Apple Admits Studio Display Experiencing Speaker Issues, Offers Only Temporary Fix

[klky]

There's better monitors out there than this overpriced meme. The Sony Inzone M9 is one such option. 27 inch, 4k, 120hz, HDR with a higher brightness nit than the Studio Display, has more ports than the Studio Display, a removable stand and power cable unlike the Studio Display, and its only $900.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm currently using the LG 5K UltraFine. It's not perfect but it'll do for now. I just really wanted an Apple display.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

That's not the Cinema Display. That's the Studio Display. It seems Apple has continued its legacy of issues with the new Studio Display. And yes, plenty of people of complained about that plastic Studio Display. Many people hated ADC, and the rear stand had a habit of breaking.

The Cinema Display is the iconic aluminum model.

My brother/sister in Steve Jobs, you almost confused me about the name but no my memory was not in error.

I was speaking about this widescreen model.

This was Cinema Display 23” that I bought. The widescreen version was called Cinema Display which replaced the Studio Display in 1999.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Studio_Display_(1998–2004)

Yes, it had complaints about creaky plastic and interference over the cable.

But it was $2500.

The things we get today are absurdly better value for money.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm currently using the LG 5K UltraFine. It's not perfect but it'll do for now. I just really wanted an Apple display.

Here's some more (these suggestions are 1440p though so if you want 4K your best option is the Inzone M9 or finding a Dell)

 

[jclardy]

I wonder if having a power button would have at least made it somewhat convenient to resolve until a fix came out.

100%. Apple's own hubris brought this upon themselves. Even a removable power cord would have solved it for most people. I have one and occasionally have had issues, enough so that I put it on a wifi power outlet so I don't have to crawl under my desk once a week, find the correct cord and unplug/replug it. Now I have it set to a scheduled reboot overnight once a week, problem solved, thanks apple 🤦‍♂️

 

[iSuzan]

So 4 pages of comments and nearly no one of the posters own a ASD?

Using mine since end of May daily with hours of video conferencing a day. No problems, neither when it is connected to my MBP M1 nor to my Intel iMac.
I am more than pleased so far with the ASD.

 

[MacLawyer]

Another reason so many of us are looking for the updated 27" iMac.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Especially since you actually can remove it with enough force and plug it back in and the monitor works fine, so this decision makes absolutely zero sense why the cable is not using an IEC cable like the Intel iMacs were. Or even the magnetic cable the M1 iMac uses why aren't they using that?! There's no way a monitor draws more power than an entire computer!

Just unnecessary eWaste, especially from the company that gets on their soapbox every Apple Event talking about how they're gonna be carbon neutral by 2030, and making up excuses to the EU saying "no we can't have USB-C on the iPhone or else all those lightning cables become eWaste."

Unless I’m mistaken the Studio Display uses an integrated power supply? If this is accurate then the iMac’s magnetic connector would not have been compatible as it would obviously carry serious safety implications if the connector were passing mains power instead of stepped-down as per the iMac‘s power brick. But I agree the fixed cord is ridiculous.

 

[ilikewhey]

Well the heatwaves in Europe damaged by workstation monitor 2 weeks ago.

So I went to the Apple Store and shopping mall to check the Studio Display.

In the third party store I had more space and time to do a full test.

It’s an awesome monitor. The display and sound are exceptional. There is simply no display less than 1500 euros that has this design, sound and 5k display quality.

But I did make the sound and USB hub fail when I connected 3 USB devices.

I repeated the test and same result.

So the problem people are seeing is related to the USB hub.

If you don’t attach any USB devices the display and sound work perfealty.

I will definitely buy the Studio Display after the firmware fix comes out.

man why are you guys even considering audio for this, any decent quality audio setup 2.1 or 2.0 can outpace a build in speaker.

 

[MacLawyer]

So 4 pages of comments and nearly no one of the posters own a ASD?

Using mine since end of May daily with hours of video conferencing a day. No problems, neither when it is connected to my MBP M1 nor to my Intel iMac.
I am more than pleased so far with the ASD.

