Blown speaker in Macbook Pro 2015 15 inch. Top case replacement required?

[Samantha0167]

How'ya doing?

I'm getting mixed answers for this, hence posting to this forum.

While I was watching couple of videos in maximum volume (as the videos' volume was quite low) the speaker started distorting a bit. Didn't care as I thought it could be the compressed audio in media playback causing it. Eventually, it got worse and started occurring at low volume levels.

Checked with other video sources (online and local) by doing a balance test in both speakers and I can confirm the right side speaker had given up.

Had a repair many months ago from Apple for replacing the battery as part of the replacement program but can't claim this under the repair warranty as it had crossed 90 days from repair.

If I'm giving it to Apple or Apple authorized service providers, would it cause a full top case replacement?

Linking a clipping of the distortion with balanced audio to the right side: https://streamable.com/2jgjd5

Specs
Model: Macbook Pro 2015 15 inch with integrated GPU
Warranty: Expired

Edit:
PS: Not good with electronics repair, I don't want to do it myself with the parts.

 

[techiesteve]

The MBPr 15" speakers seem to fail fairly regularly, I replace a few each month. The speakers are only held to the top case via 3 scores each, and they are supplied by Apple as a pair. A simple economical job to replace yourself presuming you can source the speakers or an AASP / ARS can replace. Only 2018 onwards 15" MBP speakers are bonded to the top case.

 

[ferrarr]

Here's the ifixit.com repair guides for that model & year MBP. It looks like the speakers are replaceable.

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2015 Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself.

2.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz), 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.7 GHz), or 2.8 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.0 GHz) quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 6 MB shared L3 cache and an optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X dGPU.

www.ifixit.com

 

[Samantha0167]

The MBPr 15" speakers seem to fail fairly regularly, I replace a few each month.

Are you sure it happens a lot with 2015 models? I thought I'm safe by not buying the 2016 and later MBPr model which are notorious for quality control and reliability issues. There are already like 4 active replacement programs.

The speakers are only held to the top case via 3 scores each, and they are supplied by Apple as a pair.

Not good with electronics repair, I don't want to do it myself with the parts. Does that mean Apple will be replacing the speakers alone?

Only 2018 onwards 15" MBP speakers are bonded to the top case.

What about 2016 and 2017 15 inch models?

 

[Samantha0167]

Here's the ifixit.com repair guides for that model & year MBP. It looks like the speakers are replaceable.

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2015 Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself.

2.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz), 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.7 GHz), or 2.8 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.0 GHz) quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 6 MB shared L3 cache and an optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X dGPU.

www.ifixit.com

It's very complex to attempt it. I haven't done any repairs in my life.

 

[chscag]

If you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself, then by all means find a reliable repair shop that works on Macs to do the job for you. Make sure you find out first about price and their work warranty.

 

[Samantha0167]

If you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself, then by all means find a reliable repair shop that works on Macs to do the job for you. Make sure you find out first about price and their work warranty.

My intention with this post was to find out what Apple does usually for a speaker replacement in 2015 models. If it's just the speaker that is replaced, it's better to be serviced by Apple or Apple Authorized Service Providers itself regardless of the small premium cost involved for such a complex repair as you guys say. I can't afford a full top case replacement as of now.

 

[ferrarr]

I think they would just replace the speaker. You can call them and ask specifically about that.

 

[chscag]

I believe member "techiesteve" has already indicated that for the 2015 models. He pointed out that it was the later models that had the speakers bonded to the top case.

 

[Samantha0167]

Thanks for the replies guys. Just got the job done. My Mac model doesn't need a full top case replacement.

 

[chscag]

Thanks for posting back and letting us know.

Return often.