MacBook Pro 15" 2016 Touch Bar Speakers Issue

I have had a similar issue. I am not running Bootcamp and have never ran Bootcamp.

2017 Macbook Pro 15" with Touchbar, owned for about three months.

2.9 gh i7

16gb ram

Radeon Pro 560 4gb graphics

The other day I opened up my Macbook from sleep and right away it made some crackling/popping noises for a couple seconds then stopped. I got nervous, so to test the speakers I played some music in iTunes and went into system prefs > sound settings to pan the sound. As I was panning back and forth, I noticed the music was playing clearly and at regular volume through the left speaker, but it was quiet and muffled in the right speaker. It kind of sounded like the right speaker lost high end (tweeter) sound. Then a day later, again right as I opened it up from sleep mode, it crackled a few more times then stopped. I then tested the sound again and this time NO sound is coming out of the right speaker.

Any ideas?

Should I take to the genius bar? I live over an hour away from nearest Apple store, so I would like to know that they can help me before I make the drive. I do not have Apple care.

Sounds like the left speaker is dying or damaged. This happened to me as well before they released a fix for bootcamp, which I think was the cause of the damaged speaker. I took mines to the Genius Bar and explained to them the speaker issues I was receiving. They troubleshoot it and determined the speakers needed to be replaced. So yeah definitely take it to the genius bar and explain to them what happened. I'm sure they'll replace yours for no charge, especially if tis still under warranty.

Yes, just bought this computer in july!

speakers are popping and crackling as of this week

I am not on Windows or Boot camp.

This is a new development so I haven't even reported it yet.

But have another issue and am taking it to a Genius bar asap ...

ho ho ho

I just had the same exact thing happen to me. Was in Bootcamp - plugged in an Xbox controller via USB using Apple's USB-C adapter (the one that provides USB, HDMI and power)

When the controller plugged in I heard a horrible popping sound that I thought was coming out of my external drive but it was in fact coming out of the Macbook's speakers. My right side speaker is now completely blown out and distorted. This is definitely a permanent hardware failure and will require a replacement.. I'll be speaking with an Apple support rep on Friday.

I had what my Genius Bar tech said was likely this same speaker issue, even though I haven't installed Windows on my MacBook. It's happened since day one, although it's become much more frequent (I've only owned it 11 days). It's only on the right side.

Ive had the exact same issue. The right speaker has blown on my new 2016 MacBook 15" when I used bootcamp.

Will contact apple for a replacement laptop.

Hey there Lyonac,

Based on the description provided, please install the Audio Driver Update for Boot Camp. Please follow the instructions provided here:

Install Audio Driver Update for Boot Camp to avoid issues with 2016 MacBook Pro speakers

Take care.

Apple ended up replacing my notebook, and the new unit has exactly the same problem as the old one. 😟

I have had this issue twice, where a loud clicking sound is heard. Once through speakers, and once through bluetooth headphones. I am using Windows through Parallels VM. I checked this Apple fix and I HAVE the update installed, and always have, as I installed bootcamp after the fixed version of Bootcamp drivers were released.

I'm using windows with the audio disabled to protect my speakers.

Bump. Same issue with same specs

MacBook Pro 15-inch 2016, Touch Bar,

2.7Ghz, 500GB SSD, 16GB LPDDR3,

Radeon Pro 455 2GB,

Mac OS Sierra / Windows 10 (BootCamp)

For me, on the windows side, the audio driver update from bootcamp fixed the popping sound, but now the sound won't go any higher than the 50%, even though I max the speakers at 100%. When I use Mac OS Sierra the sound is heavily on right side of the speaker, and whenever I crank the sound over 50% the sound only comes out the right side of the speaker. Plus there are some popping sounds on the Mac side. We are all plagued by this issue due to the cpu used in these models. Skylake is known to plague laptop users with these issues. Thought apple would have had it right when they decided to put them into these models. SMH.

I'm not running boot camp, but my Macbook Pro 13" Touch Bar is now only emitting sound out of the right side speaker. Related?

I am having this issue and i am not using Bootcamp. Seems to be when i am mostly web browsing. I am keeping an eye on it.

The slight popping sound is annoying.. i have not tried to mute the speakers so ill do that as a troubleshooting tool..

I have a 15" macbook 2016.