I set up my new base Mac Studio yesterday and must say it's pretty quiet and unobtrusive. Used a sound meter app, at head level, to measure the following conditions:
1. With nothing turned on in the room, I get a minimum reading of 27 dB and average of 30 dB
2. Windows 10 tower PC on the floor, idling at the desktop, measures minimum of 35 dB and 36 dB average
3. Mac Studio 1-foot away from me on the desk measures minimum of 29 dB and average of 31 dB
At times I have to strain to discern the sound of the Mac Studio's fan against my own breathing, that's how quiet it is. Sure, it isn't completely silent like my M1 Mini but there isn't any annoying coil whine, whistling, or other disturbing frequency emanating from the base M1 Max Mac Studio. Once I place it in a more permanent location 2-3 feet away I'm sure I won't be able to hear the Mac Studio. Heck, the fan on my Windows 10 work laptop, also a foot away, easily drowns out any perceptible sound from the Mac Studio. I love having the front ports and SD Card more than I expected and originally ordered an M2 Pro Mini. It is a tough choice between the new M2 Pro Mini and base Mac Studio but "noise" is not a concern or differentiating factor.
1. With nothing turned on in the room, I get a minimum reading of 27 dB and average of 30 dB
2. Windows 10 tower PC on the floor, idling at the desktop, measures minimum of 35 dB and 36 dB average
3. Mac Studio 1-foot away from me on the desk measures minimum of 29 dB and average of 31 dB
At times I have to strain to discern the sound of the Mac Studio's fan against my own breathing, that's how quiet it is. Sure, it isn't completely silent like my M1 Mini but there isn't any annoying coil whine, whistling, or other disturbing frequency emanating from the base M1 Max Mac Studio. Once I place it in a more permanent location 2-3 feet away I'm sure I won't be able to hear the Mac Studio. Heck, the fan on my Windows 10 work laptop, also a foot away, easily drowns out any perceptible sound from the Mac Studio. I love having the front ports and SD Card more than I expected and originally ordered an M2 Pro Mini. It is a tough choice between the new M2 Pro Mini and base Mac Studio but "noise" is not a concern or differentiating factor.