Sound Card for Notebook

[gagster]

Hello friends.
I just got myself a sony vaio VPCEB16FG which has onboard realtek hd audio.
While, every other thing is great, I am not impressed with the Sound Coming out of speakers.
It is tinny.
Nor I am impressed with the kind of sound my Logitech Z2300 is producing which are hooked with the laptop.
I am considering one xpress card Sound card and one usb xfi solution both from creative.
Any suggestions asa to the amount of improvemennt that will be there if i get any of thosse sound cards will be valuable.
Also, if i use the xpress card solution, will it improve the sound coming out of inbuilt speakers?
Thanks...........

 

[corkyg]

The added card will not produce any noticeable sound quality on the built in speakers. Try some good headphones - a much better laptop solution (travel, portability, etc.) than externals. You can also try patching it to a real external sound system (not computer speakers!)

And, take a look at some of the USB external sound modules. If you can find an Audigy NX, it would be a solid choice.

 

[gagster]

well,i live in india, and that peice of hardware is not available over here.
do u have any hands on experience of x fi xpress card from creative?

 

[JohnnyTech]

The added card will not produce any noticeable sound quality on the built in speakers. Try some good headphones - a much better laptop solution (travel, portability, etc.) than externals. You can also try patching it to a real external sound system (not computer speakers!)

And, take a look at some of the USB external sound modules. If you can find an Audigy NX, it would be a solid choice.

I have to agree with you. It's best to get a good set of headphones, considering it's a stronger solution for laptops. I haven't had the experience of replacing a sound card on a laptop and whether or not the work is justified by the improvement in sound. Good luck, though.

 

[corkyg]

well,i live in india, and that peice of hardware is not available over here.
do u have any hands on experience of x fi xpress card from creative?

Ihave used (and still have) the Creative Audigy 2NX USB external module. I think you are referring to this one:

http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Notebook/M/B001BS3A3E.htm

The successor to my 2NX is this one:

http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Go/M/B002651ZNI.htm#wbaCustomersReviewsWidget

It costs less than the Express card and is more flexible - can be used on any computer with a USB port.