This is how to get Beats Audio working, if you want it

Hey guys. So, it seems that some people are having trouble getting their Beats Audio to work. Some have reported that the fn+b toggle just open more and more of the Beats.exe process. I too have had this issue. The fix is a simple one.

Make sure you have the SWSETUP folder from the factory install backed up. If not, you need to get a copy of the HPTONECONTROL HPQUICKLAUNCH, and the IDT DRIVER (Audio driver) from that folder.

I tried to get these drivers and programs from the HP support website for the Envy 17, fn+b with these just causes more and more of the Beats.exe process to open up. Even getting HPQUICKLAUNCH and the IDT DRIVER from the HP Support website for my Envy 17 did not give me a working Beats Audio.

Note that HPTONECONTROL is not listed on the HP Support website. You must get this from the SWSETUP folder.

I have tested different combinations of different versions of HPQUICKLAUNCH, HPTONECONTROL, and the IDT DRIVER. Only the factory default versions of these actually give a working Beats Audio and fn+b toggle.

Hope this helps and saves you the trouble. Now time to figure out how to get back my life.

Edit: This applies to the Envy 17 and Envy 14 since they both use the HM55 chipset.

 

Thanks, it worked on my 14. But how do you get the fn+b to make a difference between when its off and on?

 

You need HPTONECONTROL and the factory default version of HPQUICKLAUNCH. The HPQUICKLAUNCH is what controls fn+b.

 

Isn't it on by default when the headphones are plugged in?

 

k, it works now. for some reason I wasn't hearing a difference between when it was on or off.

 

Noob question, but what does Beats audio actually do?

=Jason-

 

It is basically HP's version of a much better HD audio...

 

fn+b simply turns the windows treble and bass settings up to +4. When you turn it off, the windows settings go down to -12

So the beats software is basically a marketing ploy. However, I do believe that this laptop has a built in amp (which is nice), at least that's what it sounds like.

 

All Beats Audio does is increase the lows. I find that the built-in speakers sound better with Beats Audio on. Otherwise, they sound like tin cans. Compared to my old ASUS G1S, seems that the Envy 17 has a cleaner headphone signal. I said cleaner, but don't know if it is actually better.