Does the iPad Air have stereo speakers, or is the second grille just unused or one of the microphones?

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Does the iPad Air have stereo speakers, or is the second grille just unused or one of the microphones?

Does the iPad Air have stereo speakers, or is the second grille just unused or one of the microphones? If so, that means there is a mic within a grille and a noise cancelling mic up top? (Or rather the mics are the same and the difference in recorded input is adjusted for noise cancellation..)

Just looks a little odd on the spec page and you see 'built in speaker' pointing to one grille with nothing labelling the other grille.

iPad, iOS 6

Posted on Oct 24, 2013 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

SergZak

Level 6

10,756 points

Oct 24, 2013 2:09 PM in response to EmperorKabir

If it follows the iPad mini in design (I don't know whay it wouldn't), I'd expect to see stereo speakers in the Air just like in the mini. But then again, it's unknown until the actual device is released.

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Answer 2

EmperorKabir Author

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Oct 24, 2013 3:09 PM in response to SergZak

I've not owned a mini and I can see from the original mini tech specs on the official apple website that it seems to have stereo speakers. is that correct?

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Answer 3

hermex

Level 1

5 points

Oct 30, 2013 6:31 AM in response to EmperorKabir

Apple's specs are not even consistent - a diagram shows 'built-in speakers' and then the bullet points say 'built-in speaker'. No mention of stereo. I get that lots of people use headphones and he stereo separation wouldn't be great, but this is an important feature to me that nobody seems to care about. Apple is so obsessed with displays but seems to not care much about sound.

It sounds like the only way to get the answer is to crack open the thing and look. Stereo or not? Answer meeeeee!!!!!!

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2013 8:23 PM in response to hermex

Confirmation that the iPad mini does indeed have stereo speakers.

I hope the iPad air follows suit.

http://9to5mac.com/2012/10/31/phil-schiller-clarifies-ipad-mini-has-stereo-speak ers-following-amazons-kindle-comparison/

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Answer 5

GuruChaz

Level 1

8 points

Oct 30, 2013 8:56 PM in response to Ghan-Buri-Ghan

Cool...now where is the super bass? In the headphones, I guess.

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Answer 6

hermex

Level 1

5 points

Oct 31, 2013 11:03 AM in response to EmperorKabir

Ok, CNET review claims iPad Air does have stereo speakers. Hooray.

http://m.cnet.com/reviews/apple-ipad-air/35781421

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Answer 7

Nov 1, 2013 3:02 PM in response to EmperorKabir

The CNET article shows stereo speakers, but they are both on the same side of the device which seems pretty useless. That's an unfortunate design choice as that means my Kindle Fire HD (the older model) will probably blow away the sound on this redesign. That's too bad because like EmperorKabir, the sound is a critical element of a good video watching experience for me and will continue to be a primary reason NOT to buy the iPad.

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Answer 8

EmperorKabir Author

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Nov 1, 2013 3:07 PM in response to Joeschmoh

Got the air today anyway. It does have stereo speakers but as mentioned, they are too close together, still have a muffled effect due to being rear facing, and also only work in standard portrait mode orientation, by which I mean, if you were to turn the ipad upside down, the speaker output would not switch around.

Ideally, a front facing speaker would be well placed on two opposite corners of the front of the ipad which could switch output accordingly depending on orientation of the screen.

I don't see apple cottoning on to an idea like that for years though, sadly.

Thanks all who contributed.

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Answer 9

Nov 2, 2013 11:25 AM in response to EmperorKabir

FYI:

”In addition to the similar construction, the iPad Air also gains a mini-like stereo speaker arrangement. The speakers contain no manufacturers identification, making it likely that they are a custom part."

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/11/01/ipad-air-teardown-reveals-smaller-batt ery-separate-lcd-cover-glass

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Answer 10

CPTUK

Level 1

16 points

Nov 2, 2013 2:16 PM in response to EmperorKabir

I Have found the ipad air speakers are not as good as the ipad 4 ? Anyone else experiencing this ? The sound is not as good ? Louder on the iPad 4

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Answer 11

Nov 7, 2013 8:33 PM in response to EmperorKabir

Yes I own headphones but the ipad needs stereo in landscape mode.

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