New 2017 iMac 27" Speakers Sound Bad

[glazball]

I've had no sound issues whatsoever with my 2017 iMac. It sounds fine, really nice in fact, and not "muffled" at all. I think those who feel they have muffled sound should get it checked out.

Also, I don't have a 2015 to compare mine to - but to all of you who are saying the 2017 sounds worse, it's really hard to know if there's any truth to your statements when we don't know what/how you are comparing. Are you comparing the exact same source material with the same software and same settings? It could be that you had Sound Enhancer or EQ enabled in iTunes on your 2015 and disabled on your 2017, or something along those lines.

 

[EugW]

I've had no sound issues whatsoever with my 2017 iMac. It sounds fine, really nice in fact, and not "muffled" at all. I think those who feel they have muffled sound should get it checked out.

Also, I don't have a 2015 to compare mine to - but to all of you who are saying the 2017 sounds worse, it's really hard to know if there's any truth to your statements when we don't know what/how you are comparing. Are you comparing the exact same source material with the same software and same settings? It could be that you had Sound Enhancer or EQ enabled in iTunes on your 2015 and disabled on your 2017, or something along those lines.

For my 2010 iMac vs my 2017 iMac, I have them side by side. In fact, I can play the audio from my 2017 iMac out of my 2010 iMac since I have them connected by DisplayPort, which carries audio. IOW, in the settings I can change the output at will, alternating between the two iMacs.

Neither iMac is exactly great, but the sound from the 2017 is a little less clear, which probably is due to the the case design. As for the 2015 vs the 2017, I wouldn't know, since I do not have a 2015. Also, the shell design of the 2015 and 2017 are the same, and both are very different from the 2010.

But like I was suggesting earlier, it's not a huge deal for me. I have both the AirPods and the Beats Solo3 Wireless, the latter of which came free with the iMac 2017.

 

[ChoPraTs]

I've recently received my new iMac 2017 27" and, like EugW, I have another iMac 2010 27" to compare. The sound between the two is clearly different, but I would not say that is worst in the new model. The bass response of this new iMac 2017 is a lot better than the oldest that I have. I was comparing both side by side and, although the highs frequencies are more present in the 2010, the bass response is a lot better in the 2017. Perhaps this is the sensation that all of you are perceiving.

I'm used to work with high quality headphones and monitors (I work as composer and produce orchestral mockups) like AKG, JBL, etc. Some of them costs hundreds of dollars, and they are only headphones! But I remember the first time I bought a studio headphones (AKG K240 MKII) and I was very concerned by its sound... The first days it sound to me very bad. Until that moment, I was only used to listen "hi-fi" systems, where specially high frequencies are altered to sound more "impressive" or "present" to general customers, but this "hi-fi" sound is really not natural. When you enter to the music production world, the first thing that you try to get for work in good conditions is speakers and headphones that sound as flat as possible, and always avoid that "hi-fi" sound with high or bass frequencies altered in consumer speakers. Well, after many years working with "near to flat" equipment, now my ears prefer all these kind of speakers and headphones and its very difficult to me to listen with bad quality equipment. When I try to listen again with my old "hi-fi" systems or headphones, I really feel uncomfortable and thinking "how could I like to listen music with this before?"

I guess people get used to listen what they have at home and when something new sounds different, they usually do not like it. I'm not sure if those who are saying here that their iMacs 2017 sound bad have really a problem in their units, perhaps there are some of them defective. But I think its also possible that this different sounding that I have noticed between the new model and the other I have from 2010, with more bass that also camouflages and balances the highest frequencies, is really the little difference that cause your concern. But I repeat, for me my unit is not bad, just different, but good enough. And of course if I need or want more, I change to my studio monitors or headphones that any iMac can't beat.

 

[guibo]

I have both the AirPods and the Beats Solo3 Wireless, the latter of which came free with the iMac 2017.

I didnt get free headphones?

 

[jerwin]

I didnt get free headphones?

Occasional limited time offers can sweeten the deal. If you like beats.

 

[EugW]

I didnt get free headphones?

In certain countries there is an education purchase "Back To School" promotion for free headphones with the purchase of a Mac (or iPad Pro).

In Canada, the deal with the iMac gives you a Beats Wireless Solo3 (or cheaper model) for free.

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/12/apple-2017-back-to-school-promotion/

The deal actually started July 12 in Canada in the US, but if you call in, you can get them retroactively, if you received the Mac as early as June 27. The deal dates may be different in other countries, and some countries don't have this deal at all.

They wouldn't give me the free headphones for my MacBook purchase though, since I got that machine before the June 27 date. Some people still have managed to get it anyway though if their receipt date was within a few days of June 27.

