volume fluctuation on macbook air

This thread is for "volume fluctuations" - the volume (especially when at mid-level) will go up and down slowly on it's own. Any "cracking" may be faulty speakers or other failed hardware. Let's keep to the original topic, please. Thanks!!

Update - I've tried getting a hold of the AppleCare representative that contacted me earlier this week. It's hard to get a hold of someone specific, so I'll have to call in soon and just give them the relevant information. I have noticed the fluctuations with the following:

iTunes

Safari

- Hulu

- YouTube

- Vevo

- "anything flash based"

Hi, I am having the same issue on my brand new 2013 13" macbook air.

My advice to you (and everyone else with this problem) is to contact Apple or return to an Apple Store ASAP.

Apple requested that I send them my MacBook Air to them. They got it Friday and should be sending me a replacement soon (I hope). If you have this issue too, do not wait to see if they release an update as you risk going over the return/exchange period.

Please guys report when you ll get your new units if everything is ok. I requested a replace unit from amazon and i ll have it in a few days.

Hello there,

I am also having this problem.

I noticed it when watching a 1080P video in VLC, however also noticed it when watching Channel 4 on Demand (4oD) in the UK.

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro that plays these same videos fine.

Uncertain as to what to do. The sound dips, then gets gradually louder.

Surely all of our speakers can't be faulty? This must be software, no?

I've had the same volume fluctuation problem on my new Macbook Air. I have only noticed it while watching videos online, no problem with iTunes that I could detect.

I took it in to the genius bar and was told that they couldn't replicate the problem, so, I left without a solution. Hopefully Apple takes notice of this problem and comes up with a solution sooner rather than later!

After being contacted by an AppleCare rep today, they do not yet have a fix. They are VERY interested in getting a hold of the affected hardware, and are willing to send a replacement immediately. However, they cannot guarantee it won't have the same problem. If you have the flexibility, I recommend contacting Apple immediately, so they can get you a replacement, and we can help them fix the problem.

Would just like to say that I am having the same issue with volume fluctuations. It seems almost random to me but I am not aware of it when listening to music. It occurs in many different applications including (but not limited to) Safari and iTunes.

I am wondering whether it has something to do with the new mics and accompanying software... is it possible that the Air is somehow noise cancelling the audio that it itself outputs through the speakers? Some people have reported that listening with headphones corrects the issue. I have done minimal testing and find this too.

Also, is there something we can do together as a group that will more effectively flag the issue up to Apple?

@SoupDragonn -

I have this feeling it may be some kind of interference with the noice cancelling features... The fluctuations seem to coincide with changes in scenes, or transitions from lots of loud sounds, to single voice or sound. I just noticed a setting under System Prefs -> Sound -> Input called "Use Ambient Noise Reduction". I'll switch that off and test this evening with my Hulu episodes 😉.

The AppleCare rep stated they were very concerned and interested in heading off the problem asap. Give them a call, as your system is under the warranty, even if you didn't get the AppleCare.

One of the ways to check/reproduce the issue (for me) is, for example, to watch iTunes11: iTunes Match video at http://support.apple.com/videos/ in Safari. Start at around 0:36 and hear the volume increase around 0:40-0:47 or so.

I want to add that I am having the same issue. I have noticed it on both Firefox and Safari, watching Netflix and ESPN. It may take over half an hour for the problem to kick in. It doesn't always happen right away. Support needs to do something to fix this.

I have also noticed that it happens more often when the person speaking switches. It actually can drive you a little crazy. I wonder, is this person really that quiet? No, because now the other person is also too quiet. Trying to watch a film for two hours like this gives a headache.

Just wanted to say, unfortunately I'm having the same problem. Haven't noticed it during apps. Only during streaming thecomedynetwork.ca and twitch.tv. Also seems to be just over the speakers, not via headphones.. So far anyways...

somebody here. install program called BOOM.

if that levels out the sound. as i have heard it does. then its a software bug of some kind

install BOOM please and report if that doesnt fix your problem. im quite certain it will

boom overrides apples volume parameters

please report back with boom installed

boom also boosts your mac air volume too if you want

its a very loved program by many 1000s of mac users for airs and macbook pros

I have the 13" I7, 8GB / 512 SSD air and I can watch the itunes match video linked above and hear a very big volume variance. I though I was going crazy because Ive noticed it a couple of times but this article has shown me the light that I have a bugged unit. It also is very slow to connect to wifi so I have the AC issue evidently as well(which I expect to be fixed with firmware) The speaker issue though not sure if firmware can fix this?