Mac studio v1 fan noise - it's going to be one of the loudest Macs at idle.

[Jrshelby]

Ironic to make a 10 year old joke about innovation, but at least your little emoji liked it.

Well I can hear the whine from 5' away and don't need to put my ear right up against the back so I'm just trying to cope the best I can I guess. And it's 9 years this June. And ironically it was about a similar shrunk down computer with thermally limited upgrade options and of which Apple ended up apologizing for years later on 4/4/2017 and admitted they lost focus on the Mac. Kinda relevant despite the age of the quote.

 

[macpro2000]

Ultra 20/64/128GB/8TB no whine at all. For $8k there better not be.

 

[dunanos]

Two questions:

1. Has anyone, anywhere, actually had one of the "almost silent" Studio's AND one of the "roaring" Studio's in the same room at the same time? (I refer to fan noise and not the "whine")? I wonder why there isn't video somewhere of someone comparing an example of two vastly different (as described in this thread) Studio's as perceived by the same person in the same room at the same time?

2. Does anyone have one of the "roaring" Studio's that does NOT have the "whine"? (Plenty of people have said they have an "almost silent" Studio, but with "whine", so that combination seems covered.)

I get some Studio's have whine and some don't - mine clearly does not. I'm curious if there are really differences between the fan noise in some units (which would have nothing to do with the 2 different power supply versions we know exist).

What about the possibility to record sound, for example, using an identical iPhone at the exact distance and location? It wouldn't be necessary to find two users near each other. Analyzing the files might show the differences.

 

[lcubed]

What about the possibility to record sound, for example, using an identical iPhone at the exact distance and location? It wouldn't be necessary to find two users near each other. Analyzing the files might show the differences.

virtually impossible unless you have access to an anechoic or hemi-anechoic chamber.
the boundary conditions make a huge difference.

 

[dunanos]

virtually impossible unless you have access to an anechoic or hemi-anechoic chamber.
the boundary conditions make a huge difference.

The quiet sound of the room would be recorded for comparison. To eliminate the difference, the sound would have to be recorded close enough and directed at the cooling output anyway. You can't record from several meters away, the iPhone doesn't have microphones of that quality. It would be recorded using an app, at the same level. Still better than text information.

 

[PianoPro]

What about the possibility to record sound, for example, using an identical iPhone at the exact distance and location? It wouldn't be necessary to find two users near each other. Analyzing the files might show the differences.

No, that's subject to too many setup and environmental variables.

My point, I guess, is that no one has proven that two Studios set right next to each other, recorded with the same mic, same setup, same conditions, make any substantially different fan noise (not "whine"). If it were true that they do, why hasn't someone with multiple Studio's posted a simple online video proving it?

I'm just curious (as an electronic product design engineer) whether there is, or isn't, really a large difference in the fan noise from unit to unit (which may or may not also be causing the "whine" - a separate "sound" issue). I'm looking for more proof than just some people saying they are bothered by the fan noise and some people (like me) barely hearing any fan noise with an Ultra Studio sitting on a desk in front of me.

SEPARATELY - There's no question some have the "whine" and some don't. We can see that in the spectral analysis where the absolute volume of a recording and setup conditions make almost no difference. There's either frequency components around 2 kHz - 3 kHz (the "whine") above the baseline noise of the fan in the spectrum analysis or there isn't, and we have seen both. And we have two different power supplies being used, which may or may not account for "the whine". (Not to say all of the power supplies of one design have "whine" because it could just be a component batch problem that affects only some boards of one power supply or the other.)

 

[lcubed]

The quiet sound of the room would be recorded for comparison. To eliminate the difference, the sound would have to be recorded close enough and directed at the cooling output anyway. You can't record from several meters away, the iPhone doesn't have microphones of that quality. It would be recorded using an app, at the same level. Still better than text information.

this approach ignores the issues with room reflections/boundary conditions. near field measurements are inherently difficult and incredibly hard to compare.

 

[Peloche]

Using Macs Fan control we can make fan speed dependent of component temperature, for example I made it based on CPU Core average temp, it works but it is not instantaneous it's smooth

 

[Crispe]

Cancelled my MBP order today after getting hit with another 6-8 week delay after already waiting 6 weeks and grabbed a baseline Mac Studio from a retailer instead (my iMac is buggered). The Mac Studio is silent, thank god. No audible fan noise or high pitched whine. I live in the city so my ambient noise isn't particularly quiet, so maybe the fan noise is there but its pretty much imperceptible.

 

[jmho]

I've discovered the perfect solution to when I want to just browse the internet in silence! Obviously this is what the Apple Polishing Cloth was designed for /s

Weirdly, I've been watching the temps and fan speed in Macs Fan Control after having the cloth there for 15 minutes and they haven't really changed at all. I wouldn't try this under load though - and no, I'm not actually going to do this long term.

