Ipad air sound quality

[Pharlap]

I've seen a few reviews about its new speed and battery life to me big deal
What i would really like to know is how good is its sound quality
I still can't fathom why they don't bring the speakers to the front
Cupping them for better sound quality is not that great and when either holding it or on your lap the sound is degraded
The last 15mm where the button is could be all alloy or whatever and speakers and button integrated into this area
This will also reduce breakages to 50% as if it is on glass edge this end shall have some give
What does everybody think
If apple thinks this is good they better check patents

 

[Pharlap]

I've seen a few reviews about its new speed and battery life to me big deal What i would really like to know is how good is its sound quality I still can't fathom why they don't bring the speakers to the front Cupping them for better sound quality is not that great and when either holding it or on your lap the sound is degraded The last 15mm where the button is could be all alloy or whatever and speakers and button integrated into this area This will also reduce breakages to 50% as if it is on glass edge this end shall have some give What does everybody think If apple thinks this is good they better check patents

One other thing it is pretty poor they can't add a set of earphones that cost stuff all to produce with it also

 

[Hivoltage]

I am happy to use the quality earphones that I already own!!

 

[giradman]

…..
What i would really like to know is how good is its sound quality…….
I still can't fathom why they don't bring the speakers to the front

one other thing it is pretty poor they can't add a set of earphones that cost stuff all to produce with it also

i am happy to use the quality earphones that i already own!!

Well, I don't understand your complaint, i.e. do you expect the sound from the iPad to duplicate a regular stereo? The speakers in the device are minimal - the specs pictured below show that the iPad Air will support AAC (or MP3) to WAV (the latter CD quality), so a good set of headphones and/or cabling to a regular stereo will produce a sound as good as a CD - what more do you want? And for those into audio, why expect Apple to supply you w/ a quality set of plug-in ear buds? Most of us will want better - bottom line, don't feel that this is really a concern for those considering purchasing Apple's newest iPad offering, but just my opinion - Dave

 

[Spatzi]

The speakers on ipad air are much better than ipad 3. Spacing is better, so you get more stereo separation, and they are also substantially louder with better bass. I agree that they should be placed on the top left/right sides of the ipad in landscape mode. Maybe next time.

 

[Diane B]

I just tried mine. I tend to air play or BT from the Ipad but sometimes use my pretty decent ear plugs so hadn't actually listened. i agree, better than my Three.

 

[RandyM]

I haven't bought my air yet, im waiting to hear if there are any issues with it from users before I buy like I do all my idevices.. but about the speakers... this is the thinnest iPad ever so I wouldnt expect the sound quality of the built in speakers to be great. Besides getting the right earplugs or buds or headphones will allow you to have the sound of your choice. For me with my current iPad I always have my self purchased earbuds plugged in so I can blast my music and not distrurb those around me. And though moving the built in speakers around may produce better sound but I like the speaker where it is, not sure about the air but on my ipad that is a fairly large opening into the interior of the ipad I would rather it be there less chance of something spilling into the device that way. Plus if they got moved what would stop others from complaining of there new position

 

[giradman]

..... but about the speakers... this is the thinnest iPad ever so I wouldnt expect the sound quality of the built in speakers to be great. Besides getting the right earplugs or buds or headphones will allow you to have the sound of your choice. For me with my current iPad I always have my self purchased earbuds plugged in so I can blast my music and not distrurb those around me. And though moving the built in speakers around may produce better sound but I like the speaker where it is, not sure about the air............

Well, the iPad Air now has 'stereo' speakers (see pic below) but are so close (and of course small) that the sound output is stated to be slightly improved; however, output via the headphone jack (whether to a stereo system or ear buds/headphones) or to 'good' BT speakers should be quite good.

But just a warning for those that use ear buds/headphones a lot about potential ear damage - quoted below (from HERE); sound levels are measured in decibels which is a logarithmic scale (i.e. going from say 80 dB to 90 dB is actually 10X the sound level!) - any continual ear exposure above 85 dB is potentially damaging (examples are city traffic in a car or lawnmower - more examples HERE) - SO, please be careful about loudness levels if you use these devices - Dave

Sound at 85 dB or below is considered safe. Think about it!If one is exposed to sounds greater than 90 dB for an average of eight hours per day without hearing protection, hearing loss will most likely result. As the volume increases, the safe time of exposure decreases.
Here are some loudness/time facts to consider (the unit of measurement is decibel):

• At 95 dB, damage will occur after four hours of exposure per day.
• At 100 dB, damage will occur after two hours of exposure per day.
• At 105 dB, damage will occur after one hour of exposure per day.
• At 110 dB, damage will occur after 30 minutes of exposure per day.
• At 115 dB, damage will occur after 15 minutes of exposure per day.
• At 120-plus dB, damage occurs almost immediately.

Most portable stereo music systems produce sound in the range of 95-108 dB at level four and in excess of 115 dB at level eight.

 

[wrathchild]

They sound better when you lay the air down on a flat surface.

 

[Elux72]

I just tried out the sound on the Air by playing a random YouTube video, and found it considerably better than my Mini (which I think is decent enough). It was crisp, with good bass.

 

[Pwilkins]

I just tried out the sound on the Air by playing a random YouTube video, and found it considerably better than my Mini (which I think is decent enough). It was crisp, with good bass.

My iPad Air is coming today, I can't wait to hear the difference in sound from my iPad 2! I made a LEAP...

 

[Webalistic]

There will always be a limit to what the minute speakers can produce, but technology is still advancing (see this engadget vid)

 

[TotallyDavis]

The iPad Air speakers are wonderful, especially compared to the first gen.

When I first started them up, I wondered if it had somehow connected to my Bose soundlink at first, that's how good it was! Especially considering the size, I don't think we have anything to complain about.

 

[RandyM]

Well, the iPad Air now has 'stereo' speakers (see pic below) but are so close (and of course small) that the sound output is stated to be slightly improved; however, output via the headphone jack (whether to a stereo system or ear buds/headphones) or to 'good' BT speakers should be quite good. But just a warning for those that use ear buds/headphones a lot about potential ear damage - quoted below (from HERE); sound levels are measured in decibels which is a logarithmic scale (i.e. going from say 80 dB to 90 dB is actually 10X the sound level!) - any continual ear exposure above 85 dB is potentially damaging (examples are city traffic in a car or lawnmower - more examples HERE) - SO, please be careful about loudness levels if you use these devices - Dave <img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=49863"/>

Thank you for providing me with the information on hearing damage. Since reading what you posted I no longer play my music loud and hope I haven't sustained damage to my hearing. Thanks for looking out for us and providing this information

 

[giradman]

Thank you for providing me with the information on hearing damage. Since reading what you posted I no longer play my music loud and hope I haven't sustained damage to my hearing. Thanks for looking out for us and providing this information

Thanks Randy - a general rule for parents (or others, of course) is if you walk near your child listening to music via ear buds or headphones and can hear the music, then the sound level is really too high. Good hearing! :thumbs: Dave