iPad Air 2 review: Sound quality
The iPad Air 2 gets a stereo speaker setup, like the iPad mini lineup before it. (At least, we're pretty sure it does - there's still some debate about this, and Apple's own specs only call them speakers.) About time, some audiophiles might say: yet the truth is that it might as well still be mono.
The iPad Air 2's stereo speaker grilles are right next to each other, on the same edge of the device. (The lower edge, either side of the Lightning port.) It's therefore almost impossible to create a situation in which the two sound sources can be heard separately. If you pop the iPad on its side and watch a movie with amazing sound design, prepare for disappointment: both speakers will be on the left (or the right) of the screen, and their output will be mashed together.
We put our noses up against the Lightning port and were able to persuade (fool?) ourselves into thinking we were listening to music in glorious stereo. There was an audible separation between left and right channels. But this obviously isn't the way any sane person listens to the content on their tablet.
To provide good stereo sound, the iPad needs to have speakers on opposite sides. (Funnily enough, the latest rumour about the iPad Pro predicts exactly this.) Of course, this would involve compromises in design, and it's perfectly possible that Apple doesn't think of the iPad as a serious audio device; and those who want stronger audio can always invest in a wireless speaker or some decent headphones.
Moving away from the mono/stereo issue (and it is frustrating to have stereo speakers but not be able to listen to them in a way that is conducive to stereo sound), the iPad Air 2 produces sound that isn't bad, but isn't great either. It can manage quite a decent volume without quality degrading, but while you get a nice solid snap out of snare drums and similar, bass isn't much to write home about. It's quite a 'thin' sound, too - not something you'd call warm.