SoundBlaster X-FI XTreme SoundCard - ExpressCard? - Page 2

In the main display (console launcher)they have a laptop Icon all the way to the right it says when you put your pointer over it Playback through laptop speakers click on it and tick the box. Note when I do this I can't change back to useing my 5.1 speakers unless I close all programs then pull the sound card out and reinsert it without the box ticked(option to playback through laptop speakers) I am useing a old HP Plug right now...one plug to goes into the express soundcard then it has a right left and subwoofer to plug my5.1 speakers but it is not right the sub and center is not matched and the surround sound either.........But it sounds decent for now. My Docking modual will be here tommorow and I willl get true 5.1 surround sound hopefully. If not both will go back and I will go back to my D-Dock with my x-tream music card. Im still thinking the X-tream music with my D-Dock will give me better sound in gaming also I noticed no THX but if the difference is slight I will sacrifice a little better sound just to get rid of the bulky D-Dock being the only reason I bought it was to be able to use a sound card.

Ok heres the deal their is a Mic plug on the express sound card also a headphone plug. And a plug for the Docking modual which you have to order separate about 30 bucks from creative.

If you had a creative PCMCIA sound card it came with the plug to hook up surround sound or 2.1,4.1,5.1 or 7.1 speakers with true surround sound. I am certin the plug that shiped with the creative Audigy ZS PCMCIA notebook sound card will work with the Express slot sound card. It is the same thing but the docking modual is a little fancier and not just plugs and wire it has aprox 2 1/2' X 2' inclosure that your speakers system plugs plug into the other end plugs in to the sound card. This is the docking modual http://www.creative.com/products/pro...16779&bypass=1

My thoughts after hooking up my Logitech Z5300 5.1 speakers is awsome!!!!!

I had the D-Dock with a creative labs X-tream Music sound card and it also was awsome. The only Difference in sound quality is a couple of minor things the Express slot sound card does not have that I can tell THX and a couple features in gaming but don't let this stop you from geting it.

I for one use a custom paded lap board I made that my D-Dock ,M1710 ,MX 1000 laser mouse & mousepad and nostromo n52 game pad sits on because of a unfortunate accident i cant sit up at my desk for extended periods of time gaming.

The D-Dock was just too bulky & Heavy but I needed my sound quality I had the PCMCIA sound card with my XPS Gen 2 and it was perfect .......sweet and now that I have the Express slot sound card and the docking modual I am comfortable gaming again as I can prop up a few pillows and sit up in my bed and put my rig on lap again without all that extra frigging weight of the D-Dock on my legs. sweet!

Anyone need a D-Dock and X-Tream music sound card in it?

Sounds better on mp3s and stuff but certain elements in certain games might sound weird. Like the P90 in CS:S sounds crazy like double echo or something. Also if you plan on using this with your laptops own speaker as in without headphones or other speakers, then I don't think this is good for you as the driver basically sends the signal to your sound card and it plays it through that. But you will lose the button volume control like the ones on the E1705, that is because you have to set the X-Fi card as the default device and the buttons will only control that. After you enable the laptop speaker output, you cannot change the volume through windows anymore unless you go through the trouble of going into sound properties and changing your original sound device's options. Given, if you want to use this for 5.1 or 7.1 setups then that is fine since you can adjust the volume easily on the speakers itself. It is true that most (as in 99%) games have their own volume. The problem is, that programs like AIM, and stuff still makes a loud noise while your game is turned down. And I would like to hear a noise when I am IM'ed so I usually configure the sound of the orginal onbaord sound 1st and then using this.

This is a pretty confusing thread with all the information being thrown around. I ordered the X-Fi soundcard for my 1720 with the purchase, this is what I have found:

1. It works just fine with Vista on the latest drivers from the Creative website.
2. It has an output jack which glows red, a mic jack on the other side, and a huge connector in the middle which would allow you to attach that adapter for surround sound setups.
3. It sticks out slightly from the side of the laptop
4. When I plug it in I lose the use of the laptop speakers and the built in mic for the webcam. I do not know how to enable the built in mic or the laptop speakers.
5. The playback and volume controls still work for it just fine.

i wuz gonna buy this card. but it doesn't do any hardware processing. and it has creative bloatware garbage.

better to just use the dongle for spdif that came with my lappy.

don't be fooled by this garbage card. i doesn't do HW decoding. it's fake! read the reviews.

it is just as good as the creative software for your e1705 that makes it a sound blaster.

fakery....

I have to disagree it makes a big difference in sound nothing like the creative software upgrade for 20 bucks. Yes it is not as good as my Creative X-FI Xtream music sound card for gaming but it gives you the optinon to hook up in my case Z-5300 5.1 surround sound speakers which is a Huge difference! As for Creative bloatware garbage that has been the case for years now with creative sound cards or any other sound cards for that matter. I have also owned a XPS Gen 2 with the creative soundblaster PCMCIA sound card which was awsome even better then the express slot X-Fi sound card in the gaming department. I also own A D-Dock with a creative X-FI Xtream music sound card for my M 1710 in it which is a decent sound card and can't tell the difference when listining to music between the express slot X-Fi sound card and the X-Fi Xtream music sound card they both sound great (Huge improvement over onboard laptop sound) The only thing the X-Fi express card lacks is in gaming a little but it is still a huge improvement. It is just not as good in the gaming department as the soundblaster PCMCIA laptop sound card which all around performed perfect. But in no way is it not worth the money and it is A drastic improvment! I would sugest to anyone considering the purchase! To buy the express slot sound card without a doubt if you want better sound out of your laptop. You are wrong their is no way even close to the same as the creative software garbage as you call it.

if all you want to hook up is your logitech speakers... then just use the dongle that comes with your XPS.

