XPS 15 9500, speakers, distorted/crackling audio

I bought a Vostro 7500 from Dell about a month ago. I had the same problem and I fixed it by opening the MaxxAudioPro app (which was preinstalled) and turned everything off. For me the knob for MaxBass (or something like that) was turned up and I turned that down to normal.

Hi everyone,

Just an update on my end. I ended up returning the Dell XPS 15 after a replacement with the same audio issue. I ended up getting an XPS 17 as it wasn't much bigger than the XPS 15, since I use it as mainly a desktop PC but if needed I could use it for travel. The audio issue wasn't the same, but still had a bit of a crackly sound, configuring the Max audio pro on the XPS 17 resolved the issues mostly... Although everything was looking good, I found another QC Dell has failed yet again. I have an unresponsive SPACE BAR on my $3,000 laptop.

*Insert facepalm emoji here*

I spent over 2.5K on this XPS 9500 and the sound quality is appauling.  Dell makes you pay for additonal support but the support is by reading their boring document.  This is not acceptable and certainly will be kept in mind when upgrading PC.  I need a company that fixes problem, not ignoring them! 

I have the same issue with my new XPS 15 9500. Poor audio quality because of crackling/distorted audio of the built-in speakers. Sadly this is disappointing on an 3500€ laptop. Since the rest is more or less fine or better: amazing. I'm basically in love with this laptop, one of the most beautiful laptops, though this crackling audio issue really annoys me.

I really hope dell is working as hard as they can on this issue. Generally I'm a big fan of dell and would throw my money on their products. I'm an owner of 4 Dell displays, and will be buying 2 or more soon + I own an XPS15 7590 nearly maxed out for 2.5k € + my XPS 15 9500 with this issue, for 3.5k € (!!!!), additionally I have an XPS Tower and over the year I had very positive contact with Dell-Support. This is only to mention how much I like you, dell and your products and how well you're doing in general, in my opinion, expect for my MOST loved product, the XPS, you don't get your to getter to make it a really perfect and faultless experience we all hope for. That's the reason we all bought it for a premium in the first place, cause it is *nearly* an instant buy recommendation, which sadly is held back by little, though in sum major issues.

I would be forgiving at this issue, but at one point it bothers me like and it is unacceptable how dell is playing with their customers, by ignoring the real problem and replying with messages and suggestion that are completely obsolete for this problem, as often enough mentioned in this thread(!), so I really wish that @DELL-Cares, you get to convince me that dell is working (hard) on this issue and trying to find a fix for this, else I think I'll need to search for more ways to escalate this issue.

I hope @DELL-Cares , you can give us/me an honest answer whether dell is really working on this issue and convince us with this, else I sadly have to look for alternatives. My pro support goes till november this year, hope a solution is found, though I would appreciate at least an answer within the next few weeks, that says you've notice my message.

Thanks for your continious support and although I know all you individuals didn't pose the problem and although I totally understand a lot of your probably economic decisions we/I need and hope for a fix in the near future, maybe/hopefully a fix of all those major issues."

And I really wouldn't be glad at all if you fix this on the 2021 line up, while I'm stuck with the 2020 line up and these issues, so if you do, either provide me with the 2021 line up or fix it on the 2020 line up too. With a replacement, obviously.

At some it makes me less confident buying dell products.

FredVB,

I was in a meeting an hr ago and the engineer brought to our attention that a Driver should be posted next Friday to hopefully resolve the crackling in the speakers. 

Did someone tried to disable the intel display driver? I'm trying it right now, but i can't get to recreate the problem because it's happens randomly, but so far so good. But if someone can recreate the problem with the intel display driver disabled then i can move on and try other things.

If no one can recreate the problem then i will keep this up to date if it's "fixed" with this or not.

I even wrote emails to a lot of news websites and tech websites to convince them to write about this issue, but got 0 replies back. There are NO YouTube reviews covering this issue which is quite concerning.

Not sure if more proof is needed but here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQnABiQIluA

same problem her on my xps 9500

Hi everyone,

I have the same problem here in France with a xps 9500 bought in july 2020 as a pro.

After a few uneffective drivers updates, video proof, they sent a technician to change the 2 speakers and the motherboard.

The tech played "samba de janeiro" but as you guys said, the problem doesn't appear with "loud" music but with things like piano, jazz, windows test sound ... He however reported 'fixed'.

Afterwards I got a call from the support saying that as changing the parts didn't help, it IS a drivers problem. The ticket would be closed and a realtek driver would be released later (with no date mentioned).

I reopened a ticket this evening after reading this forum.

I fear that my warranty will expire in july 2021 and that I'll have to keep my clearly dysfunctional xps, which is unacceptable.

Problem videos :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s6jhSma0E3e-4fFrIWDFfSqBa_ymmAhW/view 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VKhwgD8dTt-N9fQr-3qfzI3tlzQGhi8Z/view?usp=sharing 

What should I do ??

try to play this song ->

Ariana Grande - break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored.mp3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4Y1ZUUx2g

it sounds really awful on the xps

@DELL-Jesse L  - It is Friday and there is no new Realtek driver available to download on dell.com/support

if anyone comes up with a diy fix for the speaker hardware issue please let us now. (just bought brand new 9500 with wobbly touchpad and crackling audio)