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iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) speakers strange buzz/ resonance

R

Robertjan88

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 30, 2018
171
27
When listening Christmas songs on my 12.9 inch iPad (2018), I noticed that, once the volume is turned up to 3/4 of max (or higher), a strange buzz/resonance (hard to describe) "appears" in the background of the music.

It's not just 1 speaker, but all 4 producing the same buzz/resonance. The 2 on top are a bit louder though.

Can someone please check? Just want to make sure I don't have an issue with my iPad.

Using Tidal (320kbit rate) and really noticed when playing the "Christmas Canon (Cannon in D)" song.

Other songs produce the same, but the above song was a great test subject.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Anyone who can check if the same is occurring with his/her iPad Pro (2018)?
 
Last edited:
I just tried this with my iPad but didn’t notice anything obvious. I was playing the Christmas Canon as well (from Apple Music).
Any more description on what kind of buzzing you are hearing?

-D
 
dogbiskit2 said:
I just tried this with my iPad but didn’t notice anything obvious. I was playing the Christmas Canon as well (from Apple Music).
Any more description on what kind of buzzing you are hearing?

-D
Click to expand...

I indeed have a hard time describing the sound. It's almost some kind of background pitch or static sound. Since it's all 4 speakers, I highly doubt it's HW related, but still. Maybe it's the vibration of the speakers? Now I know it's there it's annoying. :(

Edit: uploading a small recording now
[doublepost=1544978488][/doublepost]
dogbiskit2 said:
I just tried this with my iPad but didn’t notice anything obvious. I was playing the Christmas Canon as well (from Apple Music).
Any more description on what kind of buzzing you are hearing?

-D
Click to expand...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d7iorxuvsbf59sf/Sound.m4a?dl=0

I used my phone's recording software to record a 5 second audio file. As you can hear, there is a strange pitch in the background of the song.
 
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Interestingly, when listening carefully, I can hear the same "pitch" on my phone when playing certain songs (like the one linked above). Of course, a lot less prominent as the speakers are A LOT weaker.

Might it be that there is a certain hight tone which is complex for mobile devices?

@AlexiTQ , please let me know if you experience the same on your iPad Pro (when turning up the volume). Your input would be very much appreciated! :)

For those who don't have Tidal, but use Spotify, you might run into the same "issue" when playing the song under the following link (make sure to increase the volume above 3/4 of max): https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZuU1KJNDFLulfUhBlZUc8?nd=1
(Took me a bit to find the exact same track, but it's definitely one of the best songs to test this)
 
Robertjan88 said:
Interestingly, when listening carefully, I can hear the same "pitch" on my phone when playing certain songs (like the one linked above). Of course, a lot less prominent as the speakers are A LOT weaker.

Might it be that there is a certain hight tone which is complex for mobile devices?

@AlexiTQ , please let me know if you experience the same on your iPad Pro (when turning up the volume). Your input would be very much appreciated! :)

For those who don't have Tidal, but use Spotify, you might run into the same "issue" when playing the song under the following link (make sure to increase the volume above 3/4 of max): https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZuU1KJNDFLulfUhBlZUc8?nd=1
(Took me a bit to find the exact same track, but it's definitely one of the best songs to test this)
Click to expand...

I listened to the Spotify version and this track definitely has a whining background hiss that I can easily hear on maximum volume. But I think it's is in the track because I can also hear it on my etymotic in ears on my iPhone which are very good headphones. Do you have another recording I can listen too?
 
pbird said:
I listened to the Spotify version and this track definitely has a whining background hiss that I can easily hear on maximum volume. But I think it's is in the track because I can also hear it on my etymotic in ears on my iPhone which are very good headphones. Do you have another recording I can listen too?
Click to expand...

I made a second recording of another track and yet again I noticed the same on my Samsung 7 Edge.

Please find the link to the file below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cigfl6ot1osohxi/Sound 2.m4a?dl=0

Track 49 (not 4). Same album:
http://tidal.com/track/20619165

This really seems something related to the pitch/audio used for this CD. Even though I also noticed it with another one. Maybe this kind of "tone" it's hard on mobile devices?
[doublepost=1545055835][/doublepost]
iapplelove said:
No buzzing to report on 12.9 here
Click to expand...
Did you listen to the exact tunes I linked? The fact that it is also appearing on pbird's iPhone and my 7 Edge let's me believe it is a certain tune/sound that is hard to handle for mobile devices.

It's surprisingly that you don't seem to experience this.

What iPad Pro 12.9 are you using? 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen?

Apart from that, are you turning up the audio? I cannot hear it either till approx 3/4th of max volume.
 
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Robertjan88 said:
I made a second recording of another track and yet again I noticed the same on my Samsung 7 Edge.

Please find the link to the file below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cigfl6ot1osohxi/Sound 2.m4a?dl=0

Track 49 (not 4). Same album:
http://tidal.com/track/20619165

This really seems something related to the pitch/audio used for this CD. Even though I also noticed it with another one. Maybe this kind of "tone" it's hard on mobile devices?
[doublepost=1545055835][/doublepost]
Did you listen to the exact tunes I linked? The fact that it is also appearing on pbird's iPhone and my 7 Edge let's me believe it is a certain tune/sound that is hard to handle for mobile devices.

It's surprisingly that you don't seem to experience this.

What iPad Pro 12.9 are you using? 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen?

Apart from that, are you turning up the audio? I cannot hear it either till approx 3/4th of max volume.
Click to expand...

Nope, didn’t click your link. But I’ve owned my 3rd gen since launch and have been cranking these speakers.

In my experience I have never heard them distort or buzz what so ever.

If it’s the only song you’re experiencing this buzz then it’s probably not your ipad
 
My 11 inch does the same thing... when the speakers are muted / volume is all the way down. Can actually still hear what is playing, just really muffled :(
 
Robertjan88 said:
I made a second recording of another track and yet again I noticed the same on my Samsung 7 Edge.

Please find the link to the file below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cigfl6ot1osohxi/Sound 2.m4a?dl=0

Track 49 (not 4). Same album:
http://tidal.com/track/20619165

This really seems something related to the pitch/audio used for this CD. Even though I also noticed it with another one. Maybe this kind of "tone" it's hard on mobile devices?
[doublepost=1545055835][/doublepost]
Did you listen to the exact tunes I linked? The fact that it is also appearing on pbird's iPhone and my 7 Edge let's me believe it is a certain tune/sound that is hard to handle for mobile devices.

It's surprisingly that you don't seem to experience this.

What iPad Pro 12.9 are you using? 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen?

Apart from that, are you turning up the audio? I cannot hear it either till approx 3/4th of max volume.
Click to expand...

Yes the Dropbox file has a similar background hiss also with headphones. Is it from the same recording? Again it's the track not the speakers. I don't hear it on any other music I have played.
 
pbird said:
Yes the Dropbox file has a similar background hiss also with headphones. Is it from the same recording? Again it's the track not the speakers. I don't hear it on any other music I have played.
Click to expand...

The Dropbox file I uploaded today was Track 49. It was recorded this morning.

The first one I uploaded to Dropbox yesterday was Track 34.

They are different songs, but part of the same album.
 
AlexiTQ said:
That whining in the background is from the recording so it's not an issue with your iPad.
Click to expand...

So you experienced the same when playing the tracks I linked to on your iPad?
It's a relieve to know nothing is wrong with my device. :)
 
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