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jinkim608 Author

Level 1

1 points

Sudden loud static noise on bluetooth headset

I'm using LG Tone+ (HBS-730) bluetooth headset on my MacBook Air mid13 on OS X 10.10.2 Yosemite.

Since a few days ago, while I was listening to music and such on my headset, sometimes, a loud static noise (max volume I think) started suddenly, which shocked me and led me to quickly pull the earpieces out. No other sound is recognizable since this static noise is so loud. The noise does not stop until the bluetooth is disconnected by either turning off the headset or the bluetooth module from mac. Turning the headset on again, it works again normal.

While the noise exists, if I mute the volume on mac, the static noise stops, but comes back when I increase the volume again. Volume control on the headset did not do anything.

I'm suspecting either the bluetooth module on the laptop or the bluetooth module in the headset is bad, but couldn't test with another headset as I don't have anything else. It happened 3 times for the past 3 days I have been using it.

MBA is a little bit over 1 year old and the headset is about 1.5 years old, no related problems were experienced in the past.

Does anyone have any clue or similar experience?

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10), null

Posted on Jan 8, 2015 1:21 PM

Top-ranking reply

snowoutside

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Jan 12, 2015 6:48 PM

Yes! I am experiencing the exact same thing. Same headset (LG Tone+, HBS 730). I have a MacBook Pro, from mid-2010, running 10.10.2 Yosemite.

It only started in the last few days, though I've been running Yosemite for a little while now. I had previous bluetooth issues with Yosemite, specifically that the audio would get out of sync with whatever video I was watching. Upgrading to a later build of Yosemite seems to have fixed that, though.

The loud static sound is new, though. Based on the fact that the headset works fine in every other instance I use it (I have two phones that I use with it frequently), I'm fairly certain the issue is with Yosemite.

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187 replies

Mar 1, 2015 4:58 AM in response to ixley

I too am having the same issue. Loud static noise streaming bluetooth audio from itunes. Wakes me up in the middle of the night. I need music to sleep.

At first I thought it was my bluetooth speaker so I bought a different bluetooth speaker.

Same thing happened.

I suspect it is a problem with either the bluetooth antenna or a bug in the OS. Likely the latter. Needs update fix ASAP.

This issue started after I upgraded my Mac Mini to Yosemite.

lvicedo

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2015 2:33 AM in response to jinkim608

I have exactly the same problem with a MacBook Air late 2010 (yosemite 10.10.2) and a JBL Charge 2 bluetooth speaker. Everything works ok at the beginning but after several minutes I'm getting an annoying static noise from the JBL speakers. Disconnecting and connecting bluetooth connection from the the mac solves the problem.

srm007

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2015 6:37 AM in response to lvicedo

This issue may possibly be resolved. I've just upgraded to the new public beta version of Yosemite 10.10.3 and have been streaming Spotify on a late-2010 MacAir using MPow BT headphones -- the same setup I used when I posted the issue a few weeks ago. So far, no eardrum-breaking static. I'm passed the listening time when the interruption occurred previously when I was troubleshooting. I'll repost if I experience it again.

jinkim608 Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 4, 2015 7:55 AM in response to srm007

After reading your comment, I also installed the 10.10.3 public beta. At least, the static noise does not happen when the laptop is back on from sleep mode (as this was one way to cause the problem to occur consistently, someone found out). I will also try testing with my BT headset for longer period of time.

The possibility of issue being fixed aside, I am really annoyed and hugely disappointed at how Apple is handling this issue. I originally started this thread in early January. Since then there are 7 pages of comments here on this thread, and I was also contacted by an Apple engineer initially at the end of January (which tells that they are aware of the issue). They were just gathering some info about my system and nothing much other than what we have seen on this thread at that point.

At least they can do is publicly acknowledge the problem and give a warning to users before someone actually gets an heart attack. I am slightly exaggerating but it was quite an unpleasant experience to hear that sudden noise at MAX volume while studying in a quiet library, which has happened multiple times over a couple of days. Also, not sure if they actually included the bug fix on this 10.10.3 public beta patch or not, but I didn't see anything about this issue on the update description.

For the past 2 months+ , I have not used my BT headset because of this problem on my Macbook. I think this is ridiculous.

