AirPods Max high frequency squeaking and static popping

Question

Level 1

4 points

AirPods Max high frequency squeaking and static popping

Hi, I would really love to love my AirPods Max, but I've been having consistent audio quality problems. So bad that I'm discouraged to even use them. I'm afraid for my hearing after a couple of these encounters. I'll describe my experience below...

I was using the AirPods Max for maybe 3-4 months without issues. That's when I started experiencing nearly deafening static POPS each time I would put them on. The pop would only happen the first time I put the headphones on each morning, but was so loud and so extreme that I started trying to protect my hearing from the static by quickly removing the headphones after hearing the "ding" connection chime. I called Apple Support, sent the set in for repair, but the technicians sent them back and said they were unable to detect any problems.

Fast forward, I'm now experiencing some extremely annoying "high pitched squeaking" coming from the right speaker. What makes this problem difficult to reproduce is that it's very intermittent. I'll put the AirPods Max on, hear no squeaking for maybe an hour of use, and that's when it begins. The squeaking continues to get louder and louder as I continue using the headphones, until I eventually can't stand it and take them off.

So I sent the set in for repair once again... the same result. The technicians were unable to find anything wrong with my set. So I've now called Apple Support a third time and set up a third session with the diagnostics team. I've been using my AirPods Pro for years now and I've never had issues like this. I'm so disappointed in the quality of such an expensive product and I'm seriously concerned for the lack of quality control on this device. I'm not at all exaggerating when I say that the static pops were deafening and made me legitimately afraid for my hearing as I continued to use the headphones.

I'm posting this here to hopefully keep track and create awareness of this issue and give others an opportunity to chime in so that Apple has a recording of the quality problems. I've seen posts on Reddit and some other places that mention similar problems, but hopefully this format is something Apple might take seriously.

Posted on Apr 19, 2023 1:25 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

cat291

Level 1

8 points

Jan 13, 2024 3:44 PM in response to scottydo91

mine have a high pitched squeaking noise also. It’s so odd. The noise is intermittent but has a regular cadence. It does not go away but does cycle. It’s like a high pitched beep over and over again. But only in Mine are brand new, so I may just return them. Ugh. So frustrated.

Reply

Answer 2

rett210

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2024 8:12 PM in response to scottydo91

Did you ever get this resolved? I’m going through the same issue. Although support just told me I need to send them in for another inspection (I just received mine back today from the first inspection and right out of the box the problem was still there).

it is pretty unacceptable that Apple sells products for so much yet doesn’t guarantee their quality to a higher degree. I guess my best option now is to keep letting them take apart and put together my $500 headphones? A better company would replace them with a new pair.

Reply

Answer 3

brbo

Level 8

35,722 points

Apr 19, 2023 9:46 PM in response to scottydo91

Hi scottydo9,

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community

Thank you for posting info. about your experience with AirPods Max to the Apple Community.

Wondering if the sound difficulty is occurring with a particular app:

Eg: About Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music – Apple Support

or

if you have tried switching to another "mode" to see if there's a difference: Eg: AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode - Apple Support

Listen with spatial audio for AirPods and Beats - Apple Support

or

whether the sound issues could originate with the device or computer they are connected to:

Eg: if some small particle of debris may be involved, either with the connected device, or from the AirPods Max: Eg: How to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and EarPods - Apple Support

______________________________________________________________

Sound levels:

Customize headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Adjust the mono audio, balance, and phone noise cancellation settings on iPhone – Apple Support

____________________________________________________________

A Bluetooth signal can be interfered with or weakened in some situations; Apple Support's article: If the sound from your wireless headphones cuts out or is distorted – Apple Support

How to: Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

________________________________________________

Re: warranty: Legal - Hardware Warranties - Apple

Find the serial number of your AirPods – Apple Support

Enter serial number to:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support

___________________________________________________________

Re: "hopefully this format is something Apple might take seriously".

We are all Apple users, like yourself, in this Community, so Apple will not see your post:

If others are experiencing similar issues:

Where to send feedback to reach those who work behind-the-scenes at Apple They likely won't reply, yet feedback reaches, and will be viewed and logged, by Apple.

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

All the best :-)

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 11, 2024 3:18 AM in response to scottydo91

Has anyone figured out the cause for this? I also Experience this high pitched whistling on my AirPod Max when listening to music on Apple Music or streaming a video with the noise cancelling setting On. I have not experienced it in the transparency setting as the background noise from the plane is too loud.

Reply

Answer 5

scottydo91 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 11, 2024 9:12 AM in response to BIKELIFE_TRAV

Hi, OP here. Do you wear glasses while using your AirPod Max? I did some more research online and found a few examples of people saying it was related to wearing glasses with the headphones on. I found that hard to believe, but unfortunately I think that was the cause of my issue. The glasses I was wearing at the time broke and I got a new pair. After changing my glasses, I can now use my AirPod Max without any issues. I was so close to selling them for cheap or trying to get a refund but switching my glasses was the cure! Not sure if this will help your situation, but wanted to pass along the info.

Reply