On SoundBlaster Recon3d Device/Software

I'm no audiophile so I know next to nothing about sound card and audio configurations.

Can anyone here help me understand the importance/advantage of having this device/software?

Also is it a device or a software or both? I have the software installed on my m17xr4, does it mean I have the device/hardware installed on my laptop?

Also, by common sense, I know having this sound card provides a "good" quality audio compared to those that have no soundcards at all, but does it still provide a better sound quality if I am using my cheap iphone earplugs? or it is dependent to the built-in speakers of my m17x?

I am kind of curious about gaming headsets right now, the surround sound and all, and how it relates to the SoundBlaster.

Can anyone help me understand all this?

 

Personally I don't like the software... I don't see any difference it's just a bother. Annoying equalizer settings, volume issues, etc...

I wish I could just plug my speakers in and play music, and have the volume buttons work at proper increments... but no, the bass is too high and you can't hear the treble that could and ugh it's all just a mess.

If you want to take the time to fine tune the settings I'm sure you can have a great experience. But all I want is volume buttons and no hassle when I plug external speakers in..

 

It's nice to tune the settings what Leovainio said.
What i would do, try with and try without.
then make a decision, it depends on you.

 

The device is required for high-quality sound, without it all your machine would be able to do is 'beep'. Edit: not strictly correct as you can get 'soft' sound devices but I've never come across it.

It is both. You have a soundblaster recon3Di sound chip on the motherboard and software to 'tweek' it. The software is not strictly needed but for me I like it

The sound quality is will be directly related to the quality of the speakers/headphones but without a good sound card you can not get good sound.

If you want surround headphones then you'll want to look at those that offer Dolby Headphone. They will be connected via a USB port and have their own sound chip and controlling software - so you install a driver for it as well as your on-board sound chip. Switching will be transparent, when you plug them in it will switch.

I went for these, the sound is great and the Dolby surround actually works (for me!): Vengeance® 1500 Dolby 7.1 USB Gaming Headset
I have seen surround headphones that have the mulitple jacks to connect to the existing soundblaster speaker jacks but rare and expensive if I remember correctly.

For gaming headsets, they will just plug into the speaker jack and mic and use the on-board sound chip.

For surround speakers you have the option of connecting the speakers directly to the jacks or using an external surround system.

HTH

 

Yeah Mickey, I was gonna say there, the R4's have a Recon3D i, right? Big difference since the chip is installed on the motherboard vs the regular Recon3D which I have that connects to the system via USB. PS: I tried that Vengeance headset. It..was..AWESOME. But I can't deal with anymore wired headsets. The cord keeps ending up tied into a punjab lasso around my neck.

OP, in common speak, the Sound Blaster in your R4 is your sound card. All computers have one. The R4 just happens to have decent name brand sound card. This gives the potential for your notebook to process and output surround sound and makes the sound coming out of your headset sound better. As a device all's that required for it to run is the driver files.

Creative (the company that makes Sound Blaster) has a whole control panel and extra stuff that can be used to mess with the audio to fine tune it towards different applications (such as strictly movies, or a specific genre of music) or so a high end headset or external speaker system will sound crisper and clearer. But all that extra stuff is for users who know and want to mess with those settings. If you don't want to mess with any of that software, you don't have to.

As far as your iPhone earplugs go, the sound blaster may make them sound better, then again it may not. Obviously the quality of the sound output depends on the audio processor (sound card) and the speakers/headphones which are playing the sound. Mickey gave a good run down of the better virtual surround sound headsets so I suggest you read thru his reply and follow up with searching for more of those headsets on Google. There are lots to choose from with lots of options.

 

LOL. The lead is a little long:

Didn't think there was any difference with the chip for recon3d i as opposed to external recon3d SB units (the 'i' just standing for 'integrated'?), but it might well have a different feature set for MB installation?

 

I finish work in 30 mins MickyD that pic, for whatever reason, got me excited to get home and get on my M17x xD

 

Too funny Like showing a new mum a baby picture

 

I know right? I tend to fall asleep watching movies and I toss and turn in my sleep. So if I have wired headphones I always get the lead wrapped around my neck. Too many wake ups from strangling by headphones made me switch to the wireless variety.

They're almost identical. Right down to the control panel (the SB CP is the same for both). But the R4's Recon3Di has an S/PDIF output whereas the USB Recon3D has an S/PDIF input. That's the only difference I've found.

 

I tend to fall asleep with my laptop on the bed (my previous Macbook), and I have kicked it off my pretty high bed maaany times... Hence I will never sleep with my M17x on my bed

 

Well, my R2 stays on my bed at all times. I have too much stuff on my desk (and no chair for it). Plus its nicer to lay here and watch movies on my HDTV using my R2 that to leave it on a desk.

 

thanks guys for clearing that up.

Also, I read somewhere in headfi.org that headphones + external mic is better because, the sound quality of headphones are better than the headsets.

 

That was the case when gaming headsets with mic first appeared but you get what you pay for. Those corsair I linked you to are 'gaming' with mic, but the sound quality is superb. If your looking for top quality sound then the more expensive headphones sold for audiophiles are the way to go. Try to check out reviews on any you see that are in your price range

 

Gaming headsets SUCK... they SUCK SUCK SUCK ! Get a Nokia phone from 2003 and it'll have more bass than gaming headsets -.-

The sound quality is absolutely horrible compared to legit headphones, I guess there's just something about those gaming headsets that make footsteps and such more clear. But if you want the most beautiful Hi-def sound, get proper headphones and then figure out the microphone.

I HIGHLY recommend the Sony XB500 headphones, they feel like heaven.. the cushioning is beautiful... The most bass and best sound quality I have EVER heard in my life from headphones. In fact my first ones were so good, I bought them again, and just recently again (no they dont break, they're great quality I just lost mine) they are very cheap tho IMO great value

 

Not always the case with the higher end sets. These are sold as a gaming headset ( Vengeance® 1500 Dolby 7.1 USB Gaming Headset) but everyone I have read that has tried them thought the same as me - fantastic sound. And there is actually a way to make 5.1/7.1 work on a headphone, the Dolby headphone is a sweet technology

Spend some decent cash and you'll generally get a good sound but everyone's ears are different!

 

I understand that they can have great sound and all that technology.

But people say that about the Dr. Dre Beats headphones, which SUCK compared to the Sony XB-500's. A lot of people find the Beats to have amazing sound quality and bass, but they do not even compared to the XB-500's

So it's probably the same with those, not doubting that they are incredible, but I just gotta say... Buying the XB-500's changed my life... wow.

 

One thing I did see when I was checking out headphones was that you need at least a 50mm driver for decent bass response. Most have 40mm which is where they fall down.

If these go on me I'll check those Sony out - I never use the mic anyway, I just wanted to check out positional audio, the improved sound quality was a bonus ( I was using the AW headset before as I got it free )

 

Well what you saw was incorrect it doesn't always depend on the size of the driver. The XB500's have 40mm drivers for example, but they are BY FAR the best quality bass I've ever heard on headphones. The beautiful soft ear cushions just vibrate to the bass and it feels like there's a club on your head.

Just..................... just try them out xD You will be very impressed. I don't know what kind of music you like, but full volume house, electro, dubstep... are incredible on those

 

Will do when I have some spare cash. I was working from a thread somewhere on NBR by a guy that had personally tested a whole bunch of headphones and gave great info on the comparisons. Sounded like a real audiophile so I went with his best cost/sound recommendation. Of course can't find it now

I only listen to music occasionally (old rocker!), more interested in great gaming sound and love the way that in some games I CAN tell there is someone behind me