Distortion on New MacBook Air Speakers

Hi All,

Having exactly this problem also on a new MacAir 11": left speaker is distorted unless I turn the volume WAY down (then I can't hear it...). Headphone jack is totally fine. Also happens system-wide, no matter what: App, music, dialog, movies, etc...

Anyone? Solutions?

If a new computer from the Apple store doesn't solve it, then we are looking for a hardware or software patch to ripple down from Apple. Just waiting now, until somebody figures it out...

I have the same issue on my MBA 13" which I believe to be some loosen keys (Enter Capslock and Both Shift)

are causing the buzzing sound when trottling the volume to max specially with high bass audio. try pressing them altogether and the distorting sound disappears. definitely its not a hardware issue but a production flaw which maybe affected with a few batch or maybe all.

I'm planning to put some cusioning to prevent keys from rattling but i have to check if it does void my warranty if i did some minor mod to my MBA. othewise just keep the volume to minimal level or used an external speaker instead...😉

Hi,

I just got my MacbookAir 13 today and having the same problem. I think it is software issue becuase when max out the volume in iTune it is ok. The issue only occur when I am on youTube.

Apple please update this issue ASAP 😟

ountzza

The issue only occur when I am on youTube.

If that is the case then it would indicate neither hardware OR software on the Air.

If a saved video clip plays audio fine, and a DVD audio can play fine thru a superdrive attached to the Air, and if MP3 play fine on Itunes, then your Air is fine.

Rather your occurrence would indicate a site specific fault as pertains a flash plugin issue used to process audio from youtube,....or a fault with your connection, or browser to youtube.

I've had the same problem.

Echoing PlotinusVeritas, I've found that the problem only occurs while using flash - youTube, vimeo, etc. - on CHROME.

I do NOT have the same problem when using youTube in Safari.

Have you noticed if it is spoken word or music. From my experience when listening to music on itunes I don't have the issue but spoken word on you tube I experience the issue. I tested the video link below where this guy is talking about his project in both safari and chrome. Both browsers resulted in the tinny sound out of the left speaker for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1NjVLfAwM&feature=youtu.be

This is what fixed the sound issue for me:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5323719?tstart=0

Hope this helps!

Hi,

I just got my MacbookAir 13 1 week ago and having the same problem. with iTune working fine, but got some distortion while i listen music on you tube.

Just wanted to share my experience and quasi-solution as I have been following all of your experiences/solutions.

I got a MBA back in June and have been experiencing the same problems. I have been hesitant to take it to the store because (1) my particular store isn't always the greatest (I prefer my hometown store) and (2) I keep seeing on here that people are getting the run around.

My experience: Crackling on YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix but not in iTunes or other non-internet based apps. I use Chrome but it would happen in Safari as well. When I took it into the store the problem could be replicated without problem and the audio would actually go out completely.

The quasi-solution part (1): refresh every time it crackles. This doesn't work, genius. (Yes. I said this. No. It wasn't appreciated.)

Quasi-solution part (2): Download Firefox. Because this is only happening in Chrome & Safari, both of which are based on the same platform as browsers (webkit - I'm sure someone else can explain this - lost on me), maybe Firefox will fix it.

"Apple is aware of the problem and they are working on a solution." - courtesy of the genius (Dennis) at my store this evening.

Firefox is a good work around. I don't have the crackling sound anymore. Annoying, but worth it until they fix it. And hopefully this information will give them a look into what it is about the "webkit" base (do I have that right?) that is causing the sound distortion versus whatever Firefox is based off.

This happened with I updated to the new software update 10.8.5, so I returned my new macbook air and I just got a new one and I have had it for a couple of weeks. I have held off updating the computer, I just updated the computer to 10.8.5 and it has started again, so I think the issue has to do with software. I hope it will be fixed soon. Please let me know what software you are running.

THIS IS A SOFTWARE Issue JUST FOUND OUT . WHY AM I YELLING. the problem ONLY occurs when your using software other than firefox. if you dont belive me test it out. a good test song is murder was the case by snoop. instead of raspy foolering coming the speakers when listening on chrome or safari, launch firefox and the problem is completley gone. the speakers are crisp and clean even on higher pitched octives. your welcome

I took off my keyboard cover and all the vibration from the caps and shift keys stopped. Maybe it's the extra layer of cover that causes the vibration hence the rattles?

To solve sound distortion:

Go to Disk Utility and click on "Repair Disk Permissions"

Restart your computer

If the issue remais, turn it off,

hold Command+Option+P+R keys

keep holding and turn it on,

wait computer restart 4 times,

release keys and wait it start normaly

done!!!

That solved my problem! Hope that solve yours.

Tks

So, how to deal with this? Personally I think Im gonne "live with it" for the time beeing, since Im bringing my laptop on a journey, and maybe give it back to the shop in six months and hope for a fix. I think it might be the keyboard that vibrates on the left side. If I hold my hands on it it kind of stops, the reason it pops up on yourube is course most sound on there is kind of low qualety and with alot of distorted high freqencys that create resonance and vibration. The fix above does not fix anything for my problem jemanso. I too did not notice this before but for me I think its the keyboard vibrating so it must have been there before or lets say maverics made the speakers higher pitched somehow? I doubt that. Anyways Im getting used to having issues with my tech from apple, its never perfect, last time I had a laptop from apple I had the "echo loop" on a powerbook 17inch, something apple denied until they quietly fixed it in a software update after me and others made life stink for them on the intrawebs.

any update regarding this? i'm experiencing the same on my 11-inch mid 2013 Mac Book Air running on OS X 10.8.5

poring over the issue seems ridiculous but i did it anyway.

i hear all sorts of crackling/popping sounds in chrome since the OS update.

playing stuff on VLC works fine. but when VLC is open in the background, and when i use safari to play sounds in patatap dot com, the sounds are erratic and messed up.

i am seriously hoping for an OS update soon.