Roger Fingas
Monday's macOS 10.12.4 update is resulting in stuttering audio for some users of USB headsets, according to multiple complaint threads on Apple's support forums and reports from social media.
The glitch doesn't appear to be linked to a single Mac model or headset brand, and many troubleshooting methods — like resetting hardware or changing USB ports — don't seem to work. People reporting the problem have noted that the issue isn't solved by a clean reinstall of macOS 10.12.4, and only seems to vanish after restoring to 10.12.3 or an earlier OS.
AppleInsider has been unable to replicate the issue in limited testing. It may be that only specific headset brands are affected, something supported by the fact that many of the complaints involve Plantronics gear. Testing continues across a variety of headsets and macOS hardware.
Some forum posters have speculated that there could be trouble with the audio drivers in 10.12.4. If so, Apple will likely have to prepare a follow-up update, with arrival dependent on how severe Apple considers the situation.
The macOS 10.12.4 update is intended to make a variety of minor improvements, most notably bringing Night Shift from iOS to the Mac for the first time. The feature "warms" display colors at night, in theory making it easier to go to sleep.
The update also includes new PDFKit APIs, cricket results in Siri, and more options in iCloud Analytics.
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Wesley Hilliard
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Andrew Orr
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21 Comments
On a side note I have seen consistent visual stuttering of notifications overlaying the display when coming out of a screensaver view.
Plantronics Audio 648 headphones on a late 2015 iMac, audio stutters horribly ever since 10.12.4. Chrome and Safari on youtube, vimeo, and streamable, all audio is distorted. Bleh.
Weird stuff.
Don't know if this helps anyone- I get stuttering for about 30-60 seconds when I have some kind of audio playing through the built in speakers and turn on bluetooth headphones. IIRC this doesn't happen if nothing is playing and I connect the BT headphones first.
It does go away though.
I'm having this same issue with my USB speakers and in fact spent an hour on the phone with Apple Support earlier this week. They are still working on this issue...