The fact that the cloth silences it is strange because I think it's not the fans that are loud (or at least that's not what's annoying me), it's so much air being pushed through the tiny case holes. I wonder if it would be possible to add a grill or something to break the air up while still allowing it out.

 

[bobcomer]

it's so much air being pushed through the tiny case holes.

I do wonder if it's just the airflow through those holes too, they're kind of small in comparison to most PC's, even if there are a lot of them. But that doesn't really explain how so many can't hear it.

 

[jmho]

I do wonder if it's just the airflow through those holes too, they're kind of small in comparison to most PC's, even if there are a lot of them. But that doesn't really explain how so many can't hear it.

I think a lot of it is what you're used to. If I was coming from an Intel machine I probably wouldn't notice or care, but since I've been using the M1 MacBook Air since nov '20 and then an M1 Max MBP it's jarring to go back from absolute silence to having a constant background whoosh.

Plus my apartment is incredibly quiet.

It's probably a lot like people who are used to true OLED blacks who go back to an LCD and start complaining that the blacks aren't black, while everyone who hasn't used an OLED or is watching in a very bright room thinks they're being silly.

 

[funkahdafi]

My point, I guess, is that no one has proven that two Studios set right next to each other, recorded with the same mic, same setup, same conditions, make any substantially different fan noise (not "whine"). If it were true that they do, why hasn't someone with multiple Studio's posted a simple online video proving it?

I don't think anyone would notice a difference. I don't think they are different. It's all about perception. What is loud to one person is silent to another.

The machines being "loud" is probably a bit of an over-exaggeration coming from many people that may be used to machines that actually turn their fans off completely at idle. And now they have this new machine that, even at idle, has the fans running at some 1300 RPM.

Whether that's loud or silent is completely and utterly subjective.

This whole thread is becoming quite silly, with some people, on the one hand, telling others they hear ghosts, and it's all normal (an assumption based on ignorance), while on the other hand you have people freaking out with bleeding ears.

The discussion should focus on two things:

1.) Why has Apple chosen to apply such an unusual fan curve (I wouldn't even call it a curve, as the fans stay at a constant speed unless you really stress the machine). This could be a bug / wrong setting in the firmware (that can be fixed) or a deliberate design choice by Apple. In which case, people will have to decide for themselves whether they can live with it or not.

2.) What's up with that coil whine (or whatever it is that causes the high-pitched sound that's not related to the fans and only some units seem to suffer from).

What is absolutely pointless, though, is discussing whether the fan noise is loud or silent. It's not just pointless, it's idiotic and childish.

 

[bobcomer]

I think a lot of it is what you're used to. If I was coming from an Intel machine I probably wouldn't notice or care, but since I've been using the M1 MacBook Air since nov '20 and then an M1 Max MBP it's jarring to go back from absolute silence to having a constant background whoosh.

That's just it, I have way more exposure to intel type machines, all day at work and I have more intel machines at home, and the Studio is the one I hear all the time. It's a higher pitched fan noise, maybe that's it. My big intel desktop when at load is WAY louder, but it's not at load that much, so I hear it less than the studio.

Plus my apartment is incredibly quiet.

Where I have my computers is not quite at all. Most of the time there's an air cleaner, vaporizer, Mac Studio, Intel Mac Mini. i9 Desktop, older intel desktop, synology 1511+. Ceiling fan. All on most of the time. It's downright loud in here. I actually like noise better than silence. The term deafening silence applies to me when it's quiet. But there's something about the Studio that is concerning. Not only can I hear it when I'm at my desk, it calls attention to itself because of the pitch. Everything else I have is lower pitched. I wish I had the equipment to do a proper spectrograph..

 

[bobcomer]

1.) Why has Apple chosen to apply such an unusual fan curve (I wouldn't even call it a curve, as the fans stay at a constant speed unless you really stress the machine). This could be a bug / wrong setting in the firmware (that can be fixed) or a deliberate design choice by Apple. In which case, people will have to decide for themselves whether they can live with it or not.

I agree with that. Thats really what bothers me the most. It doesn't make sense on a modern computer. I wouldn't expect a computer made in the last 10 years to have a similar fan "curve" to the Studio. 20 years ago maybe most were like that, one case fan and big enough to keep air moving all the time, and no separate CPU fan. They would sound closer to the Studio.

2.) What's up with that coil whine (or whatever it is that causes the high-pitched sound that's not related to the fans and only some units seem to suffer from).

Yep.

