New 1520 - Sound Quality Question

Hello -- I have a really nice Inspiron 1520 laptop I just purchased. I
upgraded everything but the sound. The speakers are really awful as is
the sound. I haven't tried plugging external speakers into the laptop
yet.

Is there anything I can do or software/hardware I can purchase to
improve the sound? I really don't want to send this back to Dell.

 

There are some settings in the Sounds and Audio Devices (control
panel) you can change but I'm not sure it will improve the sound that
much and of course you can add external spkrs as you mentioned. There
are some software enhancers that do help, one being DFX which as I
recall is like a mixer and does enhance the sound for better quality.
You might try something like this. I think they make different DFX
programs for different players like winamp, etc... .

 

To piggy back on what RnR said Logitech makes a good wireless product
that allows you to transmit your audio wirelessly to a receiving
station that you can hook up to any audio source that takes an input.
This would enable you to have your laptop audio play on a home
entertainment center for example, or an audio source that isn't
positioned near where you use your laptop.

They actually make two different versions:

1) USB transmitter on source PC to wireless receiver. The advantage
of this is that you don't have to worry about battery usage -- on the
USB side the computer powers it, and on the receiving side it's
powered by an AC adapter.

2) Standard jack converter. This enables any audio source that has a
headphone-type output to transmit wirelessly to the receiving station.
So, it works with iPods, laptops, or any other source. Disadvantage
is that on the transmitting side the transmitter needs to be charged
but at least it uses a rechargeable battery and each charge lasts a
long time.

I got both of mine for around $40. They usually sell for around $150
but it pays to look for bargains. I always start with Amazon because
there are good reviews there.

It may not be what you're looking for so if not maybe this information
would be helpful for someone. I like sharing info. about products
that I really like.

 

It's a notebook. Your post could equally describe the sound quality of my
Lenovo 3000 15" laptop (without the use of external speakers).

Unless the sound is garbled or distorted, it's probably pretty much standard
for most any portable.

 

I agree Stew. Those littlle tiny speakers are OK for just hearing things,
but if someone wants decent sound, hook up some external speakers. All of my
notebooks are horrible and expected.

RTR

 

I have a 1505 notebook. Lousy sound, but I didn't expect good sound.

I bought these for times when better sound is needed.

http://tinyurl.com/yttlfq

 

Video editing needs CPU. The faster the better. It isn't particularly
memory intensive, so 4GB won't get you that much more than 2GB and 4GB
is VERY expensive.

Get the fastest CPU you can afford.