MBP 2015 to M5 upgrade , whats with the sound?

[MacBH928]

So I updated from MBP 2015 all the way to MBP 2026. One of the things that I noticed is that sound now feels like its in theater mode with subwoofer kind of thing. I do not know how to put it in words as i am not a sound guy but is this what "good" sound supposed to feel like? I also noticed is there more of a surround sound feel to it but i thought stereo sound is old tech even on early 90s video consoles.

Another thing I noticed is that the keys are tough to click, i'd imagine maybe this is how mechanical keyboards are. I am surprised no one made complaints about this. not sure if they keys are just brand new or this is how they are built.

 

[OldNewMBP]

I think so. I think that the logic here is "If it ain't got that surround sound like the 3DS, then it isn't stereo." (Yes, I would dare to compare the speakers to the 3DS)

For those keys, I think that it is because of the thinness making the keys harder to press.

(Just bring in mind, I'm still rocking the 2012 9,2 MBP Unibody as my only Mac. 😅)

 

[GMShadow]

All 16" MBPs have 'six speakers' with 'subwoofer', yes. That said even the Airs are decent now compared to the old single speaker under the keyboard versions.

Keyboard is likely new and will break in a bit but it'll never be as springy as the 2008-2015 versions were.

 

[MacBH928]

All 16" MBPs have 'six speakers' with 'subwoofer', yes. That said even the Airs are decent now compared to the old single speaker under the keyboard versions.

Keyboard is likely new and will break in a bit but it'll never be as springy as the 2008-2015 versions were.

but is this optimum sound or is it a preference? while a movie might sound amazing a video blogger sounds like he is talking into an empty theater

 

[benholt]

That empty-theater feel on voice content is Spatial Audio doing its room-simulation thing on stereo that doesn't need it. Movies get the immersive treatment nicely, but podcasts and vlogs get processed like a soundstage and end up hollow. Turn it off in System Settings → Sound → Output, find "Play stereo audio as spatial" and flip it from Head-Tracked/Fixed to Off. Music goes a little flatter but voices snap forward again.

If you want to keep it on for movies, worth doing the Personalized Spatial Audio ear-shape scan with your iPhone — it makes a big difference between the effect sounding right for your head vs. like you're listening from three rows back. Both settings live in the same panel.

Keyboard breaks in over a few weeks. Coming from a 2015 you'll never quite love it, but you stop noticing.

 

[MacBH928]

That empty-theater feel on voice content is Spatial Audio doing its room-simulation thing on stereo that doesn't need it. Movies get the immersive treatment nicely, but podcasts and vlogs get processed like a soundstage and end up hollow. Turn it off in System Settings → Sound → Output, find "Play stereo audio as spatial" and flip it from Head-Tracked/Fixed to Off. Music goes a little flatter but voices snap forward again.

If you want to keep it on for movies, worth doing the Personalized Spatial Audio ear-shape scan with your iPhone — it makes a big difference between the effect sounding right for your head vs. like you're listening from three rows back. Both settings live in the same panel.

Keyboard breaks in over a few weeks. Coming from a 2015 you'll never quite love it, but you stop noticing.

i think the spatial audio is airpods only think not macbook speaker thing