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iTunes 10 poor audio quality

After upgrading to iTunes 10, I noticed when playing music from my library that the audio quality is significantly lower than previously with iTunes 9.x. The audio quality sounds muffled and distorted.

I found this thread in the Windows section, but wondered if other Mac users were experiencing the problem as well.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2571907&start=0&tstart=0

I ended up downgrading back to iTunes 9.x and the problem was resolved. Any ideas? I'm going to end up needing to use iTunes 10 for my new Nano I think ... 😉

21" iMac (late 2009 model), Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 10, 2010 2:29 PM

93 replies

Jan 20, 2011 2:21 AM in response to Adrian Whitfield

SOLUTION !

I had the same problem. stereo balance was not good. Left&Right channels were both a bit on both sides. Result was terrible. I've tried reinstalling intunes in diffenrent ways but it didn't solve the problem.

What worked for me was the following:
go to audio/midi set up, set default output to internal speakers and play something in iTunes. Then switch to line output play something again. Then finally swith back to your audio interface as default output.

Jan 24, 2011 2:30 PM in response to Tom Bakker

Im so glad I just stumbled on this thread!! I have been going INSANE trying to figure out why the stereo image of my Logic tracks in iTunes have been so horribly out of whack. I have been pulling my rig apart thinking that I somehow created a conflict internally...I'm going to try this and see if it helps...Thanks!!

Jan 24, 2011 3:57 PM in response to prscully20

Unfortunately still no luck - there must be additional conflicts with my Mbox 2. This is really insane that this still hasn't been resolved by Apple....

Jan 25, 2011 12:14 AM in response to prscully20

Hi,
When I restarted the mac, the problem was back again so I had to go through those steps again.
Do you have "soundsource" installed ( it's a free plugin from Rogue Amoeba )
It has a little headphones icon in the right top of the screen, next to the sync icon or bluetooth icon?
If so, then maybe this couses all the trouble we have.

Jan 25, 2011 2:40 PM in response to Tom Bakker

Yeah I actually dont have soundsource - Im just going to have to avoid iTunes for exporting my mixes until this is resolved - which is truly a travesty IMO..

Jan 26, 2011 3:16 AM in response to prscully20

I also noticed the same panning issue occurs if I upload the same stereo mix into Soundcloud....Leading me to believe that iTunes may be corrupting the audio file once it's been exported....

Jan 26, 2011 11:22 AM in response to prscully20

I'm sure this is related, Windows iTunes users can't import music to our iPhones anymore. The songs are filled with random static. I also imported MP3 files and had the same problem. There are also a number of threads growing in the Windows iTunes forum about this.
I don't understand why we haven't seen a single response from Apple on the related threads (which started over a month ago)? Collect your record profits last year and bail. Time for an Android.

TR333rmh

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2011 8:52 AM in response to Adrian Whitfield

I read the comments, below, after I notice this problem discussed on MacFixit. I was ready to take my ancient receiver/amp in for repair. My problem was the base sounded fuzzy on one channel. I found midi was OK and then turned off EQ. Good as rain. Thanks folks for your comments.

Cheers,

f00bar

Level 1

50 points

Jan 27, 2011 2:46 PM in response to Tom Bakker

Switching outputs can be done with Applescript so you don't need to repeat it every time you fire up iTunes. http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12923386#12923386

ThaRu666

Level 1

0 points

Jan 28, 2011 3:45 PM in response to f00bar

Hey guys,

I just updated iTunes to 10.1.2 (17) and for me the problem is fixed!

Good luck!

Jan 31, 2011 5:00 AM in response to ThaRu666

Second that. It seems to be working properly for me as well now.

Jan 31, 2011 5:05 AM in response to Adrian Whitfield

Fixed

Jan 31, 2011 11:26 AM in response to micih

Hi there, same issue here - but on all audio, not just i-Tunes!
Your suggestion worked a treat on all applications - including the radio player widget!
Thank you!

Rich

BigDC

Level 1

0 points

Feb 15, 2011 6:15 AM in response to RIchard Tanycoed

Not fixed for me, I'm using iTunes 10.1.2.17 and the sound is appalling. Strangely, if I minimise iTunes or use the mini player the sound is much better,(although still not as good as QuickTime Player), but with iTunes open full screen my music sounds like it's being played thru a wet speaker, it's distorted and jittery.

Mar 3, 2011 1:30 PM in response to Adrian Whitfield

Does the new 10.2 update fix the problem? Anybody knows?

Thanx!

iTunes 10 poor audio quality