[RandomBacon]

I plug in my speakers through a Thunderbolt dock, and I have not experienced it. It shows as a USB sound output though. Let me know if you would like me to try plugging the speakers in directly to the laptop and rebooting it a couple of times.

[adamddev1]

Thanks for the info. Yes that would be great if you could check that. My issue was the built-in speakers popping whenever audio stopped and started (sound card turning off and on). It was especially loud and unbearable when using headphones plugged directly in.

[RandomBacon]

The built-in speakers do not pop (tested with nothing plugged in).

When having external speakers or earbuds plugged into the 3.5mm jack, it does pop.

IMO the pops are not loud and do not at all hurt even with earbuds in.

Dell has a 30 day return policy, so if that's the only thing holding you back, you can try it for yourself.