POLL: How noisy is your Mac Studio Ultra vs Max?

[Jrshelby]

How may people have reported the whine either surfacing or getting worse later? Very few that I remember.

I got mine March 18 (intro day) and it has no whine then or now. I realize that is only one data point, but I think that is typical and the number of units with the whine must be quite small or Apple would stop production rather than keep shipping and taking back units. Makes no sense they would continue to take back units and not stop to fix the problem if the numbers were high.

My 1st one had it from the start on launch day. My second one right after about 5 days. Third which Apple captured was just over 14 days and this last unit took well over a month. I called Apple support to report it was happening again and asked not to be replaced but notified if there was a fix and was still transferred to a Senior advisor without asking to be transferred (They were talking like this is becoming common). I have it on my desk now and its where it is more apparent. I'll remount under my desk (I ordered the mount from ETSY that everyone has been talking about and should receive Thursday). When mounted towards my left (closet to the doorway of my office) where more ambient noise pores in, thus far been the only placement that helps.

Apple Mac Studio Under Desk Mount With Screws - Etsy

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[mburkhard]

How may people have reported the whine either surfacing or getting worse later? Very few that I remember.

I got mine March 18 (intro day) and it has no whine then or now. I realize that is only one data point, but I think that is typical and the number of units with the whine must be quite small or Apple would stop production rather than keep shipping and taking back units. Makes no sense they would continue to take back units and not stop to fix the problem if the numbers were high.

I've not seen a lot of those posts, that's correct. However, I was not willing to take that risk to then get a louder whine once the return window has passed. So I've contacted Apple support today and requested to return it.

The issue with this whine is obviously that not all devices have it, AND plenty of people won't hear it. I bet Tim Apple wouldn't hear it either, it's just a human biology thing, go past 50 and the hearing of higher frequencies will start to decline.
Still, I'm surprised Apple is not willing to acknowledge the issue officially. I'm sure I'm not the only customer to return the Studio for a refund.
Then again, those people giving up on the studio but still want an M1 AND want Max level of performance at least with more than 16GB of RAM, they sort of have to buy a MacBookPro instead, so that would be a win for Apple since an equally specced MacBookPro costs a LOT more than the Studio equivalent.

 

[xav8tor]

... AND plenty of people won't hear it. I bet Tim Apple wouldn't hear it either, it's just a human biology thing, go past 50 and the hearing of higher frequencies will start to decline.

That's a bit broad. Most posts depicting spectral analysis show this "whine" to be around 2.2 to 2.6 or so kHz. Although it's true that typical presbycusis begins its course after age 50 (but certain very high freqs at <20 yrs. old!), it does so, generally speaking, not only over time, but over frequency range as well, usually falling off a cliff at/above 4 kHz. The declines below that in the 2k range tend to be later in life and/or lower in terms of loss severity. A number of older people, including those with additional noise related loss, even with secondary symptoms e.g. tinnitus, can nevertheless distinctly perceive this particular noise. It can be heard in a number of the videos and audio clips within a nanosecond of its appearance.

 

[Argoduck]

Still, I'm surprised Apple is not willing to acknowledge the issue officially. I'm sure I'm not the only customer to return the Studio for a refund.

my guess would be that official acknowledgement has significant repercussions. They already allowed $4-8 billion in losses for inability to meet demand. If the problem genuinely impacts a large(ish) proportion of customers and there’s no easy fix, apple have another nightmare on their hands. They may want to delay that decision as long as possible.

OTOH if @PianoPro is right and the number is small, it’s cheaper to fix and/or replace. The downside - with the apparent popularity of this Mac - is that statistically there will indeed be a number of people as unlucky as @Jrshelby

 

[xgman]

Every once in a while if I turn my head a certain way I can hear sort of a high pitched electrical sound. If I place a large piece of foam on top of the Studio Ultra, I then can no longer hear that noise. but that noise is really not prominent to begin with unless you are really sensitive to high pitch sounds.

