When we watch a movie or play a game on our laptops, the visuals are only half of the overall equation. What we hear from the computer audio is just as important. Whether we’re listening to a song or a piece of dialogue, the audio contributes to a large part of our multimedia experiences. Ideally, we want our laptops to produce crisp sounds, clear acoustics, and captivating melodies.
You will find excellent built-in sound systems included in most high-end laptop devices. These audio components are also available in many gaming laptops, which are often equipped with superb speakers to allow for an immersive video game experience. In other laptop models, you may be able to achieve a similar level of audio quality with several adjustments and peripheral accessories.
Here are seven ways to unleash the full potential of your laptop’s audio quality:
1. Speaker Systems
Before you diagnose any audio issues in your laptop, why not purchase a supplementary speaker system? All you need is a set of high-quality speakers that will simulate great audio. For example, Logitech offers an AudioHub sound system, which is an all-in-one device that connects to your laptop via a USB connection. Simply plug in the speakers to your device, and you will have crisp audio emanating from your laptop.
Want more options? There is a large variety of speaker systems and audio enhancing add-ons for your laptop. You can use small delicate speakers that are easily portable, or you can invest in large quality speakers to create an authentic home theatre experience. Regardless of your preferences, these products all serve to improve your laptop’s sound quality in different capacities.
2. Audio Cards
We’ve already established that certain laptops come with excellent audio hardware. Laptops like the ASUS ZenBook 14 can deliver high-res audio and full-range sound clearly, thanks to the impeccable quad-speaker sound system. It comes with two sets of bass speakers and high-frequency speakers, leading to vibrant sounds with clear audio quality. The laptop’s immersive audio experience is certified by the renowned experts at Harmon Kardon.
If the audio in your current laptop isn’t up to par, this may indicate a hardware insufficiency. In this case, you can improve your laptop’s dwindling sound quality by purchasing an audio card. Once you insert this into your device, the laptop’s installed audio settings can be overridden. You will be able to enjoy the enhanced sound quality from your new and upgraded audio card. As an extra bonus, the card should provide multi-speaker support as well.
3. Laptop Audio Settings
If purchasing an extra piece of equipment isn’t up your alley, you may be able to improve the laptop’s audio quality internally. Start by inspecting your laptop’s system preferences. For Windows users, open the Sound dialog from the control panel and click on the Properties section.
Your laptop settings should offer various audio tweaks and enhancers, which you can experiment with at your own leisure. Make any adjustments as you see fit, until you achieve an audio quality that sounds exactly right for your ears.
4. Audio Player Settings
On your laptop, you probably have a preferred audio player to listen to all your favorite songs. Whether this is iTunes, Spotify, or another similar counterpart, you can tweak the application settings to improve the audio quality. Most of the time, there’s an option that allows you to toggle high-quality audio on and off.
For instance, iTunes allows you to improve the sound using the application’s built-in Sound Enhancer. In Spotify, this option is available in the Preferences page of the app. The high-quality streaming switch should be turned on, which activates the enhanced audio quality on your laptop.
5. Wireless Headphones
In recent years, wireless headphones have made leaps and bounds in their development. Modern wireless headphones can deliver clean, crisp sounds that may rival the quality of many audio speaker systems. Plus, you enjoy the freedom of a wireless connection, allowing you to listen to your laptop without the boundaries of wired headphones.
The only potential downside to purchasing wireless headphones is the price. For the great quality that they bring, there is also a hefty price tag. If you have the budget, wireless headphones are worthy investments that can undoubtedly improve your laptop’s audio experience.
6. Software Programs
Many software programs are available to amplify the audio quality on your laptop. For Mac users, Audio Hijack is one of the more popular software. Once installed, you drag-and-drop the application used to play music into the interface. Then, you are given free rein to adjust the sound quality, such as the bass capabilities. If you’re satisfied with the trial version, the full software program is available at a reasonable price.
7. Repairs & Replacements
If all else fails, you may need to bring your laptop to a repair service for a professional diagnosis. The computer technician will analyze any issues hindering your laptop’s audio quality, potentially pinpointing any faulty parts and components. Based on your laptop’s condition and age, you may have to replace your current model. If so, make sure your new laptop comes with an excellent audio system!