Upgrade built-in speakers

Anyone attempted this or even know where to go to look into this type of stuff?

I feel we really got gimped on the sound quality, yes it's better-than-average for a laptop but anyone with an XPS laptop and a dedicated sub knows that is amazing.

Failing that any soundbars that aren't too fugly, possibly match the laptop, superb sound?

 

I had to remove the speakers to swap optical drives. Its not too bad. You could conceivably replace the speakers with different models, but you'd have to drill new holes into them to fit the chassis to be screwed on. You'd also need foam to absorb vibration. You can probably re-use the screws and rubber grommets already in the computer.

The drivers themselves are tiny, its mostly plastic that's filling the space.

 

Just how bad are they? Are you a bit of an audiophile? I just got my fiance's XPS15 today and the JBL speakers blow me away... I'm a bit scared that I'll be envying her sound quality for the next few years!

If you do manage an upgrade to the speakers, keep us posted please!

 

From what I've heard, not only are the JBL speakers better on the XPS series, but the source audio is also better because the XPS lineup uses a dedicated soundcard powered by Waves MAXX Audio.

As opposed to the R3, which uses generic speakers, and onboard IDT audio (worse than onboard Realtek audio). I mean, even the upcoming M14x and M11x have dedicated sound cards.


Edit: If something sounds dull and flat, you don't have to be an "audiophile" to determine that it sounds like crap. Because I'm surely not an audiophile, but when I hear audio that sounds mediocre, I know it right away.

 

That's disappointing. I was hoping it was only bad by audiophile standards. It's got to at least be better than the sound on my Gateway 7811fx though, right?

 

It's almost definitely better. If you guys are really picky audiophiles, then just get a dac and an audio amp, and plug that into a sound system or set ofnew headphones like bose

If I do upgrade, it'll be one of the later changes. An SSD or more ram would probably make for a more enjoyable use of your laptop, unless you are a huge media guy

 

Well, if you hate the speakers so much you may as well pull them out since your computer can boot without them. Hehe.

Anyhow what I'm trying to say is find a speaker or audio repair center nearby and ask if they have any tiny sized speakers. With luck you might find a reseller that will offer speakers of exactly the right diameter then you can pop the original drivers out of the plastic and replace them. Then you can tell us what part number it was

 

I've owned several laptops over the years. Dell Inspiron B120, Gateway FX P-173x, Asus G71gx Rx05, Asus G60vx, HP Elitebook 8540w and my M17x R2.

The speakers on the R2 are by far the best laptop speakers out of all the laptops I've owned. Nothing come close. They're not perfect. I consider myself a bit of an audiophile, but in terms of quality from a laptop, they are quite good.

I only wish a small subwoofer was included.

 

I'm just saying, it could be better. The speakers are supposed to be KLIPSCH quality. I'm surprised they would endorse this...

 

It's safe to say that Dell is essentially "scamming" customers that buy the R3.

First, the speakers are NOT Klispch quality. And secondly, their new audio driver patch removes the Waves MAXXAudio 3 software that came with the laptop originally. So now you end up with crappy speakers AND crappy source audio from the laptop.

 

I never had MAXXAudio 3 installed...so not sure on that one, it was always the horrible IDT software that is broken out of the box.

 

That's weird. Maybe you got your R3 with the included patch that removes the MAXXAudio 3 functionality. Because in one of the youtube vids I saw, the MAXXAudio 3 options should be within the IDT Control Panel.

Here's a page also confirming that the software is included: Klipsch Speakers Find Their Way Into Alienware M17x - HotHardware

 

I feel scammed indeed. Though they're pretty good speakers (compared to my dinolappy), they don't seem all that special...

 

I know I was really disappointed in the sound quality on the R3 vs R2/R1. In fact, I laughed. Then again, my R2 never worked anyway and dell tried to ignore my repair for a week. So no surprises here.