[Jay Chou]

so if you're a laptop user, how can you enrich the sound experience?
i want to be able to listen to great and clear music.....yeah.

i already have a 2.1 stereo speakers, so i don't want to change that.
but i can install either a external sound card like "audigy 2 zs notebook" or get the "creative Xmod"
which one do you guys recommend?

btw are there any software that can enhance sounds experience?
i've heard about the "Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition" from dell, but i didn't choose this configuration for my new laptop.

[DaRkViEt73]

In my opinion, take whatever amount of money you want to spend on a soundcard for your notebook.... and instead put all that money into some really high-end headphones like the benchmark Shures or other brands. You'll get more return on your money than buying a 24-bit Audigy card. Afterall, you can have the best soundcard but it'll still sound like crap if you don't have the speakers or headphones that can actually take advantage of the extra fidelity.

In answer to your question, however... I'm unfamiliar with the xmod but I do have the Audigy 2 for my DESKTOP and it's adequate for my needs. I would imagine the notebook version would be clean too since the SNR (signal to noise ratio) is above 100db and the stereo separation is decent.

As far as programs that enhance sound... you can try some, but I've been flat-out against anything that changes the original sound because they've ALL so far made music sound overly processed. Don't bother, that's my advice.

[DKYang]

btw are there any software that can enhance sounds experience?
i've heard about the "Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition" from dell, but i didn't choose this configuration for my new laptop.

Did you look for it on your laptop? I ask because I got mine in August and I didn't order the Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition, but got it anyways and found it while I was uninstalling bunch of useless softwares.

[Dachink]

Echo Indigo DJ
http://www.amazon.com/Echo-INDDJ-Indigo-DJ/dp/B0002GY5U8

Best way to get high quality sound without going the USB DAC route.

[mori]

In my opinion, take whatever amount of money you want to spend on a soundcard for your notebook.... and instead put all that money into some really high-end headphones like the benchmark Shures or other brands.

man - really 'high-end' headphones on a laptop? that's gonna sound really baaddd unless u like really sharp sounds that'd bleed ur ears?

as for the thread question, i dunno. laptop soundcards incl. their speaker all sound terrible to me. find what's a good replaceable soundcard, either that buy an mbox with dynaudio speakers =P

[DaRkViEt73]

man - really 'high-end' headphones on a laptop? that's gonna sound really baaddd unless u like really sharp sounds that'd bleed ur ears?

dunno what laptops you've tested yourself but the ones I've listened to don't get anywhere close to sounding bright at all. If anything, they lack fullness and punch just like all those cheap car audio headunits alot of people buy. In one word, they suck.

Hmmm... in retrospect, maybe you SHOULD try getting that Audigy soundcard first and see how it sounds on your current speakers/headphones (assuming you don't have something really crappy). And if you don't like the sound, make good use of that return policy!

[awdark]

Quick question. Are those 2.1 speakers internal or external?

[Jay Chou]

Quick question. Are those 2.1 speakers internal or external?

external of course.
i have creative inspire t3000....just a set of mid-priced speakers.

i don't know if creative audigy 2 or the Xmod is better....

[the.elephant]

i found these and they look nice

http://www.usbgeek.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=0587

i just read ur post again, so you already have good speakers i guess

[awdark]

Not necessarily of course, I have read of laptops with a little sub in them (90% sure of it)

Well, get the audigy 2. The xmod although my friend thought was an improvement of the sound would only act as a filter. So if you get a dedicated sound card it would be better since it would do the processing rather than filtering out the poor sound from the laptop itself.