 

[xav8tor]

...If I place a large piece of foam on top of the Studio Ultra, I then can no longer hear that noise. but that noise is really not prominent to begin with unless you are really sensitive to high pitch sounds.

With the caveat that my Studio and Display, peripherals, etc. are all still in their boxes since arrival over a week ago (yeah, I know what most readers are thinking, but it's gonna be a pain in the rear no matter what when porting over apps and files from at least three other Macs), being a huge believer in preparation, I'm interested in a little more detail about your discovery.

Would you please expound a bit on placement/size/thickness etc. of the foam? I've seen the YT vid where a user found that covering half the rear also did the trick, so this top foam solution is somewhat of a head scratcher at the moment. If this particular tone/sound is present in mine, I will definitely hear it (audio plays a huge role in my work), but assuming there's a viable fix and all else is okay (far better than that I hope!), I can probably live with it...

However, although I haven't seen any reports of it happening, if this audible mid-2 kHz noise were to somehow seep into audio files "digitally" from within the system, or into pro reference cans/monitors, that'll be a clear return scenario for me, and I don't mean 14 or 30 day window restriction, I mean long past that time frame.

Think about it: a product called the "Studio," designed with studios in mind, then marketed/sold to studios for studio and similar type applications/settings, many in professional use, and said equipment has an atypical (i.e., unexpected - not like a relatively quiet fan), inherent, disrupting (in numerous ways), perceptible noise that can't be fixed? Uhhh, no!

 

[southerndude39]

Think about it: a product called the "Studio," designed with studios in mind, then marketed/sold to studios for studio and similar type applications/settings, many in professional use, and said equipment has an atypical (i.e., unexpected - not like a relatively quiet fan), inherent, disrupting (in numerous ways), perceptible noise that can't be fixed? Uhhh, no!

and why are you jinxing it that yours will have "the" noise? Mine is absolutely silent as are many others but sounds like you already jinxed yourself. Remember you are getting a skewed perception of the noise on this forum. If I had listened to this forum, I would not have even ordered a Studio but I am glad I did.

 

[jerryk]

I've not seen a lot of those posts, that's correct. However, I was not willing to take that risk to then get a louder whine once the return window has passed. So I've contacted Apple support today and requested to return it.

The issue with this whine is obviously that not all devices have it, AND plenty of people won't hear it. I bet Tim Apple wouldn't hear it either, it's just a human biology thing, go past 50 and the hearing of higher frequencies will start to decline.
Still, I'm surprised Apple is not willing to acknowledge the issue officially. I'm sure I'm not the only customer to return the Studio for a refund.
Then again, those people giving up on the studio but still want an M1 AND want Max level of performance at least with more than 16GB of RAM, they sort of have to buy a MacBookPro instead, so that would be a win for Apple since an equally specced MacBookPro costs a LOT more than the Studio equivalent.

You start losing high frequencies in your teens. And by the time your reach your 20 or so you have lost enough that these anti-teen hangout devices can't be heard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito

 

[Sharky II]

FWIW ~2.2Khz is not considered ‘high frequency’. Normal age related hearing loss alone won’t really affect this frequency

 

[xav8tor]

and why are you jinxing it that yours will have "the" noise? Mine is absolutely silent as are many others but sounds like you already jinxed yourself.

Jinx? What the heck are you talking about? LOL. It's called due diligence (sort of). I'm a pro (audio...among other things) user with a biz to run. I also know a little bit about consumer protection law from another life. If I do have such a "problem child," it's fortunate that a colleague is a prominent EE. Between the two of us, I'm guessing the actual source/cause could easily be nailed down in less than half a day, since, although somewhat close to the edge in terms of product scope, at its core, this type of issue is not far at all from what we both must often do to put food on our respective tables.

