How do I improve the audio on my HP note book?

Stevespens · 28 Nov 2009

Hello All,
This is my first post here. Please excuse me if I seem uneducated on this subject.

I write because I would like to improve the audio quality on my lap top. I am planning on buying some high quality head phones so I can watch movies and listen to music in private.
I have the HP Pavilion dv6-1245 dx, product number NV068UA. It has all of the factory hardware still installed.
Can someone help me find a good program for this. A program with equalizers and the such, options for setting diff sound types? Hope you understand what I mean. Also, did I give enough tech info?
Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

PS: Should have asked. What are some really good/best over the ear head phones for a PC?

fireberd · 29 Nov 2009

The built in Windows Media Player 11 has some excellent audio EQ's including the graphic equalizer and the SRS WOW system (give the SRS WOW a try).

The headphones depend on how much $$ you want to spend. I use Sennheiser and AKG headphones in my recording studio.

Stevespens · 29 Nov 2009

thank you much, I'll give it a try. didn't know about the media player apps.

saw that brand of headphones on line. will consider it.

thanks again.

pparks1 · 29 Nov 2009

fireberd said:

The headphones depend on how much $$ you want to spend. I use Sennheiser and AKG headphones in my recording studio.

Yes, those are both very nice headphones and come highly reocmmended. In addition, you could also consider Grado and BeyerDynamic. I use a set of Grado SR-125's at work and I really like them.

With headphones, it's important to set a budget and than see what is available. The sky is almost the limit with headphones. They go between $20 and $1000 easily depending upon what level of quality you want.

Another thing you might consider is going with an external DAC (digital audio converter) to improve sound. Many mfg's use cheap quality components and such which leave a lot to be desired...especially if you have invested heavily in nice quality headphones. An external DAC can often clean up the sound as well as reduce any static or hiss that the onboard is giving off.

Hope that helps.

gpedroni · 30 Nov 2009

personally I use the SRS audio Sandbox on my win7 and all my computers. there is an itunes plugin if your an itunes person, I definitely am not. i just use the sandbox for all my audio needs.

oh, and a pair of shure headphones... if you can afford them they rock!

SRS Labs :: OnLine Store

Stevespens · 30 Nov 2009

I am not an I tunes person either. Hate the software and opp system for I tunes. Is sand box linked to MS driver downloads, I think saw it while I was surfing? Does it help enough to pay for?

Edit: just saw your link. Going to take a look.

gpedroni · 30 Nov 2009

there is a coupon I found for a limited time $10 off. also there is a trial period. I normally dont pay for software, but this one would be worth paying for... the improvement in audio is pretty darn amazing. the only issue is when you have crap audio files, aka low quality mp3's.... junk in junk out... the software enhances the imperfections which just tell you you need a better audio file. other than that the software works like a charm.

here is the code I found:
Coupon code: SRS10062

oh and for headphones... check out any of these... you can't go wrong with the shure line (assuming you can shell out the $$):

Shure - Earphones