Audio Problem with 2012 MacBook Air and Thunderbolt Display

Question

Level 1

2 points

Audio Problem with 2012 MacBook Air and Thunderbolt Display

I'm experiencing an audio problem when I connect my 2012 MacBook Air to my 27" Thunderbolt Display. When playing audio of any form (e.g., iTunes, Skype, streaming music via Chrome), the audio starts out sounding fine. After about 1 minute and 40 seconds, you start to hear static mixed in with the audio. After about 3 minutes, the audio is completely overcome with static; the original audio is totally indecipherbable.

I only experience this problem when playing audio through the Thunderbolt Display's speakers using my 2012 MacBook Air.

The problem does not occur when playing audio through the 2012 MacBook Air's speakers.

The problem does not occur when playing audio through the Thunderbolt display with a previous-generation (mid-2011) MacBook Air.

I have installed all currently-available software updates.

Is anyone aware of a solution to this issue? Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

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13" MacBook Air Specs

Model ID: MacBookAir5,2
Processor: 2 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
OS: Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4

27" Apple Thunderbolt Display (MC914LL/A)

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 23, 2012 10:08 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 26, 2012 12:36 PM in response to F150Wahoo

I am having the same issue. New macbook air 2012 and connected to a new thunderbolt display. after about 3-4 minutes, the audio coming out of the display is all static. Please help!

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Answer 2

Jun 26, 2012 9:12 PM in response to F150Wahoo

I am also experiencing the same issue with the same. 13" MacBook Air and a new Thunderbolt display.

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Answer 3

Jun 27, 2012 12:54 PM in response to F150Wahoo

Same thing here, but it's more than just static, it's like the sound isn't coming through. thought it was originally slow internet, but doing it on iTunes. fixes if i either 1) disconnect and reconnect Thunderbolt cord; or 2) switch to MacBook Air speakers and then back.

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Answer 4

Jun 27, 2012 12:59 PM in response to Markabrahm

Yes, it "fixes" for a few minutes if you even hit pause on the music content (itunes, pandora, whatever it is)...but then it returns again in a few minutes. Music turns to static. UGH. HELP?!?

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Answer 5

Jun 27, 2012 10:32 PM in response to F150Wahoo

+1 for me. Brand new 1 week old MBA 13" and TBD, with latest firmware as guided by AppleCare. I'm on the phone to them now for a second time, and it looks like Apple will be replacing it. I'll keep you posted.

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Answer 6

Jun 28, 2012 11:20 AM in response to F150Wahoo

Same issue here. Using a brand new 2012 Macbook Air 11" maxed out and TBD. I didn't have this problem with my early 2011 15" Macbook Pro.

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Answer 7

Jun 28, 2012 1:36 PM in response to F150Wahoo

Apple just replaced my MBA with a new one. Let's see what happens...

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Answer 8

Jun 28, 2012 2:01 PM in response to Marco Meneses 11

Duh. I am on my SECOND Thunderbolt Display. I am on my SECOND macbook air 2012. SAME PROBLEM. After about 10-15 minutes this second time around, any audio...streamed spotify, pandora, itunes, ichat...any audio coming out of the Thunderbolt Display turns to static and eventually fades out. ***?!?

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Answer 9

Jun 30, 2012 5:21 AM in response to F150Wahoo

same issue here. Hope Apple does something about this very soon, as I spent a fortune on this new Mac...

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Answer 10

F150Wahoo Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 30, 2012 10:18 AM in response to F150Wahoo

Through experimentation, I've found that the audio works fine (i.e., no static) if I remove all USB connections from the Thunderbolt Display.

If I plug my Apple keyboard into a USB port on the Thunderbolt Display, and I let the audio play for a few minutes, the audio begins to degrade with static.

As a short-term workaround, I've removed all USB connections from the Thunderbolt Display. When I connect the MacBook Air to the display, I plug a USB hub into the MacBook Air (not into the Thunderbolt Display). I plug the Apple keyboard (etc.) into the USB hub. With this configuration, the audio works fine.

Of course, I do want to be able to use the USB ports on the Thunderbolt Display, so this is a short-term workaround at best.

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Answer 11

Jun 30, 2012 10:21 AM in response to F150Wahoo

Thanks for that suggestion. I am trying it today. Hopefully this is a decent short term solution until there is an update to some sort of software. Paying $1,000 for an external monitor, I'd love to be able to use its ports. But for now, I will try and plug these items into the 2012 Macbook Air. I shall report back. Thanks for the tip.

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Answer 12

Jun 30, 2012 10:26 AM in response to F150Wahoo

I had nothing plug into the macbook air. Just the thunderbolt and power cord. Still having the same experience.

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Answer 13

Jul 1, 2012 5:29 AM in response to F150Wahoo

I'm having the same issue. Brand new display and 13" MBA. I get about 5 minutes of sound that's fine then the static and distortion starts. Disabling the MBA speakers and using Airport Express speakers seems to work as a work around when using iTunes, but it's not much help for YouTube, etc.

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Answer 14

SKFW

Level 1

0 points

Jul 1, 2012 1:52 PM in response to F150Wahoo

I'm encoutering the same Thunderbolt Display audio distortion after a short period of time, with only a Thunderbolt hard drive connected aside from the MacBook Air. All available software updates have been applied.

11" MacBook Air (2012)

Model ID: MacBookAir5,1
Processor: 2 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
OS: Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4

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Answer 15

Jul 2, 2012 4:17 AM in response to SKFW

unplugging EVERY USB Connection from the back of the Thunderbolt extended my life without static for a bit. Now I can stream/play music or audio for about 20 minutes, then the static bomb hits. Still no solution @Apple?

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