I know the Beats audio headphones are, well, less than to be desired. Especially by most people on this forum, but what about the laptops that come with the Beats audio mod, for example, all the new HP Envy notebooks. Is this an upgraded sound card on them, or is it just purely a marketing gimmick trying to draw in the bulk of the mainstream "audiophile" consumers? Is there truly a benefit to buying one of these laptops as opposed to any other laptop?
Be a part of the community.
It's free, join today!
Related Forum Threads
- If Beats headphones aren't that great, then, are Beats computers the same? Last post on 5/23/12 at 12:25am in Computer Audio
- Will MediaMonkey Mess up iTunes? Last post on Yesterday at 10:50 am in Computer Audio
- Audio source balancer/ volume controller Last post on 5/28/12 at 2:37pm in Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum)
- Powering Cans Through a Gaming PC: An Overclockers Journey Last post on Yesterday at 5:07 pm in Computer Audio
- Record Internet Radio Streams -2012 edition! Last post on 5/28/12 at 5:28pm in Computer Audio
Related Articles
-
Foobar2000 A Guide To Set Up
Edited on 3/31/11 | Contribute to this Article
Recent Reviews
-
I didn't think of TEAC when I began searching for a dedicated CD player. My initial short list included Denon, Cambridge, Marantz, Onkyo. The Teac intrigued me, so I went for it. It is very...
-
short terms: compact, loud, nice sounding, cheap ultraportables. detailed terms: AKG in the house ( fun, smooth, bassy, bright-warm & clear presentation ) cool for mainstream song...
-
Sennheiser HD-598s are the most comfortable headphones I've had the opportunity to use. I recommend these wholeheartedly for any first-time hi-fi buyer because of their excellent soundstage and...
-
I just received my SigPros (bought from a fellow head-fi'er), and now have several hours with them. They are great headphones. Agree with most of what everyone's saying about them. These...
-
Beats out the Bose Triport, the HD 202 and HD 435s, the AT M35 and AT M50. Just try it and see. Extremely comfortable (I wear mine while commuting and studying, for about 5+ hours a day). Bought...
Head-Fi Sponsors
Beats Audio
- mobayrasta
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 325 Posts. Joined 1/2007
- Location: Maryland USA-All over Jamaica whenever possible.
- Select All Posts By This User
http://computers.bhinsights.com/content/ears-review-hp-envy-laptop-dr-dres-beats-sound-system.html
BH review
. I have no clue. It is still an integrated sound chip on the motherboard so I really don't have too much hope for it.But if it can get people on the right track and not sound as bad as most motherboard sound cards then more power too them.
- patsyleung
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 80 Posts. Joined 2/2006
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Select All Posts By This User
You got it. Beats Audio seems to be just a piece of software that processes the sound through a DSP. Not unlike the Crystillizer and CMSS-3D that comes in the Creative software suite that supposedly makes mp3's sound better. Hardware-wise, it has better speakers and a new design. It would sound like the Beats headphones.
You are probably better off getting any other laptop that doesn't have gaudy design (for less!) and getting a decent USB or Expresscard soundcard with the savings.
Oh, and a big welcome to Head-fi!
- OrionPax
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 89 Posts. Joined 10/2010
- Location: Valley Forge, Pa
- Select All Posts By This User
First off, I want to thank you for the welcoming
Secondly, I don't want you to think I'm actually contemplating buying one of these laptops. I'm an Easy Tech Associate at Staples (computer sales) and I have a number of people coming in to the store asking if we have any laptops with Beats Audio. I'm merely wondering whether I can justify wanting to shake them and yell at them to buy a USB soundcard instead of spending an extra $600 on a computer just for the words "Beats Audio" printed on it.
- patsyleung
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 80 Posts. Joined 2/2006
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Select All Posts By This User
Maybe you should sneak some Head-Fi flyers into the sales pamphlets 
- OrionPax
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 89 Posts. Joined 10/2010
- Location: Valley Forge, Pa
- Select All Posts By This User
I would love to. I don't think anyone on this forum can fully appreciate how painful it is for me to help someone pick out their favorite color of Skullcandy Dub headphones. There's nothing I can do. I try to upsell to at least metro.fi 170's, but spending more than $15 on a pair of headphones is an absolute travesty to some people.

http://computers.bhinsights.com/content/ears-review-hp-envy-laptop-dr-dres-beats-sound-system.html
BH review
. I have no clue. It is still an integrated sound chip on the motherboard so I really don't have too much hope for it.But if it can get people on the right track and not sound as bad as most motherboard sound cards then more power too them.
It is good for reference, Now I have a more clear idea about it, I'm new to this.
- Xymordos
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 778 Posts. Joined 8/2010
- Location: Hong Kong
- Select All Posts By This User
Well...the Envy without the Beats on sound REALLY bad. My friend has it. However, that aside, Envy is still a really good laptop at its price point though...
