M17x R3: SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio (Optional)?

with the seemingly imminent launch of the M11x R3/M14x R1/M18x R1 systems, each appear to include the option for "SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio". any information as to when/if this will become available as an option for the just recently released M17x R3, and if the already shipped systems would be upgradeable?

 

From what I understand, the "SoundBlaster X-Fi MB" option is just a software that Dell pre-installs on the laptops. Think of it as a glorified equalizer, with some added features, packed into a program that Creative calls the "SoundBlaster X-Fi MB". Even though it's just a software, it would be nice to have that option on the R3.

However, what you should be more concerned about is the Waves MAXXAudio 3 functionality that the M11xR3, M14x, and M18x is supposedly going to be offering. The Waves MAXXAudio 3 (which is already offered on the XPS15/17) seems to be an upgraded audio controller. At the moment, the stock audio controller for the R3 is powered by IDT which, according to many reviews, produces crappy sounding audio.

I'm kind of irked that I already made my R3 purchase last week, but if they do start offering either of those options, I might be tempted to call my rep back and have him update my order with those options. But honestly, I'm not counting on Dell updating the M17x R3 with those audio features.

Edit: And what's strange to me is that not many people, at least on these forums, seem to be concerned with the audio coming from their laptops that they spent $2000+ purchasing. Maybe it's because audio performance isn't as "quantifiable" as GPU/CPU performance is. But for me, one major criteria I have is that music and movies must sound good. Perhaps if enough people started demanding it, high-end laptop audio technologies (which seems to be eons behind GPU/CPU technology) will start to be offered as a standard.

 

X-Fi USB.

 

The point of a "performance" laptop is that it's supposed to be an all-in-one, especially for a full-size Alienware 17" desktop replacement, where we're already paying a sizable amount of money for it

Sure, we can carry around an external X-Fi USB sound card, along with an external video card, external CD-drive, external display, and an external hard drive... but that defeats the purpose of the laptop no? And who wants to carry around that many external components anyways?

I can understand if it were a netbook or something small like the Macbook Air where portability outweighs performance. But c'mon... a 10lb Alienware notebook. What's another 1 ounce of weight by adding a quality DAC/amp/audio controller?

 

besides the "SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio (Optional)" software not yet being available, they seem to be slacking on the M17x R3 site again as the "WavesMAXX Audio (Standard)" isn't listed either, even though it is (Standard)...

 

Is the WavesMAXX Audio really standard? I talked with someone earlier, and they said their M17xR3 didn't have WavesMAXX Audio.

However, I know that Dell released a new audio driver recently, and apparently someone else said once you install it, the IDT control panel + WavesMAXX Audio disappears. Can you confirm?

 

How is the sound on the M17x? My macbook pro and Macbook Air have crappy speakers to say the least...

 

Above average. Not as good as new MSI GX or GT series (they are pretty much the best) but much better than overpriced mac.

 

USB Xfi options (all but 1 model) are all software solutions as well. There is no hardware there. So what you are getting with a USB stick or this software (X-Fi MB) is somewhat similar.

However the most compelling sound features are not well supported under Vista/Win 7. They have MORE software to essentially turn it backwards compatible, but software writers these days are writing for Win 7 environments, or compatible to that, and there isn't going to be much use for Soundblaster effects going forward.

So my suggestion is not to bog your system down with layers of software all designed to recreate an "old" sound standard and instead enjoy what is a decent quality DAC that is already built into your machine. The focus now is on S/N ratios (better quality audio chips) and those don't have to come from Creative, that's for sure, and on better speaker systems (which is hard at a notebook size factor).

I've had the software solution and ultimately I got rid of it. Too many bugs crept into gaming in weird places to bother with it. When I installed Win 7, Creative wanted another 29.99 to relicense the software I'd already bought, which isn't a big deal, but I decided to pass. I still have a X-fi in the desktop Win 7 environment, but it's not that big of a deal honestly.

Moreover, in the R3 and M18x you have SPDIF, which now means your signal is entirely digital, so many of the sound quality issues are bypassed, making even less of a reason to want anything more than what comes built in.

All in all, with a "been there tried that" attitude and a wealth of very good speaker systems hooked up to my various PC's I'd say move forward, use Win 7 built in sound and surround routines, and if you truly desire highER qualtiy sound, go with a USB and custom DAC speaker like the B&W speakers or something similar or use a SPDIF out and you'll get very high quality sound without putting additional 3rd party stuff onto your notebook.

 

according to 5150Joker, it does include WavesMAXX Audio:

YouTube - Alienware M17x-R3 Sound Test

agreed. at first thought the "SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio" was perhaps a new hardware offering, so now with confirmation of it simply being the software solution (little detail of "MB" missing at the end of the product description at the alienware site...) renders it almost moot, especially with Z-5500's awaiting connection to spdif...

 

Thanks for the detailed insight into how everything works

The only reason I was a little bit bummed that the R3 doesn't include any added audio functionality is because I bought a X-Fi Titanium sound card for my desktop before, and it made my headphones sound 10x better (using the X-Fi Crystalizer feature) compared to onboard audio. Perhaps the Creative sound card used features that "artificialized" the sound, but it did extend the dynamics of my headphones quite a bit.

I think I'm just concerned that the audio going to my headphones from my R3 is going to sound flat and "boring". I could end up buying a portable DAC/amp combo, but that's just more weight to carry.

 

Small USB DAC's aren't all that big/heavy nor that pricey either.

And I do understand if someone says "yeah, I hear you but I want it anyway". Understood on that factor. Just trying to offer what I found out using my $$ in case it helps you save yours

As far as the desktop chips go, you will find some analog difference between X-fi and onboard (depending on just how good the onboard is of course). Is it strong? Depends, but generally not that much. However, it's when you use a digital out that all that goes away.

If you need a headphone option that doesn't use analog, and thus the onboard sound's weakpoint, you could try the Corsair headphones (as an example) that connect via USB and have their own DAC. Again, like SPDIF, bypassing the weaker (and that is weaker, not poor) DAC of the onboard sound chips, you can once again increase your audio quality. There are other similar solutions.

Again, just ideas and some things I found out along the way. It's not like these things are nearly as pricey as the very old days of Soundblaster.

 

I'll most likely go with an external USB DAC/amp combo in the future then, since purchasing USB headphones isn't a viable option for me, as I've already invested quite a bit on different pairs of headphones (Ultrasone HFI-780, Sennheiser HD595). I just want to get the most out of those headphones, and after thinking it about it some more, a dedicated DAC/amp would probably eek out more juice than an X-Fi software would.

I just wish the Alienwares had some more dedicated audio equipment built into the notebook itself, like how the new HP Envy series comes with Beats Audio technology.

 

I had an X-Fi Go! Pro for a week and sent it back. On my M17x R2, which had always been rock-solid before, it made me lock up and BSOD all the time. After I uninstalled it the machine went back to its usual stability.

 

How can I install X-Fi MB on my m17x r3??