How noisy is the Mac Studio M1 Max?

I received the replacement Mac Studio today. Same whine at 2Khz. I am now pretty sure this is a design issue. Since the whine only occurs at certain frequencies, and those frequencies seem to be different for each Mac Studio, it could be that some people don't hear the howling because they are using the default speed of 1350 rpm. If they were to manually change the fan speed, they would probably hear it too.

In my experience, adjusting the fan speeds just created a whine, which was worse than just having the blower noise, so I gave up. I assume that is why apple has it running at 1330 RPM. That's why I assume apple will not be able to fix it via software. It's a curious design choice, seems like there would be better options.

I gave my Studio back today - also because Apple support since almost two weeks couldn't provide me any hints whether they are working on the topic or not (or if they see this as a topic at all). That was the computer I was waiting for years to come but I am noise-sensitive and I know that I would always be disappointed. I think there is also no easy answer to the technical problem i.e. not sure if a software update can fix it.

I made a video showing the relationship between the fan speed and the annoying high-pitched sound using a spectrum analyzer. To me it seems to be superimposed resonances that can occur at any fan speed. Hopefully Apple will see the video as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO07_k3mors

Very interesting. How long have you had the Mac? Apple still hasn't discovered this problem. It probably only affects some units. Have you tried the test, cover/seal half the vent holes? I wonder if the problem is only on one side or both? My unit whistle on the left side, looking at the rear.

That doesn't sound good. Definitely try the test, no air should pass through even in a rounded corner. If there was a problem at both halves, that would be a sign that there is a whistling problem at the fan or in the cooling design.

It's on YouTube so everyone can see it even if the link is deleted. In my opinion, the problem is quite complex and seems to be related to the overall fan and airflow design. Unfortunately, the fans can't be turned off completely because otherwise the warm air won't come out of the case. So there probably won't be a software solution for this and the devices will have to go in for repair at some point. Hopefully, Apple will admit the problem so that they will at least cover the costs.

I have had 2 of them the fans are audible at 1350 which is idle of that machine. I turned them down to 1100 with Macs Fans and that helped. I didn't have a whine should but I assume that it will get ugly after a year of dust accumulation.

I have a 14" MBP and the fans are at 0 all of the time. Its mind boggling that the fans in the Mac Studio idle at 1350.

Totally agree about the fans when a MBP never comes on. Totally mind blowing. Same temperatures are reported even if the fans run at 1,100 RPM. And obviously running them at 1300 vs 1100 acoustically is a night and day difference. I kind hear whine when the fans slow down and wind back up but in general the high pitch noise is better at 1,100 RPM

Totally agree about the fans when a MBP never comes on. Totally mind blowing. Same temperatures are reported even if the fans run at 1,100 RPM. And obviously running them at 1300 vs 1100 acoustically is a night and day difference. I kind hear whine when the fans slow down and wind back up but in general the high pitch noise is better at 1,100 RPM Double post trying to reply Dunan

Now I'm listening to the video on my headphones. People often talk about coil whine. Since the power supply is on the bottom, have you tried recording the sound on the bottom where the intake holes are?

My Mac Studio max is not noisy at all, in fact I can’t even hear it unless I put my ear within a few inches from the exhaust area, and only then I can hear some mild airflow. Perhaps some people have sensitive ears or perhaps they have a malfunctioning system but mine is fine and very happy with it.

What is you supply line voltage? nominal 110? or 220?

SR450211 wrote:

My Mac Studio max is not noisy at all, in fact I can’t even hear it unless I put my ear within a few inches from the exhaust area, and only then I can hear some mild airflow. Perhaps some people have sensitive ears or perhaps they have a malfunctioning system but mine is fine and very happy with it.

For the people posting quiet for the most part the people who are complaining of noise is more to do with the high pitch noise being emitted through the exhaust and not the fan exhaust in and of itself. True we are speaking of perceived noise but just wanted to differentiate what the problem is for most returning their Mac studios. So if everyone could specify what they are referring to specifically. Either quiet because no fan noise or quiet because no high pitched frequency.

MM, 'QUIET' is subjective!

Seems like the noise being reported is the constant high pitched sound, not the fan, as Jr Shelby mentioned.

AND seems like those with 110v are not experiencing the problem, or to a lesser degree.

My Macbook Pro 2015 is totally silent in normal average Logic track count/plug in conditions, this is what I would expect the Mac Studio to be, silent!