Nest Hub Max speakers rattle sound

[GoBananas]

Suddenly our Hub Max speakers sound bad, like a rattle or blown speakers. We are old people who only listen to quiet classical and other calming music, and we have never blasted them loudly or even past 35%-40%. We have seven speakers around the house and the Hub Max sits on a shelf in the kitchen and has always sounded really good, but not lately. Any suggestions of how to get it sounding good again? Thanks

[Alex_S]

Hi GoBananas,
 

Thanks for reaching out about this. Let’s further look into it. A few questions: have you noticed if the rattle sound only happens when playing music? Do Google Assistant responses sound fine? How about listening to the radio or the news?

Try to move Google Nest Hub Max to a different location, then adjust the Bass and Treble levels. Open the Google Home app > Devices > Tap your Google Nest Hub Max > Select the Equalizer settings at the top right. Move the sliders under Bass and Treble to adjust. Reboot Google Nest Hub Max, and then try to play music again. Let me know how it goes.

Regards,
Alex

[GoBananas]

We are testing and finding it is more likely the broadcasted music from iHeart Radio. Some tracks sound fine, while other tracks make it sound like the speakers are blown. Still testing however.

[Alex_S]

Hello there,

Got it. Kindly continue with the testing and keep us updated here so we can further isolate the issue. 

Warmly,
Alex

[GoBananas]

Seems Google Nest products don't play well with iHeart Radio playlists. Sonos, Bose, JPL, and others do not have this issue.

[Caoimhin]

I am having the same exact issue with streamed media.  In my case, an app that streams fire and police scanner feeds.  Each time a new transmission comes across, I get the same buzz that made me believe the speaker was blown.  However it does not happen when streaming music from Apple Music or most other streaming sources.  This has to be a bug.

[Muddi]

Hey Caoimhin,

Sorry to hear that. To confirm, have you tried the steps provided by ? To help us get a better picture of what's happening, do you mind sharing a video?

@Caoimhin: Have you tried reaching out to iHeartRadio to check if they are getting similar reports?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Caoimhin]

I don't use iHeartRadio.  Every other audio source I stream from does it most of the time.  It isn't the source.  And I am not the only one reporting a similar issue.  It has to be the device.

I will try to get a recording.  The steps on help are worthless.  They don't take into account that the device itself could have a problem.  I should return it.  No wonder it was on sale for so little.

[GoBananas]

Agreed, not the source, the software of the Google Nest devices. We have tested multiple sources and so have friends with simlar setups of multiple Google Nest devices. All reportin gthe same multiple issues, intermitent bad audio playback, unstable Groups, unstable voice of assitant, fails to perform commands even after it acknoledges the command, and more. UGH!

I have provided a TON of feedback as per the GHT# instructions, and they that dept. fails to reply. This is beyond agravating.

[GoBananas]

I've submitted numerous feedbacks using the instruction from the GHT3. NO response yet, but hoping to hear back from them.

[GoBananas]

The nightmare still continues after so much time. Hey Google fix your bugs.

[Caoimhin]

This!

[Muddi]

Hey folks,

Understood! May I know the firmware version of your device? I'll go ahead and escalate this thread with our senior specialists team. Please fill out this form with all the needed information, and then let me know once it is done.

Cheers,

Muddi

[GoBananas]

The latest firmware version. That info. has been provided to them so many times and NOTHING ever happens.

[Caoimhin]

Technical information

System firmware version: 14.20230831.4.67

Cast firmware: 3.71.387262

[Muddi]

Hello Caoimhin,

We got your form and have sent it over to our team for review. Please check your inbox from time to time, as someone will be reaching out to you.
 

@GoBananas: I've checked the case, and the team is still looking into the issue. I'll check with the team again, and I'll update the thread as soon as I have new information to share.

Cheers,

Muddi

[GoBananas]

This critical issue and others go back more than a year. That is ridiculous. https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Google-Home-quot-Groups-quot-feature-is...

[Muddi]

Hi GoBananas,

We understand how you feel. It looks like you haven't brought up this issue in your previous cases. Are you still having issues with the assistant voice and the music that plays twice at a different frequency?

It is best if you could send a video so we have a better picture of what's happening to your device. Also, we want to make sure that your device has the latest firmware version, so we recommend checking it and updating the thread with the information that we need.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Muddi

[GoBananas]

The GHT3 team already has three videos from me. They have not gotten back to me, nor stated they need more. If you have their ear, please have them contact me, as they have all my contact info.