 

[Bob418]

I've recently received my new iMac 2017 27" and, like EugW, I have another iMac 2010 27" to compare. The sound between the two is clearly different, but I would not say that is worst in the new model. The bass response of this new iMac 2017 is a lot better than the oldest that I have. I was comparing both side by side and, although the highs frequencies are more present in the 2010, the bass response is a lot better in the 2017. Perhaps this is the sensation that all of you are perceiving.

I'm used to work with high quality headphones and monitors (I work as composer and produce orchestral mockups) like AKG, JBL, etc. Some of them costs hundreds of dollars, and they are only headphones! But I remember the first time I bought a studio headphones (AKG K240 MKII) and I was very concerned by its sound... The first days it sound to me very bad. Until that moment, I was only used to listen "hi-fi" systems, where specially high frequencies are altered to sound more "impressive" or "present" to general customers, but this "hi-fi" sound is really not natural. When you enter to the music production world, the first thing that you try to get for work in good conditions is speakers and headphones that sound as flat as possible, and always avoid that "hi-fi" sound with high or bass frequencies altered in consumer speakers. Well, after many years working with "near to flat" equipment, now my ears prefer all these kind of speakers and headphones and its very difficult to me to listen with bad quality equipment. When I try to listen again with my old "hi-fi" systems or headphones, I really feel uncomfortable and thinking "how could I like to listen music with this before?"

I guess people get used to listen what they have at home and when something new sounds different, they usually do not like it. I'm not sure if those who are saying here that their iMacs 2017 sound bad have really a problem in their units, perhaps there are some of them defective. But I think its also possible that this different sounding that I have noticed between the new model and the other I have from 2010, with more bass that also camouflages and balances the highest frequencies, is really the little difference that cause your concern. But I repeat, for me my unit is not bad, just different, but good enough. And of course if I need or want more, I change to my studio monitors or headphones that any iMac can't beat.

I also think my new iMac's sound is quite good, comparable to a Creative 5.1 speaker I used before, in sound quality. Now I've packed the Creative speaker in store room, as it took too much table space.

The iMac's sound volume is also not bad, quite suitable when watching Youtube video with family members.

 

[guibo]

In certain countries there is an education purchase "Back To School" promotion for free headphones with the purchase of a Mac (or iPad Pro).

In Canada, the deal with the iMac gives you a Beats Wireless Solo3 (or cheaper model) for free.

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/12/apple-2017-back-to-school-promotion/

The deal actually started July 12 in Canada in the US, but if you call in, you can get them retroactively, if you received the Mac as early as June 27. The deal dates may be different in other countries, and some countries don't have this deal at all.

They wouldn't give me the free headphones for my MacBook purchase though, since I got that machine before the June 27 date. Some people still have managed to get it anyway though if their receipt date was within a few days of June 27.

wow, totally missed that, im in canada as well.

however, im not a student. and i got my mac through the apple corporate discount store (my company has a discount with apple). Would i be eligible?

 

[EugW]

wow, totally missed that, im in canada as well.

however, im not a student. and i got my mac through the apple corporate discount store (my company has a discount with apple). Would i be eligible?

No. It's for university/college students or educators. (However, Apple never checks if you buy online.) I suspect your corporate discount might be more than the education discount though.

 

[Brazilano]

In certain countries there is an education purchase "Back To School" promotion for free headphones with the purchase of a Mac (or iPad Pro).

In Canada, the deal with the iMac gives you a Beats Wireless Solo3 (or cheaper model) for free.

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/12/apple-2017-back-to-school-promotion/

The deal actually started July 12 in Canada in the US, but if you call in, you can get them retroactively, if you received the Mac as early as June 27. The deal dates may be different in other countries, and some countries don't have this deal at all.

They wouldn't give me the free headphones for my MacBook purchase though, since I got that machine before the June 27 date. Some people still have managed to get it anyway though if their receipt date was within a few days of June 27.

Great tip!!! I've just got my Beats Solo3 via chat! I bought my iMac in 5th July.

 

[guibo]

No. It's for university/college students or educators. (However, Apple never checks if you buy online.) I suspect your corporate discount might be more than the education discount though.

it normally is a better discount than education, but for some reason, students get a better discount on the top spec imac only. although i know apple 'doesnt check' when buying online, they do do spot checks. i would hate to find myself in that situation, so i went with the legitimate discount.

 

[EugW]

it normally is a better discount than education, but for some reason, students get a better discount on the top spec imac only. although i know apple 'doesnt check' when buying online, they do do spot checks. i would hate to find myself in that situation, so i went with the legitimate discount.

Oh OK. I am legit for the education discount (as an educator), but I've bought a double digit number of items from Apple over the years and have never been checked.

Great tip!!! I've just got my Beats Solo3 via chat! I bought my iMac in 5th July.

