Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MacBook Pro 2020 improved speakers???
- Thread starter Untapped Potential
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Main thing I believe is support for Dolby Atmos. They aren't radically different, but I believe they were already considered one of the best speakers for portable laptops in that 13" range.
The sound on the first batch of MBP 16" was amazing. Really filled the room.
Later on, just clear and crisp, no more room filling, the bass almost gone.
Yeah Apple does a great job with speakers - industry leading audio
First I've heard of anything like this. I can't imagine why Apple would change/degrade the speakers so quickly when they were so widely praised. That seems unlikely. How did you determine this? Did you have two models in the same place at the same time on the same (version of the) operating system testing the same music?
Perhaps Apple changed the firmware somewhat when they were addressing the popping/crackling issue.
I’d say the bass isn’t that good on mine, but I don't mind. It sounds good otherwise.
Last edited:
The more expensive 13 yes. The entry level MBP last year had worse speakers than the 2019 MBA. MBA's speakers improved greatly this year, so here's hoping the entry level 13 got improved as well.
I have 2x 16" here, one manufactured Nov 2019 and one manufactured Jan 2020. There is zero difference in the quality of the speakers.
Because of unrelated reasons I went through several MBPs 16”. I also have a Mac mini connected to a Marantz receiver and on to a Sony TV. As a random example, let’s take a game I play, Sid Meyer’s Railroads. The sound on the first MBP was on par with the receiver. The next two units, the depth was gone. Very clear sound, but almost no bass, no more room filling sound.
Have the 2020 Base MBP with me now. Speakers are loud and clear, ample for my needs on a laptop. Any serious listening will be cast to my Yamaha Avantage receiver and speaker set-up.
Hard to say whether they received the upgrade or not as I have nothing to compare with but would be interested to know as I’m pretty impressed with these as they are.
Hard to say whether they received the upgrade or not as I have nothing to compare with but would be interested to know as I’m pretty impressed with these as they are.
Last edited:
The point is that they deliver one thing and advertise another:
Bigger bass.
Better mic.
MacBook Pro has a big voice. The six-speaker sound systemproduces room-filling wide stereo sound like you’ve never heard from a notebook before. Dual force-cancelling woofersdramatically reduce system vibration for a clearer, more natural sound and a half-octave lower range to the bass.
That description is listed for the 16” whilst the 13” is more modest. What they don't do is say if there is a difference between the lower/higher models. So one would assume that its the same for both.
- Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
- Wide stereo sound
- Support for Dolby Atmos playback
- Three-mic array with directional beam forming
Wait what? How'd the speakers stop being the same level of quality within the same generational cycle?
Having the base 2019 and base 2020 next to each other, the 2020 is quieter but with better separation and fidelity, which is in line with what Apple claims.
The higher-end models have better sound than either though with the dedicated woofer as you mention.
How much (%) would you say is the newer model quiter? Is it good enough to do everything through the speakers (watching series, listening to music etc.) So basically, is it a deal breaker?
I would never have noticed the difference without having them sat next to each other comparing them.
If you're referring to the the 16" MBP, they aren't...
[automerge]1589149927[/automerge]
This is the first time I've heard anyone make that claim. As far as I'm concerned, so far it's unsubstantiated.
2020 $1799 speakers should be the same with 2019 $1799. They both have bass woofers. Less you have two machines side by side, listen and find the bass woofers in 2020 are better.
Like I said previously, I've had 2x 16" manufactured 2 months apart, and the speakers are exactly the same.
