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m170 sound good? or worth it to buy audigy2zs?

post #1 of 29
4/16/06 at 12:52am
Thread Starter 
Is the built in sound on the m170 decent or is it worth the money to get a audigy2zs? also does the audigy 2zs use the integrated speakers on the laptop or do you have to get external speakers? it sounds to me it would not be worth if if external speakers are required because thats extra weight to drag around, would use external speakers at home but on the road its not feasable.
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post #2 of 29
4/16/06 at 1:06am
IMO: For competitive gaming it is essential.

You can play music through your regular speakers with the audigy in.

Highly Recommended Upgrade
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post #3 of 29
4/16/06 at 2:39am
with a 1 second delay of course
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post #4 of 29
4/16/06 at 2:44am
the 1 sec delay annoying in games if you use the onboard speakers
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post #5 of 29
4/16/06 at 2:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcikra
with a 1 second delay of course
I dont experience the delay anymore. Mayb its bcuz I downloaded the new firmware upgrades. Who knows?!
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post #6 of 29
4/16/06 at 3:06am
I was very surprised how well the M170 sounded, it sounds close to my older computer with a headphone amp onto it.

If you get the audigy2 ZS, does it improves the speakers sound also?
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post #7 of 29
4/16/06 at 3:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeri534
I was very surprised how well the M170 sounded, it sounds close to my older computer with a headphone amp onto it.

If you get the audigy2 ZS, does it improves the speakers sound also?
Unfortunately thats the ONLY thing it doesnt improve.
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post #8 of 29
4/16/06 at 4:39am
pm balthazar and he'll hook you up with one.
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post #9 of 29
4/16/06 at 4:45am
Audigy ZS2 is a fantastic upgrade. I won't say it's absolutely essential, but if you listen to a lot of music and play a lot of games where sound is needed, it's nice. I play a lot of CS source, so I need it. It works great.
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post #10 of 29
4/16/06 at 5:30am
What kind of improvements are we talking about here? Wider frequency range, clearer sound or what?
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post #11 of 29
4/16/06 at 9:09am
The only real MAJOR benefit with the Audigy2 ZS is that it allows true 5.1 surround (via direct analogue connection to 5.1 speakers not SPDIF) in some supported games (?? HL2). Apparently the SPDIF out from the XPS/9300 can only provide 2.1 digital surround and not 5.1. I'm also considering getting one myself but due to the relatively expensive shipping over to Oz (from Bal'thzar - not his fault just have to blame our location so far away from the rest of the world) I'm having second thoughts about it. I'm currently pretty happy with the "virtual 5.1" surround sound with my SPDIF output into the logitech z5500 (BF2 sounds fine). As to music itself I heard there are much better PCMCIA alternatives ... one of which is the Echo Indigo. So the Audigy2 ZS is really for 5.1 surround in games... (not sure exactly which games support true Dolby digital 5.1 though).
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post #12 of 29
4/16/06 at 10:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryansebiz
pm balthazar and he'll hook you up with one.

thanks for the referal

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=143191

I love mine though I have a set of logitech 640's that I use it through.

I have not tried it with headphones yet
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post #13 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:10am
may i ask if using USB headphones will profit from the Audigy2zs?
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post #14 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:13am
Anyone know which are the games that definitely support true 5.1 surround (e.g. Dolby digital). Might still get one from Bal'thzar if i've got some spare cash....

I'm currently playing Guildwars, BF2, Oblivion, occasionally HL2 (believe it or not still haven't finished the game!!).. as well as Doom3. Have NFS, COD2 and FEAR in boxes haven't had time to play thanks to my job...
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post #15 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:14am
Also remember the Audigy 2 ZS accelerates DirectX sound instructions which the onboard sound will not. Is this a dramatic difference in playability? No, but just something to weigh into the equation. EAX is also something you may find nice for environmental immersion (an Audigy feature).

And yes many, many folks have gotten various items from Balthazar and been very pleased.



5.1 Support: Wow does, can't definitively say for many games I can't recall the settings but if it says "5.1 sound" or "multichannel surround" it likely does. For more info on EAX and games that specifically support the features on the Audigy 2, Creative has that detail buried in their Support FAQ section on the Audigy series. It actually lists the level of EAX that each game supports and you'll find nearly all of them support the 4.0 or less level covered by the Audigy 2. Xifi will come in time, but that's a desktop only thing for now.
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post #16 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:18am
You're going from Onboard Sound Software Based Sound, (USB is this as well) To Hardware Based Sound. The benifits and differnce is self Explanitory. PLus the Jack on the SoundCArd is Infared for a better quality, and you can do some neat stuff with an Audigy SoundCard if you use Ventrillo or TeamSpeak.
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post #17 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info. I still have to really think about it. Should have mentioned what games I play. I mostly play World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI with a little Counterstrike Source. I see how it can be worth it for the 5.1 surounds sound for Counterstrike Source but does it offer much of an improvement for World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI?
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post #18 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanulaMan
Anyone know which are the games that definitely support true 5.1 surround (e.g. Dolby digital). Might still get one from Bal'thzar if i've got some spare cash....

I'm currently playing Guildwars, BF2, Oblivion, occasionally HL2 (believe it or not still haven't finished the game!!).. as well as Doom3. Have NFS, COD2 and FEAR in boxes haven't had time to play thanks to my job...

I am in no danger of running out anytime soon so take your time
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post #19 of 29
4/16/06 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirika
Thanks for the info. I still have to really think about it. Should have mentioned what games I play. I mostly play World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI with a little Counterstrike Source. I see how it can be worth it for the 5.1 surounds sound for Counterstrike Source but does it offer much of an improvement for World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI?
WOW I know sounds kick arse on it because I have played it and I am fussy with my sound and speakers
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post #20 of 29
4/16/06 at 12:15pm
Yeah Wow sounds nice and EAX 3.0 is supported by Wow for environmental effects (caves and such).

For gaming I'd have Audigy at minimum unless there was no way to fit it in (like the pc card slot was used for something else more necessary).
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