iPad iPad Air 2 sound vibrating!

[iF34R]

Could it be that Apple looked into the issue already fixed it? So that Air 2s, manufactured after a certain date, are problem free?

Or will they really fix it, or try to prevent it with the next iPad?

If they feel that it is an issue that affects the market share, then they'll fix it on the next one. I doubt they'll make any changes to the current Air 2.

 

[BoneHead001]

Allegedly trying 30 iPad Air 2 units for a few minutes in a store is NOT the same as owning one. Yes, I too wish there were an age filter on this forum.

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smh. That's exactly the point. It's a design flaw. It's a design that has imperfect results; thin and light suffers from the resonating sound causing vibrations in the iPad chassis.

Defect? No. It's doing exactly what it would do when designed the way it is. Sound quality high? I think you're letting the placebo affect take control of your "review". It a decent sound at best. With stereo speakers you'll never really get to use to realistically listen to anything in stereo and thin sounding mids and lows.

Very well stated.
The iPad Air 2 is a thinner design that brings with it imperfect results – excessive vibration and screen distortion.

 

[thinAir]

The only problem, issue, flaw whatever is, that people (me included) thought there won't be any change in the speaker department compared to the Air 1. Apple didn't mention it in the presentation, some reviews didn't mention it either.
Buyers were not prepared for such a change because they expected the speakers of the Air 1 in the Air 2.

From a technical perspective, the resonance is not a result of the thickness of the Air 2. The new speakers have openings on the INSIDE to use the chassis as a woofer (see the links I've posted to the teardown pics in this thread). If the speakers in the Air 2 wouldn't fire outside AND inside the chassis, the resonance would be on the Air 1 level.

Is the resonance a trade-off for better sound quality? Yes.
Was it a design decision? Yes.
Will Apple change it? Not in the Air 2.

 

[Max(IT)]

I've had it since launch, and I'm not happy with it still.

Dude, if you're not using the iPad speakers, you shouldn't have any vibration at all lol. Again, your usage and acceptance doesn't pertain to the rest of the world.

In the same way your usage and acceptance doesn't pertain to the rest of the world, and a bunch of whiners on this forum aside, last time I checked the iPad air 2 was selling quite well 😀

Here's a quick search for the reviews that show the sound quality as a "con".

http://www.macworld.co.uk/review/ipad/ipad-air-2-review-3544035/

That review isn't speaking about a bad sound quality at all. It's just speaking about the concept of "stereo sound" with speakers so close one to each other.

 

[iF34R]

The only problem, issue, flaw whatever is, that people (me included) thought there won't be any change in the speaker department compared to the Air 1. Apple didn't mention it in the presentation, some reviews didn't mention it either.
Buyers were not prepared for such a change because they expected the speakers of the Air 1 in the Air 2.

From a technical perspective, the resonance is not a result of the thickness of the Air 2. The new speakers have openings on the INSIDE to use the chassis as a woofer (see the links I've posted to the teardown pics in this thread). If the speakers in the Air 2 wouldn't fire outside AND inside the chassis, the resonance would be on the Air 1 level.

Is the resonance a trade-off for better sound quality? Yes.
Was it a design decision? Yes.
Will Apple change it? Not in the Air 2.

Um, the sound quality isn't better.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/tablet-reviews/ipad-air-2-review/

Speaker quality has gone down (again) with this new iPad too. Speaker sound on iPads peaked on the 3 and 4. Last year’s iPad Air had a notable decline in audio fidelity and this new iPad makes music sound more like a radio broadcast than a CD. You’ll want to invest in headphones or a Bluetooth speaker if you want clear audio. Compared to any other tablet, iPad Air 2 sounds good, but compared to its predecessors, music sounds tinny and flat, the audio equivalent of a blurry YouTube video.

I've rarely seen any reviews that say the sound is any more than adequate.

 

[Max(IT)]

Allegedly trying 30 iPad Air 2 units for a few minutes in a store is NOT the same as owning one. Yes, I too wish there were an age filter on this forum.

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Very well stated.
The iPad Air 2 is a thinner design that brings with it imperfect results – excessive vibration and screen distortion.

Stop speaking about age... I could bet I'm older than you....

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Um, the sound quality isn't better.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/tablet-reviews/ipad-air-2-review/



I've rarely seen any reviews that say the sound is any more than adequate.

It could be true, but do you really expect more than "adequate " from such tiny speakers?
Do you really relay on those for high quality sound?

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The only problem, issue, flaw whatever is, that people (me included) thought there won't be any change in the speaker department compared to the Air 1. Apple didn't mention it in the presentation, some reviews didn't mention it either.
Buyers were not prepared for such a change because they expected the speakers of the Air 1 in the Air 2.

