Even if (hypothetically speaking) tests were to show that the quality is just as good (same/similar SNR, same/similar amplification quality, same/similar jitter levels, etc)?
I assume someone nerdy will do some thorough tests soon!
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Apple Provides Details on Using High-Impedance Headphones With New MacBook Pros
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Even if (hypothetically speaking) tests were to show that the quality is just as good (same/similar SNR, same/similar amplification quality, same/similar jitter levels, etc)?
I assume someone nerdy will do some thorough tests soon!
Nice!
Btw, love the speaker sound from my 14.. much better than the 2013 and 2016 MBPs in my possession. Humble opinion as an audio mixer- the sound stage / depth and low end are very nice. First time I’d be ok using a laptop to fill a room with sound.
Btw, love the speaker sound from my 14.. much better than the 2013 and 2016 MBPs in my possession. Humble opinion as an audio mixer- the sound stage / depth and low end are very nice. First time I’d be ok using a laptop to fill a room with sound.
Some people are under the assumption that just because there exist some snake oil in the high fidelity world that therefore there are no differences in sound quality between different equipment. They are wrong.
They act like all speakers are the same, all amps, all headphones, all mics, all D/As, etc. The voltage of the output matters with different headphones. Lots of DJs and home recording artists chose a particular headphone that they like and depending on its impedence they may have to get an external amp for it for it to work as the engineers intended.
Stop poo pooing everything, have some nuance. https://mynewmicrophone.com/the-complete-guide-to-understanding-headphone-impedance/
Low impedence headphones plugged into a high output jack can be damaged. If it isn't damaged, the sound can still be screwy.
They act like all speakers are the same, all amps, all headphones, all mics, all D/As, etc. The voltage of the output matters with different headphones. Lots of DJs and home recording artists chose a particular headphone that they like and depending on its impedence they may have to get an external amp for it for it to work as the engineers intended.
Stop poo pooing everything, have some nuance. https://mynewmicrophone.com/the-complete-guide-to-understanding-headphone-impedance/
Low impedence headphones plugged into a high output jack can be damaged. If it isn't damaged, the sound can still be screwy.
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I love my Grados. Useless outdoors because of the open-backed design, but what incredible sound otherwise.
Heresy to purists, I know, but their Bluetooth GW100s sound very good to my ears, and can work with a corded connection to bypass Bluetooth if you want.
Looks like I will be able to run my pair of Audeze LCD-2CB's now without an external DAC perhaps? I will have to get a new one to test.
Exactly. And the neutrality and perfect balance are critical for doing the original mastering of a recording for that same reason. You want the source material to start out as neutral and balanced as possible so people can add appropriate "character" of a bit of bass or treble or what-not - vs dealing with a mix that may or may not be good for your particular speakers and surroundings.
Yes, I’m one of those unpure people that like ifi’s sound signature and XBass, so I’d stick to my Hip Dac or Zen Stack anyways.
I also have 4.4mm balanced cables on most of my stuff anyways.
OK longer answer: I like my DAC because it also has a headphone amplifier, and the DAC and amp work together to make it sound great. Better quality components (quieter, for example) are more important than higher sampling rates.
I wonder if, in a blind test, you could tell the difference (or tell which is which) between your external DAC and the minijack out on these new MBPs.
I'd be interested to see. I have done a few blind comparisons, including with a standard iMac output, and the iMac sounds noticeably less good. But my impression is that, for headphones, a good amplifier makes a huge difference.
I would not be one bit surprised if the updated MBA has no jack. Watch this space, you heard that rumour here first. Then the next version of the 24" iMac will follow suit. There will only be a jack on Pro Mac versions soon.
We all know that removing the jack was just to sell high margin, over priced, bluetooth headphones. And wow has that ever been successful. Thus why all the other phone companies jumped on board the idea. MBA coming next.
However, Audio/Video professionals simply wouldn't accept it for a Pro Mac, so they know they can't pull that stunt.
No, you're thinking of "high price headphones." Not necessarily the same thing
But Apple sells an expensive 3.5mm to lightning adapter?No, you're thinking of "high price headphones." Not necessarily the same thing
I test the HD800S and it sounds surprisingly good on MacBook Pro 3.5mm, to a point that I cannot distinguish between directly plug it in with Khdas tone board + THX887
I love my HD800s too, but to be honest, it sounds so good that I do not bother to use my Khadas tone board + THX887 combo. It's really really close.I love my Sennheiser HD800s
Sample rates above CD quality make no difference at all for almost all situations and all listeners. 96 kHz stuff is all marketing.
Specifically to watch movies I believe the spatial audio feature of AirPod Max may be a better fit. Regarding music, with high impedance you get more fine detail sound. However I suggest you try different brand’s as their signature tune sound are different and your personal subjective sonic taste will favour some over others. (Equally detail and balance sound vs. More assymetrical and textured).
Fake surround sound isn’t going to come anywhere near the legendary imaging and soundstage of the HD800.
Comparing AirPods Max to HD800 is like comparing a BMW 3 series to a Ferrari.
Hell, I think HD600’s are still infinitely better in terms of sound quality vs Max.
100% they are. I think I misinterpreted the original post, I thought they had 800's already.
I'd say for half the price or less of the Max's, you can get yourself far superior headphones still (HD58X/6XX/etc, Meze 99's, Beyer DT770/990, etc).
There are NOS DACs with integrated headphone amps as well
I think there is a great benefit to higher sampling rates (or more accurately, playing back content at its native sampling rate) however just as there is little point to downsampling content there is even less of a point to upsampling, and it seems silly to take the stance of saying higher sample rates don’t matter while actively upsampling all content.
Going back to this, Apple did confirm the MBA will come with high impedance support!!!