Sudden loud static noise on bluetooth headset

Just happened to me. My ears are still ringing.

I was listening to music on iTunes when suddenly a jarring screeching noise came from my bluetooth headphones. I was able to mute the volume on my Mac, but it seemed like every volume tier besides mute had a maximum volume screeching noise.

Just before this occurred, I was in the middle of running multiple applications (Pixelmator, VLC, Safari and iTunes) and the sound triggered just as I started uploading a large image file.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)

OS X 10.10.2

Headphones: Creative WP-450 (EF0460)

Second time this has occured. The other time was about a week ago. Has only occurred since updating from 10.10.1 to 10.10.2

Someone (PATRICKMELE) posted a reply with a suggestion from LifeHacker.com for fixing this. I tried it and it did NOT work. Within two minutes of listening to audio, I got the static burst when I refreshed a web page in another window.

Alas.

Same issue with the Bluetoooth Beats Studio Wireless headphones. Playing music on iTunes or streaming it over internet services such as Spotify and Tidal produce the same problem. I'm going to take them into the apple store tomorrow along with my 2013 Retina Macbook Pro to have it checked out. Hopefully this didn't damage my earphones but i think my ears have been scarred already.

I am experiencing exactly the same issue. I am running late 2012 macbook pro 13, connecting to Sony SRS BT100 bluetooth speakers. I'll be listening to a track on my iTunes, then BAM! Deafening static. Most irritating and painful thing ever.

Only happened since the latest Yosemite update. Any one know if there's a fix?

There's no fix that I am aware of. The Apple developers are definitely aware of the issue, though, so hopefully this will be corrected soon. I can say that, over the last few iterations of the beta versions that it has improved -- somewhat. When I first experienced this, it would fairly consistently happen within about a half hour of me starting a video (via Netflix). Now, it takes much longer for the problem to come up; I can watch a full hour-long episode and part of a second one before getting the static.

My best guess is that it's a memory issue of some sort. Almost always, the static is immediately preceded by my video stuttering/hanging. I'm at the point where I'll pull out my earbuds the moment there's any interruption in the video, because the static is very likely to happen right after that.

I am getting the same issue for the Jabra Revo Wireless Headphone.

In my case I can directly reproduce the static noise, if I am accessing to the Notification Center (NC).

Every activation of the NC leads to a static noise. I don't know if this bug is linked to the NC.

I am using MB Air 2014.

Let's see if 10.10.3 has a fix for that.

Confirming I have the same issue, and have since the update to Yosemite 10.10.2. Using a MacAir late-2010 with Mpow BT earphones. Happens with any BT device (earphones and ext speaker) and using any app or streaming service. Not only is this annoying/jarring, but it's also very painful. Feels like it jumps to full volume when the static kicks in. Can also confirm it doesn't happen when using plugged in headphones, or when using the iPhone. Seems to be only Mac-related.

This worked for me for about 24 hours and then the problem started up again.

Trying to figure out what other program might be interfering but not having much luck yet. I have a MacBook Air running Yosemite 10.10.2. I am using Beats Studio Wireless headphones with Spotify.

I use screenhero spotify and hipchat...all 3 are having issues with the latest mac upade.

The device I use is the bose in sound over ear blue tooth headphones. Sounds like crap now or doesnt work. Making it impossible to use these and going back to wired headphones.

Following this thread closely and hoping a fix comes out soon.

This issue persists and I'm waiting for Apple for reply....NOT HOLDING MY BREATH.... seems I have to at least shut WIFI off and on, to temporarily stop sudden static outbursts on my Bluetooth Bose speaker!⚠

TravisIsCool wrote:

This isn't a bluetooth-only problem. It also happens with USB audio devices.

Mid-2011 MacBook Air

Dell AC511 USB SoundBar

It behaves just like every other post here.

Interesting, and there's no wireless involved at all? You're directly connecting the speaker to your MacBook via USB and getting a long stream of static audio when it happens?

No wireless at all. Monitor is a usb hub, sound bar is plugged into it. But in every way, the symptoms here sound exactly like my problem, which, to me, make it seem like it's in the layer between core audio and the drivers.

Of course, it is possible that it is a different problem, but it really does seem identical. I reported the bug anyway. Hopefully something will come of it.

omg i experienced this too! in the past few days, my mac bluetooth acted erratic, and suddenly it disconnect the music and then followed by LOUD crackling static noise that gives me heart attack!

i am sure the problem is the yosemite 10.10.2, i am just hoping apple fix this bug asap.

Reported the bug, and was miraculously able to generate bluetooth diagnostic report while the static was occurring, and then a few minutes later, was able to create a bluetooth diagnostic utility report starting just before the static and continuing through several minutes of it. Uploaded files with the report.

Also...I waited through the static once, and it actually cleared. But it came back.

Sounds good KaaSerpent!

I had a suggestion that the problem might be to do with the aptX codec, but though it could still be a factor - the spread of devices having the problem and using/not using aptX is evenly split. The only factors I've found is anyone with the problem is running 10.10.2 and using a MacBook of some sort (no desktops).

Here's the list so equipment so far from those who gave it:

With aptX

x2 - LG Tone+ (HBS-730)

Sony MDR-10RBT

Red Beat Pill

Sennheiser MM400-X

Sony BM10

Creative WP-450 (EF0460)

Beats Studio wireless headphones

Mpow

Without aptX

Sony SBH-20 headset

Jawbone Jambox

Samsung sound bar (HW-FM45C).

Bose Soundlink 3

Philips SHB7000WT

Jabra Revo Bluetooth Headset

Bose SoundLink 2

Inland ProHT 87091

Sony SRS BT100

JBL micro

Unknown

Creative Bluetooth 2.1 - which model?

Logitech UE speaker