I got an HP with Beats Audio. Help.

To stave off the inevitable incredulity, I'd just like to say that I got the laptop despite it having Beats Audio, not because it has Beats Audio.  The problem is that it's going to be a minute or two before I can properly service my audio needs with an appropriate DAC/Amp.  The bigger problem is that this laptop, whether Beats Audio is on or off, sounds worse than the five-year-old Dell econobox it replaced.

Does anyone know of a way to coax acceptable audio from this otherwise glorious Envy 17?  I have the HD650, and I think I hear it crying more than anything else.

Any suggestions or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Ha!  Don't I feel dumb.

"Just keep using the Dell to listen to music, fool."

So, there's that.  I still welcome any suggestions, something more elegant perhaps.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

.... I see you have an E10 which you are probably using for the Sennheisers..why not just plug that in. I have Q701's and no normal computer can provide enough power to adequately fuel those so why even both plugging it direclty in?

 

Plug your E10 into the envy.

 

Otherwise check in sound options. Go to the windows start menu. Type "sound" into the search box. Wait a bit, and then click the one that JUST SAYS "sound". 

 

Right click on the current green check boxed selection and click properties. See an enhancement section? Go there. See if you can disable Beats. 

I don't have the E10 anymore.  I guess I should update my list. 

It may seem difficult to believe, but there was only a negligible difference between its sound quality and that of just plugging my HD650 directly into the Dell.  So, I thought it better to get a refund and put that money toward a better DAC/amp for which the difference is noticeable.  I'm just confronted with circumstances that keep pushing a DAC/amp further and further down my list of priorities.

I've tried disabling Beats and the sound then seems to pretty much vanish.  As far as the HP is concerned, it appears as I though I'm stuck with abundant artificial bass and treble with Beats activated or the sound of pennies rattling in a tin can with Beats deactivated, at least until I can throw down some money for a proper DAC/amp.

I do appreciate the suggestions, though.  My knowledge of computers is limited, so I'm always open to the unknown.  (I have no choice, really, as that realm is easily much, much larger than the one in which I actually know what I'm doing.)

EDIT: Aha!  The culprit was actually Windows' "Sound Enhancements," which I've disabled and found acceptable sound.  That is, acceptable until a much better solution is viable.

Yes, "Sound Enhancements" is found in the "Sounds" control panel.  With all of them disabled, the sound's actually not half-bad.  It's certainly good enough that I don't feel compelled to buy a temporary DAC/amp, which would only serve to delay getting proper gear that much longer.

Though, I must admit I was very tempted to do just that before I figured this thing out.

It's funny; as far as I can tell, Beats Audio appears to do nothing more than automatically max-out the bass and treble sliders in Windows' own tone controls and provide an interface for the Windows "Sound Enhancements" that I've disabled.  Otherwise, it's just a logo.  Well, that and a snazzy volume knob, but I rather like that bit.

There's allegedly a discrete amp somewhere in the mix.  I dunno.  I can't say that I really care, either.

I just have to hold out for the right DAC/amp.  Believe me, it's not a matter of procrastination; it's a matter of currently being unable to provide remuneration, so to speak.