From a technical perspective, the resonance is not a result of the thickness of the Air 2. The new speakers have openings on the INSIDE to use the chassis as a woofer (see the links I've posted to the teardown pics in this thread). If the speakers in the Air 2 wouldn't fire outside AND inside the chassis, the resonance would be on the Air 1 level.

Is the resonance a trade-off for better sound quality? Yes.
Was it a design decision? Yes.
Will Apple change it? Not in the Air 2.

I strongly suspect the resonance to be a trade off for a thinner and lighter device. And surely a design decision.
Nothing wrong with that.

 

[iF34R]

Stop speaking about age... I could bet I'm older than you....

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It could be true, but do you really expect more than "adequate " from such tiny speakers?
Do you really relay on those for high quality sound?

I don't expect the speakers to be that great. That isn't what my point is at all. When you see someone boasting about the high quality sound, without providing any source for that information, then it brings attention to that aspect.

I think, at this point, we are done hammering on about these things. Enjoy using your iPad Air 2.

 

[thinAir]

I strongly suspect the resonance to be a trade off for a thinner and lighter device.

That's a false conclusion. It's all about the speaker design. Put the new speakers in the Air 1 and it'll resonate as well. The 1.4 millimeters doesn't make the difference, the 10 speaker openings directed into the chassis do the trick.

@iF34R
Of course we're not talking about HiFi here. I don't expect much from any speaker solution in a mobile device at all. The location of the speakers itself is silly enough. There's just room for little optimizations. The new speakers are dealing better with low frequencies compared to the Air 1 according to my own review - measured with my ears. 😉

 

[CandyNJ66]

I just bought my iPad Air 2 yesterday, so I finally can experience this vibrating thing for myself. I literally can feel the bass in some songs lol. 😀 It's not a huge deal to me like it is to some apparently.

I'm in love with my Air 2, so the mild annoyance of the vibration won't bother me. When I get a case for it, I would imagine I won't feel the vibrations that much.

 

[iF34R]

That's a false conclusion. It's all about the speaker design. Put the new speakers in the Air 1 and it'll resonate as well. The 1.4 millimeters doesn't make the difference, the 10 speaker openings directed into the chassis do the trick.

@iF34R
Of course we're not talking about HiFi here. I don't expect much from any speaker solution in a mobile device at all. The location of the speakers itself is silly enough. There's just room for little optimizations. The new speakers are dealing better with low frequencies compared to the Air 1 according to my own review - measured with my ears. 😉

I don't expect much from the tiny speakers either. When you see someone state that it has high quality sound, well, you get my point I hope.

It's good that you enjoy your Air 2. I don't know how the Air 1 was in the sound department, but my iPad 4 is definitely better sounding than my Air 2.

 

[Max(IT)]

That's a false conclusion. It's all about the speaker design. Put the new speakers in the Air 1 and it'll resonate as well. The 1.4 millimeters doesn't make the difference, the 10 speaker openings directed into the chassis do the trick.

@iF34R
Of course we're not talking about HiFi here. I don't expect much from any speaker solution in a mobile device at all. The location of the speakers itself is silly enough. There's just room for little optimizations. The new speakers are dealing better with low frequencies compared to the Air 1 according to my own review - measured with my ears. 😉

You don't know, nor do I, since we can't try that trick.

 

[Kobayagi]

Thanks for the replies guys, guess Apple won't be changing the design if it's a flaw. If it's a conscious choice, then it won't definitely change until the next iPad.

I'm really interested into buying a iPad Air 2, but I'm not sure with the sound "issue" or feature. 😛 I did check it out in the stores, but never checked to feel if it vibrates on high volume. Though every model I tried, all of them had nice screens without that distortion, so thats a plus.

 

[thinAir]

I don't expect much from the tiny speakers either. When you see someone state that it has high quality sound, well, you get my point I hope.



It's good that you enjoy your Air 2. I don't know how the Air 1 was in the sound department, but my iPad 4 is definitely better sounding than my Air 2.

I get your point - high quality sound from such devices is wishful thinking. Compared to my Air 1, the Air 2 is a step ahead. I never had an iPad 4 but I can imagine the bigger chassis of the 4 is a better container for a built-in speaker. Well, and to compensate the lack of a big chassis, Apple is now using the chassis itself as part of the speakers.

 

[thinAir]

I'm really interested into buying a iPad Air 2, but I'm not sure with the sound "issue" or feature.

It's all about personal preferences. Some people hate the resonance, some tolerate it and for others it's a great addon.
After using my Air 2 for the past 7 weeks I must confess the resonance doesn't bother me no longer. Somehow I got used to it. I'd still prefer a different design, but to me it is okay the way it is now.

