NOW AVAILABLE - Updated ENVY 15, ENVY 17 / ENVY 17 3D

Judging from your comparison there - you have things set up incorrectly on the ENVY. It's also not a fair comparison seeing as one has a higher up processor. Also, the drivers seem to not be approved on the 15 - meaning you either still need to install them, or it isn't reading them right.

 

It looks like your MBP has a better version of the i7 than your E15, that could explain some of it?

That's the first main difference I see.

I wonder why the MBP intentionally uses slower memory on the RAM side?

If you have any spare time could you take a look at my post on the last page concerning the audio test?

 

There's that and also they should both be set to the same res during the test.

 

Yah looks all around good. The sound is much better than my old Envy and it does look like they went of their way to make it clear sound just louder. The speakers on my Envy 15 2nd Gen were really good and clear but they weren't louder. These are the same just louder. The colors on the screen are much more accurate and I do think this is an anti glare screen with a glassy overlay. I put both old and new envy side by side in front of a window and the new one was clear with barely any glare the old one had plenty glare. I'll try and post pics.

 

SoulMisaki, thanks for the reply. Sorry if the benchmark information was incorrect. I just grabbed the latest version of 3D Mark 11 and ran it on the ENVY 15 out of the box. The check-for-updates Catalyst Control Center says there are no new drivers available.

If you would like me to run any more tests, please let me know. Also, do you really think that 0.1 GHz CPU difference between each machine makes that much of a difference for 3D Mark 11? (Honestly asking, I don't know.)

 

I just ran the same Basic Performance test on both at 720p resolution. I didn't change any settings on either. No background programs running on either machine as well.

 

I do think that the mix of the resolution issue, driver issue, and processor difference added up to cause the difference in scores you see.

 

Sahaskatta, could you run the audio test I posted? It's extremely quick, less than 20 seconds.

Same request goes for Alishamim!

 

I dunno, but when I look at the comparison I see the same resolutions used on each one. The over all resolution of the LCD panels shouldn't matter much, as they both ran the benchmark in full screen at the same resolution.

The drivers on the HP are newer. And I doubt you will be able to get them from AMD/ATI, since they use switchable graphics.

I'm sure the processor makes some sort of difference. Either way, they weren't too far apart. Driver changes alone can make up that much of the difference.

 

Is it true that HP Envy 15's won't be sold with blu-ray drives? I'm not into burning Blu-ray's so that doesn't bother me. But I would like to watch some of my movies.

 

can you tell me what page I don't wanna go looking for it lol

 

Anyone who got theirs wanna do an unboxing vid?

 

Heres the 3rd repost of my little audio test

I made an audio file to kind of test the crossover point for the subwoofer/general speaker output for the new Envys, would you mind giving it a quick play and telling me the following:

Do you hear anything at all?

If you hear something, is it coming out of all of the speakers or only the "subwoofers"?

How loud is it while coming out of the subwoofer?

If it comes out of other speakers, how loud is it then?

If at all possible leave any kind of EQ settings or anything audio control wise flat.

Thank you SOOOOO much if you get time to do this!

Heres the audio file: Envy (2012) Crossover Test


(PS: If by some random miracle chance you have an SPL meter and could measure the output of that clip I would love you eternally)

 

It's physically impossible to do that, because slot-loading drives are too thick, and thinner ones in the size needed for the ENVY 15 are not being made, and never have been.

The ENVY 17 and 17 3D both can have Bluray, so if you need that, get one of those.

 

I just tried the file. I just hear the subs grumbling. (Pretty sure it is not the speakers) Even at full volume it is not that loud. I did not tweak any beats audio settings. Hope that helps.

 

I had turn the sound up all the way. Now I'm pretty sure its coming out of the subwoofer but at the moment not sure where the sub is.

 

Not affecting me. The flights mine will be on are from Anchorage to the Fedex hub in Memphis, then from Memphis to either D/FW or Ft.Worth Alliance, then onto a truck to our small north central Texas city. The weather looks good and flyable for all legs of the journey. We do have a slight chance for snow flurries here Thursday night and Friday, but it's not even cold enough for any to even stick. It'll melt as soon as it touches the ground.


