Just got a laptop

[JonC]

This is my first time owning a laptop. Its a Sony Vaio VGN-N220E/W(probably an entry level laptop) and I notice the sound is not great even at max volume levels. I guess its better to hook up a good set of speakers to it. Is it just my laptop or all laptops integrated speakers normally sound low?

[ua549]

It varies from laptop to laptop. A good set of earphone will do the trick. I use Bluetooth earphones when I'm working in the yard.

The sound is not as good as in my media room, but is perfectly adequate for the environment.

[PriMaTe]

Do you have the windows volume control turned up? Don't put it to 100% as that usually distorts the sound a little bit in my experience. But try it at 80% or so.

Go to control panel, and then go to "sounds and audio devices" to check the volume.

[JonC]

Yes i do have it at 100%. I'll try it on 80%. Thanks!

[vairox]

I have never seen a laptop with halfway decent speakers, they are there so they can say it has speakers.

[hongsc]

Typically, yes integrated audio is pretty bad. Some of the higher end HPs and Toshibas are pretty nice sound quality wise. If your laptop has an express slot then you could get a Creative card for better sound quality.

[ua549]

The audio chips are not bad, only the speaker(s). I feed the line out audio to an external sound system whenever possible. Second best is to use a high quality headset. Otherwise, get used to listening to music as it sounded in the 1930's.

[fargan]

I agree...notebook speakers are normally pretty crappy unless they use some sort of compact speaker technology as Bose uses in their speakers but that doesn't mean the sound card itself is always crappy.

[JonC]

I hooked up some external speakers(Harmon Kardons) that I borrowed from work and they work flawlessly!

[ChaosEnsues]

Bose = crap, actually.

As far as laptop speakers, they're not meant to sound good and they never will. Proper speakers require more than a half-inch of space. The only reason laptops have speakers is for when you need some sound on the go - they're not meant for music or videos. Just plug in a nice pair of earphones/headphones, or plug in your stereo system. You can also find cheap travel speakers that will sound a little bit better than the integrated ones, although obviously you're not going to get amazing sound out of a couple AA batteries either.