Yes you never know. As Jeff said Onkyo is Tight Lipped about what their Firmware Up-Dates Actually Do. It is funny you should mention the Pop on Speakers.Yesterday after I had hooked up everything, I got a Thump/Pop from my speakers when I first plugged in the Onkyo. I have my Amps on the A trigger from the Onkyo and have not had any problems since. Don't think that's Firmware though.