Also, because the exact Studio config I really wanted is not what I now have (wanted 64 GB RAM, which I might need for one app, maybe two - tops, but since it's cross-platform, there's always the Windows machines ready to go), and because my vendor (not Apple) will not accept an opened computer (which, by using them for over 25 years, I essentially agreed to those terms for almost all intents and purposes), I am simply weighing my options, under a deadline, to decide how to best go about hedging my bets and reduce the risks of potential workflow disruption, not to mention the inherent PIT_ factor, no, make that factors.

Despite owning and using so many Apple products that I eventually stopped counting (except for tax purposes) the Macs, iPhones/iPads/iPods/peripherals, et al, I am not a totally blind Apple fanboy. That said, excluding the unopened Studio setup, currently, and coincidentally, I can sit here in my chair right now and touch 14 of them if I spin around...oops make that 16 (2 hidden from view). Nevertheless, if this noise is an unsolvable problem, the box will go straight back directly to Apple.

If this particular problem indeed has merit, and affects a significant number of Studio customers (e.g., even as few as 2 or 3 percent), then it will be one for Apple...and that's without factoring in their ludicrous, over the top, Studio marketing campaign and claims, which can actually come back to bite a manufacturer, no matter their size or reputation. It may well be a completely different case compared to Antennagate, or the Trash Can's so-called thermal corner, from a liability perspective. We'll see, one way or the other. I can all but guarantee a few specialized "entities" will salivate at the thought of it.

PS - FYI, for those still searching for a Studio, ATM, B&H again has ten different configs (just not my ideal one) to choose from in stock - both Max and Ultra. Earlier today it was more than that. Those guys are somethin' else...either shrewd, magic, or both!

 

[Jrshelby]

You start losing high frequencies in your teens. And by the time your reach your 20 or so you have lost enough that these anti-teen hangout devices can't be heard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito

I’m 47 and just had a hearing test late last year and the Dr. said I have no hearing loss whatsoever.

 

[xav8tor]

I’m 47 and just had a hearing test late last year and the Dr. said I have no hearing loss whatsoever.

Yes, perhaps that's a reasonable statement with regard to expected norms, but at the same time, it's highly improbable taken literally at face value. The poster you quoted was referring to frequencies in the high teens (kHz.), even slightly above that in more rare instances. On the other hand, conventional audiometric screening in a healthcare setting seldom tests above 8kHz. (i.e., the range for accurate perception of human speech), well below those "young whippersnapper" abilities. Unless you're a bionic human, there's about a 99.99% chance that you've already lost some degree of hearing ability in the aforementioned higher range. Although it can be tested, it's not SOP except for certain cases, and routine screening, or even a number of full run of the mill workups (depending on the reason) is not one of them. Regardess, the subject noise under discussion is well within the normal range in the majority of healthy adults.

 

[Jrshelby]

Yes, perhaps that's a reasonable statement with regard to expected norms, but at the same time, it's highly improbable taken literally at face value. The poster you quoted was referring to frequencies in the high teens (kHz.), even slightly above that in more rare instances. On the other hand, conventional audiometric screening in a healthcare setting seldom tests above 8kHz. (i.e., the range for accurate perception of human speech), well below those "young whippersnapper" abilities. Unless you're a bionic human, there's about a 99.99% chance that you've already lost some degree of hearing ability in the aforementioned higher range. Although it can be tested, it's not SOP except for certain cases, and routine screening, or even a number of full run of the mill workups (depending on the reason) is not one of them. Regarless, the subject noise under discussion is well within the normal range in the majority of healthy adults.

I’ll try to check my test when I get home but if I remember there was just a graph and terms I truly did not understand. My wife has hearing AIDS and she can NOT hear the noise. My nephew is as you say a young Whippersnapper and he bearly hear it. Obvious;y I can hear it and its extremely annoying.

 

[xav8tor]

My nephew is as you say a young Whippersnapper and he bearly hear it.

