New MacBook Pros Feature 3.5mm Headphone Jack With Advanced Support for High-Impedance Headphones, Six-Speaker Sound System

[MacRumors]

Apple's new MacBook Pro models are equipped with the "best audio system in a notebook," according to Apple, with upgrades to the headphone jack and the speaker system.

The 3.5mm headphone jack now offers support for high-impedance headphones. High-end headphone options that are high-impedance models from companies like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic will offer better sound quality on the MacBook Pro models, a boon for professionals who want to use the MacBook Pro with studio quality headphones.

The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models also include an upgraded high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers and wide stereo sound, along with a studio-quality three-microphone array with a high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming.


Article Link: New MacBook Pros Feature 3.5mm Headphone Jack With Advanced Support for High-Impedance Headphones, Six-Speaker Sound System

 

[Blackstick]

At least those iPhone folks who freaked out about losing the headphone jack will sleep well. Audio and video professionals live and die by wired headphones. Course now they get to embrace the notch 😇 (which I never even notice on my iPhone)

 

[kalafalas]

This was such an unexpected, and absolutely incredible addition

 

[djphat2000]

I would like to know if there is any information on the DAC built into the system. What does it support, for instance full 24/192 that is available on the Music app. I doubt any MQA support, but at least full Hi-Res would be a welcome with the new headphone support.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

is there any other 3000$ laptop that offer

Support for High-Impedance Headphones ?​

 

[Rockanrolero]

So long, headphone amp! 🎉✌🏻

 

[Spock]

These new machines seem to really bring the Pro back into the MacBook Pro.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Solid article! Woo hoo! Welcome back. People have been waiting for this

 

[Yazeed-IX]

This is the "2019 Mac Pro" to the MacBook Pro line. Welcome back!

 

[koifish22]

Glad they put it back on the left side where it belongs.

 

[Appl3fan]

Win for audiophiles 🙌

 

[nermal0]

So what is the maximum impedance supported? 250 Ohm or more?

 

[zorinlynx]

Why are they willing to do this but don't bring back toslink support?

 

[buckwheet]

Yeah, this is a cool detail.
Overall, I'm very happy with this update. Already ordered a 16", 16C, 32GB, 2TB. Super excited. I think this thing will be the beast I've been hoping for since the 2016 debacle (which 2019 only partially made up for!).

 

[Macalway]

Right. Love this stuff. Would love the spec specifics.

Need to find these specs now. I just hope we don't have to rely on the I-Fix-it butchers. But I guess they are better than nothing.

 

[NYC Russ]

Maybe, just maybe they’ll offer a pentacon jack at the next refresh. 🤞🏼

 

[Aston441]

Slowly working our way back to 1980s sound quality. Maybe we'll get back there someday.

I miss peak analog so much.

🙁

 

[kemal]

Because Pros might actually use quality headphones in audio work. Good one, Apple!

 

[swester]

The speaker quality of the Macbook Pro 16" (Intel one) is one of the most truly impressive (and surprising) features of the machine. It honestly seems to defy physics.

If these are an even further improvement, I can't wait to hear how these sound.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

That’s great but I wish the tech specs actually mentioned the output’s power
High impedance is a very relative term, considering studio headphones can easily go in the neighborhood of 600 Ohms

 

[rumoursmac]

Words mean nothing

We need numbers for impedance range supported and power output at min and max impedances

 

[Kevin2055]

Words mean nothing

We need numbers for impedance range supported and power output at min and max impedances

Apple has a good history to keep their words.

 

[rumoursmac]

Apple has a good history to keep their words.

Yes but its not the point

One persons "high impedance" is anothers "average impedance"

We'll find out measurements soon enough

 

[Westside guy]

I’m glad they‘ve finally brought back the ports I’ve got on my 2015 MacBook Pro.

All in all looks like a decent - but rather pricey - update.

 

[JDHiro]

This is pretty awesome. I used to plug in my HD650s on the go, and the sound was so quiet and weak.

I guess the only question now is how good is the DAC and amp behind that little jack. My understanding is that these M1s use the Cirrus Logic CS42L83A DAC?