Editing IPod (section)

=== Audio ===
Audio tests showed that the third-generation iPod has a weak bass response.<ref name=playertest>Machrone, Bill. [https://home.comcast.net./~machrone/playertest/playertest.htm iPod audio measurements] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20121220045904/http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/playertest/playertest.htm |date=December 20, 2012}}, ''[[PC Magazine]]'', 2005. Retrieved on February 17, 2007.</ref><ref>Heijligers, Marc. [https://members.chello.nl/~m.heijligers/ipod/Performance/measurements.html iPod audio measurements]. Retrieved on February 17, 2007.</ref> The combination of the undersized DC-blocking [[capacitor]]s and the typical low [[electrical impedance|impedance]] of most consumer headphones form a [[high-pass filter]], which attenuates the low-frequency bass output. Similar capacitors were used in the fourth-generation iPods.<ref>Heijligers, Marc. [https://homepage.mac.com/marc.heijligers/audio/ipod/engineering/engineering.html iPod circuit design engineering] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505034356/https://homepage.mac.com/marc.heijligers/audio/ipod/engineering/engineering.html |date=May 5, 2006}}, May 2006. Retrieved on February 17, 2007.</ref> The problem is reduced when using high-impedance headphones and is completely masked when driving high-impedance (line level) loads, such as when using an external [[headphone amplifier]]. The first-generation iPod Shuffle uses a [[Bridge tied load|dual-transistor output stage]],<ref name=playertest /> rather than a single capacitor-coupled output, and does not exhibit reduced bass response for any load.

For all iPods released in 2006 and earlier, some [[Equalization (audio)|equalizer (EQ)]] sound settings can easily distort the bass sound, even on undemanding tracks.<ref>Vaughan, Austin. {{cite web |url=https://www.dapreview.net/news.php?extend.642 |title=Tweaking the iPod equalizer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202329/https://www.dapreview.net/news.php?extend.642 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |url-status=dead}}, ''DAP review'', November 8, 2004. Retrieved on September 14, 2012.</ref><ref>Handby, Simon. {{cite web|title=Apple iPod 60&nbsp;GB review|url=https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/mp3-players/81586/apple-ipod-60gb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516030004/https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/mp3-players/81586/apple-ipod-60gb|archive-date=May 16, 2013}}, ''Expert Reviews'', December 19, 2005. Retrieved on September 14, 2012.</ref> This occurs when using EQ settings such as R&B, Rock, Acoustic, and Bass Booster, because the equalizer amplifies the digital audio level beyond the software's limit, causing distortion ([[clipping (audio)|clipping]]) on bass instruments.

From the fifth-generation iPod on, Apple introduced a user-configurable volume limit in response to concerns about hearing loss.<ref name=volumelimit>Cohen, Peter. [https://www.macworld.com/article/50101/2006/03/ipodupdate.html iPod update limits iPod volume setting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210202124/http://www.macworld.com/article/50101/2006/03/ipodupdate.html |date=February 10, 2012 }}, Macworld, 2006. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.</ref> Users report that in the sixth-generation iPod, the maximum volume output level is limited to 100&nbsp;dB in EU markets. Apple previously had to remove iPods from shelves in France for exceeding this legal limit.<ref name=ipodsfrance>Fried, Ian. [https://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-960211.html Apple pulls iPod in France] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728040314/https://www.cnet.com/ |date=July 28, 2024 }}. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.</ref> However, users who bought new sixth-generation iPods in late 2013 reported a new option that allowed them to disable the EU volume limit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4952197|title=New Option to turn off EU Volume Cap? - Official Apple Support Communities|website=discussions.apple.com|access-date=December 22, 2014|archive-date=September 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913054129/https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4952197|url-status=live}}</ref> Some have attributed this change to a software update that shipped with these devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RECVDB6UEZDJN/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RECVDB6UEZDJN|title=Traffic's review of Apple iPod classic 160&nbsp;GB Black – 7th Gene...|website=www.amazon.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011162151/https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RECVDB6UEZDJN/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RECVDB6UEZDJN|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Older sixth-generation iPods, however, are unable to update to this software version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discussions.apple.com/message/24230919#24230919|title=Why Can't I Update My Ipod Classic to 2.0.5 – Communities|website=discussions.apple.com|access-date=December 22, 2014|archive-date=September 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913154634/https://discussions.apple.com/message/24230919#24230919|url-status=live}}</ref>