Whether you're listening to music or watching a movie, audio quality is an important factor to have in your laptop. Your laptop's built-in speakers will determine the level of sound quality that you get from your machine. Laptops with the best audio systems allow you to enjoy music and multimedia without any losses to the quality.
When you are browsing laptops with the best audio and sound, there are three components to keep in mind:
Speakers
Your speakers are most commonly found near the corners or above the keyboard in a casing. Having the speakers above the keyboard and away from your hands is the ideal position. When the speakers are in this location, it creates a direct line of contact between your ears and the audio.
Another important component is having separate left and right speakers. When there are speakers on each side of the laptop, this will enhance the stereo quality compared to laptops with a single speaker. In addition, you should look for laptops with larger speaker drivers, which will enhance your maximum volume and audio quality.
Fan Noise
The fans inside a laptop help to keep the components cool and prevent drops in performance from overheating. There are laptops on the market that contain powerful components but suffer from a loud fan system. When laptop fans become unusually loud, this can interfere with your audio experience. While a quality fan is an essential part of the best laptops, always keep in mind that the fan noise may negate the audio benefits.
Processor & RAM
Your processor and RAM specs can greatly impact the quality of your audio. High-quality multimedia requires your laptop to process data at high speeds. If you plan on streaming music, playing HD videos, or just want the best sound quality, you'll need a laptop with adequate firepower.
In 2020, your laptop needs at least 8GB of RAM to compete with the advancements in technology for the next few years. The following list contains six laptops that do an excellent job balancing processing power with minimal sound coming from the machine:
1. ASUS VivoBook S15 S512FA
Photo credit: ASUS
The ASUS VivoBook delivers crisp, loud volume along with noticeable bass. The VivoBook uses two strategically placed stereo speakers that delivers excellent audio quality. This laptop also uses ASUS SonicMaster technology, which enhances the audio coming from all forms of media. This is a great laptop for experiencing deep audio with striking bass considering its portability.
The ASUS VivoBook is powered by the Intel i7 processor along with up to 12GB of DDR4 RAM. You'll also enjoy 1TB of storage, which is excellent for people obsessed with quality media. The ASUS VivoBook also has a high-quality 15.6-inch display with 88% screen-to-body ratio to optimize your picture. The VivoBook features an ultra-narrow bezel along with ASUS's NanoEdge Display, which helps the laptop seem bigger than it is.
Key Qualities:
Clear audio
Noticeable bass
Budget-friendly
2. HP Pavilion 15
Photo credit: HP
The HP Pavilion 15 is an affordable laptop with above-average sound quality. You'll find that the HP Pavilion is more than adequate in volume and sound clarity. This laptop comes with dual speakers from Bang & Olufsen. The laptop also uses HP Audio Boost to enhance the quality of your media.
Starting at just $500, the HP Pavilion is a great option for students or people looking for a portable laptop. Even the base version comes with 8GB of RAM, and you can upgrade for a reasonable price. The HP Pavilion 15z comes with 12GB RAM and the AMD Ryzen 7 processor at just $540.
Key Qualities:
Dual speakers
Powerful components
Reasonable price
3. MacBook Pro
Photo credit: Apple
All MacBook products are equipped with high-quality speakers that offer crisp sound with noticeable bass. The MacBook Pro uses high fidelity audio performance to boost audio quality and eliminate unnecessary noises. Even at just 50% volume, you can get a feel for the power present in these speakers.
Beyond having a great audio system, the MacBook Pro also checks a lot of boxes in terms of processing power and quality. The MacBook Pro is available in 13 or 15.4-inch display, which uses bright LED backlighting to deliver a sharp image. The Pro also comes with the Intel Core i5 processor or you can opt for the more powerful i9 processor version. All MacBooks come with a minimum of 8GB of RAM, so you won't have to worry about computing power for media and other tasks.
Key Qualities:
Great audio quality
Fast performance
Quality build
4. ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481FL
Photo credit: ASUS
The ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481FL is an excellent laptop for multimedia with innovative dual-screen functionality. This laptop is equipped with high-quality speakers, smart amplifiers, and sophisticated sound systems engineered by Harman Kardon. With its ErgoLift technology, the bottom speakers can be optimized to produce clearer sounds and more vibrant volumes. The laptop also includes the ScreenPad Plus music app, giving you easy access to your favorite tunes with a single touch.
The ASUS ZenBook Duo does a great job of meeting computer power requirements. Equipped with 16GB memory and the Intel Core i7 processor, these parts allow you to enjoy lag-free streaming while still being able to complete other tasks on your laptop. The ZenBook Duo also features an ergonomic display, stylus input, and multi-touch support, making it a suitably interactive laptop.
Key Qualities:
Smart amplifier technology
Designed for high-quality audio
Optimized tuning with Harman Kardon hardware
5. Lenovo Yoga 900 13
Photo credit: Lenovo
The Lenovo Yoga is an excellent laptop for audiophiles. This laptop features speakers from JBL so you can expect impressive performance. With the Lenovo Yoga, you'll experience noticeable bass and clear audio. This laptop also comes with the Dolby Audio optimization program, which helps you adjust the audio settings to whatever best suits your media.
The Lenovo Yoga features a four-cell lithium-ion battery, which means you can expect up to 8 hours of performance, even while streaming media. This laptop comes with 8GB of RAM and the Intel i7 CPU. The Lenovo Yoga gets its name from its ability to transform from a traditional laptop to a tablet. However, the audio quality is significantly reduced in tablet mode.
Key Qualities:
Great battery life
Quality JBL stereo speakers
Solid computer speed
6. HP Omen 15
Photo credit: HP
The HP Omen is a decent laptop with powerful operating performance. The HP Omen takes advantage of dual stereo speakers along with the HP Audio Boost, which enhances quality with a discrete amplifier. The HP Omen also comes with DTS:X Ultra software, which adds depth to your media by producing multi-dimensional audio.
The HP Omen is supported by the Intel i9 CPU along with 64GB of RAM. With this machine, you'll have no issues streaming music and playing high-quality video games at the same time. The HP Omen also comes with a massive 2TB hard drive. Originally released in 2018, the HP Omen remains a powerful machine that will serve you well in the years to come.
Key Qualities:
Dual speakers
Powerful components
Large storage
