[Top reddit comment:] I was having the same issue with an 2021 M1 Max 16" w/ 24-cores, only started noticing it today after a few months of otherwise unproblem

[Top reddit comment:] I was having the same issue with an 2021 M1 Max 16" w/ 24-cores, only started noticing it today after a few months of otherwise unproblematic usage. Noticed it while listening to some music videos on YouTube with the internal speakers, no monitors or other peripherals connected. I contacted Apple Support about the issue and they suggested to look for a few specific ‘.plist’ files which didn’t exist in my case (unfortunately can’t remember which ones). But what worked for my case was: (Menu Bar): Go > Computer > Macintosh HD > Library > Preferences > Audio Delete the com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist files Empty trash Restart your computer After this I tried listening to the same YouTube videos and Spotify and no longer had any crackling/popping so far. Was really excited that Apple's Support was able to help solve it so quickly. Hope this helps! UPDATE (days later): Now a few days later and still not hearing the popping/crackling noises UPDATE (2 weeks later): Still no issues! UPDATE (4 weeks later): Still no issues. Regularly using built-in MacBook speakers, wired headphones, wireless Bluetooth headphones all without crackling.