iPad Pro Sound output of my new IPP 11” is quite a bit less than Air 4

[Bootleg2go]

the main reasons for my upgrade from Air 4 to the 11” IPP were the camera and the better sound system, but I’m hearing a decrease not an increase.
I setup a little experiment with my Air 4 w/ magic keyboard, while I still have it.
I then set my phone running an app called Decibel X (which measures sound levels) at the front edge of the magic keyboard.
I then played an audio music file at maximum volume and had Decibel X take a 60 second sample that would show the average and peak sound levels. Avg sound level was 77.2dB and displayed sound was equal to “loud singing” I then did the exact same setup on my new IPP and the average level was only 75.1dB, a decrease of 2.1dB and the it reports the sound level is equal to “inside car”.

I have the same sound setting on both pads with no sound limits enabled on either.

Has anyone else who is going from Air 4 to the IPP 11 noticed a decrease in their volume?
I thought going from 2 speakers to 4 would increase the volume and make the sound better.
Wondering If all of them have less sound then maybe it’s not time to upgrade yet.

Maybe later this weekend I’ll try doing my wife’s old Air 2 because I think it might be louder than both.
Comments?
Ipad Air 4 …………………………………………………………………….2021 Ipad Pro 11”

 

[Apple_Robert]

Looking at your pictures, it appears the difference is negligible. Is there is problem with the sound quality or are you just focusing on a negligible difference in the sound level?

 

[Bootleg2go]

It may look that way, but it doesn’t sound that way. A difference of 2.1dB is very noticeable I would say.
The reason I took the time to check it was because it didn’t sound any better than my Air 4 and in fact not as good.
So instead of trusting my ears, I took measurements that were repeatable.
If you look at the upper left corner of each picture it give a relative sound level of “inside car” while the air 4 reports “loud singing”.
I just did some calculations and a change of 2.1dB and it appears that my IPP is only 86% of the perceived loudness of my Air 4.

 

[chabig]

It's a different product with a different design. I'm not surprised it might have a different maximum volume. Volume does not always mean better sound.

 

[Bootleg2go]

I agree, it’s a different product….
But if they are promoting the sound quality and 4 speaker output; you would think that the IPP would be an improvement over the Air 4.
Think about it, think about the sound level of ”loud singing” which you would expect when listening at max volume.
Think about what the sound level is “inside car” with nothing playing, just the sound of the engine running, is that what’s to be expected of the ipad pro?
I’m not an audiophile, so I don’t know if the sound reproduction quality, but if it is, it’s at maybe 75-80 of the output level.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It's a different product with a different design. I'm not surprised it might have a different maximum volume. Volume does not always mean better sound.

Bass is what truly matters if you want deep rich sound.

 

[chabig]

...you would think that the IPP would be an improvement over the Air 4.

Who says it's not? I think there are qualities beside volume that matter more. Maximum volume seems kind of meaningless to me.

Audio system measurements - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jesse10RR]

Bootleg2go, maybe you should try another application called Decibel dB sound level meter. In my opinion, it works much better and has more adjustment options. For example this one app ( https://decibelpro.app/ ) helped me a lot in sound measurement. It has plenty of adjustments and options. Maybe you should try it out.

 

[perezr10]

I agree, it’s a different product….
But if they are promoting the sound quality and 4 speaker output; you would think that the IPP would be an improvement over the Air 4.
Think about it, think about the sound level of ”loud singing” which you would expect when listening at max volume.
Think about what the sound level is “inside car” with nothing playing, just the sound of the engine running, is that what’s to be expected of the ipad pro?
I’m not an audiophile, so I don’t know if the sound reproduction quality, but if it is, it’s at maybe 75-80 of the output level.

I normally do a lot of business travel so when I’m in a hotel room, my iPad Pro becomes my movie machine. The stereo effect from the speakers in landscape mode is much nicer than the iPad Air 4. Plus, the music is much fuller than the Air which sounds tinny by comparison. It might be louder, but it’s like comparing a loud 4 cylinder car to a deep V8.

Also, this is actually comparing the Air 4 to the 2020 11” iPad Pro but the sound volume test wasn’t even close. The 4 speaker system decimated the 2 speaker system of the Air.

 

[perezr10]

Okay, here is the 2021 iPad Pro vs the Air 4 and it had the same result. The Pro was both louder and had better quality.

 

[camotron]

Just got my 11” Pro and I am amazed by the quality of sound that comes out of this thing. For what it is, the sound is full and the stereo separation is fantastic. I’m coming from an 8th gen 2020 so slightly off topic.

 

[Artsketch]

Maybe some audiophile samples are better to compare sound quality.