You can watch Fedex's flights here: FlightAware > Live Federal Express Corporation Flight Status

 

Can anyone tell me their default Beats settings for the Bass, Def, Center, and Space sliders? I messed them up and there's no way to go back to default :/

 

Thank you guys so much!!!

Pretty much what I expected.

The "subs" barely reach down to 100hz (most home subwoofers don't even start output until 80hz or so and most reach as low as 40hz)

These are in no way shape or form "subwoofers" by the definition of the word.

Also, if with volume maxed it's barely audible that means that even at 100hz you're probably losing 30+ db of level compared to the average of middle frequency content (500hz-6khz) at median volume


WARNING: I would not attempt to ever leave the bass control of the laptop all the way up, AND DEFINITELY DO NOT DO SO WHILE PLAYING THAT FILE. It is now very apparent these speakers are not capable of normal sub frequency output and trying to force them to do so via boosting of a frequency range could damage the speakers if played as such for a long period of time. I don't work for HP and by no means have exact figures until tomorrow but I'll warn you nonetheless.

 

You can't really expect a full-on sub woofer on a laptop, especially at this price. As long as the audio is louder/clearer/better than my past HPs and other laptops, I'm good with it.

 

I wonder why they would flicker, is there anyway to shut off the infrared sensors in software?

 

yah I'd never expect laptop subs to be even considered "subwoofers." Still overall the sound is great.

 

If it's anything like the old beats and it shows numbers for the sliders you're just looking for "0 db" on each.

 

Same here guys, wasn't trying to sound discouraging, it was exactly what I was expecting, I just didn't want someone who lives and breathes audio engineering (like myself) to see the term subwoofer and be mind boggled as to how they managed it in a laptop.

When they say subwoofer they mean "speaker with larger surface area and a different crossover point than most laptop speakers"

 

A real sub inside of a laptop would destroy it from the low frequency vibrations anyway

 

Who uses laptop speakers for audio engineering? Honestly the speakers are the least of my concerns. That's something I never use on laptops.

 

Moreover it's just impossible, not enough room.

You need physical cabinet space to get extensions lower than 80hz.

I have two studio monitors in front of me (Event Opals) that run $2,000 per speaker and they can't even go down to 40hz flat.

 

Wow, that's just absolutely nuts, how are they going to not include a BDR drive, it's damn near 2012.

I was planning on getting a larger laptop anyway, I might either go for the Envy 17 or even try out the Precision M4600 if I want to keep the same size.

 

I hope to heavens no one is!

Although I know another engineer that uses two different laptops and white Apple earbuds as reference checks where most people would be using NS10s

 

Thanks for this info. Was just considering checking the FedEx weather for our area of western Texas. The one-day delay from Shanghai makes for a Friday delivery instead of Thursday. Snow/ice head this way. Am thinking our FedEx comes from Memphis to Midland/Odessa which should be far enough south to miss the worst weather. Was thinking Lubbock but believe that is UPS--they will get worse weather in that area. Either way, wouldn't have any FedEx truck risk themselves delivering a silly notebook--not worth it. Will just wait for it to arrive when it arrives.

 

That flight tracker is awesome. If the departure info listed by FedEx is correct, I think I've managed to figure out the intermediate destination (Indianapolis en route to DC) and what kind of plane it's on (MD11).

Creepy or cool, I'm not quite sure which.

 

I ENVY all of those who have received their laptops so far. My 17 3d still says in production shipping on December 23 so it's not making it here before Christmas. My 15 has been in transit from AK for 1.5 days so far so I'm thinking it's not going to make it here to the NYC/NJ area by tomorrow. No way it makes the 12/22 anticipated delivery still on the FedEx page. Ouch.

 

Speakers worthy of a professional mix engineer -START- at 1.8k per speaker.

Speakers worthy of a professional mastering engineer -START- at 4k per speaker.

Mixing for film? 5 of them instead of 2.

Mastering for film? Ouch....

 

Didn't expect a lot from the new speakers but as long as they are better than the Envy 14 it will be a plus. Those speakers were a joke. Always carry a soundbar to be able to hear anything or for any serious listening, headphones. Beats audio is OK but over-hyped. More curious if the trackpad will be at all usable--another joke on the 14.

 

I'm coming from a 14 as well, thus my curiosity

When your day to day livelihood essentially depends on a pair of speakers telling you the truth (not necessarily sounding good) you can't help but analyze pretty much every speaker you hear

 

Apparently from the people who have gotten their systems in, the track-pad is much, much better on this one.

