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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

Reply
234 replies

Aug 3, 2012 9:23 AM in response to kamelury

Made it all week. The problem is fixed if you turn OFF the airport on the macbook air. Connect an ethernet cable directly to the back of the Thunderbolt. Use that as your internet connection. I have not had a problem streaming music at least 8 hours per day the last 5 days. Hardly the ideal situation, but I was having MAJOR issues with this (returned the macbook air and the TB display twice, EACH) - and now its fixed. WIFI issue.

Aug 4, 2012 11:56 AM in response to F150Wahoo

I'm having this same issue with a brand new maxed out MBA 13" and TBD. Audio is fine when not plugged into the TBD. I've just migrated from PC to MAC, and say what you want about a PC, but this Mac cost about double the money and can't even play audio through the TBD?!? PLEASE Apple, get on this immediately! Any news on a fix?

Aug 7, 2012 12:07 AM in response to F150Wahoo

with wi-fi disabled i can confirm that, for now, the static noise is gone. I'm fortunate that ethernet is plugged in already, no wifi needed at my workstation.


so for me, problem solved, altough i would like to have a permanent solution... that wifi can be left "on" at all times.


I'm pretty sure that Apple is looking into it, but suspect that it's not a high priority issue for them.

Aug 9, 2012 5:01 AM in response to Marco Meneses 11

Hello Marco: just a few lnes to confirm you and anyone reading that even switching WiFi off and using the ethernet cable from the back of the TDB to conect to the network, the problem is still there. I does not only happen when hearing To music BUT also when using any application dealing with audio out - including videoconf. programs. This should be addressed asap, it's a lot of money on top of users' desktops and makes some situations look really awkward... - Rgrds

Audio Problem with 2012 MacBook Air and Thunderbolt Display

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