The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display gets a redesigned six-speaker system that Apple says delivers 50 percent deeper bass, plus fresh audio tuning for when you run it with the lid closed. Apple covers the sound, mics and camera in its press release. The laptop starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch M5 Pro model and $3,399 for the 16-inch, with pre-orders open now and availability on Friday, November 6.
The touchscreen and the display grab most of the attention, but if you take a lot of calls, edit audio or watch films on your laptop, these are the parts you’ll use every day. Here’s what Apple says changed and what its spec page lists.
Six speakers with a redesigned woofer give you 50 percent deeper bass
Apple kept the six-speaker layout and rebuilt the parts inside it. A redesigned woofer is behind the 50 percent deeper bass claim, and new tweeters give clearer sound dispersion, according to the release. Apple doesn’t say which model it measured the bass gain against or how it tested it.
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The spec page fills in the rest of the system. It lists a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers and wide stereo sound. Force-cancelling woofers are arranged so their vibrations cancel each other out, which keeps the chassis from buzzing as you turn the volume up.
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos works on the built-in speakers and with AirPods
You get Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos straight from the built-in speakers. If you use AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, the spec page says Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking works on supported models, so the sound stays anchored to the screen as you move your head.
Apple lists these playback formats for the built-in system: AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos. The HDMI port also supports multichannel audio output, which helps if you plug into a TV or an AV receiver.
For wired listening there’s still a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and Apple says it has advanced support for high-impedance headphones. That’s useful if you mix or master on studio headphones that need more power than a phone can give.
New closed-lid tuning keeps the sound right when you use an external display
For the first time, Apple has added dedicated audio tuning for when the MacBook Pro’s lid is closed and it’s connected to an external display. Plenty of people run a pro laptop shut on a desk, so this is a practical change. Apple doesn’t explain how the tuning differs from open-lid sound, only that the closed-lid mode now gets its own profile.
A studio-quality three-mic array handles calls, recordings and voice commands
Apple says the studio-quality microphones are built for calls, recordings and voice commands. The spec page describes a three-mic array with directional beamforming, which focuses on your voice and cuts sound from other directions. You also get Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes, so you can pick between blocking the room out and letting it all in.
The 12MP Center Stage camera steadies your video while you touch the screen
The camera is a 12MP Center Stage camera, which keeps you framed as you move around. The spec page adds Desk View support, 1080p HD video recording and an advanced image signal processor with computational video.
The new part is tied to the touchscreen. When you touch the display during a video call, Apple says advanced video stabilization smooths the camera feed in real time. Tapping a screen that holds the camera would normally make the picture wobble, so Apple is correcting for it in software. The release also says a redesigned hinge adds stability when you use touch.
Buy it for the sound if you work on calls or audio, but don’t upgrade for audio alone
If you spend your day on video calls, the three-mic array, Center Stage and the stabilization while you touch the screen make this a strong pick. If you record podcasts or mix music, the deeper bass, Dolby Atmos support and high-impedance headphone jack are welcome, though you’ll still want proper monitors for final work.
If your current MacBook Pro already has six speakers and a headphone jack, the audio changes alone don’t justify a $2,899 purchase. Buy for the PROLED display and touch, and treat the better bass and closed-lid tuning as a bonus.
Where to buy the touchscreen MacBook Pro, and the cheaper MacBook Pro deals right now
Apple takes orders for the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display on its online store and in the Apple Store app, and it ships November 6. Amazon doesn’t list it yet. If you don’t need touch, Amazon has the M5 Pro and M5 Max models it sits beside for up to $610 off. See our MacBook Pro deals for every price we checked.
Need a faster charger for 50 percent in 30 minutes? Amazon sells Apple’s 96W USB-C Power Adapter for $79 and the 140W adapter for $99.
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