MacBook M4 sound quality feels cheap after Tahoe update

Downgrade to Sequoia, ran the same setup using the UMK-1 calibrated microphone, and the measurement came out what I expected without EQ:

Teal is Tahoe, and Yellow&Pink are Sequoia. So there seems to be some sort of audio issue on certain setups on macOS Tahoe.

Staying on Sequoia until this is fixed. :)

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For what it's worth, I use eqMac Pro with Tahoe and earlier versions of macOS. I can tailor the sound to my liking.

did you try removing the ParrotAudioPlugin ? Worked for me on Pro M4 Pro (see previous post)

There have definitely been reports of reduced audio quality with Tahoe, mainly around crackling speakers.

Bugs can be reported to Apple here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

I have a similar experience on M1 macBook Air on Tahoe. Sub-bass seems recessed or it could be that the upper-mids are emphasized. One thing's for sure, it makes my music sound off. Almost like there's a very slight spatialized audio effect being added, or a compressor on the volume. I have a measurement mic so I guess I'll pull it out and compare results

came here to say this. i have macbook pro m4 and noticed less bass compared to the sound quality before. noticed that YT videos sound lower and the overall sound just doesn't have that punchy bass. sounds like the vocals are more emphasized. but some are saying to downgrade to sequioa. hope this gets fixed soon because i hate it!

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Basically had the same issues, the same machine, the sound felt just cheap, like it was some old Windows laptop, and it felt like Equalizer in Apple Music wasn't doing anything as well, I restarted my Mac, and it partially helped with the bass at least, but the sound still isn't as deep.

Ok, so looks like 3-10k is reduced compared to a measurement I had saved when I was on Sequoia. I don't have measurements for my subwoofer so ignore everything before 150hz. This is without any EQ. I'll probably downgrade and run this test again.

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Hello so I'm running a Mac Mini M4 (Tahoe 26.3.1) and I'm experiencing the same issue.

Hear is the thing I stream, (Call Of Duty) and have been waiting on the update for months. When I tried to record,

you can hear the teammate, the in game commentators voice, but cant hear any gun fire, or the character's sound

effects. Please Apple fix this issue my viewers are going crazy without me.

Yeah, it is dreadful. I have MacBook Air M2. what I understand MacBook pro's do not seem to be affected. The sound is truly horrible. both on the mba speakers and on my external (wired) amp.

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I am using Macbook Pro M4, i recently updated it to macOS 26.1 directly from Sequoia. The sound difference is clearly visible. No more bass and clearity. I also have Macbook Air M2 15inch, now there is no clear difference between their sound quality. Please i need help

i am also getting similar issue after macOS 26 upgrade, sound quality is too much low.

I also suffering with same problem audio decreases in major level

I have faced same issue bass is weak than earlier should I downgrade or wait .

It feels like the sound decreased too. I've used the same volume level and this update it feels incredibly lower than before. I don't like it. It certainly does feel cheap!