How to get the best sounding laptops?

[Mister Epic]

I may know a lot about computer parts and specifications, but I want to know more about the sound chip in a laptop.
 
My current laptop is having some issues. One is related to its keyboard, and the other one is related to its sound quality, which I don't like at all. I might look for a replacement soon due to these two issues, especially the keyboard one.
 
What kind of sound chip should I look for if I want the best sound at least from a 3.5mm plug, without using a USB sound card?

 

[BrownBear]

I don't know much about this stuff, but from what I understand, audio in a laptop and computer in general is sort of an after thought. I've always been under the impression that to get superior sound from a computer, an external DAC and amp are the best route to go. As opposed to using whatever is built into the computer.
 
I know with my laptop, when I'd plug my headphones right into the jack, I'd get all tons of noise, like when I'd switch windows or something. But once I got my external USB sound card, I get none of that.
 
Maybe someone with more experience and knowledge will chime in, since this is just my experiences.

 

[Mister Epic]

Thanks for the reply.
 
Yeah, it seems to hard to find a laptop that sounds good by itself.
 
But my standards are probably low, since I'm looking for something that is at least on-par with the Sandisk Sansa Clip+ in terms of sound quality.
 
I bet the only way to get that is by getting an USB sound card, right? In that case, what would be a decent one?

 

[Matt head 777]

I'd recommend an external soundcard as mentioned.
 

 

[stv014]

Some may actually have decent sound, for example the MacBook Air was tested with surprisingly good results, but you generally cannot know until you actually buy whatever laptop you choose. Getting a FiiO E10 is a safe bet, as it is reasonably priced, has a sufficiently good DAC, and a headphone amplifier that works well enough with the majority of headphones.

 

[trog]

I have the earlier E7 which i use with my personal netbook with budget/mid range cans and i agree - these are the easiest/cheapest way to step up in SQ with lappies/netbooks and the E10 is a step up from the E7 

 Personally i am hoping 2012 would see 10" Windows 8/Ubuntu tablets on the cheap hehe

 

[Mister Epic]

So now I'm considering either the FiiO E7 or E10.
 
What are the main differences between the E7 and the E10? I'm especially looking for the bit depth and the frequency. Is the quality of the device proportional to its price in that case?
 
Also, the E10 seems more appropriate for bigger headphones with a 1/4" plug. Would it drive something like an Audeze LCD-2? Not that I have big headphones at the moment, I only have headphones with a 3.5mm plug and an adapter.

 

[Papander]

E7 is portable and runs off battery. E10 is transportable and needs USB power to run. E10 doesn't have 1/4" plug. Can maybe drive Audeze LCD-2, they need something like 25mW for 105dBSPL. E10 can put out 30mW to 80ohm. I said maybe because when you jump to 110dBSPL, LCD-2 needs 79mW and fiio can only output around 30mW, but if you switch to high gain E10 pushes 78mW to 80ohm. If it was me I wouldn't use E10 with LCD-2. If you can afford 1k headphones you should afford non-budget amp too.
 
Also I'm not sure how much current E10 can output (actually if I can do math E10 outputs 31mA with high gain to 80ohm), LCD-2 needs ~37mA @ 60ohm for 110dBSPL. Planar headphones need lots of current as you can see.

 

[Mister Epic]

 
Quote:

E7 is portable and runs off battery. E10 is transportable and needs USB power to run. E10 doesn't have 1/4" plug. Can maybe drive Audeze LCD-2, they need something like 25mW for 105dBSPL. E10 can put out 30mW to 80ohm. I said maybe because when you jump to 110dBSPL, LCD-2 needs 79mW and fiio can only output 30mW. If it was me I wouldn't use E10 with LCD-2. If you can afford 1k headphones you should afford non-budget amp too.

 
Ok thanks. It was to see how powerful these FiiO's are.
 
And I apparently didn't see the E10 correctly, I thought the headphones plug was that big. So both have 3.5mm plugs.
 
Since I'll bring my portable Amp/DAC with my laptop everywhere I go, I think I'll go with the E7. Most of my music files is 44.1khz and 16-bit anyway, even if I have a few 24-bit and 48khz.

 

[Papander]

E10 can also go everywhere your laptop goes, E10 just can't leave your laptop because it needs its USB to run. E7 has built-in battery so you can take it everywhere your laptop can't go.

 

[Mister Epic]

I've made some research to compare these two devices, and I finally think the E10 would be the better choice. I'm not expecting to use such a thing on my SC+. Also, I heard it's less expensive.

 

[Matt head 777]

consider the O2 objective amp. JDS labs sells them. It will drive the LCD-2 no problem and 99% other headphones. It will fit in laptop bag no prob its portable, bit big for pocket tho.
 
edit; I know I said look at external soundcard earlier, but I'm one of those people that thinks might get good sound from onboard as long as you have adequate amp, Lol. I use an external X-fi soundcard, O2 amp and LCD-2 r2. Good luck.

 

[Mister Epic]

Just ordered my FiiO E10. Can't wait to try it!
 
Thanks for your replies, guys.