Sound Output on MacBook - Not loud enugh
I've been using a MacBook for quite a while now and I've noticed that the sound output for programs such as Front Row is not loud enough to be able to use it from 10 feet away which is what the interface is about.
iTunes volume levels are higher but not that high, all levels in System Preferences are set to maximum.
Any suggestions or software to fix this issue???
Hello,
Most notebook sound devices usually produce hallow sounds and are normally harder to hear at higher distances. Your best bet, rather than to push the limits of the speakers, ( they aren't great ) is to hook your laptop into some external speakers made for this type of operation. I usually hook my Macbook up to the TV along with my home theater system when I am using Front Row. I highly suggest you do the same.
Similar Messages
-
Troubleshoot Sound output for Macbook Pro 2009
macbook pro 2009 Sound output choice does not drop down anything but "internal speakers" choice. HDMI cable streams video and no sound. Have swapped out HDMI and it recognizes no sound for either. I think it could be a faulty adaptor for HDMI cable connection? It used to work fine then it stopped working and gave me a planet screen on TV when video was playing fine on computer. I tried again after software updates and a new hard drive and now it streams the video but sound only comes out of internal speakers. Wondering if I could be missing something on my mac before I buy another adaptor.
Another option, if you need a multi-channel sound support is to use a Optical cable like -
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1557&se q=1&format=2
From MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) - Technical Specifications (all the other Macs from 2009 also support optical digital audio).
Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in omnidirectional microphone
Combined optical digital output/headphone out (user-selectable analog audio line in)
Supports Apple Stereo Headset with microphone -
External sound output on Macbook Air stopped working
Two months ago, my Macbook Air went silent.
I tried every trick I was suggested, including upgrading to Mountain Lion OSx , after which sound came back for a few day then disappeared again.
Their is no external speakers listed under <system preferences / sound / output>
Internet is full of this complains, I mean it is not regional and limited to a particular version of hardware/software... complains are coming from everywhere across the world since 2008.
Unfortunately tech support at Apple appears to have no clue as neither hardware change nor software update / upgrade doesn't seem to solve the issue permanently. But they still replace parts and software for some reason, just to drive people crazy later.
I am confident that this issue has already been told to design team , the problem was known for years after all.
What is this? Does Apple expects people to trash their computers when this happens? and get a new one? Is this because Apple asks new customers if they want to recycle their old computers with them?
You probably think I am an Apple hater , I am not. I like their products but I hate their tech support, I am sick and tired of listening to so-called geniuses , bunch of untrained high school kids with a lot of BS.
Only hope I have left is, somehow, there maybe someone out there who already solved this problem... Are you there?
MacBook Air specs :
Processor 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
Software OS X 10.8
Other Apple products I use together with this Mac :
Magic mouse
Apple TV latest
iPad latest
iPod touch 4th gen.I finally found the solution,
the solution itself actually explains why Apple was so silent about this issue
because every macbook that was sold over the last 5 years was defective ,
it will probably cost Apple $100s of millions to recall them
It is the Audio Board Flex Cable, Part #: 922-8380
this cable goes bad quickly,
it is defective because this is strickly a design issue
I opened the macbook and replaced it myself,
all looks fine now -
I cannot get sound when trying to play videoes etc and when I try to change sound output to built in speakers it is not there to choose. There is only an option for optical digital ou port
I cannot get sound when trying to play videoes etc and when I try to change sound output to built in speakers it is not there to choose. There is only an option for optical digital ou port
-
Can't switch sound output device macbook air/mountain lion
When I choose my Airport Express for music coming from iTunes, the audio does switch to the APE, but even the lowest volume setting is fairly loud. The F11 and F12 volume keys bring up the indicator bars, but there is no change in the level coming from the APE. Additionally, the Sound Preference still says Internal Speakers. If I try to change ouput device to the APE (AirPlay) it won't let me. Any ideas?
i got same problem too but it's 2011 macbook pro 10.6.8 also SD card out of order as well and it's horrible computer I ever have. no more mac
-
Sound output in macbook pro (speakers vs headphones)
Every time I plug in my headphones, the output from the speakers to the headphones does not happen immidiately, it takes about 3-5 seconds once the headphones are plugged in for the signal to switch from the speakers to come in through the headphones. Why is that and can that delay be changed?
That is because it has to execute a change in the routing and such, it "system world" all of my machines do the same thing. The speakers and headphone jack are not a paralleled signal path they are two seperate devices and need to switch over. (Think of the system as opening a micro app)
As far as I know there is no way to change this, it's just the way it is.
Hope that helps -
Sound output on iMac not working, any help is appreciated
1. my speakers were always plugged into my iMac and it was always working until just now
2. sound was coming out from the internal speakers (or inbuilt speakers on the iMac)
3. tested my external speakers on iPad2, iPhone4 and MacBook Pro, everything works.
4. tested another set of speakers on the iMac, fail.
did i miss out any troubleshooting steps?
please help.Did you check whether the sound was actually turned on for those speakers in the systempreferences?