Nice!

Which country?

 

[jerwin]

Given the following assumptions:

1. Speakers are preferable over headphones
2. One isn't limited by the selection at Best Buy.
3. One isn't limited to products aimed at computer audio
4. The computer is a primary listening device for music, movies, and games, in that order.
5. Decor is of limited concern

What's the minimum one could spend to get an audio system that
1. Sounds, without question, superior to the imac's built in speakers
2. Is good enough to stave off those upgrade jitters for years and years...

I have an audiosource AMP-100 connected to Klipsch B-20 bookshelves.. It's good enough for my purposes, though it ended up being fairly expensive. And it gets loud, if not terribly deep. I do have a ten inch sub lying about, but don't really have room for it under my desk.

 

[EugW]

Given the following assumptions:

1. Speakers are preferable over headphones
2. One isn't limited by the selection at Best Buy.
3. One isn't limited to products aimed at computer audio
4. The computer is a primary listening device for music, movies, and games, in that order.
5. Decor is of limited concern

What's the minimum one could spend to get an audio system that
1. Sounds, without question, superior to the imac's built in speakers
2. Is good enough to stave up thse upgrade jitters for years and years...

I have an audiosource AMP-100 connected to Klipsh B-20 bookshelves.. It's good enough for my purposes, though it ended up being fairly expensive. And it gets loud, if not terribly deep. I do have a ten inch sub lying about, but don't really have room for in under my desk.

I don't know those speakers, but that setup sounds appropriate. I personally didn't do that though because I didn't want the clutter and I usually use headphones.

Also, although the iMac's speakers aren't great, they're still better than most of my TVs' built-in speakers. For my TVs, sound systems are mandatory, even for basic usage. For the iMac, the built-ins are often good enough for basic usage like YouTube watching and what not.

For my home office TV I use PSB Alphas along with some cheap eBay T-Amp. Sounds fine. My living room has a nice pair of mid-range towers with a decent centre, for a 3.0 surround setup. My projector though has a full-on Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 system.

 

[Brazilano]

Oh OK. I am legit for the education discount (as an educator), but I've bought a double digit number of items from Apple over the years and have never been checked.


Nice!

Which country?

I'm in the U.S.

 

[Wrathwitch]

funny...I just bought home a new 2017 27" iMac and compared to my 2009 iMac they sound very nice and robust!

 

[294307]

I originally had a 2015 iMac which was replaced with a 2017 iMac as the original iMac was repeatedly suffering from image retention. In the UK we have the right to request a refund or replacement if the first repair fails to fix a specific problem .

The speakers sound fine to me and I would say identical to the outgoing model. I'm fully deaf in one ear so I'm not best to judge its sound quality but to me the speakers in both models seem adequate. I never liked the overexaggerated bass in the outgoing model, and that remains the case with the new model.

Ultimately if you have concerns with the speakers in your iMac, no forum post will help you. You need to contact Apple or an Apple Authorised Service Provider. If you have the slightes doubt, just do yourself a favour and speak to the people that can actually help you.

 

[looking4anotebo]

I was just about to sell my 2015 and get a 2017 and this has me stuck now. The speakers on the 2015 are extremely good for what they are. If they botched the 2017s I'm not sure what I will do. I don't want to buy externals.

I was wrong in condemning the speakers on the 2017 iMac. I have one now and they are just as good as my 2015, if not louder. Very satisfied.

 

[alanhouser]

I just updated from a Late 2012 iMac to the new 2017 iMac and the sound quality from the internal speakers is very noticeably worse in the new model. I don't really know how to describe it, other than to say that it sounds "muffled" and not as crisp and clear. I tried installing equalizer software (Boom 2) to try and fix it, which helped a little, but it still sounds far inferior to my old iMac's speakers. Is there some kind of "burn-in" period until the speakers will sound their best? Or is there something else I should do? Thanks in advance for your help!

I just did the SAME update as you. Being an audio engineer, I'm crazy about speakers. To me, it sounds like they've changed the porting/encasement of the speakers TRY to give it more bass, but it sounds worse than the original. If you cross your arms on your chest and speak into this "arm container" (sounds weird, but try it), this is how the new speakers sound, compared to nothing obstructing it. It's like something superficial added to the housing.

 

[Georgethefourth]

I just updated from a Late 2012 iMac to the new 2017 iMac and the sound quality from the internal speakers is very noticeably worse in the new model. I don't really know how to describe it, other than to say that it sounds "muffled" and not as crisp and clear. I tried installing equalizer software (Boom 2) to try and fix it, which helped a little, but it still sounds far inferior to my old iMac's speakers. Is there some kind of "burn-in" period until the speakers will sound their best? Or is there something else I should do? Thanks in advance for your help!

