dv6-6xxx Integrated audio good enough to drive high end headphones?

Hello nbr.

I'm about to buy a set of Shure SRH750DJ cans, and i can't help but wonder if the integrated audio (IDT 92HD81B1X @ Intel Cougar Point PCH) is powerful enough to drive them without using an external amp.

I'm sure they are easily driven at 32 ohms impedance. I just want to make sure i won't need an external amp as the budget doesn't allow right now.

Has anyone tried a set of good cans unamped on this laptop? Does the "beats audio" really live up to it's name or it's purely marketing gimmick?

 

Well, no exactly. The "beats audio" sound is rubbish compared to the sound of my AKG K141 Studio and K271 cans [Note: The laptop as two headphone jacks, both can be used at the same time].

 

I mean the beats audio sound this laptop is marketed with. Does it add extra oomph to headphones through the 3.5mm jack? Sadly I don't have another laptop to compare the dv6 with.

I know the monster beats headphones are rubbish. How do you AKG's sound with this laptop unamped?

 

don't know if this helps u...

I bought a set of 2.1 speakers (Creative T3), and when i plugged them in I was appalled at the sound... it was totally off with the bass pumping like crazy and the mids and highs very muffled.

I had to turn off beats (ie. Fn + b), and tweak the EQ to get more clarity..

If you end up with this problem in that you can't use Beats, remember that when you turn it off, it automatically adjusts your speaker bass volume (in the sound control panel, not beats panel) to -14. So you have to reset that to 0 in order to get the real output from your sound card.

That said, Beats does make my CX330s sound alot better, and makes the laptop speakers much much better. I think its just for pumping bass and creative a larger soundstage with ty speakers/headphones.

All in all, the sound card is decent, and i do believe in the "sound island" that people have talked about, where they have made an effort to reduce interference with the signal.

 

Ok, second attempt: The beats audio system is a small improvement over
[the usual built-in] stereo speakers. But most "6 bucks" headphones can
easily beat it...

AFAIH no extra oomph. However both headphones are rated at "only" 55 Ohms impedance, so I'm afraid your SRH750DJ is in a different league.

Well, for my ears the sound is nicely balanced and 70% volume is loud definetly enough. [+90% hurts]

 

Well your 2.1 system probably has an amp built-in and doesn't really require a powerful sound card. But you're right with the -14 bass in sound control panel, no wonder why sound is so tiny with beats turned off!

Well 750DJ's are rated at 32 ohms so i guess i should be fine. Thank you

 

I think you'll be fine. I have a handful of laptops and when I transfer a tune or flv from any of them to the hp with beats, I have to turn the sound down or its too loud.

Seer

 

If one is talking high-end headphones a laptop isn't going to cut it with true high-end phones, get an amp.

Amazon.com: Hi-Fi Man - EF5 Tube Headphone Amplifier: Electronics

 

Damn i have to sell my house to buy that tube amp, plus i want something portable.

I'm talking $150 30-50 ohms headphones not $1500 Sennheiser HD800.

 

I honestly can't tell the difference between headphones... but yes for an audiophile, the dv6 probably isn't the best choice.

 

OK, look around and see if you can find one of the Turtle Beach/Voyetra 5.1 surround sound headphone sets. It actually has a bunch of speakers in each earmuff, and uses a tiny box that plugs into a USB port. The combo is amazingly competent, and gives you all the outs and ins you could possibly want. There were several related versions, I have the "Roadie" but use the SRM drivers for win7 and it works absolutely great. 7.1 drivers, digital laser outs, stereo mic recording, the whole nine yards. Helluva deal if you can still find one.

This is what it looks like:
Turtle Beach Audio Advantage SRM External USB Sound TBS-1131 B&H

If you just want something to drive your phones, check out their 'Earforce DSS 7.1' external plugin
Seer
Seer