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best 5.1 surround (6 channel) laptop option

post #1 of 26
3/9/05 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
i have the logitech 5300 speakers. they are great, but i can't get full benefits of this sick system. there are 3 output plugs (to go into pc soundcard), it requires a 6-channel sound card. what's the best option for a laptop? i can't get a pc card adapter because that's for my wireless card. usb, maybe?
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post #2 of 26
3/9/05 at 9:48pm
The creative audigy nx usb 2.0 will work great (or so I've heard).

http://www.creative.com/products/pro...4&product=9103

you can pick it up at newegg here for $85 USD:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-167&depa=0
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post #3 of 26
3/10/05 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
thanks alot, man. that's what i was looking at today, and i think it's the best option.
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post #4 of 26
3/16/05 at 8:53pm
the best option really is to have SPDIF optical out and that going to your home reciever
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post #5 of 26
3/17/05 at 8:46pm
the 17 inch apple powerbook has a 5.1 sound card in build with 24 bit audio.
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post #6 of 26
3/18/05 at 6:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobx2001
the 17 inch apple powerbook has a 5.1 sound card in build with 24 bit audio.
It's also an apple ...
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post #7 of 26
3/24/05 at 12:53pm
I've been looking into this as well because I may be interested in using my laptop (when I pick one and buy it) as a media center. There are a few with an s/pdif output (the best option for 5.1 surround), but not many. I came across a product by Turtle Beach which seems perfect and is cheap ($30). It essentialy is a small usb adapter that gives you pass thru optical s/pdif. Here is the link:

http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/prod...udioadvantage/
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post #8 of 26
5/2/05 at 10:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by confinoj
I've been looking into this as well because I may be interested in using my laptop (when I pick one and buy it) as a media center. There are a few with an s/pdif output (the best option for 5.1 surround), but not many. I came across a product by Turtle Beach which seems perfect and is cheap ($30). It essentialy is a small usb adapter that gives you pass thru optical s/pdif. Here is the link:

http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/prod...udioadvantage/
Did you wind up getting the Audio Advantage Micro? It looks like a neat and inexpensive gizmo to provide better sound quality on a notebook - if it works as advertised.
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post #9 of 26
7/1/05 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by confinoj
I've been looking into this as well because I may be interested in using my laptop (when I pick one and buy it) as a media center. There are a few with an s/pdif output (the best option for 5.1 surround), but not many. I came across a product by Turtle Beach which seems perfect and is cheap ($30). It essentialy is a small usb adapter that gives you pass thru optical s/pdif. Here is the link:

http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/prod...udioadvantage/
This will really really fix any laptop audio problem out there.
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post #10 of 26
7/1/05 at 8:30am
Actually I picked one of these up and did not notice any improvement over the internal sound card - so returned it. I also think it caused more CPU overhead due to the USB communications.
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post #11 of 26
7/1/05 at 11:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
Actually I picked one of these up and did not notice any improvement over the internal sound card - so returned it. I also think it caused more CPU overhead due to the USB communications.
Really? I notice a big difference on my 6000. I used to have a hiss in my headphones and now its gone. Now the bass sounds cleaner and overall, much better output.
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post #12 of 26
7/1/05 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neoufo51
Really? I notice a big difference on my 6000. I used to have a hiss in my headphones and now its gone. Now the bass sounds cleaner and overall, much better output.
Interesting. Perhaps the XPS GEN 2 has better internal sound or perhaps there was a slight issue with the sound card in your particular configuration.
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post #13 of 26
7/1/05 at 3:52pm
try the audigy 2 zs notebook card, the pcmcia one. its more compact than the NX and doesnt have USB overhead. it fits right into ur laptop too if u have a pcmcia slot, and imo the NX looks ugly as hell.
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post #14 of 26
7/2/05 at 2:04am
I use the Audigy 2nx. No complaints. Does what I expect it to do for games and DVD-Audio 5.1 encoded music. I use it in conjuction with the Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 speakers for surround/games/DVDs and Sony SA1000 headphones for stereo music.