I’ve got the same problem. I’ve been editing a project on Final Cut Pro and it sounds great on my old 2013 iMac. The same project sounds basey and muffled on the 2017 which is on the same desk. My client is going to worry about the sound mix now, unless I buy external speakers. I’m disappointed that the 2017 model sounds inferior to the 2013.

 

[Solomani]

True, that's one solution. But it's also somewhat besides the point. The new ones are worse. A company that spends time and money on changing the composition of the material underneath the Magic Mouse because "it didn't sound right" when dragging it on different surfaces after the weight changed due to using an internal battery would probably not miss the fact that the speakers are worse.

So what are the logical explanations here? Is it just a question of bad luck where Apple have never come across a unit with bad sound whereas the four 2017 iMacs I've tested that have lacked the crisp sound of the 2015 iMacs just come from a bad batch? Or have Apple chosen to accept a degradation of the sound for some reason?

The only reason I didn't return it is because mine doesn't stand out from the other three so I believe replacing it would just be a waste of time.

Dont bother trying to get a replacement. I can tell you that you are just going to get another 2017 with the same "weak speakers" problem. I know because I also got mine a couple weeks ago. My older (late 2012) iMac had slightly louder sounding speakers. They were never great to begin with, but the speakers on this 2017 iMac is not as loud. I have to crank up the volume quite a bit more to get decent audible sound.

I also get a new problem: When my 2017 iMac 21.5" goes to SLEEP the external (powered Altec Lansing) speakers go POP.
[doublepost=1507164832][/doublepost]You all should report this to Apple at their Feedback site:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

 

[bygonefan]

Come on, there's got to be a better explanation for this besides "Apple got cheap on the speakers". Is anyone else noticing a difference in speaker/sound quality?

I just got a 2017 iMac to replace my ~2012 iMac. The sound is truly, truly, terrible in comparison, lacking in clarity--I'm just listening to it now, in a totally silent apartment at 1am. Disappointed. I would hazard to guess that it's just because the old iMac is not a totally sealed can--there's a big grate on the bottom and a long slit across the top in back for hot air--and sound waves--to come out. I vaguely remember that high frequency sounds don't penetrate materials as well as bass, so I guess that's why the new hygienically/aesthetically sealed one sounds muffled and basically awful (in comparison). I guess if you've never had an iMac you won't necessarily understand this...and that's how quality can slide so surreptitiously.

Probably you could drill a few hundred little millimeter-sized holes in the back somewhere and it would help.

But, this is all just speculation on my part (except that it does sound bad, that's my opinion).

 

[colodane]

In my estimation, the sound of the 2017 27 inch iMac is "adequate" but not spectacular. Definitely on the "muddy" side. I was disappointed, but I can live with it.

I'd hesitate to try to improve it with drilling more holes, etc. I'm guessing that Apple, in spite of your displeasure with the sound, has spent lots of hours trying to get the most audio quality that they could with the packaging constraints they had. If better sound is a high priority, a set of external speakers (or headphones) is the way to go.

 

[bygonefan]

In my estimation, the sound of the 2017 27 inch iMac is "adequate" but not spectacular. Definitely on the "muddy" side. I was disappointed, but I can live with it.

I'd hesitate to try to improve it with drilling more holes, etc. I'm guessing that Apple, in spite of your displeasure with the sound, has spent lots of hours trying to get the most audio quality that they could with the packaging constraints they had. If better sound is a high priority, a set of external speakers (or headphones) is the way to go.

True...I suppose I should get external speakers. And an external adapter for my monitor. And an external CD/DVD drive. And an external Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

That was a joke about drilling holes...

I did notice there is a tiny air vent on the bottom of the iMac, so at least some sound gets out.
[side note: the noise from air venting out of it is more furious, higher pitched than my old iMac with 'giant' air vents and I find the new iMac's fan-on state more annoying and distracting, but, not too too bad]

 

[Chancha]

True...I suppose I should get external speakers. And an external adapter for my monitor. And an external CD/DVD drive. And an external Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

That was a joke about drilling holes...

I did notice there is a tiny air vent on the bottom of the iMac, so at least some sound gets out.
[side note: the noise from air venting out of it is more furious, higher pitched than my old iMac with 'giant' air vents and I find the new iMac's fan-on state more annoying and distracting, but, not too too bad]

The bottom vents are air intake for the fans which double as channels for internal speakers to push sound out. And ironically when those vents were wider on previous iMacs, the pitch / noise level was probably lower since air had to be sucked in relatively slower.

But I don't think the sound of the new iMac being bad had much to do with it, the muddy / muffled feeling probably has more to do with the shape and material of the chambers inside, which dictates the "timbre" of the sound before travelling out.