The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware M17x R3 + Razer Tiamat 7.1

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by jhubbard92, Feb 10, 2012.

  1. jhubbard92

    jhubbard92 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hello all,

    I was looking at buying the Razer Tiamat 7.1 surround sound headset:

    Features & Tech Specs: Razer Tiamat 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset - Razer | For Gamers. By Gamers.

    Except, since it is true 7.1 - (has x5 3.5mm jacks), it cannot connect directly to the laptop. So I was looking into getting an external 7.1 sound card, so that then I can connect the headset into the external sound card, and from there, use the "S/P DIF" port to connect the sound card to the laptop.

    The only reason I am unsure as to whether it will work is because the headset is "analog" and the Alienware laptop has "Integrated Digital 7.1 Surround Audio Support (via SPDIF or HDMI 1.4)".

    Since I am new to the computer related audio scene I personally would know if this would work or not... does anyone know what the outcome would be and would I get true 7.1 surround sound through the headset?

    Or would anyone be able to suggest anything else?

    Cheers

    Jordan
     
    jhubbard92, Feb 10, 2012
    #1
  2. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    125
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    nayilalien, Feb 10, 2012
    #2
  3. jhubbard92

    jhubbard92 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    @nayilalien

    The Alienware M17x-R3 does have 3.5mm jacks. I can't really sum up what I said in the first post, so have a quick read through to grasp the question ;-D .

    Thanks for posting though :)
     
    jhubbard92, Feb 10, 2012
    #3
  4. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    14,963
    Messages:
    5,671
    Likes Received:
    1,521
    Trophy Points:
    331
    katalin_2003, Feb 10, 2012
    #4
  5. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    125
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    slickdude's post:
    Usb headsets have their own built in soundcards so you don't need an external sound card. You will also be bypassing the default Dell IDT audio with those headsets

    I don't know if they are any good, but digital emulation often sounds better than a mediocre analog sound card

    In general, if you have a mediocre sound card, go with usb headsets and the sound card on the Alienware laptops is mediocre
     
    nayilalien, Feb 10, 2012
    #5
  6. xeroxide

    xeroxide Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    487
    Messages:
    1,390
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    nah the tiamat elites are not usb per-se, they require a usb port and 5 x 3.5mm jacks. (4 for sound and 1 for mic).

    not having high hopes for these myself, my mixamp + hd555's are the best i've found so far. the problem is that with so many sound drivers, the cost of production goes up and with that either the cost of the product skyrockets or the quality plumets. also true 7.1 headphones have been tried by audiophile companies (sony an pioneer) and have had relatively poor success.

    but if you've got your mind set on this, an external soundcard is your only option. problem is finding a decent one.
    also portability will get even lower.
     
    xeroxide, Feb 10, 2012
    #6