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Distortion using Macbook M3

zorox

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Jul 28, 2023
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My new M3 is generating serious distortion via both usb c ports and onboard speakers. Audio is reminiscent of blown speakers. Not crackling or static, but distortion. Most obvious in bass and sub bass, making use of headphones or IEM's a non starter. I use an outboard DAC(IFI go bar) and IEM's that play nice with my IPhone. Is this a known issue with the M3's? This happens with no other apps running so I don't see it as a memory problem/conflict as I've read in other forums.
 
Did you check the levels in the Audio MIDI settings? If so does it vary with them? Did you use an Apple computer before getting the M3? If so, what was the processor?

What exactly is the audio signal flow in the OS? Does it go directly from the program through Core Audio to the output device or is there an intermediary step e.g. for a DSP?

I use an M1 Macbook Air 2020 running macOS 15.2 currently without such issues.
 
agreed with @JIW. I have an M2 Max MacBook Pro and an M3 Mac Studio, and haven't had any audio issues.

are you using any audio plug-ins?
 

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Did you check the levels in the Audio MIDI settings? If so does it vary with them? Did you use an Apple computer before getting the M3? If so, what was the processor?

What exactly is the audio signal flow in the OS? Does it go directly from the program through Core Audio to the output device or is there an intermediary step e.g. for a DSP?

I use an M1 Macbook Air 2020 running macOS 15.2 currently without such issues.
Levels in Audio Midi are -13db. Distortion is louder as levels increase. I replaced a 2017 macbook air with this but never used it for audio listening. No DSP, but outboard dac(ifi go bar) which obviously doesn't affect on board speakers. Running 15.2 also.
 
Levels in Audio Midi are -13db. Distortion is louder as levels increase. I replaced a 2017 macbook air with this but never used it for audio listening. No DSP, but outboard dac(ifi go bar) which obviously doesn't affect on board speakers. Running 15.2 also.
What programs do you use to listen to audio?
 
Do you get the same issue with IEMs/Headphones plugged into the headphone jack?

Do you get the same issue when playing music from a source other than Apple Music?

Also, check the EQ settings in Apple Music, and if running any, turn them off, or drop the preamp down, and see if that solves the issue.
 
My new M3 is generating serious distortion via both usb c ports and onboard speakers. Audio is reminiscent of blown speakers. Not crackling or static, but distortion. Most obvious in bass and sub bass, making use of headphones or IEM's a non starter. I use an outboard DAC(IFI go bar) and IEM's that play nice with my IPhone. Is this a known issue with the M3's? This happens with no other apps running so I don't see it as a memory problem/conflict as I've read in other forums.
Can you record the sound with (eg) audacity, and post a short clip for us to listen to.
 
Do you get the same issue with IEMs/Headphones plugged into the headphone jack?

Do you get the same issue when playing music from a source other than Apple Music?

Also, check the EQ settings in Apple Music, and if running any, turn them off, or drop the preamp down, and see if that solves the issue.
No Eq, yes to headphone jack. Seeing as how issue doesn’t exist with Apple Music and same gear using IPhone or Apple Music played thru RME dac 2 fs on home system I’m left with assumption that it might be a driver issue w/m3. Just don’t know
 
Did you get the same issue when playing music through something other than Apple Music on your M3? Eg YouTube or other service you might have access to?
 
Definitely haven't experienced anything like that on my M3 MB Air. Assuming you haven't done much to it in terms of installed software that could cause issues, I'd make use of the warranty.
 
via both usb c ports and onboard speakers.
If it's happening both on digital and analog outputs it's something happening in the software or OS.

If it's not a huge bother I would say factory reset the computer and see what happens.
 
If it's happening both on digital and analog outputs it's something happening in the software or OS.

If it's not a huge bother I would say factory reset the computer and see what happens.

If it just happens in Apple Music, then you could try deleting and re-installing that first. Otherwise as @kemmler3D suggested, or talk to Apple if under warranty as @oleg87 suggested.
 
I'm a Windows guy but I'm guessing it's an EQ setting (too much boost without an offsetting downward adjustment) or some other "enhancement"
 
Occasionally (I think) I have gotten noticeable distortion when the sample rate of the content being played was a bad match (not integer multiple) for the DAC setting in Audio MIDI Setup. Apple Music doesn't adjust the DAC setting in Audio MIDI Setup to match what is being played.

I have an M4 with no audio issues except for some occasional aggregate device confusion. And the onboard speakers sound better than I would expect.

Maybe take advantage of the 14-day return policy.
 
what are your playback settings in Apple Music?

I haven't used the "Sound Enhancer" setting but it looks suspicious
1737002192542.png
 
As it turns out, the volume setting in Apple Music app itself, was set too high, about midway, thus overdriving everything. Once reduced to about 15% instead of 50%, problem was solved. Feeling a little humbled by such an easy fix once determined. Thanks to all for responses.
 
As it turns out, the volume setting in Apple Music app itself, was set too high, about midway, thus overdriving everything. Once reduced to about 15% instead of 50%, problem was solved. Feeling a little humbled by such an easy fix once determined. Thanks to all for responses.
What version of Apple Music are you using? I use 1.5.2.56 at full volume without issue. Have you tried audio playback through QuickTime Player or YouTube in a browser?
 
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What version of Apple Music are you using? I use 1.5.2.56 at full volume without issue. Have you tried audio playback through QuickTime Player or YouTube in a browser?
Since the issue is fixed, nyet.
 
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