Circles behind speaker grille? 2018 15in MBP

[Alex889]

Hello everyone, I just purchased a new MBP from Best Buy after returning an XPS 9575 that had trackpad issues. I just noticed 3 strange circles above what I assume is the speaker itself behind the grille on the left side of the keyboard. The form a triangle. It is not present on the right side grille. Is this a defect? Does anyone else have this? Here are some pics, what I am referring to is in the upper portion of the grille:

Any input is appreciated.

 

[ideal.dreams]

My MacBook (which is the same model as yours) has the same cut outs. I believe the speakers are actually a lot smaller than they appear - I’m guessing the huge grill is just for appearance.

 

[Alex889]

Hi ideal and thanks for your reply,

I read that the sound comes out of the bottom vents, but when I put my hand over the grills the sound gets distorted, so it must also exit from the top. Anyhow I think the 3 circles at the top is strange, I just don't want to have to take yet another trip to Best Buy.

 

[Falhófnir]

Interesting - it does look from the pictures like the perforations go all the way through in those three areas, as they do in the larger circle to the bottom (where the speaker outlets actually are). I don't think it's honestly anything to worry about, but would be interesting to see if any other 2018 MBPs have the same?

Fwiw, the 2016/17 models don't appear to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Touch+Bar+Teardown/73395
(see 'step 12')

 

[donawalt]

I have a 2018 MacBook Pro and I can't even see the large circle in the lower part of the grille, much less the 3 dots at the top. Is your space gray? Mine is.

 

[Alex889]

Interesting - it does look from the pictures like the perforations go all the way through in those three areas, as they do in the larger circle to the bottom (where the speaker outlets actually are). I don't think it's honestly anything to worry about, but would be interesting to see if any other 2018 MBPs have the same?

Fwiw, the 2016/17 models don't appear to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Touch+Bar+Teardown/73395
(see 'step 12')

I think it could be some sort of defect. I found a thread where another user has something similar at the top of the grille:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/bad-applecare-quality-control.2039683/

I have a 2018 MacBook Pro and I can't even see the large circle in the lower part of the grille, much less the 3 dots at the top. Is your space gray? Mine is.

Yeah, mine is also space gray.