MacBook Pro users have taken to Apple’s help forums and MacRumors to complain that their new computers are making what they describe as “crackling” or “distorted” noises when playing audio.

I am building a new computer and I am concerned about a crackling sound that appears to be coming from the motherboard when I put it on. What could this be?

2021 MacBook Pro users have been complaining about crackling and popping speakers when there's any audio output being played.

The crackling appears to occur spontaneously during audio playback on both 13-inch and 15-inch models, based on a handful of videos shared by customers.