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Gelam

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 31, 2021
189
65
I haven't noticed what you describe and I'm a professional sound engineer with 50 years of experience.
Can you please explain why the new M4 iPP speakers are more cleaner and robust than the older models? I am very eager to know!
 

GroundLoop

macrumors 68000
Mar 21, 2003
1,586
62
Can confirm. I have the iPad Pro 13” M4 1TB and I would say that the speakers are downright terrible. The bass isn’t punchy, the mids are flat and there are practically zero highs. iPadOS desperately needs a system wide EQ to salvage the sound from these speakers. I have resorted to only using my AirPods Pro and adjusting the sound through the accessibility setting to get anything reasonable. I am seriously considering returning my new iPad and sticking with my iPad Pro 10.5” for another generation. I may run to an apple store or Best Buy to see if it is something with just my iPad because this sound can’t be what Apple intended for a nearly $2k iPad. Horrible.
 
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Plx32

macrumors regular
Nov 21, 2009
106
48
Paris, France
It’s really a shame that Apple wouldn’t allow at least a system-wide EQ on iPadOS.

Setting the EQ to “Acoustic” on Apple Music or Spotify already makes the music sound miles better in my opinion, less tinny and definitely closer to a good listening experience like the one we had on the previous iPads.

I’m sure these speakers could be better tuned, as it is possible on MacOS with apps like Boom.
 
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ManuCH

macrumors 68000
May 7, 2009
1,611
1,208
Switzerland
I got the iPad Pro 11" M4 and compared to my previous 11" M1 I'd say the speakers are a tiny bit less punchy, but they are not terrible at all. I'd still classify them as "very good".

I also have an M2 MacBook Air 13" and they are very much comparable.

Of course I wouldn't use them for audiophile listening, but for YouTube and video calls they're perfect. Not a reason for me to be unhappy with the new iPad.
 
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dumastudetto

macrumors 603
Aug 28, 2013
5,532
8,311
Los Angeles, USA
Can you please explain why the new M4 iPP speakers are more cleaner and robust than the older models? I am very eager to know!

Yeah the iPad Pro M4 employs sophisticated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms that enhance audio performance. These algorithms include real-time equalization, dynamic range compression, and spatial audio processing, which together improve clarity, loudness, and the spatial dimension of the soundstage.

To cleanse the sound quality, the acoustic chambers within the iPad Pro M4 have been redesigned to minimize resonances and standing waves. This results in cleaner sound output by reducing coloration and ensuring that the sound remains true to the source material.
 

jonnyb098

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2010
4,251
6,503
Michigan
Yeah I was reading that post before making this discussion. Most recent comment said their iPhone sounded better! That is very strange. Does thinness loose more air chamber volume than a smaller but thicker speaker?
YES….speakers need space to move/vibrate. The more space in front of or behind it to move the better the low end/bass and just overall sound. It’s why TVs today mostly have obnoxiously bad speakers compared to just a decade ago when they were a little thicker. The term I use for them are “pancake speakers”. It’s also why so many companies bundle sound bars now too (besides extra money haha).
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,668
4,508
Yeah the iPad Pro M4 employs sophisticated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms that enhance audio performance. These algorithms include real-time equalization, dynamic range compression, and spatial audio processing, which together improve clarity, loudness, and the spatial dimension of the soundstage.

To cleanse the sound quality, the acoustic chambers within the iPad Pro M4 have been redesigned to minimize resonances and standing waves. This results in cleaner sound output by reducing coloration and ensuring that the sound remains true to the source material.
Source?
 

jonnyb098

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2010
4,251
6,503
Michigan
You guys use speakers? Kidding, but i dont see a problem. I only use the speaker to watch youtube videos. When watching a serie or movie then i just use the airpods.
When listening to podcasts or youtube I absolutely use the speakers on my M2 pro. Even some casual music listening sometimes. Because they actually sound really amazing for a device this thin! Still better than any iPhone too. interesting what shaving off 1mm does to sound quality.
 

Gelam

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 31, 2021
189
65
Yeah the iPad Pro M4 employs sophisticated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms that enhance audio performance. These algorithms include real-time equalization, dynamic range compression, and spatial audio processing, which together improve clarity, loudness, and the spatial dimension of the soundstage.

To cleanse the sound quality, the acoustic chambers within the iPad Pro M4 have been redesigned to minimize resonances and standing waves. This results in cleaner sound output by reducing coloration and ensuring that the sound remains true to the source material.
Less resonance and standing waves, does this mean that:
If the iPP M4 speakers are really better, then the frequency response chart should be flatter across the entire frequency range when compared with the frequency response chart of an iPP M2?
 

dumastudetto

macrumors 603
Aug 28, 2013
5,532
8,311
Los Angeles, USA
Less resonance and standing waves, does this mean that:
If the iPP M4 speakers are really better, then the frequency response chart should be flatter across the entire frequency range when compared with the frequency response chart of an iPP M2?

