13" MBP sound quality compare against 15" and 17"?

[afters]

no need for external speakers, i already have that area covered by other means. however, i wouldn't mind investing in some really high quality headphones........or is that point moot as well if the 13" has a crappy soundcard??

really, i just want some decent sound (nothing that blows my pants off) when i watch movies i've ripped to my hard drive. i want to make sure it gets loud enough w/out distortion of any kind. if i'm looking for pure quality, then i guess i pop in some headphones, correct?

As the other replies have said, for basic movie watching, they're OK. I don't use mine for DVD's but regularly watch Youtube videos and listen to the odd song through them if I need to, and they can be pretty loud with very little distortion. At least they're definitely 'better' (IMO) than the Macbook speakers. In the end, it will all come down to your ears and your requirements. I know people who use the built in speakers on (cheap) computer monitors as their main audio output

Headphones are the 'best' price:quality audio output you can get. A $/£100 set of headphones could provide sound quality many times better than speakers of a similar price (albeit with a different 'experience'). The Macbook's sound card is perfectly fine for what you'll be using it for.

 

[dudeitsjay]

Sony mdr-v6's are pretty damn nice too

the only issue i have with it is the coily cord (well, it was designed for djs). I've had it for well over 13 years now. Still strong =D.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V6-M...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1249539751&sr=8-1
only 65 now on amazon.

My friend when i was dormin at ucla had the grado-60s and i think the v6s is much clearer. the grado60s felt like it was more techno oriented with an emphasis on bass, which unfortunately drained out some of the clarity in the highs and lows. It was very cheap feeling and uncomfortable too as the cups are multidirectional and spongy whereas the v6s are leathery and closed cups. Much better built quality feel on the v6's and purist sound quality. definitely check em out. Didn't know what the hype was about the grado60s really... cannot attest personally to the AKG equivalent the 240.. would like to get my hands on em sometime though.