HP Envy 17 - Windows 7 - Speaker vibration/distortion at low volumes

[gorasiad]

Received a new HP Envy 17 laptop and was impressed with the sound quality from the built in speakers.

However, I've found I get some vibration/distortion from the top left corner on most songs, even at low volumes. It sounds like a rattling sound. I've noticed this occur more frequently if I increase the 250Hz frequency higher from the Beats Audio control panel and the base.

I'm not sure if this is a speaker issue or something inside the laptop vibrating based on the sound coming from them.

Any thoughts/ideas what could be causing this?

[AdLoki]

Hi,

I just bought the Envy 17 and am having the same problem with the front right speaker, even when just Skyping. It's a bit annoying as the Beats Audio branding suggests that extra care would have been taken around the sound quality.

I have to confess though that I did buy a refurbished machine so that might be part of the problem. I spoke to HP support and they suggested checking the audio driver. Turns out the one that came pre-installed on the machine is newer than the one recommended on the HP website, so they suggested rolling back to that.

It may be that the same is true for you? The recommended driver is 2011-04-22 , Version:6.10.6328.0, 34.01M

I'm still installing it so can't say whether it's made a difference but thought it was worth mentioning here.

Cheers,

AdLoki

[gorasiad]

Hi AdLoki,

Thank you for your post.

I get the problem when Skyping as well - and you're right in that HP are making a big deal about Beats Audio so should not really see sound issues such as this.

I checked my drivers but can't believe this is a software issue as it sounds as though the speaker is distorting the sound and/or the subwoofer is causing a loose component within the laptop to vibrate causing this rattling sound perhaps.

I'm going to ask that my new laptop be replaced as it's brand new and shouldn't really be doing that. I had replaced one previous one prior to the one I currently had and did not notice any rattling sound issues on that one.

Let me know how it goes after the re-install but seems like a strange coincidence that the same issue is occurring on both our HP Envy 17s.

Thanks,

Gorasiad

[ChrisW24]

Guys, I am having the same thing. Could you please tell me if it sounds like mine!?

Ok so I bought a HP Envy 17 3000eg, the one with integrated 160 GB SSD, 750 GB Hard drive 8GB Ram and Beats Audio.

Well Beats Audio: I have a massive Problem and I need your help. Maybe you can run the same songs or the skype calling sound and tell me if your speakers make the same noise as mine. It looks like there are certain frequencies the speakers seem to burst! They tint, deform and distort... it really hurts in my ears and definitely does not sound normal.

It could be because of a bad example file quality, but it appears with the skype sound, some youtube videos, some high quality mp3s. It does NOT happen with my external speakers! They do not make any strange distorting tinting sound.... the notebook somewhat vibrates I think ..... it just sounds very poor quality like......

It is only 1 day old and I do not want to send it straight to service, so I hope it is just a regular problem everybody has!?

I made a 43 MB Video to show what I mean, Here it is: http://www.2shared.com/video/dR2afrfr/SAM_9208.html

Please guys, tell me what you think!? Do you experience the same problems!?

Or is it a Hardware problem and I really have to send it in!? And let the speakers change.......

I mean it really isnt just horrible sound its hurting.... i hope this is a hardware mistake.... what do you guys think!? Should i send it to tech service!?

[ChrisW24]

Anyone fixed the problem!?

[gorasiad]

Hi ChrisW24,

I've watched your video and can confirm that my problem is the same.

I don't believe it's a software/driver issue becuase i can't imagine that a driver could cause this type of distortion. Also I've found that it occurs intermittently, sometimes it doesn't distort and sometimes it does. If it were a driver issue then I'm presuming it would occur consistently on the same music and frequencies which doesn't seem to be the case.

I'm going to call HP after sales care tomorrow and see what they say - ideally I would want the laptop replaced. Like yours I've only had my laptop a few days now.

Thanks,

Gorasiad

[ChrisW24]

Where are you from :-D

Because I figured out that my laptop, like yours, has times where it does not distort, and at others it s crazy. For example the Skype ringing, there is a time where it vibrates the hell, and then 2 hours later it does not at all!

And on my external speakers there is not a problem at all! It is definitely hardware problem!

And I had a 3010 already as well, the one without integrated ssd and the sound was smooth and perfect! No distorting at all!

So i just know that there is something wrong hardware-wise!

Question now is, if i should call hp or just go straight up to my vendor, i mean i have the laptop since Friday! And just tell them they should give me my money back or give me another model ....

If you send your laptop in, is it like with apple stuff, that you ll only get refurbished laptop back!?

Or is it a brand new one!? Or the same laptop just specifically adressing our problem, f.e. the speakers problem?

And how long does that take!?

I really think it s better to go to the vendor and say i dont like the laptop because it has a bad ssd or so and just change it to another model......

I dont know.... what you think!?

[gorasiad]

Hi ChrisW24,

I've already had my laptop replaced with HP as part of the casing didn't look like it was clipped in correctly which wasn't something I could do.

My understanding is that they replaced it with a brand new one - they've never mentioned that the replacement would be for a refurbished one - something I will clarify with them when I call them on this tomorrow.

I'm going to give it one more try for a replacement before potentially going with a different laptop as everything else on it seems to work fine. (also provided it's not a refurbished one)

I do recall the previous one I had not having this speaker issue at all (although I didn't really test the sound that thoroughly on the previous one!)

Thanks,

Gorasiad

[ChrisW24]

Please be so kind to tell me what they said!

Thanks a ton!

All the best

Chris

[AdLoki]

Hi, I just looked at the video you sent and that sounds pretty bad - my front right speaker is giving similar distortion and rattling but not as bad as yours. Updating the driver didn't make any difference.

I notice that you have last year's Envy 17 -- I have the 2101ea (the 2012 model) but it's still Beats Audio branded and I maintain that the sound quality should flawless in light of this. I would suggest that you contact support and arrange for them to replace your machine., it certainly should not sound like that.

Like you, I only got mine last week, although, as I said before, it's been reconditioned. Nonetheless, I would still expect it to be in perfect condition. I will wait for my HP support operator to get back to me and discuss the options with him. Ideally I don't want to have to return the machine and have it replaced as I specifically bought it for my new business and need to use it!

I would argue that, if we are all going to contact HP support with this issue and the only solution is to get our machines replaced, we should seek some form of compensation - particularly Gorasiad, as he has already had to have his machine repleaced once before.

On the whole, I am happy with the Envy 17 and would aim to replace it like for like (or maybe get upgraded to the 3000ea model!)

Let me know what happens at your end.

Ad