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    thinkpad t520

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by technoboy, Sep 14, 2011.

  1. technoboy

    technoboy Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, I was all set to buy a thinkpad w520 until I heard the speakers were really bad. Not so much that the speakers themselves are bad but there's not enough volume. So, I was wondering are the t520's speakers any better? I understand the cases on both machines are the same. Thanks!
     
    technoboy, Sep 14, 2011
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  2. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    Same speakers. Business laptops generally skimp on the speakers, so you might as well get a portable USB powered pair.
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Sep 14, 2011
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  3. rkj__

    rkj__ Notebook Consultant

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    Though the speakers on the 520 laptops are by no means great, I think the issues are sometimes exaggerated.

    For my usage, I have not been disappointed by the speakers. If I'm watching a TV show / movie, I'm usually in a quiet environment. The speakers meet my volume requirements here. If it's not quiet, I'm using headphones.

    If I'm listening to music while working, it is usually at a pretty low volume. Again, if I am in a noisy environment, I'll use headphones. If I really want to listen to music at home, I plug into my 240 Watt stereo.
     
    rkj__, Sep 14, 2011
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  4. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    If you're looking for portability (not wanting a set of external speakers), why not just get a good pair of earbuds? Believe me, I use a headphone amplifier with a nice set of headphones, plugged directly into the headphone port and the sound is phenomenal.
     
    talin, Sep 15, 2011
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  5. Bayer

    Bayer Notebook Guru

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    If you don't mind me asking, which amplifier are you using?
     
    Bayer, Sep 15, 2011
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  6. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    Behringer HA400.
     
    talin, Sep 15, 2011
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  7. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

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    I don't know why the T and the W versions of the 520 would have different speakers...Anyway, I have a T520, and the speakers really are very poor quality, even by Thinkpad standards (I also have a W500, and the speakers are far superior). Nothing wrong with volume. The 520 series are otherwise outstanding machines in almost every other way, so don't let the speakers put you off. If they do, the 520 is probably the wrong machine for you in a more general sense... :)
     
    antskip, Sep 15, 2011
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  8. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    The T520 and W520 use an identical mechanical design.

    That said, the T420/T520 aren't, IMHO, much worse or better than the speakers from past T series: that is to say, they're far inferior to a $20 external speaker set or a half-decent pair of headphones.

    Then again, if you're buying a ThinkPad, speakers probably aren't your main concern. :D

    The T420/T520 is such a good generation that I honestly wouldn't care if it came with any speakers.
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 16, 2011
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  9. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    I removed mine. That's how much I care about them.
     
    talin, Sep 16, 2011
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  10. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    You removed the internal speakers?

    Might I ask why?
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 17, 2011
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  11. rkj__

    rkj__ Notebook Consultant

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    Maybe to save weight? LoL
     
    rkj__, Sep 17, 2011
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  12. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    Because they are crap, and I never use them. Plus I got tired of always making sure they are muted. :p
     
    talin, Sep 17, 2011
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  13. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    Well... uh... I suppose that's one approach. I just mute them via software on startup (one line in /etc/rc.local is pretty easy...) Whatever works I suppose. :D
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 18, 2011
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