[OrionPax]

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?

 

[mobayrasta]

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]

Quote:

or is it just purely a marketing gimmick trying to draw in the bulk of the mainstream "audiophile" consumers?

 
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]

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]

Maybe you should sneak some Head-Fi flyers into the sales pamphlets

 

[OrionPax]

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. 

 

[halleyagcv]

/img/forum/go_quote.gif


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]

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...

 

[tazmo8448]

 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]

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.

 

[tazmo8448]

 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

 

[tazmo8448]

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]

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.

 

[tazmo8448]

 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......

 

[Katysax]

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.