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

Hello, unfortunately, I have the same issue ((( reset NVRAM and all recommendations helped for a 10 minutes. I don't believe that it's a hardware issue. BTW just now realized I got this issue only with last major mac os update ....

Guys if someone will fix this somehow, please share the solution

This happened to me two days ago. I have the 2017 model, 15-inch w/ touch bar. It's brand new; I bought it a month ago. I was listening to a youtube video and, out of nowhere, my right speaker starts crackling really loudly. Now, the right side is all muffled. I tried the methods above, but nothing really works. Changing the hz only fixes the issue for a few seconds, and then it goes right back to being muffled. I'm more than sure that this isn't a software issue because I just updated the OS last night and the issue persists. Apple needs to remedy this ASAP.

Same problem here, right speaker completely muffled. Tried all potential fixes, and going in to Apple Store to get it diagnosed. I bought the machine less than two months ago. 😟

2017 MBP 15" 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7

I have this issue too.

Except my left speaker is permanently muffled. The trick with "Audio MIDI Setup" temporarily fixes only the right speaker.

I've called Apple Support. I have tried all the software tricks to fix it. I even tried to boot a fresh OS from USB (the original OS shipped with my model of MBP). We figured out this is most likely a hardware problem.

I have 13 months old MBP (the warranty just expired). I need to take it to service 😟

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)

OS 10.13.3 (17D102)

I will go along with the idea of a class action suit if apple does not respond. I was unaware of so many problems people are having with this model Mac. I would not have purchased this model. I just received my new late 2016 MBP 15" and Im already having some issues. I am ready to call the retailer for a RMA.

I don't understand why Apple doesn't do a recall on this model.

Add one more (actually a few more) to the pile of this issue. My company is having this same issue of muffled speakers in several MacBook Pros. There is serious talk within our IT team to move to Surface Books with the thought of "if we're going to have problems, at least we're not spending twice as much for them." Sad really, because I'm an Apple fan, but not if they're going to ignore a known, reoccurring issue with their machines.

I have this problem to, bringing it in to get serviced in about 5 days. pain in the *** as I use this machine for work and cant afford to be without it for 5-7 days. Nothing software related seems to fix it.

I reported to Apple Bug Reporter and Apple answered me:

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Apple Developer Relations

March 28 2018, 11:09 PM

Engineering has provided the following information regarding this issue: This is likely a hardware issue.

Please visit an Apple Store for servicing the issue.

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It's very sad to see Apple not worry about its consumers. It's a expensive machine with a chronically problem.

Apple should do the repair without charging for it.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015),

I have been facing this problem since one month. I am deeply saddened with this, Tried everything on this thread, But nothing worked for me. didn't expect apple devices to have this type quality related issues. Now i doubt how do they get highest customer satisfaction.

Thanks for writing this up in such detail.

I have the exact same problem with my 2016 15" macbook pro. Needless to say that this is very very annoying.

Did you make any progress regarding the issue? Did Apple acknowledge the problem and fix your computer under warranty?

Piling on here. Same problem.

Was playing a little Depeche Mode for a co-worker to win a bet, and at 50% volume it sounded fine. I used the touch bar to slide that dope song up to the max volume, but somewhere around 80% it totally squelched down to a muffled version of the music. Lowering the volume would not return to previous performance.

Plugging in Headphones, I do not experience the same muffled experience. Unplugging the headphones, the speakers are still muffled.

A reboot "fixes" the problem, but that is only temporary... until I want to crank that volume and get some db's, y'all.

Note that I did have a lot running at the time, and the area of the MBP near the hinge was very hot to the touch.

Exact same thing happening here - this is now my second speaker issue with this machine (2017 15"). The top case and logic board were replaced three weeks ago for a totally dead right speaker, keyboard, and power/charging issues and now out of the blue today I went to adjust the volume and heard the left speaker go muffled like this. Exact same issue as your video shows but on just the left side. So frustrating - quality control has taken an absolute nose dive with these machines.

Happened to me in my 13th month of ownership. Worse yet, I noticed it a while ago, but could not figure out if it was hardware, software or what and didn't take it in soon enough. To call this frustrating is a major understatement.

Happend to me with my MBP late 2016 after upgrading to MacOS 10.13.6

First I thought that could be a bug after implementing AirPlay2 feature in this version, but after reading this tread I understand that it's something that has being happening to other starting 2017.

APPLE, please resolve the issue! Release hotfix ASAP!!!!!!!

Same problem here. Happened recently, as if related to a software update. As soon sound on speaker goes above 80%, the muffling starts. If I insert headphones and remove them again, sound returns to normal until I push the volume up again.

Will go on Monday to our local Apple repair centre. Let's see what say have to say about this.