Enough with the ranting. I appreciate everyone contributing to this thread to identify/confirm/raise the issue.

Mar 4, 2015 8:27 AM in response to jinkim608

Yup, I've been avoiding using the bluetooth as well. Hopefully this latest update has corrected the issue -- I'll install it tonight.

And while I sympathize with all you who got a jolt while quietly reading, the first time I experienced it, I was in the middle of working out, with two dumbbells lifted over my head...and a horror show going in the background. Fortunately, I didn't injure myself. but my wife thought I had dropped a weight on my foot or something based on how I yelped. It's funny now, but yeah...that could have ended badly.

srm007

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2015 8:36 AM in response to snowoutside

The first time it happened I was sitting in a Starbucks and yelled "F*#!" loudly and threw my headphones. I rarely say that; it was instinct. When you think you've blown an eardrum no other word seems more appropriate. 😮 I've been listening for about 10 hours over the last couple of days without the static interruption, following the upgrade.

jinkim608 Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 4, 2015 8:42 AM in response to decadentdave

Yeah I figure that, but hope no one gets actually seriously injured.

And thank you guys for sharing stories. This is interesting. And also thanks to others that are testing and sharing the possibility of the issue gone.

Mar 4, 2015 11:23 AM in response to srm007

Just wanted to say that I have also installed the Yosemite 10.10.3 Public Beta and this issue appears to be resolved. I've listened to my Beats Studio Wireless headphones for several hours straight on two different days and no loud static noise thus far. It'll probably be a week or so before I completely trust it without thinking about it. Right now I'm still on edge but so far so good!

danbear5

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2015 11:29 AM in response to jinkim608

I also experienced this, and my head is still hurting from the sudden loud blast of white noise that wrecked my ear drums. This is the 2nd pair of headphones that have done this in the past month. This is a serious issue that could definitely hurt somebody. This is absolutely unacceptable.

Mar 4, 2015 12:16 PM in response to jinkim608

Adding in my "I am experiencing this"

Mac Book Pro 15-inch Mid 2012

Updated to 10.10.2

Using Photive PH-BTH3 headphones

Sudden and random static experienced while listening to iTunes, Youtube, Pandora. The noise is incredibly loud, especially in contrast to the quiet music I was listening to.

Fortunately my headphones have a wired option, so I am safe for now, but I would really like to use my BLUETOOTH

Mar 4, 2015 5:43 PM in response to jinkim608

Okay. I downloaded the public beta and installed it, and I've been listening to audio non-stop for the last 2.5 to 3 hours. YouTube, iTunes, and Pandora. So far, no bursts of ear-splitting static.

So. Far. (I'm very untrusting at this point.)

Mar 6, 2015 6:23 AM in response to jinkim608

I have been having the same issue with Jaybird's JF3 headphones. The people at Jaybird were kind enough to send me a replacement headset but today the loud static sound appeared again. I just found this thread and at least figured out that my headset is fine. This happens randomly, maybe after two or three days of use while watching video with Quicktime. Running Yosemite 10.10.2 on a 24" iMac, early 2009. I fear Apple may never fix this 😠

Mar 6, 2015 10:54 PM in response to jinkim608

I'm having the same issue with my bluetooth speakers. My cat is now convinced there's a very large angry feline waiting to attack in my living room. Here's my setup:

MacBook Pro 15-inch, Early 2011

2.2 GHz Intel Core i7

Creative D100 Bluetooth speakers

The loud static has come on suddenly when I've been listening to music or podcasts through iTunes and Spotify. I will report the bug and try the beta update.

Mar 8, 2015 8:26 AM in response to jinkim608

Same problem here using an old MacBook Pro from mid-2009 and a Logitech Bluetooth-to-RCA adaptor.

I think it may be the last update who was supposed to fix the out of sync bug.

Come on Apple, 2015, you cannot have this silly bluetooth bugs!! 😠

Mar 9, 2015 11:33 PM in response to jinkim608

I also have experienced the problem. I just recently upgraded my mid 2012 macbook to Yosemite, and when I started playing music from iTunes on my bluetooth speaker. It was so loud and I nearly died of a heart attack!!!!!!

Sudden loud static noise on bluetooth headset