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rjeffords Author

Level 1

30 points

macOS Sierra Update 10.12.4 Stuttering Audio

Yesterday I ran the 10.12.4 update in the morning. The install was pretty routine and upon completion, I noticed an immediate problem.

I use a Plantronics Audio .478 USB headset with my iMac. The audio to my headset constantly stuttered. I tested iTunes, YouTube, as well as Slack phone calls -- all audio had the same effect -- constant stuttering. I tried bypassing my USB hub and plugged it directly into my iMac, but the problem persisted. I reset my NVRAM, but the problem persisted.

Audio coming out of the internal speakers was find. I plugged in another headset to test and the problem did not persist. This lead me to believe that the my Plantronics headset was bad, so I replaced it with the same make and model (because I liked it). The problem persisted with the new Plantronics headset.

My last resort was to do a system restore back to 10.12.3. After that was complete, the audio no longer stuttered.

So what could possibly have been introduced in 10.12.4 to cause audio issues with this exact model headset?

iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12.4), null

Posted on Mar 30, 2017 7:34 AM

Top-ranking reply

BrianF

Level 1

44 points

Posted on Apr 5, 2017 8:11 PM

Using the solution form this thread: Re: Audio glitches with USB headset after upgrade to macOS Sierra 10.12.4 I tried a few different ways to make this work. Ultimately it was connecting my headset to an unpowered USB-3 hub.

Sabrent Premium 4 Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub, model HB-MAC3 purchased on Amazon, http://a.co/bXdeSWB ($14.99)

Other unpowered hubs may work. Other people report it working for them, but have not reported models.

2012 MacBook Pro, Retina Display, 10.12.4

Plantronics Audio 478 USB headset

Connect to unpowered USB-3 hub (Sabrent) works, whether plugged into wired keyboard, other powered USB-3 hub or directly into MBP.

Connect to Wired Apple USB keyboard (current aluminum model) did not work regardless of where attached.

Connect to old unpowered USB-2 hub did not work regardless of where attached.

Connect to unpowered USB-3 hub (AX88179 USB 3.0) did not work regardless of where attached.

Connect to powered USB-3 (unknown model) hub did not work regardless of where attached.

Hopefully a patch will be released soon.

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67 replies

loopless

Level 2

257 points

Apr 10, 2017 9:18 PM in response to rjeffords

I have this problem with a logitech headset. Anyone tried beta 2 of 10.12.5?

Apr 12, 2017 12:07 PM in response to BrianF

Same issue here with my NuForce DAC plugged directly into a USB port of a mid 2011 Mac Mini. It was fine up through 10.12.3.

Eric Root

Level 10

684,603 points

Apr 15, 2017 10:38 AM in response to rjeffords

People have posted they got the headphones to work by attaching them to an unpowered USB hub.

isamauny

Level 1

4 points

Apr 16, 2017 10:43 AM in response to BrianF

I have the same issue with a Plantronics 655 DSP and connecting the headset to an Apple keyboard's USB fixed the issue (instead of any of the computer's USB).

nibram

Level 1

4 points

Apr 16, 2017 9:11 PM in response to rjeffords

I'm also having the same problem with Plantronics .Audio 628 U. Attaching it to apple keyboard doesn't fix the issue. I hope they release a patch soon! I'm not going to revert to 10.12.3

Apr 21, 2017 2:01 AM in response to rjeffords

I've same problem with Plantronics .648, cannot use it.

I'm really hungry

😠

Apr 21, 2017 6:51 AM in response to rjeffords

How do you roll back to 10.12.3?

Im on 10.12.5 and this audio issue is causing me nightmares - both mac pro and macbook have updated to 10.12.5 so skype is unusable with usb headset!

TXcrude

Level 1

22 points

Apr 21, 2017 4:33 PM in response to rjeffords

wondering why my Logitech USB headset works but the Microsoft doesn't ?

MM262

Level 1

9 points

Apr 21, 2017 7:15 PM in response to MM262

To anyone plugging in the headphones in the headphone port please also verify you have the correct connections. Normal headphones have 2 rings TRS and some headphones with a mic have TRRS 3 rings.

Apr 24, 2017 5:28 AM in response to MM262

Hi MM262,

Both my previous "no-name" headset and current Plantronics .Audio 628 are USB. The "no name" worked fine, but the Plantronics doesn't.

Apr 24, 2017 5:32 AM in response to MM262

on my Plantronics .Audio 628 USB, it says:

Format: 44,100 Hz

2 ch 16-bit integer

I'm not sure what needs to be changed and how.

miz_mdk

Level 1

20 points

Apr 24, 2017 11:57 AM in response to emirmadrazo

Did you do a Time Machine backup prior to upgrading? You can do a system restore from there by restarting holding down command-R.

zzzeni

Level 1

23 points

Apr 26, 2017 10:13 AM in response to rjeffords

Thanks to the advise on this site, my Plantronics .478 headset works again on my iMac. I bought a Sabrent 4 port unpowered hub from Amazon. http://a.co/bXdeSWB

Thank you!

May 15, 2017 11:55 AM in response to rjeffords

10.12.5 is now available. I just installed and can confirm it resolved the stuttering issue on the Plantronics .Audio 628 USB headset. 🙂

May 15, 2017 12:16 PM in response to RebFurtado

gosh thanks, only you know how painfull it was...

macOS Sierra Update 10.12.4 Stuttering Audio