I havent noticed any issues with USB overhead and honestly...in this day and age...with the USB2.0 drivers...if you complain about USB overhead then it is time to revamp your system.
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post #15 of 26
7/2/05 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
Interesting. Perhaps the XPS GEN 2 has better internal sound or perhaps there was a slight issue with the sound card in your particular configuration.
The Inspiron 6000 has an issue with a low level hiss that has been discussed to death in the Dell Centrino section. I'm just glad I was finally able to get crystal clear output from my laptop.
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post #16 of 26
7/2/05 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsferrari
I havent noticed any issues with USB overhead and honestly...in this day and age...with the USB2.0 drivers...if you complain about USB overhead then it is time to revamp your system.
Actually I don't think I fully agree with this assesment. The USB architecture - 2.0 or otherwise - relies on CPU cycles to make it work (much more than Firewire for example). Since sound is constantly being produced in most games - there would be constant extra CPU utilization going on that in a non-USB sound card solution simply would not exist.

So all things being equal - it would be logical to use a non-USB sound card solution when possible - regardless of the notebook/desktop you own. I am not saying there is no room for a USB sound card solution – as there are certainly valid reasons to go that route i.e. ease of moving between different computers and ease of hooking up (one less cord going to your notebook since the USB sound card could plug into a USB port replicator). I am still considering getting a USB solution since it would eliminate an extra cord going to my notebook which makes it more convenient to unhook from my home configuration. However there IS a performance hit involved that some people may not be comfortable with.
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post #17 of 26
7/2/05 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
Actually I don't think I fully agree with this assesment. The USB architecture - 2.0 or otherwise - relies on CPU cycles to make it work (much more than Firewire for example). Since sound is constantly being produced in most games - there would be constant extra CPU utilization going on that in a non-USB sound card solution simply would not exist.
Agreed, which would be why a number of the higher end solutions employ a firewire variant (either 1394a or 1394b).

Most of the solutions mentioned thus far would be considered average consumer grade, and not "best" per se.
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post #18 of 26
7/2/05 at 5:14pm
The best 5.1 surround sound option you can get for a laptop is a 6 speaker 5.1 channel surround headphones bcuz of its mobility and close range clarity. Do an ebay search and you will find some good options. I got mine which originally retail for over a hundred dollars for $40 bucks. Its a usb connection and the sound is crystal clear and deeply immersive. Mine is made by Mentor and is a 5.1 setup. Hope this helps!
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post #19 of 26
7/6/05 at 1:39pm
Dont want to rain on your party but 6 driver headphones are hardly surround sound. Look at it from a "practical" point of view. Having 4 speakers, 2 on each side of your head in line with the ear, ,and a subwoofer+center channel in front - IS NOT SURROUND SOUND. It is all about spatialization and the interaction of sound with your physical "attributes" like your ear canal, outer ear, head shape etc.

6 drivers at close range to the ear is not surround sound. It is merely confused and conflicting stereo sound.

None of the 5.1 headphones (so called surround headphones) have done a passable job. I have always reverted to common stereo headphones.

Save your money and invest it in a good 5.1 speaker system for best results...or stick with stereo headphones and an external processor.
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post #20 of 26
7/6/05 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
Actually I don't think I fully agree with this assesment. The USB architecture - 2.0 or otherwise - relies on CPU cycles to make it work (much more than Firewire for example). Since sound is constantly being produced in most games - there would be constant extra CPU utilization going on that in a non-USB sound card solution simply would not exist
Exactly...what exactly are you not in agreement with? With the current processors that have superb performance overhead capacity - USB related cpu cycle usage is the least of your worries.

Try it...play a game with a USB sound card on a decent gaming PC and then try it with a PCI or Firewire card...

And Firewire is overrated...
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