Replacing T60 speakers with a better one

[shahidt]

My T60 speakers have gone bad and I need them replaced. The stock T60 speakers are really bad and low in volume of course. Would it make sense to replace the speakers with another? Would a T43 speaker be compatible, or can I just cut the wires connecting to the current speaker and solder in a better one? Any suggestions?

[brchan]

The only good speakers were from the A30/A31 and X300/X301. Nearly all the speakers from different lines use different mounts, so it would require a lot of modding to fit properly.

Don't bother with T4* speakers, they aren't any good and won't fit. You may be able to mod X300/X301 speakers into a widescreen T61, since they both mount horizontally, but don't think it will be easy.

[600X]

Your best bet are XPS 13 speakers. They are very flat, squarish and sound pretty good.

I once modded T500 speakers into a 14" 4:3 T61. However, it requires cutting the frame and it doesn't sound that good in the end.

[ZaZ]

Perhaps the Logitech Z305 or something similar is worth a look?

[emeraldgirl08]

I once modded T500 speakers into a 14" 4:3 T61. However, it requires cutting the frame and it doesn't sound that good in the end.

This is an interesting observation. When I had my T500 I thought the overall fidelity of sound was quite good relative to other Thinkpads I have used. I wonder what made it sound not too good when transplanted into a T61?

In my experience two of the better speakers I have heard from any portable computing device were in my father's XPS M1710 and also in a small and older HP TC1100 tablet (the sound from this one surprised me).

On topic- not sure what other speakers you might try OP. If you do get around to finding a decent sounding pair I hope you will share your results here in the forum. Good luck!

[shahidt]

The sound on my IBM 600 was a monster's roar. It could fill up a small auditorium. I am not doing the replacement myself and will be giving it to a repair guy. Don't think he'll be too savvy on this, but will see.

The T500 speakers seem a bit promising from the above, thanks.

[600X]

This is an interesting observation. When I had my T500 I thought the overall fidelity of sound was quite good relative to other Thinkpads I have used. I wonder what made it sound not too good when transplanted into a T61?

Yeah, the T500 speakers aren't too bad, which is why I chose them for my mod. I believe the fact hat I had to cut off parts of the speaker housing and that there were hardly any holes for sound to pass through may have contributed to the loss of sound quality.

I was a fun little adventure, but if anyone is going to try to mod speakers on a ThinkPad, DON'T do it on a 14" T60 or T61.

[Radioguy]

The only good speakers were from the A30/A31 and X300/X301.

Is that a consensus? I feel I've heard better than from my X301.

[shahidt]

Are newer T series speakers any better though? At least over T60s?

[600X]

Are newer T series speakers any better though? At least over T60s?

Only the T440s-T460s are on par with the T60. The T60 wasn't actually that bad compared to modern machines. Either that, or the T60 was crappy and modern machines are even crappier. The biggest joke was the T410 to T430 series. These machines were so atavistic, not only were they larger, thicker and heavier than previous machines, but the speakers were so bad that pretty much any phone could beat them. A truly embarrassing era for Lenovo.

Is that a consensus? I feel I've heard better than from my X301.

The T500 has a slightly wider frequency range than the X301, but the X301 speakers are more linear.

[shahidt]

I could barely hear the T60 speakers while sitting next to it.

[YoniG]

I recommend the DFX Audio Enhancer. It really improves the quality and raises the volume of all audio. Free trial, or spend the 40 USD (currently on sale for 30).

[TPFanatic]

Can the poor quality come from the soundchip as well? That's integrated into the mobo.

[axur-delmeria]

Can the poor quality come from the soundchip as well? That's integrated into the mobo.

Maybe not the sound chip itself, but the audio amplifier that drives the speakers.

Speaker transplants remind me of this relatively ancient post regarding the difference between the speakers of the 760EL and 760XD.

[600X]

The T60 has a decent DAC. It can keep up with small USB solutions. Almost all older IBM ThinkPads were still a lot better though. Newer machines on the other hand... Don't even get me started.