurately resolve my issue and ended up in worse problems.

My best advice is always a trip to Apple Genius Bar, sounds like you need New Speakers, genius bar is best to resolve this especially since it is new. Genius Bar is best because if they fail or make this issue worse apple will provide you with new equipment. Once we start doing things on our on like software and especially physical repairs they will not look or work on your machine.

Ive Had real excellent luck with apple support, and products other than crappy batteries and power cords. Im hoping new the new braided cords are better. i know after market braided cords are great.

I hope this is a common problem on a $4000 MBPro M1 Max.

It seems apple has gotten very week on the warranty coverage. previous to seeing the warranties i see now, Apple always backed there products as long as we could still receive OS and Security Updates. i was not impressed with my 30 day warranty after spending $3899 plus tax and another $400 to $500 0n accessories. Not all of are rich and need the best so we buy apple based on past excellent experience.

i hope apple steps up on common issues even if it is outside warranty window, sort of like vehicle recalls.

we are over a year into the MBPro 2021 i was hoping buying mine this late after they started selling them sale, we were past all the bugs, (speakers, ports and mini led lite screen issues blacking out) it appears the port issue is resolved and screen, i hope but these speakers are supposed awesome tough and strong.

i bought mine a week ago. best of luck and please post your resolution to your issue when done.

Good news guys. Mine fixed itself after the latest Mac OS update. Just do an update and you should be good to go! :)

Hi, I have the exact same issue with my right side speaker distorting at lower frequencies on a M1MAX 16 inch MacBook Pro, very disappointing to get this issue so early on in its life.

Seems like the issue is with the sub woofer as it’s the lower frequencies that distort and when running a test tone at higher frequencies it seems ok.

Please update this thread with findings from Apple care

Yes! Same thing. left speaker only. I ordered this M1 Max the day they went on sale...and it wasn't till this past month this annoying sound started. Its almost unbearable. Hate this! I made an appointment for Genius Bar visit...so hoping to get good results there...Will keep reading the respones from others as obviously, there is a manufacture defect. I've own MacBooks for ever and never, ever had this issue. Figure when you spend , a lot! on a new product it should work well.

Well, I brought in my MacBook into the Apple Store in Bellevue. However, my distortion problem had mysteriously disappeared the day before. Still, the genius opened up the casing and re-seated the ribbon cable on my left speaker. He didn't see anything unusual, nor was there anything rattling around in the case. I guess I'll have to wait until the problem shows up again...

Has anyone had any success getting Apple to explain what is going on?

Im experiencing the same on my late 2021 M1-PRO

As a HIFI Enthusiast, i rarely use the speakers on my mac. But when working very late at the home office, i do.

Reading comments, i believe we are talking about a genuine design flaw here. I dont believe it's the drivers of the unit that is failing, as the issue would then be progressively worsen with the volume. Instead it's more noticeable at low volumes.

Doing the midi trick adjusting the resolution of the sound, does not work here as that is merely just telling the unit what it should upsample (or downsample) the source audio from and to. instead i believe this is EQ related, as the macbook is heavily using EQ to provide the impressive soundstage that it is able to do. Users are right that this could sound like the "distortion" is following the CPU load, but i dont believe that it is. It is more prominent to Mid-low range frequencies, where the non-existing enclose by nature laws makes it difficult for a micro speaker to produce a "fuller" experience of deep, true to nature voices.

Regardless. This should be fixed. The 16" M1 PRO is the so-far most expensive laptop i have ever acquired. If the problem is in fact EQ or components being poorly isolated from other we want to have a fix for this annoying problem.