Volume triggered Muffled Speakers - 2016 MBP 15” Fault (w/ Video Demonstration)

I sent my laptop into Apple for repair and it is fixed. They replaced the top case, speakers, and i/o cables.

Same thing has happened to me as well, on my 2nd machine. Had to get the first machine replaced, out of warranty. Figured it was a one time thing because the Genius bar said that it was not a known issue at the time. Has now happened to my 2nd MBP with touchbar so it clearly must be a defect in the device.

Here's an update about some of the issues I've faced.

So I contacted Apple support about getting this thing repaired and I was instructed to take it into a store. I took it to my "local" (hr away) Apple store and all I was told was that because the entire $800 top case was replaced a year ago, I was told to contact AppleCare and wasn't even given an option to repair in store. Called AppleCare and they basically told me they can't warranty the new part. I guess as apologies for going an hour away for literally nothing, I was told the left speaker repair would be covered.

When I got my machine back, I discovered they had basically replaced every single part on it (for free) and given me a brand new 2016 MBP. This is now my 3rd 2016 MBP so we'll see if this one has issues too. If it does, I guess I'll be selling it and buying a windows computer to run Linux on...

Have anyone tried an app like 'Audio Hijack'? It can route the sound through various filters, including limiting the max db, "de click" and so on. For various reasons I can't test it right now myself.

https://imgur.com/a/Bhf9F0S

Same computer, same problem. Similar things temporarily solve the problem.

Opening Audio MIDI setup for example and changing the hz of the output will fix the problem unless the volume moves again. (image shows headphones, because I'm currently using them, but problem is not with headphones)

Doesn't seem to be any permanent fixes for the above issues. Apple's solution is just to send them a new one or completely replace every part in the computer hoping that replacement parts don't have the same issues as the originals. The catch being, no parts have been revised.

I recently incurred the exactly same issue (Macbook 15, late 2016 with touchbar, Mojave 10.14.3). It came after I heard a cracking sound after plugging in power cord couple of days ago. Is there nay real solutions?

I have observed this issue further on my MacbookPro 2018 running Mojave 10.14.3. I've been streaming a movie and listening directly on my MPB speaker. The sound was normal, not muffled. At some point i have triggered one of those system sound you get when you press a key on the keyboard that returns no action. Immediately the sound on the movie i was streaming became muffled, like the speaker could not support both type of sounds. I still think this is not necessarily a hardware issue, but that is just a guess.

Hope someone addresses this issue because i see it spreads on several Macbookpro generations and it becomes increasingly annoying.

I'm having this same exact problem! It happened out of nowhere for the first time. I was watching a video on youtube and suddenly the sound got muffled and I thought it was a problem with the video and it was not.

All the temp solutions here worked (plug the phone and change the sample rate) but as soon as i turn up the volume, the sound get muffled again. In my ignorance, i really don't think it is a hardware problem, and I hope we can have a software (firmware?) fix for this. I'm using a Macbook pro 2017 15" TBar

The same problem on MacBook Pro 2018 2.9 GHZ 32gb ram bought end of September 2018. The sound muffling occurred at the end of December 2018. Its been like that ever since. The problem seems to be related to both speakers.

A lot of money and then this. As many of you said here servicing it is not really an option since is my work machine ( can't really afford to leave it in the service).

I have 2017 15" MacBook Pro. Same problem, speakers sound super muffled and terrible, after going over a certain volume. It's incredibly annoying, will take it to repair. Also my display lid makes a cracking noise when I open it and sometimes just randomly without even touching the laptop. Disappointed!

My 15" MBP with t/bar speakers muffle the same and besides reinstalling the OS I have the same issues. Playing with the midi Hz works for only about a minute if I'm lucky.

I'm wondering if there is anything else? If the midi Hz adjustment fixes it, I'm guessing it's a software issue right?

Do I just need to visit Apple store? Which is over an hour away 🙄.

Quite disappointing considering the cost of the machine isn't it?

I am having these same issues. So frustrated. This is the first of many Mac devices that I have wanted to throw in the garbage. Due to the lack of communication or attention from Apple... and that it is not covered under a recall as of yet, I am considering starting a Class Action suit. This is ridiculous. I purchased this machine for work. Part of my work is audio editing. As you could probably understand this problem is costing me quite a bit of frustration and hardship. PLEASE FIX THIS OR AT LEAST REPLY WITH A SOLUTION APPLE.

I am experiencing the same issue on my 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. It is very frustrating for such an expensive machine.