Typically yes, your understanding is correct. iPad Pro M4 isn’t a typical device though.
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,668
4,508
I joined this forum 6 years before earlier than you. But if writing me off as a troll helps you feel better, I say go for it.
And what does this change?
You know why I don't believe a single word of what you said?
1. If Apple had really improved the speakers, they would certainly advertise those supposed changes that you claim they made, with no proof, based on your "own research"...
2. Essentially everyone else except you feels that the speakers are a downgrade, at least compared to the M1/M2 12.9. And you come here saying the opposite. So either everyone else is wrong, or you are. And I believe the second one is the correct answer.
 

transmaster

Contributor
Feb 1, 2010
1,759
874
Cheyenne, Wyoming
I have nothing to compare my Pro 13" 1TB to anything My expectations were not high, I was somewhat surprised at was this iPad had. I have iPhones, plus the Mac Studio which even tied into my Yamaha AVR really sucks. however external (BT)DAC/Amps are your Friends. I have used them for years with my iPhones. FiiO is what I use. Also there are the excellent Anker portable BT speakers. With FiiO I have the BTR15, the BTR7, and the FiiO K7 DAC/Amp.

 

dumastudetto

macrumors 603
Aug 28, 2013
5,532
8,311
Los Angeles, USA
And what does this change?
You know why I don't believe a single word of what you said?
1. If Apple had really improved the speakers, they would certainly advertise those supposed changes that you claim they made, with no proof, based on your "own research"...
2. Essentially everyone else except you feels that the speakers are a downgrade, at least compared to the M1/M2 12.9. And you come here saying the opposite. So either everyone else is wrong, or you are. And I believe the second one is the correct answer.

1. You accused me of being a troll. That’s why you don’t believe a single word of what I said.

2. I stand by what I wrote, but I absolutely have no problem with people who respectfully disagree with me. There is certainly a lot of subjectivity at play when judging sound quality, and the types of music you enjoy can play a role in reaching determinations.

You do raise some valid points, so let’s park it here on a good note.
 

colinw123

macrumors regular
Jan 21, 2013
215
52
Yeah the iPad Pro M4 employs sophisticated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms that enhance audio performance. These algorithms include real-time equalization, dynamic range compression, and spatial audio processing, which together improve clarity, loudness, and the spatial dimension of the soundstage.

To cleanse the sound quality, the acoustic chambers within the iPad Pro M4 have been redesigned to minimize resonances and standing waves. This results in cleaner sound output by reducing coloration and ensuring that the sound remains true to the source material.
Im not sure about the “redesigned to minimize resonances” the case and front screen vibrations can be bad at times under certain volume settings.
 

dumastudetto

macrumors 603
Aug 28, 2013
5,532
8,311
Los Angeles, USA
Im not sure about the “redesigned to minimize resonances” the case and front screen vibrations can be bad at times under certain volume settings.

Yeah, well I did say minimize. :D If you blast the volume very high and with certain types of audio playback, there's going to be some resonance.
 

colinw123

macrumors regular
Jan 21, 2013
215
52
Yeah, well I did say minimize. :D If you blast the volume very high and with certain types of audio playback, there's going to be some resonance.
Doesn’t even have to be at high volume even half way or lower it suffers the same, just not as pronounced.
 

aakshey

macrumors 68030
Jun 13, 2016
2,932
1,385
I have M1 11 and M4 13

M4 13 is much louder, but then that’s the 13 inch iPad

i have no complaints against any of my iPads
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,668
4,508
1. You accused me of being a troll. That’s why you don’t believe a single word of what I said.

2. I stand by what I wrote, but I absolutely have no problem with people who respectfully disagree with me. There is certainly a lot of subjectivity at play when judging sound quality, and the types of music you enjoy can play a role in reaching determinations.

You do raise some valid points, so let’s park it here on a good note.
Fair enough. I tend to be skeptikal of wild claims with no proof, but indeed things can also be subjective.
I have been in the audiophile world for many years, not because I consider myseld an audiophile, but because I play music and I have been purchasing some higher end headphones and speakers for my digital piano and keyboards.
In the past I have made the mistake of listening to some supposed experts online regarding some headphones and wasted money on that without trying them first (simply because they were not available in my country)
So now I tend to buy only what I can listen to myself, unless I can return something.
And right now I am coming back from a store where I could try the new iPads and I can definitely join the consensus here. The 13" are a clear downgrade over the M1 12.9 (at least in terms of fullness, loudness and bass at max volume, I don't care at lower volumes). They even seem a downgrade over the 2018 model, which wasn't as loud and full as the M1, but I didn't have the 2018 model with me to compare.
This is a huge shame, since the lower weight makes it night and day more comfortable compared to the M1.
But for me speakers are one of the most important element, definitely more important than oled vs lcd.
 
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transmaster

Contributor
Feb 1, 2010
1,759
874
Cheyenne, Wyoming
I am totally gobsmacked. I just plugged in the FiiO BTR7 into the iPad Pro. I am listening on a set of Shure SE 535's earphones. Incredible sound. This is the first time I have been able to directly plug one of my FiiO DAC/Amp's into one of my iOS devices. This is when you learn just how bad Bluetooth sucks.

IMG_9189.jpeg
 
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