Recommendation for External sound card (5.1)

Hello,

I bought a 5.1 speaker (logitech x-540) but my laptop can only support 2.1
I know that there are couple external USB sound card that supports 5.1 Are they worth it?

Thank you,

 

If you have an expresscard slot, I recommend the Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook ( I know it's a mouthfull. ) with the external 7.1 adapter.
Linky.
Under accessories and companions (middle left of page), you will find the surround sound upgrade kit.

 

Holy thread necro.

Sucks the thing isn't in stock ANYWHERE though.

 

Also take a look at USB X-Fi Surround 5.1 and Turtle Beach Audio Advantage SRM.

 

What about $70 to $100? I would say sure. It will give you better sound if important to you. It will use your CPU to handle the load. But for notebooks no other options. Sadly not desktop cards with built in processors but so be it. Of these weak products (vs desktops) talin's suggestion is a good one. But PhoenixFx suggestion is also good as all you want is 5.1 and if in stock?

I so much wish better sound card options were offered. I would sacrifice some video for sound. I have been waiting 8 years think it may never happen.

 

Are you sure that 5.1 X-Fi USB/Expresscard series don't have a dedicated hardware processor (like the desktop counterparts) ? I mean the price is almost same and there is plenty of space in those cards (at least in the USB version) to have a dedicated chip.

I know that not all of them : like the X-Fi Go (2.1) doesn't have a dedicate processor, because I have one. But for others especially the 5.1, I assumed they did, mostly because of the size and price.

 

I am not "sure" I could be wrong on that. But with 8 years of keeping my ear to the ground. I think I would of heard. So I don't know. Easy enough to find out with some time. I don't have tonight but will take a look later.

But sadly I suspect nothing has happened in the last 6 months. I will also tell you they do talk about "chips" but they still need the notebook CPU do the crunching?

I would like to be wrong but do not think I am.

 

I think people shouldn't recommend anything from creative. Anyway I have the turtle beach external sound card. Runs great sounds nice. No driver problems like in creative.

 

100% sure that the Expresscard ones doesnt. Not sure about the newer USB one though.

 

If I were you, I would grab a DJ Quality soundcard!

Presonus Firebox Mid-High end

Numark DJ IO Entry Level

Both are much more powerful then the creative's listed previously although may take a bit of effort to get them up and running with your current speakers. Wiring etc.