Personally I think it's a batch issue. I tested the display at the Apple Store and the camera was awesome. Yet others take the thing home and get poor image quality. Some units are fine and some are not so good.

 

[theluggage]

The amount of people defending the hardwired cable is even more concerning.

However, those defending voices are now sounding rather muffled as their owners crawl under their desks to unplug their displays & fix the sound.

NB: The "Why did Apple do this?" is an easy question - they made the display too thin to accomodate a standard IEC mains plug. The underlying problem is form-over-function design that placed too much importance on having a thin display with a flat back vs. basic functionality like a mains socket, power switch, and VESA mounting.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

I don't understand why anyone would want a monitor with built-in speakers, much less one with a $1600 price tag.

 

[Loismustdie1]

So 4 pages of comments and nearly no one of the posters own a ASD?

Using mine since end of May daily with hours of video conferencing a day. No problems, neither when it is connected to my MBP M1 nor to my Intel iMac.
I am more than pleased so far with the ASD.

Many of these comments are eye-roll inducing, regurgitated talking points they heard on YouTube. I fully admit that this monitor isn’t perfect, and more initial QA should’ve been done. However, the dramatic posts from people who don’t even own the display are borderline cringy. I am really happy with my two studio displays, and I am glad that Apple has recognize this issue and it’s committed to releasing an update to resolve it.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Well, I’m glad I didn’t buy one, even when my wife was encouraging me to buy one.
Instead I got a similar display and a pair of studio speakers.
When I feel the need for Dolby Atmos and Spatial sound, I will get the AirPods Max.
I don’t need them at this time.

 

[chikorita157]

There's better monitors out there than this overpriced meme. The Sony Inzone M9 is one such option. 27 inch, 4k, 120hz, HDR with a higher brightness nit than the Studio Display, has more ports than the Studio Display, a removable stand and power cable unlike the Studio Display, and its only $900.

I disagree. None of the 4K options are a good option on macOS given how the OS handles scaling since it uses integer scaling. 4K on a 27 inch doesn’t have 218 DPI, which causes the UI elements to look too big as it scales to 1080p since it’s 2x scaling for 4K. 2K scaling on 4K will cause a performance penalty since macOS does the 2K scaling at 5K and downscales it causing a performance penalty, especially on applications that uses the GPU like 3D modeling. Also, it introduces a bunch of issues such as blurier text, moire, and other things, making it unsuitable for design work that needs 1:1 pixel mapping. MacOS prefers 110 DPI or 218 DPI as those are the DPI displays Apple uses.


I don’t have any issues with the Studio Display (I use external speakers), which I used for two months now. The image quality is great and it beats a 4K 27“ monitor any day. I kind of wish there are more 5K options that are better designed for macOS. I also own an UltraFine 5K for my Mac Studio setup, but only two options is quite limiting and 4K does not work great on macOS for the reasons mentioned.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

However, those defending voices are now sounding rather muffled as their owners crawl under their desks to unplug their displays & fix the sound.

Well I don't own a Studio display and I guess I'm one of the "defenders" based on my replies here so I've got nothing to unplug. What should I do?

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I don't understand why anyone would want a monitor with built-in speakers, much less one with a $1600 price tag.

It’s primarily because of the way it looks and because it has an aluminum body.
Besides that, sadly it’s not as great as a display as it seems.
Add $400 if you want to adjust it vertically.

 

[Mr. Dee]

They should have named it ‘Apple Cursed Studio Display’. They are gonna keep selling it in it’s broken state for years then end of life it a year after the new one comes out. This something Apple is notorious for and should be called out on.

 

[MajorFubar]

I think you missed my point completely.