But I really, really, think that not all Studios are the same sound-wise. There's absolutely no way someone could call mine quiet unless they were totally deaf. I don't have another studio to compare it too, so no proof, but I have an intel Mac mini sitting right next to it and my i9 desktop, and the Studio is the only one I hear all the time, and I never hear the mini. I never hear the fan in my synology, but I do hear the hard drives seeking when it's being used for a backup.

 

[Martyimac]

So no weird noises even when you put your ear to the back of the Mac? How long have you had the Mac at home?

I got it release day from my local  store. No weird noises, no whine, just dead quiet at normal sitting position.

 

[AlphaCentauri]

No offense, friend, but the only person in this room that doesn't understand anything is you. You are very arrogant in thinking you are the only person here understanding "what the Mac Studio is" and you believe that this weird nonexistent fan curve must be Apple's genius design. It's the typical Apple fanboyism that excuses just about everything Apple does, good AND bad.

What you really do not understand is the fact that as much as this *could* be Apple's deliberate design choice, it could just as much be an issue with the firmware (wrong fan curve applied) or even a hardware issue. It wouldn't be the first time an Apple product has a "bug".

Even if you are not bothered by the fan noise (I am not, either), the fact that the fans constantly spin at the same speed at every temperature level should give anyone with even the slightest sliver of basic tech understanding reason to pause. The alleged coil whine that some units exhibit even more so.

That being said, if it doesn't bother you, why are you even here? You keep telling people it's all good, it's "how Apple designed it" (a statement both extremely arrogant and extremely ignorant). Why don't you just bugger off and let the people who are bothered or interested talk about it?

You are very annoying.

1. So what is Mac Studio (especially Ultra) in your opinion, if not a workstation? Some extravagant people have bought 2019 Mac Pro to browse internet and play Warcraft, but that doesn’t make it home computer because of that

2. I’m basing my opinion about fan curve on my previous experiences with Apple and PC workstations, especially Mac Pro 2013 (which I had) and Mac Pro 2019 (on both of them fans are always on, even at idle) and HP Z4 (which I also had, 35dB at idle). Are you basing your opinion about expected fan curve on how Apple M1 laptops and M1 Mac mini work? If so, then it is you, my friend, who are ignorant and mistaken

3. Thanks for Ad Hominem attack and calling me a fanboy. Should I then say in return that you are a typical IT guy who knows better than the manufacturer how the computer should be designed? It’s a mystery you don’t work for Apple already 😁

4. I hate fan noise. I just accept the compromise of hearing fans versus computing power in a workstation class computer. If Apple can make it quieter, I’m all for it. Just don’t believe that they will, that’s all.

5. I am participating in this thread for the same reason that you are, I have an opinion about the subject. Do you want only people who agree with you to post here? So that all of you can collectively pat yourselves on the backs in your complaining about the “very loud” fans in the Studio?

6. Have you noticed how many people in this very thread have said that the Studio is quiet? Do you understand that Apple finally provided reasonably priced workstation for audio/video market and that the fans are audible is nobody’s concern? Have you checked reviews, and threads on KVR, Gearspace, Vi-Control and other music related forums?

Except for two threads on Macrumors and some YouTube sensationalists, literally nobody is concerned about fan noise 😂

7. And, finally, if annoyance is what you feel when people don’t agree with you - then I have every intention to post in this thread in the future. You are very rude, my friend.

 

[dunanos]

Here the service acknowledged the problem with the fan see printscreen from YouTube.

 

[dunanos]

I was chatting with a user who has a noisy Mac Studio. He tried covering up half the ventilation holes and the noise was the same. Mine is noisy is on one fan. What if some units have both fans broken? Then they would be really noisy. 🤔

****
Since there is also a coil in the electric motor, this problem could be all coil whine and whistling when changing RPM.

 

[Traverse]

The better question would be why are people putting their ear to the back of their computer.

I feel like this thread has caused paranoia for some users who go looking for problems. I did not silence my room, sit inches way, etc. to discover my Studio's issues - I merely set it up and used it in my normal contexts. I was disappointed to realize that it was clearly audible at all times which even my 2017 27" iMac was not in the same contexts. I would not say it was loud, but there was a constant whoosh that was disappointing, but I could live with it.

For me, I kept hearing a slight ringing and didn't realize it was the Mac Studio at first. Once I isolated it I realized I wasn't going to keep it. I know have a MacBook Pro which comes with it's own set of tradeoffs, but is not the computer I wanted.

I don't think anyone would notice a difference. I don't think they are different. It's all about perception. What is loud to one person is silent to another.

The machines being "loud" is probably a bit of an over-exaggeration coming from many people that may be used to machines that actually turn their fans off completely at idle. And now they have this new machine that, even at idle, has the fans running at some 1300 RPM.

