MacBook Pro speaker pop and then flat sound

Question

Level 1

9 points

MacBook Pro speaker pop and then flat sound

This is a 2016 MacBook Pro with the touch bar. When I turn the volume up on anything there is eventually a small pop and the sound goes very flat like it's missing most of the lower frequency, as well as rather quiet. I really can't tell if this is software or hardware. This happens with any software that produces sound loud enough to trigger the issue.

Things I've Tried:

- I can toggle the hz in Audio Midi Setup and the sound quality returns to normal until I turn the volume up again.

- This issue existed in Mac OS High Sierra, and persists after my upgrade to Mojave.

- Opening the back of the computer and cleaning out any dust I had access to.

- When plugging in headphones everything works as expected.

- Bluetooth speakers work as expected

Here is a video reproduction of the issue: 2016 MacBook Pro Audio Issue - YouTube

Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016), macOS Mojave (10.14)

Posted on Oct 2, 2018 1:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Oct 3, 2018 1:36 PM in response to counterbeing

Hi there, counterbeing!

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you are having issues with the sound on your MacBook Pro and I'm happy to help! You've tried excellent steps and next you should check out this article for How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac as well as this article for How to reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac .

Let me know the results and have a great day!

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Answer 2

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 10, 2018 5:25 PM in response to antony6555

Well, my external boot to Mojave produces the same problem. I really think it's a hardware issue, and I'm fresh out of applecare.

External bluetooth speaker it is :/

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Answer 3

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 3, 2018 7:04 PM in response to antony6555

This doesn't seem consistent with a blown speaker or anything. It feels like the hardware is trying to protect itself from loud noises or something. It's exceptionally frustrating not knowing wether this is hardware or software.

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Answer 4

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 4, 2018 4:06 PM in response to antony6555

I realized I need a bigger USB stick to get the job done. But if you're still having the problem after a clean install it sounds like it would accomplish the same thing, and it's a hardware issue... But, i'll give it a go once.

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Answer 5

Oct 10, 2018 5:34 PM in response to counterbeing

that ***** dude.

thanks for the reply. i am going to take mine to an apple store...i'm not sure how much the repair cost will be. i strongly suspect they will have to replace the whole motherboard.

anyway, thanks for your response.

personally, i prefer a pair audiotechnica m50x headphones to bluetooth speakers. i highly recommend those headphones by the way 🙂

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Answer 6

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 10, 2018 5:36 PM in response to antony6555

I have a good pair of headphones too 🙂

Thanks for reaching out. When you find out what's up, please let me know what the diagnosis and repair cost is! It's not something I care enough to spend a few hundred dollars on, but I'm sure everyone would like to know.

Thanks again!

C

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Answer 7

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 3, 2018 2:57 PM in response to jeremy_v

Thanks, but unfortunately neither of these resets helped.

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Answer 8

Oct 3, 2018 5:03 PM in response to counterbeing

i have this same problem and it basically happened after install the mojave beta i believe...and i still have it.

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Answer 9

Oct 4, 2018 1:00 PM in response to counterbeing

yeah...and there have also been issues with the model and speaker problems earlier...i hope it's a software issue, but you never know with apple these days

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Answer 10

counterbeing Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 4, 2018 1:25 PM in response to antony6555

I don't know if you've tried something like this, but I'm making an external USB boot to see if an entirely fresh OS has any impact... I'll report back on the results.

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Answer 11

Oct 4, 2018 4:05 PM in response to counterbeing

good idea. i tried doing a clean install of mojave and it achieved nothing.

i'm also in the mojave beta and it still hasn't been fixed in the latest beta

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Answer 12

Oct 4, 2018 4:21 PM in response to counterbeing

yeah...it might be due to their updates? is my thought.

my hope is it will be resolved with future updates.

i assume you still have the same problem?

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Answer 13

Oct 10, 2018 5:38 PM in response to counterbeing

yeah i definitely will. tell me what speakers you get, i'd be interested in your thoughts on that point.

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MacBook Pro speaker pop and then flat sound

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