Ah ok sorry

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I disagree. None of the 4K options are a good option on macOS given how the OS handles scaling since it uses integer scaling. 4K on a 27 inch doesn’t have 218 DPI, which causes the UI elements to look too big as it scales to 1080p since it’s 2x scaling for 4K. 2K scaling on 4K will cause a performance penalty since macOS does the 2K scaling at 5K and downscales it causing a performance penalty, especially on applications that uses the GPU like 3D modeling. Also, it introduces a bunch of issues such as blurier text, moire, and other things, making it unsuitable for design work that needs 1:1 pixel mapping. MacOS prefers 110 DPI or 218 DPI as those are the DPI displays Apple uses.

The "scaling" meme has gotten old. Please, I've heard this argument time and time again and everytime it always falls flat. 4K is still 4K even with some UI changes, especially since there's options to adjust that.

I don’t have any issues with the Studio Display (I use external speakers), which I used for two months now. The image quality is great and it beats a 4K 27“ monitor any day. I kind of wish there are more 5K options that are better designed for macOS. I also own an UltraFine 5K for my Mac Studio setup, but only two options is quite limiting and 4K does not work great on macOS for the reasons mentioned.

You know why there's only two options for 5K? Because monitor manufacturers had the bloody sense to not make them. 5K is a gimmick resolution that hardly sells and offers barely any difference from 4K, even Mac users. Unless you actually believe the scaling meme then for most 4K is the way to go, hence why the iMac is 4K and everyone loves that thing.

EDIT: Yeah dislike me all you want StudiNo Display owners but you know I'm right. 5K is a gimmick and your monitor is an overpriced laughing stock by even the wider Apple userbase.

 

[vegetassj4]

Just buy the latest accessory: The Apple Switch Studio. Keep your Studio Display operating in tip top shape with the new Apple Switch Studio. Easily power cycle your monitor, conserve energy, or just give it a stylish retro look. Only $99.99

 

[erikkfi]

Mine is having this trouble. Audio plays for 3.5 seconds, then a clip of static, then nothing. I have a genius bar appointment for today that I'll cancel based on this info that Apple is aware of the issue.

The Studio Display panel is a great product, but between this audio issue and the absolutely horrific webcam, the Studio Display itself is one of the worst Apple products I've owned.

 

[JarvisMeier]

Remember when you had to do weekly reboots of Windows products to keep them running properly? Guess that “feature” is starting to creep into apple products. Honestly though if the product isn’t operating as expected I’d look up your local consumer protection laws and if allowed keep returning the display for a replacement each time it acts up.

 

[NY Guitarist]

'You're holding it wrong.'

 

[compwiz1202]

This was my first thought when I heard about a monitor with OS. Famous monitorOS, bugs, hackable, version madness. Apple drives me crazy with its constant updates of phone, laptop and watch. You have to update the WATCH, you need to update your phone in order to update the WATCH. And now - you have to update your MONITOR. OMG.

The old days: Apple, just works
Today: Apple, just update

People need to purchase the Just Works for an extra $1k upgrade

 

[ilikewhey]

I disagree. None of the 4K options are a good option on macOS given how the OS handles scaling since it uses integer scaling. 4K on a 27 inch doesn’t have 218 DPI, which causes the UI elements to look too big as it scales to 1080p since it’s 2x scaling for 4K. 2K scaling on 4K will cause a performance penalty since macOS does the 2K scaling at 5K and downscales it causing a performance penalty, especially on applications that uses the GPU like 3D modeling. Also, it introduces a bunch of issues such as blurier text, moire, and other things, making it unsuitable for design work that needs 1:1 pixel mapping. MacOS prefers 110 DPI or 218 DPI as those are the DPI displays Apple uses.


I don’t have any issues with the Studio Display (I use external speakers), which I used for two months now. The image quality is great and it beats a 4K 27“ monitor any day. I kind of wish there are more 5K options that are better designed for macOS. I also own an UltraFine 5K for my Mac Studio setup, but only two options is quite limiting and 4K does not work great on macOS for the reasons mentioned.

I disagree, just recently went from a lg 5k to the new dell 3223 which is a 4k at 32inch, yes the text is a bit less sharp but overall its something you get used to after 3 days. i don't do any editing but i do oversight the marketing department for the company i work for. and the difference maybe less than 5-8% when i look over PRR.