I very much agree with this. Unless you have a truly faulty unit the Mac Studio isn't "loud," it's merely audible which can be disappointing based upon your expectations. I am equally annoyed with the posts discussing their "dead silent" machines. I think it should be phrased that it isn't not audible for their use. It is impossible to have a "dead silent" Mac Studio because the fans are set at 1300 RPM and make noise - but that may not be audible for a given users based on environment, biology, etc.

 

[funkahdafi]

3. Thanks for Ad Hominem attack and calling me a fanboy. Should I then say in return that you are a typical IT guy who knows better than the manufacturer how the computer should be designed? It’s a mystery you don’t work for Apple already

You really don't get it. Do you. No, you don't. Unlike you, I am not telling people they are wrong or right. You on the other hand keep insisting that the fan noise is how Apple designed it. And for the third (fourth?) time: You absolutely don't know that. You can't and you don't.

What makes you annoying is your insistence that people must not be bothered by whatever they hear, because your god, Apple, has designed it that way.

You are quite literally Mr. Dunning Kruger.

 

[vddobrev]

2. I’m basing my opinion about fan curve on my previous experiences with Apple and PC workstations, especially Mac Pro 2013 (which I had) and Mac Pro 2019 (on both of them fans are always on, even at idle) and HP Z4 (which I also had, 35dB at idle). Are you basing your opinion about expected fan curve on how Apple M1 laptops and M1 Mac mini work? If so, then it is you, my friend, who are ignorant and mistaken

You are wrong again, very wrong. Let's get this straight - the fan curve of Mac Pro 2013 is for silent operation at idle - it runs at 680RPM. It is rated at 14dB - I cannot hear it, and my 14yo cannot hear it. So basing your opinion on this is nonsense. Unless you have both machines Studio and MP6,1 right now and compare them side by side, you cannot insist you are right, because you are not.

Edit: OK, you are right about one thing - yes, the fan is on all the time, on Mac Pro 2013, but the fan is SILENT at 680RPM - get it? No-one is questioning that the fan is not on, it is just that when idle it is at minimum speed and maximum silence!

 

[jmho]

5. I am participating in this thread for the same reason that you are, I have an opinion about the subject. Do you want only people who agree with you to post here? So that all of you can collectively pat yourselves on the backs in your complaining about the “very loud” fans in the Studio?

I'm here because I want a solution to my issue. There are two possibilities here: a) I have a defective machine and therefore should return it, or b) This is normal for the Mac Studio and I need to work out if the extra performance is worth the extra noise compared to the M1 Max MBP which is literally dead silent at idle. Hearing from other people who have this issue is incredibly valuable to me.

I also want to know if Apple has / will acknowledge the issue and might be able to fix it with a firmware update down the line.

And obviously I'm sharing my experiences to help anyone else in my position make similar decisions about their purchase.

There's no "collectively patting ourselves on the back" here, just a bunch of people helping each other out.

 

[richinaus]

You are wrong again, very wrong. Let's get this straight - the fan curve of Mac Pro 2013 is for silent operation at idle - it runs at 680RPM. It is rated at 14dB - I cannot hear it, and my 14yo cannot hear it. So basing your opinion on this is nonsense. Unless you have both machines Studio and MP6,1 right now and compare them side by side, you cannot insist you are right, because you are not.

Edit: OK, you are right about one thing - yes, the fan is on all the time, on Mac Pro 2013, but the fan is SILENT at 680RPM - get it? No-one is questioning that the fan is not on, it is just that when idle it is at minimum speed and maximum silence!

But what’s the problem with the studio exactly? the fans are on all the time on mine, but are so quiet they dont bother me at all.
there just seems to be some faulty fans around. Nothing wrong with the fan curves etc, in fact I really appreciate the fan curves and have fully maxed out the machine with little audible difference from doing nothing to 100%.

 

[richinaus]

I'm here because I want a solution to my issue. There are two possibilities here: a) I have a defective machine and therefore should return it, or b) This is normal for the Mac Studio and I need to work out if the extra performance is worth the extra noise compared to the M1 Max MBP which is literally dead silent at idle. Hearing from other people who have this issue is incredibly valuable to me.

I also want to know if Apple has / will acknowledge the issue and might be able to fix it with a firmware update down the line.

And obviously I'm sharing my experiences to help anyone else in my position make similar decisions about their purchase.

There's no "collectively patting ourselves on the back" here, just a bunch of people helping each other out.

If you have an issue, return it. That is the solution to your problem.
A lot of people, myself included [I am a noise sensitive person], are saying they hear little to nothing, so you have a defective machine. Please dont expect Apple to fix this down the line - I refer to the 2019 16” MBP as a reference point.