Well I ain't one by a long shot, and in some of the clips, it sounds like a sonic weapon to me, after I normalize it to the fan (background) noise to replicate having the real thing here. The spectrum analysis unequivocally proves it's there for those affected by the defect...and it is a defect.

 

[dogface1956]

FWIW ~2.2Khz is not considered ‘high frequency’. Normal age related hearing loss alone won’t really affect this frequency

Agreed 100% most people in their 60's can hear up to 12kHz younger people can hear up to 20kHz, when I was in the navy my hearing was tested to 21kHz, when I got it tested last year it was down to 13kHz. 2.2kHz levels would not be impacted by normal hearing loss at all.

 

[Jrshelby]

This helps SOOOOO much!!

 

[Sharky II]

Looks excellent. Got a link?

Only problem is short USB cables for drives… especially at the front!

Glad you’ve found some kind of solution!

 

[Jrshelby]

Looks excellent. Got a link?

Only problem is short USB cables for drives… especially at the front!

Glad you’ve found some kind of solution!

I've been using my ASD for USB 4 hook ups.

 

[TTYS0]

Looks excellent. Got a link?

It looks like it's this: apple-mac-studio-under-desk-mount-with

 

[Jrshelby]

It looks like it's this: apple-mac-studio-under-desk-mount-with

Yes it is I posted the link here yesterday or the day before. I honestly love it as it really secures the Mac Studio.

 

[kerochan]

Seems crazy having to hide a high end computer under the desk coz its whining!

Anyways, looks like the problem is those with the Mac Studio in Europe, as its a different voltage, its not the fan noise, I believe. its constant high pitched noise.

 

[bobcomer]

Seems crazy having to hide a high end computer under the desk coz its whining!

Anyways, looks like the problem is those with the Mac Studio in Europe, as its a different voltage, its not the fan noise, I believe. its constant high pitched noise.

It's not just europe, it's the U.S. too, and we really don't know where the sound is coming from, but it is a high pitched whine.

 

[kerochan]

What a nightmare, I was considering it, though I am gong for the macbook m1 pro or Max instead.

 

[southerndoc]

What a nightmare, I was considering it, though I am gong for the macbook m1 pro or Max instead.

I can tell you that my M1 Max Mac Studio is whisper quiet. I can barely hear it when nothing is going on in my room. If the HVAC is running or my air filter, I definitely cannot hear it.

 

[Argoduck]

What a nightmare, I was considering it, though I am gong for the macbook m1 pro or Max instead.

If we take the 36 voters in this thread who returned their studio for being too noisy (presumably the whine) as a reliable figure, and the 607 orders from the mac-studio-pre-orders-orders-and-delivery-status-thread-all-countries-2022 as reliable, the problem is with just under 6% of machines.

Which means anyone who orders has a better than 94% chance of not hearing the problem.

However, I doubt the reliability of either figure, eg a few in this thread reported the whine in their replacement but could only vote once. OTOH not everyone who has ordered a studio necessarily saw the orders thread, or voted even if they did (from time to time someone pops up with ‘forgot to say that I ordered on…’); or they voted here but not there and so on.

That is, 607 may be an under-report compared to the 36 - one is more motivated to say one has a problem (because one has a problem) than to say one made an order - which if true makes the 6% an over-estimate.

More importantly, 6% would be a good estimate of the upper limit of the problem, but leaves us with no idea of the lower limit (except we know from this thread it’s more than zero)…

As well, the rate may not be a constant. Apple may have tried fixes that made it better/worse at different times.

Finally, one member reported the problem with their original and three replacements. If 6% is reliable, this would imply some 80,000 studios (or more) were shipped around the globe to date; double this four times (for the 4 studios) if the true rate is 3% and so on.

There are several problems I haven’t mentioned with this analysis from scant information, but I guess the ‘take home’ is that most of us won’t experience the whining issue - see paragraph 2.

e: oops, added the ‘four times’ clarification in the 2nd to last paragraph