If you look at my post history you'll find comments complaining about the shitty webcam and the poor software quality. I just happen to think the speakers are one of the best parts of this machine, and when someone compares them to a "cardboard box" I felt like hyperbole was warranted.

I'm not sure if the 14" sounds the same, I've never heard it.

Anyway, these speakers are the first laptop speakers where I don't hear any obvious distortions. I haven't done any listening tests, but subjectively these speakers feel closer to monitors (at low volume) than to other laptop speakers.