iPad Pro Low volume audio quality on M1 iPad Pro seems worse than 2020 model

[DMG35]

I love my M1 iPad Pro but I can’t help but notice that the speakers are weaker than both the 2018 and 2020 models. A little disappointed that Apple did this on such an expensive device and not really sure why they did it. I’ve tested two different 12.9 M1 models against my old 2018 iPad Pro as well as my wife’s 2020 iPad Pro both 12.9 and the M1 is definitely weaker. One click up from mute and the M1 gives off no sound, while both the other models give off noticeable sound. In fact you need to turn up the M1 model a few clicks from total mute to even generate any sound at all.

I’ve also noticed that the M1 model doesn’t sound as full as the other models and at full volume just produces an overall weaker sound. Not really sure why Apple did this or if the fewer number of speaker holes in the M1 model are the reason for this but kind of a bummer. Not a deal breaker for me but I would think that this newest model should have the most premium speakers of all of them and it definitely does not.

 

[Artsketch]

Unfortunately, I can fully agree and initially thought my device was faulty. Especially voices are weak.

 

[Digitalguy]

Very interesting. I just compared my 2015 and my 2018 12.9 and the max volume is very similar, maybe the 2015 is a tiny bit louder... The sound is different however. I think I had read that Apple changed the speakers in the 2018 version, compared to the first 2 gens, but the 2021 has the same form factor, so it's strange that it's different....

 

[DMG35]

Very interesting. I just compared my 2015 and my 2018 12.9 and the max volume is very similar, maybe the 2015 is a tiny bit louder... The sound is different however. I think I had read that Apple changed the speakers in the 2018 version, compared to the first 2 gens, but the 2021 has the same form factor, so it's strange that it's different....

It has the same form factor but less speaker holes at each side. Not really sure why they changed the design or if that has anything to do with it but they are definitely worse than the 2018 and 2020.

 

[DiegoA]

Did you see this video?

He demonstrates that the new ipad has a fuller sound (and is louder at maximum volume). The 2020 has less bass response.

 

[jazz1]

Did you see this video?

He demonstrates that the new ipad has a fuller sound (and is louder at maximum volume). The 2020 has less bass response.

Before I gifted my 2018 12.9” iPP I had it, and my new 2021 12.9” iPP together for a week. I thought the sound quality of the 2021 was better than my 2018. In fact there were a couple of ambient/background sounds in movies that made me stop the video and look around with the 2021. This never happened with the 2018.

Can the 2018‘s speaker get louder? I don’t know, because I did not make that comparison. But the sound volume on the 2021 seems perfectly loud enough for me. The 2021 iPad’s sound quality has made me consider not putting on headphones if I’m alone, at home, watching movies. I’m talking BT earbuds vs. the iPP’s speakers. I think that attests to the quality of the sound coming out of the iPP (at least for me).

 

[Bootleg2go]

I didn’t see you thread until after I made my own comparing my new 11” IPP to my Air 4.
I agree completely with your description about minimum volume. On my Air, 1 click up from off and it can be heard faitly. It get to this same level on the IPP takes 2-3clicks

 

[LFC2020]

didn’t noticed a difference when I upgraded from my 2018 iPad Pro, sounds fine to me.

 

[Indepenskter]

I had a 2018 12.9 iPad Pro…..my 2021 12.9 iPad Pro is definitely louder and sounds better. I compared them before I sold my 2018. I can’t set it to max volume to watch something on the iPad as it’s way too loud.

 

[DMG35]

Did you see this video?

He demonstrates that the new ipad has a fuller sound (and is louder at maximum volume). The 2020 has less bass response.

He doesn’t demonstrate anything and there is nothing scientific about that video. Its literally just him saying he thinks the 2021 sounds louder and better. I could make the exact same video and say that the 2020 model sounds louder and better.

The 2018 and 2020 have more holes which means more sound is passing through. I absolutely don’t think the new one sounds better.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I love my M1 iPad Pro but I can’t help but notice that the speakers are weaker than both the 2018 and 2020 models. A little disappointed that Apple did this on such an expensive device and not really sure why they did it. I’ve tested two different 12.9 M1 models against my old 2018 iPad Pro as well as my wife’s 2020 iPad Pro both 12.9 and the M1 is definitely weaker. One click up from mute and the M1 gives off no sound, while both the other models give off noticeable sound. In fact you need to turn up the M1 model a few clicks from total mute to even generate any sound at all.

I’ve also noticed that the M1 model doesn’t sound as full as the other models and at full volume just produces an overall weaker sound. Not really sure why Apple did this or if the fewer number of speaker holes in the M1 model are the reason for this but kind of a bummer. Not a deal breaker for me but I would think that this newest model should have the most premium speakers of all of them and it definitely does not.

I've noticed the opposite on my model. I guess it depends...

 

[Artsketch]

I tested the 12.9" 2020 and 2021 side by side. Playing the Apple Spring Event in quiet environment. The 2021 who has new round speakers maybe is more suitable for Dolby Atmos. Sound was weak and the "s" in words pronounced like some cheap speakers do.

 

[Digitalguy]

He doesn’t demonstrate anything and there is nothing scientific about that video. Its literally just him saying he thinks the 2021 sounds louder and better. I could make the exact same video and say that the 2020 model sounds louder and better.

The 2018 and 2020 have more holes which means more sound is passing through. I absolutely don’t think the new one sounds better.

In the video they honestly sound virtually the same (listened twice through airpods pro). Also I have seen some people testing sound at different volume levels, which is generally pointless, since volume can be mapped differently in software in different generations of devices by Apple and this has happened in the past. So the test should always be done at max volume.