 

You want subwoofers here are subwoofers and the little display I can connect to wireless with a Push2TV HD.

 

What are those brand/model wise?

Is that your actual setup positioning wise? If so I can improve your overall response, especially low end, for 0 dollars and ten minutes worth of moving them around!



Edit: B&Ws perhaps?

 

Anything is an upgrade from my XPS1340. The speaker volume was very low and I could easily get 1st degree burns due to the thing running so hot. A very poor design made using a thick book or some other item underneath (especially if it was in your lap) a requirement. Also, the 1340 had a weird bug where it would significantly slow down sporadically which would only go away if you disconnected the power cord or kept the laptop plugged in while the battery was pulled out.

Looking forward to the Envy.

 

True. I make a living with school band and orchestra and sound used to be quite important. Age has a way of making it less important--I'd probably do as well with a monophonic full-range speaker--lol.

 

Nothing like using 1k off the top end for every decade over age 20.

And to be honest, myself, and 75% of other engineers at studios I've been contracted at do 80% of the initial mix in mono anyway.

The single most horrible mistake that can be made in the recording process is hearing a seemingly beautiful stereo mix fall completely apart in mono.

Nothing like phase cancellation to make elements of the song suddenly not exist.

Also, a big thank you to people like you. My parents forced me into academic music in kindergarten and while I hated it then it now has blessed me with doing something I love and getting paid for it!

 

the settings had certain numbers not 0 i just put everything down for the subwoofer test

 

Wow, guys, I am simply jealous! Only God knows when we will start seeing Envys in Europe, or at least in Germany (not even one update/hint/whatever in the German website!). I might fly to Sweden, but I would like a certain configuration, and those coupons can make such a Christmas present even better ...

BTW if anyone at all has had any experience with shipping proxies or packet forwarding services regarding notebooks or similar, please let us poor Europeans know, there are quite a few of us who want to take the plunge .

Props to everyone who posted their first experiences, and congrats on your new toys . I am a bit disappointed that the MBP seems to outdo the newer Envy (I plan on buying a 15" myself, also special thanks to sahaskatta for taking the time to run the benchmarks side by side), but then again, perhaps we need to be a bit patient till further benchmarks are presented.

Also, am I the only one who noticed this reply?

Am I to understand that a 14" 3xxx Envy is on the works for January? How reliable is this information? Because since Dec 7th, and after 240+ pages in this forum, this is the first time that a new 14" Envy is mentioned.

 

If you grab me a screen shot I'll tell you how to fix it!

 

Anyone figure out which plane the Envy 15's are on going from alaska to the east cost?

Mine's been in the air since Dec 20, 2011 3:52 PM. I can't figure out the flightAware site.

 

People would debate that optical media is dated, and that mechanical drives to read plastic discs full of bits should no longer be included in portable computers.

I for one would have preferred an optical-free notebook in the same vein as the original ENVY 15, with that space being put to better use elsewise.

 

Agreed, optical drives need to finally go the way of the floppy drive. Digital media is here to stay, and besides, those who require an optical medium have many options (portable USB ones, for instance).

On the other hand, once that space is put to use in a laptop for an optical drive, it's much more cumbersome to reallocate that space. I do not understand why companies still insist on their inclusion? It must have something to do with marketability charts by a suit upstairs, because the practicality factor is not there.

 

Heads up guys, my 15 has been "In transit" since yesterday, but just updated to say it has left AK. "In transit" does not apparently mean it has left that facility.

Dec 21, 2011 2:59 PM
Departed FedEx location
ANCHORAGE, AK
Dec 20, 2011 4:26 PM
In transit
ANCHORAGE, AK

 

Hi everyone,
Can anyone post an un-boxing video for Envy 15. What is the boot time like. Sharing the specs. Any comments on the display (1920p).?

 

I hate to bring this up again, but did the 15 have switchable graphics? Seems Stepan mentioned it on his 17 unboxing but maybe it is just that model that has it. I was thinking the 15 didn't, saw nothing in the ads about it and HP said it didn't. Am sorta hoping it doesn't since trying to upgrade the graphics drivers on top of the switchable graphics was a real pain to the point I never bothered to even try it.