Apple has confirmed that the most recent firmware update for the $1,699 external monitor fixes intermittent issues with Studio Display speakers that some owners have complained about.
- What is happening? The $1,699 studio display is plagued by speaker issues, and Apple says the release of new firmware version 15.5 fixes the problem.
- Why care? Some Studio Display devices are experiencing issues with intermittent audio glitches or choppy playback, distorted audio, and other issues, including freezing of audio apps such as Music and YouTube. This rendered the six-speaker monitor audio system that supports spatial audio useless. But now that Apple has fixed this software bug, Studio Display should no longer give people headaches, at least in terms of audio.
- What to do? If you have Studio Display and your device is experiencing intermittent speaker issues, check if a Studio Display 15.5 firmware update is available by going to macOS System Preferences → Software Update.
Studio Display firmware 15.5 fixes speaker issue
Apple released the Studio Display 15.5 firmware update on August 4, 2022, but it wasn’t immediately clear if the download included a fix for speaker issues.
He has now updated his support document detailing what’s new in firmware updates for Studio Display to acknowledge that the update “resolves the sound issue”with the $1699 external monitor. Apple has previously confirmed that it is aware of the audio issues, calling them a software issue that a future firmware update will address. Apple has also offered a workaround for users to consider until an official fix is available, advising people to turn their studio display off and on again.
How to install the Studio Display update with sound fixes
Studio Display updates are delivered through the familiar Apple Software Update feature. To check if a fix is available for your Studio Display, go to System Preferences → Software Update, then manually check for updates.
Ann Wireless Update will show as available if your monitor is affected by this issue. If you don’t see an update, check back in a few days or weeks because Apple usually releases such updates in stages, so they may become available to you later.