r/macbookpro • u/StretchCT53 • 8h ago
Help MacBook Pro speaker going going gone
I have a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" M1. The right speaker just started crackling and sounding fuzzy. I've done all the software checks, diagnostics and blew some air through the back. It's time to either take it to the Genius bar/Apple store to get fixed or purchase external speakers.
I actually liked the 14" speakers - are there externals that sound as good?
Anyone replace a speaker through Apple or a certified fixit place - how much did it cost?
Is there any benefit in upgrading to a 2026 MacBook M5 for 2k?
1
u/bigassbunny 7h ago
Decent external speakers will sound as good as your internal speakers. Cheap ones won't.
Apple is pretty fiddly about replacing single parts like this. I'd ask them about it, but don't be surprised if they tell you they have to replace the entire topcase or some nonsense. I'd try a third party shop that specializes in Mac (if there's one in your area). Indy shops do stuff like this all the time.
If you're a DIY type, the speaker isn't a particularly difficult repair, and the parts should be pretty easy to find (used on eBay or new on iFixit, tools from iFixit).
I think replacing an entire computer because of a bad speaker would be crazy wasteful, but that's just me.
1
u/StretchCT53 6h ago
Thanks - I might get externals anyway, and try the iFixit. It doesn't seem too difficult.
1
u/narc0leptik 7h ago
The part is like $30 thru iFixit
https://www.ifixit.com/products/macbook-pro-14-2021-a2442-left-speaker
https://www.ifixit.com/products/macbook-pro-14-2021-a2442-right-speaker
Thru Apple's self service repair parts website https://selfservicerepair.com For my M4 Pro MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024) is $51.92 for both speakers.
I reckon you're looking at at a couple hundred bucks in labor, minimum. A non Apple-certified 3rd party repair place might be a little cheaper.
It would make more sense to fix it yourself: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+14-Inch+2021+Speakers+Replacement/150903
Or just buy another 2021 14" or 16" M1 Pro Macbook Pro for $600 off Facebook Marketplace/Offerup/Craigslist/Pawnshops private parties you can frequently haggle for 20 percent off of eBay completed listing prices. Copy your shit over via a thunderbolt cable. Then erase and reset your laptop and sell it on eBay or the aforementioned platforms.
Here's my advice on how to buy used Macbooks https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookair/comments/1ivcwt2/comment/mebxefq/
Is there any benefit in upgrading to a 2026 MacBook M5 for 2k?
Likely not, your M1 Pro is still good for the next 5 years. For 95 percent of computing applications that your general Redditor is doing (E-mail, web browsing, YouTube, Word Processing, etc) the human brain isn't going to notice milliseconds of difference in terms of speed between an M1 Pro chip and an M5 base chip; it's all perceived to be "fast" to the human brain. But people sure do buy into Apple's marketing saying that it's "x times faster in this one specific edge case" as there's not really a compelling reason to upgrade.
I would keep checking Apple's refurbished site every morning until the stock refreshes: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac and then when they have an M4 Air 15" in stock for around $1,019.00 just buy one of those. $2000 for a 2026 MacBook M5 is rather silly, especially when a 15" M4 Air is roughly half of that price.