Any Review with actual measurements of the Integrated Interface of a Macbook?

[DrSpan]

Does anyone know of any review where someone actually measured the Quality of an integrated Interface in Laptops, especially in Macbooks?
Of course ideally the more modern ones.

Asking cause if i render something using the internal D/A of my macbook pro 14inch m1 or use an external interface up to 200-300 euros i cannot claim that i hear a difference.
So i would like to find some scientific facts on the matter that let me know if my ears simply are not good enough or the difference is not really big enough to matter.

I could not find anything related in some quick searches here so would appreciate any hint of a serious Review anywhere

 

[staticV3]

Here are some measurements of MacBook built-in DAC+Amps:

Measurements of Apple MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021) - L7Audiolab

台式设备 在2021年MacBookPro发布的时候，专门说了一下新款MBP的耳机插孔。当然，本站很有兴趣测量一下苹果“到底提供了怎样的耳机插孔”……可惜本站很穷……买不起…… T__T但是！穷人也能交到有钱朋友的对不对！于是一个网友直接定了一台给我……

www.l7audiolab.com

Apple 14" MacBook Pro, 애플 신형 맥북 프로 헤드폰 단자 측정 리뷰 - 영디비

신형 맥북 프로는 고임피던스 헤드폰 사용이 가능하다고 하는데, 얼마나 좋아졌을까요? 600Ohm의 고임피던스 헤드폰인 베이어다이나믹 T1으로 테스트를 해봤습니다. 그런데 고임피던스의 기준이 높아서 왠만한 헤드폰...

www.0db.co.kr

 

[DrSpan]

Here are some measurements of MacBook built-in DAC+Amps:

Measurements of Apple MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021) - L7Audiolab

台式设备 在2021年MacBookPro发布的时候，专门说了一下新款MBP的耳机插孔。当然，本站很有兴趣测量一下苹果“到底提供了怎样的耳机插孔”……可惜本站很穷……买不起…… T__T但是！穷人也能交到有钱朋友的对不对！于是一个网友直接定了一台给我……

www.l7audiolab.com

Apple 14" MacBook Pro, 애플 신형 맥북 프로 헤드폰 단자 측정 리뷰 - 영디비

신형 맥북 프로는 고임피던스 헤드폰 사용이 가능하다고 하는데, 얼마나 좋아졌을까요? 600Ohm의 고임피던스 헤드폰인 베이어다이나믹 T1으로 테스트를 해봤습니다. 그런데 고임피던스의 기준이 높아서 왠만한 헤드폰...

www.0db.co.kr

Damn it that is awesome. I did not find this while searching. Thank you!
Only wish it was in english. Translating the page leads to some …..interesting… language
Would love to also see an Audioscience review.

As i expected, it is pretty good. Especially considering it is an integrated interface in a laptop.
When i think what was used 20 years ago ….

 

[mcdn]

I've got some tests to run on another line level device soon, so I can happily add my MacBook Air M3 to the backlog. It does look superbly high quality based on the L7 testing, you definitely wouldn't hear a difference to most dongles: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...cally-jm20-max-headphone-dongle-review.62260/

It's also probably better than some desktop audio interfaces, where the headphone output is a bit of an afterthought, but even the Scarlett 2i2 gets 1V out into 33ohms, where the MacBook gets 140mV (oops should be 140mW): https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-scarlett-2i2-4th-gen-interface-review.58790/

In short it will be current limited into low impedance headphones, but the miracle is that it drives them at all. Into higher impedance headphones no external headphone amp will be needed.

 

[staticV3]

but even the Scarlett 2i2 gets 1V out into 33ohms, where the MacBook gets 140mV:

Careful: L7 measured 140mW at 32Ω (=2.1V)

 

[mcdn]

Careful: L7 measured 140mW at 32Ω (=2.1V)

Oops!

 

[DrSpan]

I've got some tests to run on another line level device soon, so I can happily add my MacBook Air M3 to the backlog. It does look superbly high quality based on the L7 testing, you definitely wouldn't hear a difference to most dongles: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...cally-jm20-max-headphone-dongle-review.62260/

It's also probably better than some desktop audio interfaces, where the headphone output is a bit of an afterthought, but even the Scarlett 2i2 gets 1V out into 33ohms, where the MacBook gets 140mV: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-scarlett-2i2-4th-gen-interface-review.58790/

In short it will be current limited into low impedance headphones, but the miracle is that it drives them at all. Into higher impedance headphones no external headphone amp will be needed.

That’s reassuring to know. Thanks!

I would also find super interesting if the D/A conversion has any difference if you Render something with the internal converter or an expensive high end external Interface.

Cause Ii want more data on it than how good the output is. I am hungry for data ! Nom nom nom

 

[mcdn]

@DrSpan here you go: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s-of-macbook-air-2024-headphone-output.63218/