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smorrissey

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 12, 2015
1,619
857
My 10.5 ones are a 10/10 IMO.
As good as my iP13 ones.

These ipad pro ones look like 5/10.

I disagree excessive thinness make things look and feel cheaper.

Nobody asked for thinness this time, old Apple obession, and iphones are next apparently.
 
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Isengardtom

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2009
1,344
2,191
My 10.5 ones are a 10/10 IMO.
As good as my iP13 ones.

These ipad pro ones look like 5/10.

I disagree excessive thinness make things look and feel cheaper.

Nobody asked for thinness this time, old Apple obession, and iphones are next apparently.
on an iPhone I would agree, but on the iPad the reduced weight is one of its best improvements
 
Last edited:
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Star-fire

macrumors 6502
Jul 4, 2007
319
129
My 12.9 Pro 3rd gen had better sound, not that much different but more full sound. Also on that note if you place your hands behind the speakers so the sound is reflected forward they sound better. I wish apple would make them front firing by a little slit on the front between the glass and aluminum, I believe that's how my old surface was. Either way they are still vastly better then most, though nothing beats the MacBook Pro for killer speakers.
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,641
4,469
While "better sound" can be subjective, loudness and bass at max volume are much more objective.
When it comes to mid sized iPads, the 9.7 pro, 10.5 pro and 2018 11 pro all sound very similar. The 2018 12.9" is a clear step up from the 11", and the 12.9 M1 is another clear step up over the 2018 12.9. The M4 seems to be a slight downgrade over the 2018 and a even bigger downgrade vs the M1 12.9 (I don't have the M1 11" but I suppose it's the same as the 2018 since it's the same thickness).
 
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AlexJoda

macrumors 6502a
Apr 8, 2015
817
619
While "better sound" can be subjective, loudness and bass at max volume are much more objective.
When it comes to mid sized iPads, the 9.7 pro, 10.5 pro and 2018 11 pro all sound very similar. The 2018 12.9" is a clear step up from the 11", and the 12.9 M1 is another clear step up over the 2018 12.9. The M4 seems to be a slight downgrade over the 2018 and a even bigger downgrade vs the M1 12.9 (I don't have the M1 11" but I suppose it's the same as the 2018 since it's the same thickness).
Just got the M1 12.9“ iPP which is a very good device in terms of sound. I am still thinking that my Gen 2 iPP 12.9 was a tad better…More bass.
 

Surfsalot

Suspended
Mar 18, 2023
2,049
2,028
No complaints with the 13” v the 11” I tried, they were average v my 11“ m1.
 

Kahnforever

macrumors regular
May 20, 2024
218
260
“Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your axx. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, exx it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.”
 
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Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,641
4,469
Yes, I still have them both. The Gen2 has an even bigger case. That might be the reason....
Are you testing at max volume? I remember that I felt my gen 1 iPad pro 12.9 sounded louder than my 2018, then when I compared side by side at max volume that was not the case, they were very similar, just a bit different and if anything the 2018 was slightly better.
The 2018 vs M1 is not even close instead, M1 is clearly louder and fuller at max volume (12.9)
 

Webcat86

macrumors 6502a
Jun 7, 2022
849
792
Buy yourself some AirPods Pro….
I have some, as well as high quality wired headphones. I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile either, there is just no competition between built-in computer, tablet, or phone speakers with dedicated alternatives.
 
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Jackbequickly

macrumors 68040
Aug 6, 2022
3,184
3,276
My 13” iPad Pro sounds great at regular volume. If I want to fill a room with sound, I activate the Sonos system.
 

sk1985

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2006
311
90
IMHO the 13 inch iPad Pro sounds a little less bassy, but has better stereo separation/surround effects. I don’t think it sounds tinie or muffled at all. It’s a little compromised on bass and maybe loudness due to the thinness. Still really good speakers from something thinner than a pencil.
 

smorrissey

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 12, 2015
1,619
857
Well i finally bought the 11 pro and after two weeks here is my opinion:

Pros:

The screen is worth it, it's pretty good, better brightness, the Taylor Swift concert on disney plus looks better than ever.

Regarding the weight i can't say its better, i would say it is as heavy as my previous 10.5 pro.

Cons:

Definitely the speakers, i mean they don't sound bad but when you listen to 5.1 content the volume is lower previous 2.0 normal content. Same thing happens when i listen apple music Dolby Atmos lossless on an iphone.

Also I'm using a chinese case and when watching some content the magnets can turn off the display at the back sometimes but i blame the thinness of the device on this so i'm not too worried about it.



Do i regret my purchase? Definitely not, my old ipad pro 10.5 won't get ios 18 so...
 

thmsnt

macrumors member
Jun 14, 2023
55
132
I've seen a video and read a couple of comments regarding this issue. Some people is a downgrade, muffled, muddy sound.

Are they that bad? i was willing to buy a new one but i'm not interested in a downgrade from my old ipad pro 10.5.

Minute 1:05, the guy says that they sound the same but they obviously don't.
I had an M4 11 inch. The speakers were pretty bad IMO. Just sounded very dull and lifeless, with no bass and muddy overall.
 

Webcat86

macrumors 6502a
Jun 7, 2022
849
792
Well i finally bought the 11 pro and after two weeks here is my opinion:

Pros:

The screen is worth it, it's pretty good, better brightness, the Taylor Swift concert on disney plus looks better than ever.

Regarding the weight i can't say its better, i would say it is as heavy as my previous 10.5 pro.

Cons:

Definitely the speakers, i mean they don't sound bad but when you listen to 5.1 content the volume is lower previous 2.0 normal content. Same thing happens when i listen apple music Dolby Atmos lossless on an iphone.

Also I'm using a chinese case and when watching some content the magnets can turn off the display at the back sometimes but i blame the thinness of the device on this so i'm not too worried about it.



Do i regret my purchase? Definitely not, my old ipad pro 10.5 won't get ios 18 so...
Aren’t 5.1 and Atmos surround sound?
 

Conan86

macrumors 6502
Apr 9, 2012
353
156
Singapore
the speaker downgrade is very noticeable when compared to older iPad Pros, voice is less distinct and volume needs to be turned up.. lacks clarity overall. It's disappointing, but I didn't exactly get this as a boombox. This can be overcome with using AirPods Pro for an even better audio experience which is also true for older iPads anyway.
 
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richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,763
2,594
I thought the speakers on my M1 12.9 were decent for tablet speakers. As others have mentioned, I think these are a small downgrade from them, but not much of one. Honestly, if you want good sound you'll need an external speaker. I was playing around with my 13" M4 today and hooked up an Ultralite mk5 audio interface and a pair of Sceptre 8" monitors and the iPad puts out some great sound. Obviously, this setup is massive overkill for most - but it was fun!
 
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