 

[Nejra]

The speakers are definitely different, I’ve made a little comparison in this thread between my gf’s 2020 and my 2021 model.

Speakers 2020 vs. 2021?

Anybody compared the speakers of the new 12.9" iPP 2021 yet? Especially usual YouTube videos, not movies? Are the new speakers louder and cleaner, especially speech? Or is the sound a little bit thinner?

forums.macrumors.com

Possible mapping diffference aside, they sound different and things like voices are less pronounced on the new models, however I’ve grown to appreciate the new speakers above 50% volume, the 2020 speakers can sound a little to sharp whereas the 2021 version has a pleasent roundness to them, especially with music.
However for watching series and YouTube on low volume the clearer voices on the older models are more ideal.

 

[DMG35]

The speakers are definitely different, I’ve made a little comparison in this thread between my gf’s 2020 and my 2021 model.

Speakers 2020 vs. 2021?

Anybody compared the speakers of the new 12.9" iPP 2021 yet? Especially usual YouTube videos, not movies? Are the new speakers louder and cleaner, especially speech? Or is the sound a little bit thinner?

forums.macrumors.com

Possible mapping diffference aside, they sound different and things like voices are less pronounced on the new models, however I’ve grown to appreciate the new speakers above 50% volume, the 2020 speakers can sound a little to sharp whereas the 2021 version has a pleasent roundness to them, especially with music.
However for watching series and YouTube on low volume the clearer voices on the older models are more ideal.

That’s a great comparison and I fully agree with what you are saying. Anyone stating that the 2021 speakers are ”just better” are either trying to convince themselves or are just blind to the fact that Apple for some reason decided to give us speakers that have less holes for sound to escape through and lower volume levels for watching movies/YouTube.

I don’t hate them by any means but I do personally think the speakers on the 2020 version are better.

 

[sparksd]

didn’t noticed a difference when I upgraded from my 2018 iPad Pro, sounds fine to me.

Same here.

 

[DiegoA]

That’s a great comparison and I fully agree with what you are saying. Anyone stating that the 2021 speakers are ”just better” are either trying to convince themselves or are just blind to the fact that Apple for some reason decided to give us speakers that have less holes for sound to escape through and lower volume levels for watching movies/YouTube.

I don’t hate them by any means but I do personally think the speakers on the 2020 version are better.

Why don't you try a sound equalizer app? There are lots of them. Then you can adjust things so they sound right to your ears.

I don't really think the number of holes is constricting the sound since the 2021's holes are larger. It's not like they're saving money by drilling fewer holes.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Why don't you try a sound equalizer app? There are lots of them. Then you can adjust things so they sound right to your to your ears.
I don't really think the number of holes is constricting the sound since the 2021's holes are larger. It's not like they're saving money by drilling fewer holes.
View attachment 1792498

But, yes they are! In the amounts of iPads that Apple is machining, spending 10 seconds less in the machine that drills and finishes those holes allows for many more iPad carcasses to be produced in a day than adding more holes. In the scale they make them, adding one hole can be a huge issue. It depends on how many they want to make in a day, and to what degree they want to finish the machining, but it can add a significant amount of time, and putting in fewer holes does save them money. A surprising amount, over time...

 

[Marshall73]

Why don't you try a sound equalizer app? There are lots of them. Then you can adjust things so they sound right to your to your ears.
I don't really think the number of holes is constricting the sound since the 2021's holes are larger. It's not like they're saving money by drilling fewer holes.
View attachment 1792498

I have 11 holes on each speaker grill on my 12.9” 5G, is that a pic of the 11”

 

[sparksd]

I have 11 holes on each speaker grill on my 12.9” 5G, is that a pic of the 11”

I saw that and thought the same (I also have the 2021 12.9).

 

[Artsketch]

Why don't you try a sound equalizer app? There are lots of them. Then you can adjust things so they sound right to your to your ears.
I don't really think the number of holes is constricting the sound since the 2021's holes are larger. It's not like they're saving money by drilling fewer holes.
View attachment 1792498

Are there equalizer apps that work with the YouTube app?

 

[DiegoA]

I have 11 holes on each speaker grill on my 12.9” 5G, is that a pic of the 11”

Yes it is the 11". Here's the 12.9":

 

[DMG35]

Yes it is the 11". Here's the 12.9":

View attachment 1792532

Yeah. There is zero chance that going from 17 Speaker holes down to 11 isn’t affecting audio output. The 2020 sounds better to me in every instance and I think people saying otherwise is just purchase justification.

I hate it when Apple cheaps out on little things like this while charging more money.

 

[DMG35]

I made a quick video demonstrating the differences between the 2021 and the 2020 12.9” iPad Pro speakers. Its actually quite glaring how much worse the 2021 iPad Pro is, especially at lower volume levels.

The 2020 is on the left and the 2021 is on the right. Voices are really tinny and flat on the 2021 model. I also find the bass worse on the 2021 and the overall volume level is just lower. Voices on the 2021 model just come through muffled compared to the 2020 model.

 

[Digitalguy]

I made a quick video demonstrating the differences between the 2021 and the 2020 12.9” iPad Pro speakers. Its actually quite glaring how much worse the 2021 iPad Pro is, especially at lower volume levels.

The 2020 is on the left and the 2021 is on the right. Voices are really tinny and flat on the 2021 model. I also find the bass worse on the 2021 and the overall volume level is just lower. Voices on the 2021 model just come through muffled compared to the 2020 model.

We have seen this already in other threads, part of the problem is that volume is mapped differently, once you use max volume they become much closer in volume.... Which means you need to raise volume more on the 2021 if you are not at max volume. Of course this is just for volume, bass etc is another story and is due to the apparently different shape of the speakers...