Speaker/case vibrate & buzzing sound with volume above half way

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Speaker/case vibrate & buzzing sound with volume above half way

I got my MBP 13" this past May and absolutely love it. Over the past several weeks though I have noticed that if I am listening to music out of the computer speakers at anything above around half volume, there is a buzzing/rattling/vibrating sound that comes from the back end of the body, sort of from the vent area. This rattling goes with the music, with the beat of the song/with the loud parts, if you know what I mean. It sounds like something is loose and is picking up the sound and vibrating with it. It is definitely coming from the back of the body by the vents because when I press down on the aluminum body above the keyboard the vibrating will stop. Anyone recognize this issue/have a suggestion of what I can do about it?

Thanks

Mid 2010 Macbook Pro 13", Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 18, 2010 9:50 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 9, 2011 8:35 AM in response to eww

Yes, it' very new, I got it three days ago. The buzzing is not always there, but, as explained it happens often enough to be a nuisance. And in some cases (certain piano music, for example) it is really bad.
If I press down on the chassis the vibration diminishes, which indicates maybe some sort of looseness somewhere. Tomorrow I'll call support and ask for a replacement.

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Answer 2

Sep 18, 2010 9:59 AM in response to Wikkus

That's rather odd because even if there was something loose the speakers of the macbook shouldn't create frequencies powerful enough to resonate that .. But it appears that they do 🙂

I would try to strengthen the screws around the bottom panel of the machine in case some are loose and cause the panel to vibrate like that ..if that doesn't help I'd take it to apple store to see what they have to say ..

Under the keyboard towards the vents you have the logic board and the fans with very few loose part if any ..

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Answer 3

joshua_r

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Oct 17, 2010 1:17 PM in response to Wikkus

I have the same issue - my MBP 13" was purchased in July '09. When the volume gets loud something is vibrating horribly. When I apply pressure to the frame just above the "power" button the vibrating stops. Any solutions - I am guessing mine is going to AppleCare next month...

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Answer 4

adi1982

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Oct 23, 2010 10:34 AM in response to joshua_r

I am utterly frustrated with Apple support. First I was dismissed without giving due consideration and then when I was able to convince the support person, replacing the speakers had no desired effect. The buzzing sound persisted.

I had to carefully select sample of audio and video files to be able to prove my point. Now I have to submit my Mac so that they could look at the issue in more detail.

It seems the support personal( apple authorized ) have very little knowledge of workings of Mac.

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Answer 5

Jan 9, 2011 8:19 AM in response to Wikkus

I have a brand new MacBook Pro 17". With certain frequencies while playing music the case (or the speaker itself) vibrates, especially on the right side.
There is a distinct and extremely annoying 'buzz', like you'd get out of a cheap FM radio.
This makes some music literally unlistenable. It's so bad I am going to complain and refuse this product.
My previous machine was also a MBP but it didn't have this problem at all.
MBP are supposed to be the best you can get by the way of laptops. People buy them also to do professional work like video editing and music. I am amazed an € 2500+ product can be so poorly built. Very disappointing.

Message was edited by: GigiMollo

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Answer 6

Feb 10, 2011 9:44 PM in response to GigiMollo

I have a new 17" MacBook Pro here as well (2011), and same thing: the speaker on one side is vibrating horribly, depending upon the frequencies being played through the speakers. The Mac alerts "Hero" and "Submarine" in particular sound terrible.

Yes, very surprising that the top end MacBook is doing this. Then again, maybe not. The logicboard on my last 17" just went after only 3 years.

Keep this up, and Mac stock will drop for more than a little hospital visit by Mr. Jobs.

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Answer 7

adi1982

Level 1

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Oct 23, 2010 10:38 AM in response to adi1982

Also now when I put my Mac's serial number, the site say SN not recognized. 😟
More frustration.

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Answer 8

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 9, 2011 8:21 AM in response to GigiMollo

They certainly don't all do that, so you're within your rights to ask for an exchange if the machine is really brand new.

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