-
No sound through hdmi - macbook pro
I can connect my tv to my macbook pro through a HDMI cable and the picture shows up perfectly. However, the sound goes through my laptop speakers and not through the tv. When I go into Preferences --> sound --> output, there is not option to select for the hdmi, just the internal speakers. How can I get the sound to go through the tv instead?
no, it is not, but after searching these boards even more i discovered this gem, and now all is good, except that u have to change the audio each time......i think......so i mite get an audio cable to make it easier for my hon to hook up........here is the gem
SlugBlanket UK
Re: No sound over Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Sep 12, 2011 1:09 AM (in response to yvonnelouise1)
DisplayPort to HDMI Sound is actually set up by using the MIDI setup utility found in :
Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
If you purchased an iWires cable direct from Apple the instructions are in the printed booklet that comes in the packaging. Most people don't read this as it's normally the case that when you plug a cable in to anything it just works (VCR, TiVo, Xbox, video camera etc). In this instance Apple are failing to live up to their catch-phrase as final setup is NOT intuitive; "it just DOESN'T work".
The booklet instructions basically say do the following,
Video
System Preferences > Displays. There are 3 tabs in the window; Displays, Arrangement and Color. Be sure you are on the Displays tab. Bottom left of the window tick "Show displays in menu bar" and then bottom right click "Detect Displays".
Now click on the tab named Arrangement. Bottom left of the window tick "Mirror Displays".
You should now only see 2 tabs, Display and Color. Be sure you are on the Displays tab. Select the desired resolution for your TV (probably 1080i). leave all other settings at their default values.
Sound
System Preferences > Sound. There are 3 tabs in the window; Sound Effects, Output and Input. Be sure you are on the Sound Effects tab. Middle of the window select your TV where it says "Play sound effects through:".
Select the middle tab named Output.
Select your TV from the drop-down list next to HDMI, below where it says "Select a device for sound output".
Using either Finder or Launchpad go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
On the left-hand side of the window you should now see HDMI. In the middle of the window, on the Output tab, where it says "Source:" select your TV from the drop-down list.
This last action below is NOT described in the iWires notes but was required in my case, it may also be required in yours. If you CANNOT see a speaker icon next to HDMI in the list on the left, do the following:
Bottom left of the window select the wheel icon with the down-pointing triangle. Make sure that sound output is selected and that you can now see a speaker icon next to HDMI in the list of devices.
If you still cannot hear sound, log out of your account and then log back in.
You will now have sound coming out of your TV from your computer
You may have to do some or all of the above to get sound out of your TV from your computer using the DisplayPort to HDMI cable. On my Aug 2011 MacbookPro I had to do ALL of the above. If you take your laptop to a different TV you will have to do it all again so be warned.
Hope this helps. "
k -
I am getting no sound on my macbook pro. The sound does not play when I plug in headphones either. I have tried making it louder quieter, restarting my computer, HELP!
There are many possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried.
1. Start with the steps recommended in this support article. Don't skip any of the steps. It's the starting point for further efforts to solve the problem.
2. If your model has an audio-out (headphone) port, and anything is plugged in, unplug it before putting the system to sleep.
3. If you've installed something called "Memory Clean" or any other third-party software that is supposed to "clean" or "purge" memory automatically, remove it according to the developer's instructions and reboot. You should do that even if the software is not causing the problem, because it's useless.
4. If you've installed an equalizer called "Boom" or anything similar, update or delete it and reboot.
5. If an AirPlay device is selected for sound output from iTunes (or from other applications via third-party software such as "Airfoil"), deselect it.
6. Launch the application "Audio MIDI Setup" by entering the first few letters of its name in a Spotlight search and selecting it in the results (it should be at the top.) Select the Output tab. If the Mute boxes are checked, uncheck them. Move the Volume sliders all the way to the right.
7. If a red light is coming from the audio-out port, the internal switch is stuck in the position for digital output. You may be able to free it by inserting and removing a mini-stereo jack of the proper size. Inserting any kind of tool in the port may cause damage that won't be covered by your warranty.
If there's no red light, the switch may still be stuck in the headphone position. Try to free it the same way.
8. Disconnect all wired peripherals except keyboard and mouse, if applicable. If more than one display is connected, disconnect all extra ones. Reboot and test.
9. Boot in safe mode. Don't log in; just reboot as usual when the login screen appears. When you do, make sure the words "Safe Boot" do not appear in the login screen. If they do, the system is still in safe mode and sound won't work.
10. Reset the NVRAM.
11. Reset the SMC.
12. Reinstall OS X after backing up all data. For a possible shortcut, see this thread.
13. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store. -
The sound on my macbook pro will not project anything if I plug in headphones I can hear but when I take them out and try and turn up the volue the speaker is grey and the bars under it are white with a no volume sign ( circle with a line through it) how do I fix this ?
Hopefully one of these steps should solve the problem.
1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
Highlight Internal Speakers
Make sure that Mute is not enabled.
2. Remove the headphone.
If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone
in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
3. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
4. Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
"Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
5. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
Audio Devices window
Side Bar
Click the Built-in Output.
Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so, uncheck it.
6. System Preferences > Sound> Sound Effects
Play sound effects through:
Select "Internal speakers" and then back to "Selected sound output device". -
I can hear a loud 'CD spinning/fan like' sound from my MacBook Pro intermittently. Definitely not the audio as i muted it. No CD either. And the only programs running are words, safari and mail.
It sounds like the fan but this is the first time I hear it in the past 6mths using this Mac. If its the fan, shouldn't the sound be there all the time and not intermittent?
-
The sound on my macbook pro is not working
The sound on my macbook pro is not working. When I increase the sound, the icon appears as if everything is working, but no sound comes from the speakers. Earphones don't work either. I have tried a PRAM reset but at times, this doesn't even work. It's really frustrating having to restart my computer every time I want the sound to work, and even when I do that, theres a 50 50 chance of it working again. It generally happens after my laptop goes to sleep and I wake it up. Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it or even know what caused it?
There are a lot of discussions around the earphone jack but I have checked that. I've tried a PRAM reset which hasn't worked, and my sound output is set to Internal speakers.
HELP!!Hopefully one of these steps should solve the problem.
1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
Highlight Internal Speakers / Headphones
Make sure Mute is not enabled.
2. Remove the headphone.
If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone
in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
3. Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
"Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
4. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
Audio Devices window
Side Bar
Click the Built-in Output.
Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so, uncheck it. -
I can't hear any sound from my macbook. It's not on mute and the volume is turned all the way up, I can't hear any sound from my macbook. It's not on mute and the volume is turned all the way up. Any ideas?
Go step by step and test.
1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
Highlight Internal Speakers.
Make sure that Mute is not enabled.
2.Plug in and remove the headphone.
If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone
in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
3. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
4. Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
"Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
5. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
Audio Devices window
Side Bar
Click the Built-in Output.
Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so, uncheck it. -
Sound output stuck on Airplay on OLD Macbook Pro
This should not even be possible, since AirPlay is not even available on my late-2008 Macbook Pro...but my system preferences show that sound is being routed to my AppleTV via AirPlay!!
I have zero sound coming from my Macbook. None with speakers attached, and none with nothing attached at all. I go into System Preferences>Sound>Output, and AppleTV is somehow, impossibly, selected. I can not unselect it.
I have rebooted my laptop, and rebooted AppleTV, and nothing works.
Help!Have you tried SMC or PRAM reset?
SMC RESET
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord and ALL peripherals.
Wait 15 seconds.
Attach the computers power cable.
Wait another 5 seconds and press the power button to turn on the computer.
PRAM RESET
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys. -
The sound on my Macbook Pro does not work.
The sound on my Macbook Pro does not work. When we press the volume buttons, the sound icon pops up, but the bar is full with a small "Does not work" circle below it, and nothing happens when I hit volume up or done. I went into system preferences, but there aren't any options there that I can see to change it.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't provide any help for a MacBook Pro, other than indicating to call Apple Support" (sic).
Au contraire. TS1574's title and affected products are thusly:
"Troubleshooting issues with no audio from built-in speakers on Macs
Products Affected Mac mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac"
As a result, the instructions of the article are relevant. To be sure, follow those steps, the last of which is to contact Apple.
So, by way of reminder, here are the steps to troubleshoot the audio on your MacBook Pro. There is no red light, so the port is likely fine. Headphones work, so clearly your sound card is fine.
1. Ensure an incorrect version of OS X is not installed. If one is, then reinstall or erase/install after backing up your data.
2. Remove any external audio devices from USB, firewire, etc.
3. Open Sys Prefs > Sound > Output
If Internal Speakers is listed, select it and test again.
If Digital Out is listed, confirm again that all external audio devices and cables have been removed.
If mute is selected, unselect it.
If the volume slider is low, raise the volume.
If the above simply doesn't fix it, the issue may be a corrupted plist. Apple Support might be able to help troubleshoot the issue further, per the last step of TS1574.
I hope it gets resolved for you. Good luck.
Maybe you are looking for
-
I updated my 3GS and it will not restore. All of my apps are ther but will not open and all of my music is gone. Everything is on my itunes but it will not let me sync. It just says to retore from backup or start as new iphone.
-
How can I get my bookmarks back on my new computer?
In short, I've got a list of links that used to be my bookmarks, but there is no file in which they're all together. How can I get all of them into Firefox at once? Detailed version: Before my laptop got replaced, I backed things up on an external ha
-
What do I do when the Ipod Reset Utility doesn't recognize my shuffle?
I got the dreaded 1418 error, and tried the Ipod Utility Reset that Apple suggested. However, the program can't recognize my Ipod shuffle and I don't know what to do! Please help!
-
Hello. I actually wonder what is best for my mac regarding putting it on sleep or not. Shall i just shat it down whenever i finished from it. or leave it on sleep mode?
-
WLS not able to login with OID user
Hi I have installed WLS 10.3.3 and had configured a new security realm which had OID as the authenticator . Set the details for the provider (OID) and updated , restarted the server . It was working fine till yesterday and I verified this by logging