crappy sound from laptop

[triska]

got a laptop x31
but i know its sound ssux really badly
any good recommendations on external sound card?
or something less bulky that i can stick in slot?
thanks

 

[AntiEverything]

Headphones?

 

[RobsTV]

Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA card.

 

[corkyg]

Any sound card will be crappy when piped through 1-inch speakers. Like the man said - get good headphones or connect your LINE OUT to a good audio system with good speakers.

 

[RobsTV]

OP stated his sound sucked, not his speakers.
I know exactly what he means.
Sure, laptop speakers do suck, but it is worse with the crap audio most use.
Upgrading to the Audigy 2 ZSN improved audio quality 10 fold.
Now when using headphones or internal 2.1 speakers, it almost sounds like a quality desktop.
Huge improvement.

 

[Crescent13]

How about this?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
OP stated his sound sucked, not his speakers.

All your ears hear are whatever transducers you are using. Then with good transducers, you are in a position to judge the sound's electronic sources. This is an old audiophile dictum that has existed for at least 50 years. When compared to a true audio system, computer sound is not that great, regardless of the source. The best thing you can do is use LINE OUT on whatever source you have (even Audigy) and run it through a true home entertainment sound system.

 

[wizard5233]

I use a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX, which is different from the ZS because it connects via USB. It is pretty good, and supports 7.1 sound. That is my recommendation, I also believe the old 16bit USB Soundblasters are available also.

 

[RobsTV]

The last two solutions listed above make sense for a "tethered desktop", but with a laptop they require the portable laptop to be non-portable. Requires A/C 110v outlet, and is no longer cordless or portable.

For portable laptop solution, need something that uses only what is available with the laptop under battery power otherwise not a complete solution. For that, the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA meets the requirements.

 

[randumb]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
The last two solutions listed above make sense for a "tethered desktop", but with a laptop they require the portable laptop to be non-portable. Requires A/C 110v outlet, and is no longer cordless or portable.

For portable laptop solution, need something that uses only what is available with the laptop under battery power otherwise not a complete solution. For that, the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA meets the requirements.

If you want something better than the Audigy, get an ECHO.