Macbook Air 11" Speaker crackle

Mine doesnt do that.

I have the 13" model. Same problem, the right speaker has a strange rattle on certain frequencies. Took it to the Apple store, they said it was a problem and would replace both speakers. Got it back and the rattle was still there. I returned and the Genius couldn't hear the problem. He took it out back and 8 of his friends couldn't hear it either. Funny a week ago I was being told there was a problem with my laptop.

They refused that the problem existed. I used another MBA and the problem was on that one aswell.

Conclusion the speakers on the MBA's are rubbish.

They did admit that the right speaker has a subwoofer in it, so that might be what was causing the issue.

No wonder Steve left.

Hi, same problem here with my Macbook Air 13" 2011.

The right speaker sounds bad on certain frequencies. For example, this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyWez_Nkz2o

I went to Apple Store. They replaced my right speaker but the problem is not the speaker, is the distortion due the thin design (probably the keyboard keys)

Same sound problem with the demo laptops in the Apple Store...

Is not my first Macbook, and this make my furious.

Actually, The vibration has nothing to do with the speakers on the air. The speakers are extremely good for such a thin machine. It's actually the keys that are vibrating when playing certain songs etc. the speakers on the air never rattle. Probably most likely the enter key. when you hear rattling hold the enter key and you will see that.

The speakers are awesome. The real problem is because the keys vibrate in certain frequencies. Mine does this too, but in my case most times in the left shift key. This strange noises, can be due to dust under the keyboard that can vibrate and produce it too. Two weeks ago I heard an unusual crackle while playing Kings and Queens by 30 seconds to mars (3:24 - 3:50, that kind of sound always produce a strange vibrating key sound), I just turned it over and shake it a little bit and a hard piece of dust came out, when I played the music again, there was no crackle.

I find if you just press on the top of the enter button (don't need to push it all the way down) the annoying rattle stops. It's still not really what I expect from Apple for a £1500 laptop.

I had a problem recently with what appeared to be a speaker balance issue. The left speaker seemed louder than the right. I was able to correct it by skewing the fader to the right, but I took it in anyways. Turns out, as they admitted at the genius bar, that this is simply a design issue. The right speaker contains the "subwoofer" and only sounded like it was at a lower volume and the case design played no small part in the disparity either.

I felt better with an explination, and I listen to most music with in-ear earphones anyways. Bass is better...

Sly

Yes , the problem is For SURE the keyboard!! Not speakers.

I was analysing this since few days

My MBA is 2012 model. So as we can see, the problem is not resolved...

what a scandal!!!

I take it to the shop and say, they must do sth

if not, I will write to Apple to give me money back

It should not happen with device that costs 1500 eur

I'm suprised this problem hasn't been fixed in the latest refresh, you're right it should not be happening.

When I took mine back I was told I could swap it for a MacBook Pro, so if it bothers you that much might be worth trying to get your local store to do that for you.

Hallo v66jack!

HA, but You know, I bought MacBook Pro, 13`3 in February as well and I gave it back after two weeks !!! The screen resolution is a JOKE!! 1280x800 I had in my white Macbook from 2007 !!!!!!!!!

I was waiting for retina in Macbooks Pro!!!! Why did they not make it?!!! I would even pay 2000 eur.

Thats why I bought Air .. resolution is better and screen is better...and now? I dont know what to do. The problem is that I am professional musician, who likes to hear some music all the time. I know MBA is not a professional audio player , but it should not make this strange noise as we said!!!! Not this class device! It is so embarrassing!!!!!! The problem appears even if I speak with friends on Skype!!!

It is a real scandal, I thought they are pioneers but now I see apple is getting down slowly...

I will go to the shop and tell them. But what can they do?? NOTHING. This is the letter I wrote and the answer I received :

Dear Letec Friends,

My name is Daniel Brylewski. After 5 years I just bought a second Mac, new MacBook Air 13,3 128 gb, on 26 th of July at your Store.

After two weeks, I see, that there is a problem with sound.

The thing is more complicated, because as I have made an analysis, the spakers are ok, but BECAUSE OF VIBRATION OF THE KEYBOARD , there is a terrible buzzing ( little addictional noise ) , which makes me really nervous and unhappy.

What shall I do now? Have You heard about some of this problems already?

When I put my hand on the keyboard , I can even feel , how it vibrates.When I press a little bit, it stops.

Problem appears even at volume about 70 % !!!

I am professional musician and I always hear some music at my macbook. Of course I know it is not professional audio device to play music on , but.. I think it is not right to have such a problem with computer that costs 1300 francs?!

What can You advise me? Because I can not imagine having this problem all the time.

I send You an example, Bartok Piano Concerto nr 2, part I.

Could You please hear it at your MacBook Air 13` from the shop and tell me how it reacts??

the problem appears here from 0:07 and later ( from 2:54)

all the best

Daniel

Answer:

Dear Mr Brylewski

Thank you for your mail and for your analysis. But for us, it is not possible to solve the problem unless we have your device here in our store.

So you have to leave you're MacBook Air for two or three workdays in our store. In this time, we search the reason of the addictional noise and solve the problem.

and...Do You still have your mba?

with problem?

HUGS!!

Yes I still have the MBA with the sound problem. Luckily I'm usually either using external speakers or headphones so don't have to use internal speakers that much. The first time I reported the problem they replaced the speakers which obviously made no difference. When I took it back again they denied there was a problem and said they couldn't hear anything. If I was you I'd try and ask for an upgrade. Failing that maybe try selling it and use the money to buy another. But this really isn't a problem we should be having.

Mine does this as well, it is definitely not the speaker. if I put my hands over the keyboard, and listen to something that would normally make the buzzing noise, I cannot here it. I think all the MacBook air have this, but in general most people do not notice it. It is like the MacBook air is screen gradient problem, if you get a MacBook Air it will probably have this. The way I solved it is by getting a keyboard cover. (But I will probably take it into the shop anyway just to see what they have to say about it)

I made a vid about it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaVHF3iv4Gw

I got the same problems, but speakers on mac air really ***** (sadly). I exchange three times, at first, they can hear, but still agree to exchange, but now the cracked sound is so obviously, especially right one. Now I still find it in my latest one. The sound will be cracked even the volume is just 40%. I will wait until i got free time, and bring it back again to genius bar. Hope they are gonna replace the speakers or do somethings else =.= Im just so tired with this mac air. Anybody got any ideas to make it better?