16'' 2021 MBP Low Frequency Response

[mjodotcom]

I have seen a lot of the press about how the bass is now "80% more" and can go "Half an octave lower" but am having trouble looking up what the actual bass extension is in hz and what the db rolloff looks like. Anyone able to point me to that information?

I have noticed some odd things when playing frequency sweeps. For example: it seems to play some lower frequencies in the like 35-50hz range quietly but an octave up (maybe that's where the 80% comes from lol) then around 55hz it switches over and starts playing the correct tone (still quiet but it is there). Also, there seems to be a significant drop in measured output around the 400-800hz range (using an SPL meter).

Nevertheless a pretty impressive extension performance for a laptop!

 

[jabbr]

I'd be absolutely shocked if drivers in a laptop chassis could hit anywhere near 35hz, maybe 20dB down.

 

[mjodotcom]

I'd be absolutely shocked if drivers in a laptop chassis could hit anywhere near 35hz, maybe 20dB down.

Yea when using the AudioTest app from the Mac store instead of YouTube sweeps it seems like it is just basically quiet from 55/60hz on down.

I am still seeing the odd dip though where at like 1500, 2500 and 3500 hz its at 70-74db, then somewhere around 800-1000 it drops down several db until about 200-250hz where it shoots back up near 70 and slowly rolls down from there as the hz further decreases (maybe THATS the 80% more base )

It does seem to have some measurement location variability to it as well - the response is more unbalanced if I have meters at the typical listening position of a person using the laptop vs close to the speakers. I used two SPL meters (phone and handheld) to verify consistency of the measurements.

Perhaps I am picking up some room mode variations, but the general trend seems to be the same.