Apple runs literally thousands of tests while validating, tuning, and refining AirPods in a facility which includes mini recording studios with real instruments. One tech writer got a rare tour of the facility, which is even home to a large vintage hi-fi setup donated to an earlier generation of Apple audio engineers by Steve Jobs … It doesn’t sound like the deck and speakers see any use these days, but Engadget’s Billy Steele says that it still serves as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the company’s music heritage. While AirPods are the most obvious product to require audio tuning, the lab actually carries out work on all Apple products capable of reproducing recorded sound – which of course includes the iPhone, iPad and Mac. The recording studios with live instruments are there so that the tuning team is able to reference the actual live sound of each in order to compare it to the recorded sound output. The team also spends a great deal of time listening to a wide range of recorded audio sources. To create a sound profile that’s exciting for customers and still maintains all of that authenticity, the media tuning team listens to thousands of hours of music, movies, podcasts and YouTube videos in mono, stereo and Dolby Atmos. There’s also a lot of vinyl lining the shelves of these tuning studios. During the development process, the team will test multiple versions of hardware with tons of tuning variations using computational audio. The goal is for all of the tuning decisions to translate better to all users, with a desire that everyone hears the same sound from Apple’s products. A special room with the delightful name of the Fantasia Lab (seen above) is used to generate or simulate any sound that might be found in the real world. This is used to tune the ANC features, ensuring that it is capable of blocking as much noise as possible, while also maximizing the accuracy of external sound in transparency mode. This can also be used to simulate a full-on live concert experience in order to compare this with the spatial audio performance delivered by AirPods. The full piece makes for an interesting read. Highlighted accessories Photo: Apple