Static sound coming from the Thunderbolt Display speakers

As said before, I don't think Apple thinks of this as a big issue, quite frankly not a problem at all. But it's **** of a lot annoying when surfing in a normal room.

same here... Brand new Macbook Air 13" connected to a brand new TB display, static noise in the audio while playing trough the display !

Now IF the TB display would have an audio output i could try to connect external speakers, but it does not unfortunately.

When is Apple coming with an official reply ? There are enough examples where it goes wrong, not ?

I suspect it's a hardware problem, but how can it be fixed ?

the static nois is soo bad... you really cannot listen to it. Solution please !? 😟

As of now there is no solution for this. Apple says this is a software issue. Contact Apple Care.

Don't think it can be "fixed", I think some component has this sound when it's used. It's the same as complaining about the volume of the speakers that it is too low when played at maximum volume.

if it's a software issue, then Apple should fix it with an update of iTunes or Mountain Lion. No other software or non-apple software is involved... Or perhaps new firmware for the Macbook Air OR thunderbold display ?

I find it sad that this has been an issue since the TB display was introduced (I've had the static with MBP since day 1 - and three replacments), but not that many people seemed to care about it. Even on the forums, a lot of Apple fans stated the issue did not exist.

Now with the MBA, it has become more pronounced, and the complaining (and legit at that) starts again. Personally, since Apple has yet to even admit it exists (officially - then or now), do not expect a fix until the next TB display is updated. JMHO.

I just bought the new MBP Retina Display and the Thunderbolt Display and within the first few hours of using it, I noticed that hideous hissing noise and wouldn't go away. I too noticed that it is effected by the brightness of the screen...hmmm. SO, I emailed my business services guy and he told me it was not normal and that he had a new display for me to pick up...so I swapped 'em out and alas, same thing with the new one...one of the guys in the store mentioned it might be the MBP but I'm not so convinced so I googled and came across this thread...interesting that several ppl have replaced it multipled times to no avail...not good news I'm afriad. I'm going to take both my MBP and display in and see if I get anywhere with the local genuises and such...I'll keep you all posted...

I have the same issue.

Playing for a little while the sounds starts to distort (as if the speakers are blown). Get's progessively worse.

Brand new TB Display. Brand new MBA. Both 2012. Static is unbearable. Looks like one of those #headinthesand Apple moments!

Brand new Thunderbolt Display with 2012 Macbook Air 13" Mountain Lion 10.7.1.

Sound starts to distort, and then sputters out.

What's the fix Apple?

This is my 2nd TB Display and same problem.

I have this problem and it is a serious issue because when I am recording into my audio interface into my Macbook Pro (2011), that signal gets PICKED UP. I noticed this when using a software distortion plug-in and noticed this horrible sound. I realized it was an amplification of this hissing sound coming from my studio speakers.

I isolated and tested everything: the firewire hard drive, the bass guitar, the audio interface, and it turns out it was my monitor, which is connected to the thunderbolt port via HDMI cable to an HDMI-to-thunderbolt converter. BTW, my monitor is a Dell 2408wfp.

I now have to unplug the monitor, record on the MBP, then plug the thing back in in order to get a clean DI audio signal. I can't take advantage of the larger screen real estate and positioning of the monitor, so my workflow is significantly broken up because of this issue.

This should be fixed with Mountain Lion Update 10.8.1

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1571

Cheers larsomat

Tried it with the 10.8.1 patch and the humming/hissing sound still occurs. 😟
Come on Apple, fix it already...or recall these displays!

Again, I think some of you are talking about different issues. In this thread we are talking about the small sound that can be heard when audio is played. I have a hard time seeing this being fixed thru a software update because it is a component making this humming sound.

buddyh1 appears to be talking about a different problem, when the sound becomes heavily distorted.