I recently purchased an HP Pavilion dv7 with the beats audio and could not believe how bad the sound is, there is absolutely no bass what so ever and it doesn't even recognize that it has three speakers (sub woofer plus left and right) so when you go to the control center and try to tweak it all it does is make it sound just a hair louder...totally underwhelmed with it.....does anyone have a clue on how to modify this thing so atleast it will utilize the woofer?
- JRG1990
- Trader Feedback: +4
-
- offline
- 1,503 Posts. Joined 9/2010
- Location: UK/Kent
- Select All Posts By This User
I have a pailion dv7 non beats audio it's a year old, are you talking about the little 1inch woofer built into the back of the laptop???, try updating the drivers and bios you can get the latest versions from the hp website.
I recently purchased an HP Pavilion dv7-4177nr and was truly underwhelmed with the so called Beats Audio sound system...is there anyway to tweak this? (tried all the panels to max) and it doesn't seem to have the sound quality of a set of 25 dollar add on speakers...added caveat....without having to buy something on line ...thanks
Sam
been there done that....seems like the thing just doesn't want to get loud and yes that is correct about the little sub-woofer...I have an el-cheapo set of Altec-Lansing speakers w/woofer and they blow the doors off this set up.....extremely disappointing sound
- JRG1990
- Trader Feedback: +4
-
- offline
- 1,503 Posts. Joined 9/2010
- Location: UK/Kent
- Select All Posts By This User
The built in speakers are rubbish lol what were you expecting for built-in speakers sound and volume to rival a pa system?, the built in speakers on mine are made by altec-lansing and for some built in speakers there not that bad ,if the sub isn't working on yours i think yours has faulty hardware.
Yeah thats what I'm thinking and no I didn't think the things would sound like a PA system but I held hope for something what with todays technology that would be less underwhelming...and your'e right Altec-Lansing has very good little add ons....got a pair hooked to the flat screen that sound very good......
I have an Envy Laptop with Beats audio and, at my work a touchsmart pc with Beats audio. Is it "audiophile" quality? I don't think so. It's pretty good, about the best laptop audio I've ever had - and I've had a lot of laptops. At my office I put the headphone out jack of the touchsmart all in one into a Lisa Portable amp and listen with various headphones. It's a pretty nice setup and when I need to hear something through speakers, the PC speakers do the job. I've got a setup at home on my desktop where I run the audio out through an EMU 0404 usb and then into either a Little Dot amp, or an amp preamp combo into PSB L-1 speakers. Is the home setup better than what comes out of the Beats Audio. Yes, hands down. However, for stuff that comes built in, the Beats is decent. I work with a lot of PCs and various equipment so wires on my desk can be overwhelming. Wherever I can simplify at the office is good. I guess I think the Beats is an improvement and more than just empty marketing hype. It's not mindblowing or awesome are fantastic, but better than standard pc audio.
- Beats Audio
Recent Discussions
- › Heir Audio - The Appreciation Thread 5 seconds ago
- › bad trader!! crap, i need help!!! 11 seconds ago
- › Denon AH-C560 review 15 seconds ago
- › Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors: The *Custom* Custom... 1 minute ago
- › Sony MDR-R10 Owner's Club 1 minute ago
- › Best headphone & amp for ambient music 2 minutes ago
- › New Flagship from Audio-Technica: ATH-W3000ANV, 50th Anniversary... 2 minutes ago
- › V-MODA M-100: Discussion/Feedback, Reviews, Pics, etc. 3 minutes ago
- › Need help choosing between Klipsch Mode M40, B&W P5, AKG K490NC &... 3 minutes ago
- › Sennheiser HD 598 vs Astro A40?? 5 minutes ago
Recent Reviews
- › TEAC PD-H600 Reference 600 Series CD Player by gonkulator
- › AKG K403 by eskimoo
- › Sennheiser HD-598 by TK277
- › Ultrasone Signature Pro Headphones by baglunch
- › JVC HA-S600 by pootispow
- › Audez'e LCD-2 Planar Magnetic Headphones by Squuiid
- › Superlux HD-668 B by BlackTea
- › Cowon C2-16BS 16 GB Video Player, Black with Silver by burninmind
- › BRAINWAVZ HM5 Studio Monitor Headphones by Night Crawler
- › Shure SE535LTD RED by sue4
New Articles
- › iBasso DX100 FAQ by DoctorHeadz
- › DIY Cable Info and Resources by Pingupenguins
- › Asr Head-Fi Threads Compendium by Asr
- › Headphone Buying Guide by keanex
- › Fostex T50RP modification summary LINKS - wiki by jgray91
- › Comparisons of the LCD-3 and the LCD-2 Rev. 2 by MacedonianHero
- › Posting Guidelines by Currawong
- › Comparisons of LCD-2 Rev. 1 and Rev. 2 by MacedonianHero
- › Membership Levels, Badges and Custom Titles by Currawong
- › Sennheiser Hd4 8 Modding For Newbies by koolkat
About Head-Fi.org | Join the Community | Advertise
© 2012 Head-Fi.org is powered by Huddler Tech | FAQ | Support | Privacy/TOS | Site Map