I have a full 5.1 infinity sound system hooked up to an yamaha full PCM output RXv661 via the coax. and it rocks the shit.

the yamaha takes the signal from the dongle and post-processes it.

i don't need no stinkin expresscard.



and read the reviews of it. they say it sux.

I'm using Bose Quiet Comfort 2 Headset, and Ummm BIG DIFFERNCE USING THIS SOUND CARD. PReviously I was using the Sigmatel Stuff along with the Creative Software and There is a difference that I can hear with my headset.

with bose? lol. ;-+

Finally got some speakers (Z-5300e), working pretty good. Doesn't improve performance but least I can hook them up.

Bose Quiet Comfort 2's are very good headphones. If you've gotta another one that you think is better why don't you post it, instead of sitting there laughing at it. All reviews point to Bose QC 2's as being very good, so I'm not entirely sure why you gotta play "devil's advocate" Or be so damn picky. And NO QC 2's are nothing like their speakers nor should they be compared to their speakers. And obviously they gotta be somewhat good because Creative Labs copied the QC 2's with one of their more recent headphones that were released that cost relatively the same price if not more. But then again I don't understand you at all, you feel that Bose is Bad, and that Creative is Bad so maybe you shouldn't even use a soundcard period. All of those don't seem to meet up to your expectations.... SO maybe you should just design and make your own soundcard and get back to us once you've released it. Personally I just watch and play games and enjoy what I have to pick from. From your posts through out this thread and other threads, you seem to be the kind of individual who always views things as being "Half-Empty" instead of "Half-Full" Which is just a damn shame at the end of the day. Regardless if you have money to buy what-not or whatever. At least I'm enjoying myself.

that's me

good sound card would be as I said.

use the sigmatel and output it to a good amp. done.

my amp is a pulse code modulation with full post processing on board processor.

nothing against your comfort headphones.

btw Watching Transformers on my HDA1 right now. it's awesome!.

only DD 1.5mbit dts but the video quality rocks.

Does anyone have the X-Fi Expresscard connected to their home theater yet via optical out? If so, how does it sound?

Sounds GREAT, I have it sent directly to my television, which then relays it back out to my Home System. I mean it might not be the BEST quality but it sure works, and it's a optical out (The jack glows red).

I think this tread got kinda off track a little and to get it back on for those who are considering this express slot sound card.

It is not even close to the Creative Advanced MB drivers and software upgrade you can purchase during purchaseing your laptop or down the road direct from creative labs.

It is fact a dedicated soundcard for your notebook not just software like the creative advanced MB and software upgrade.

I have owned all the XPS laptops and before this current express slot card I owned the soundblaster PCMCIA notebook

I will say it again their are a few different ways to hook up external sound to a laptop 1 of which you can use the dongle that came with your laptop and also some cheap adaptors.

But for the average user who wants to hook up headphones or 5.1 or 7.1 speakers the Express slot sound card is the best option as it will greatly improve your sound quality.

NOTE: If you want to use 5.1 or 7.1 speakers you will need to purchase the Docking modual separate it's about 30 bucks US.

I am no sound Guru. But I like decent sound and the onboard laptop sound quality for me is unexceptable for listining to Music or gaming.

The Express slot sound card is a huge improvement over onboard laptop sound with or without the creative labs Advanced MB drivers and the software package upgrade. So the 2 can not be compared as the software upgrade is just what it says a software upgrade and the express soundcard is both hardware and a software upgrade.

And the express slot X-Fi Sound card is a long overdue solution for many who want better then onboard laptop sound with or without the Creative Advanced MB software and in my opinion well worth the investment unless you have already figuired out an exceptable alternitive for you weather it is useing the dongle with a receiver or amp which can process.

I will also want to add that the Audigy PCMCIA notebook sound card I feel had added gaming sound features as where the Express slot X-Fi sound card lacks in but is still a huge improvement anyway you look at it and well worth the upgrade.

I also have A D-Dock with A Regular desktop sound card in the PCI slot (creative labs X-FI X-Tream music) And would rather the express slot X-FI sound card rather then the bulk of my D-Dock with the added sound card in the PCI slot of the D-Dock. Which should give you a pretty good Idea that the Express slot sound card by far a all around improvement and well worthy upgrade for those considering it for their laptop that don't have all kinda amps or receivers and would rather not use the audio dongle witch in fact ........I have used it hooking it up to my Panosonic shelf system receiver with Amp & EQ and and I find the express slot sound card by far is A much better choice.

I Hope this helps those who are reading this tread and considering the X-Fi Express slot sound card as a solution. This tread has got off topic and turned into I have this hooked up this way .......and that way and its the way to go and knocking the device when they never heard it in action or have compared it to the alternitive way they have their audio is currently set up at present useing the dongle to other external sources.

Best Wishes im outa here

Does the ExpressCard stick out of the laptop? Or does it go all the way in? I'd like to use it as a mobile solution as well...