 

[Max(IT)]

Thanks for the replies guys, guess Apple won't be changing the design if it's a flaw. If it's a conscious choice, then it won't definitely change until the next iPad.

I'm really interested into buying a iPad Air 2, but I'm not sure with the sound "issue" or feature. 😛 I did check it out in the stores, but never checked to feel if it vibrates on high volume. Though every model I tried, all of them had nice screens without that distortion, so thats a plus.

That's quite easy to test on a store. They are usually loaded with songs and videos you can watch. I really can't see how that could be an issue.

 

[Kobayagi]

That's quite easy to test on a store. They are usually loaded with songs and videos you can watch. I really can't see how that could be an issue.

I didn't say it was an issue, just forgot to check it. I'll turn up the volume next time I see one. 😉

 

[NavigatorID]

It's all about personal preferences. Some people hate the resonance, some tolerate it and for others it's a great addon.
After using my Air 2 for the past 7 weeks I must confess the resonance doesn't bother me no longer. Somehow I got used to it. I'd still prefer a different design, but to me it is okay the way it is now.

I agree about it being down to personal preference, I got an air 2 after switching from an air 1 and as I hold my iPad and watch lots of videos I found the air 2 annoying vibrating all the time so returned it and bought another air 1 but a friend who owns an air 2 wasn't bothered about it at all . I suppose some peoples senses will feel the vibration more than others . I ve always pre ordered or shopped online for my apple devices but will be testing them in person before ordering in future due to this

 

[s2mikey]

I agree about it being down to personal preference, I got an air 2 after switching from an air 1 and as I hold my iPad and watch lots of videos I found the air 2 annoying vibrating all the time so returned it and bought another air 1 but a friend who owns an air 2 wasn't bothered about it at all . I suppose some peoples senses will feel the vibration more than others . I ve always pre ordered or shopped online for my apple devices but will be testing them in person before ordering in future due to this

Yes, everyone has a different tolerance level for this issue. Headphone users don't even know what we are talking about. 🙂.

As for try before you buy...YES, always. I'm sure glad I did or I would have had to send the Air 2 back had I ordered it.

 

[Morac]

iPad Air 2 sound vibrating!

Just chiming in with an observation. Was in the Apple Store today and happened to show the sales people (3 of them looked at it) the vibration issue and they all said that wasn't normal and I should make a genius appointment. One brought out an Air 1 as a comparison and mistakenly thought it was an Air 2.

I then went and played with the demo Air 2s and they all vibrated to one degree or another. Just goes to show you the "expertise" at the Apple Store. The people selling apparently have never used the products they are selling.

I didn't actually talk to a "genius" as the place was mobbed and I didn't feel like waiting there.

 

[Max(IT)]

Just chiming in with an observation. Was in the Apple Store today and happened to show the sales people (3 of them looked at it) the vibration issue and they all said that wasn't normal and I should make a genius appointment. One brought out an Air 1 as a comparison and mistakenly thought it was an Air 2.

I then went and played with the demo Air 2s and they all vibrated to one degree or another. Just goes to show you the "expertise" at the Apple Store. The people selling apparently have never used the products they are selling.

I didn't actually talk to a "genius" as the place was mobbed and I didn't feel like waiting there.

The vibration exists in all the units I tested. It's not a defect, it's part of the design, so I can't see how there could be units without it.
Actually if I'd find a unit that doesn't resonate, I'd be worried about a defective speaker.

 

[BoneHead001]

The vibration exists in all the units I tested. It's not a defect, it's part of the design, so I can't see how there could be units without it.
Actually if I'd find a unit that doesn't resonate, I'd be worried about a defective speaker.

Did you really “test” the units?
You mean you briefly tried them in the store.
That’s a far cry from from an actual test.

 

[Max(IT)]

Did you really “test” the units?
You mean you briefly tried them in the store.
That’s a far cry from from an actual test.

And what a scientific test would be required to discover a resonance in the back cover ? 🙄

Yes I tested them. Thoroughly enough.

 

[BoneHead001]

And what a scientific test would be required to discover a resonance in the back cover ? 🙄

Yes I tested them. Thoroughly enough.

No you did not. You merely tried them out in a store for a few minutes. You are by no means an expert. No one is here on this thread, including myself.

 

[Max(IT)]

No you did not. You merely tried them out in a store for a few minutes. You are by no means an expert. No one is here on this thread, including myself.

YES I DID, and yes I could define myself an expert.

 

[BoneHead001]

YES I DID, and yes I could define myself an expert.

I doubt that a “test” was done by a customer in a retail store. Please show your official credentials that make you an “expert”.