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    ASUS G73SW (FHD version) with 5.1 surround sound

    Discussion in 'ASUS Gaming Notebook Forum' started by AndrewA4, Jun 21, 2011.

  1. AndrewA4

    AndrewA4 Newbie

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    I have been browsing the forums recently inquiring the use of 5.1 surround sound on my laptop, the ASUS G73SW.

    I own a very nice pair of mid range Logitech 5.1 speakers, Logitech G51 gaming speakers. Now, if you are not aware, the speakers have a function called "matrix" mode. this allows a 2.1 input to be converted into 5.1 surround. furthermore, it is not "true" surround sound because the back speakers only really play an echo of whatever music i am playing through the laptop (whether it gaming or youtube) or iphone.

    The laptop does NOT have multiple audio outputs, it only has:
    1x Microphone-in jack; 1x Headphone-out jack; 1x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert; 1x VGA Port (D-Sub); 1x HDMI.

    So pretty much i need something that will fit into one of the ports above or into a USB. (3.0 or 2.0 it doesnt make any difference)

    My question is quite simple, how can i utilse the full potential of my speakers through my laptop? I have no budget, but cheaper is usually better :p I have researched into external sound cards etc and have found nothing that has successfully tackled the issue.

    Good luck and i hope to hear back from someone soon! :)
     
    AndrewA4, Jun 21, 2011
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  2. IgnisDR

    IgnisDR Notebook Geek

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    Did you try Sound Blaster X-FI USB 5.1 ? : P i have it, its great sound card ; ] (but i use it with 2.0 creative T40 speakers)
     
    IgnisDR, Jun 21, 2011
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  3. AndrewA4

    AndrewA4 Newbie

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    Ahh I googled the name and I had already seen it a couple times. It looked good until i saw the picture from the back of it, it doesn't look like it is compatible with 5.1 surround. I have 5 cables that will need to plug into the respective ports, back speakers, front two (combined in one cable) bass and centre speaker however the device doesn't look like it can hold all of them.

    Any confirmation there?

    Additionally, the reviews with 5.1 surround aren't amazing, I am running a 64bit windows 7 premium and everything i've heard about this product has resulted in someone complaining about audio lag..

    I am a little unsure, have you ever tried it with 5.1 surround?

    If you take a quick peek at these pictures, all my connectors are aux jacks, i am unsure of their correct names but they are the same output cable size as your ipod headphones.
    iXBT Labs - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    I also have a funny feeling i will have to buy different cables for my speakers for it to be compatible
    Logitech G51 Review (Page 2 of 3) | APH Networks
    if you look there it gives you a good idea about the output cables.
     
    AndrewA4, Jun 21, 2011
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  4. IgnisDR

    IgnisDR Notebook Geek

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    There is no sound lag on windows 7 64bit. (on 2.0) even when I have the card connected by a hub.
    As far as i know 5.1 work only through optical out...

    I have not tried it with 5.1 speakers, I just prefer 2.0/2.1 for music and games :)

    I hope that my English is understandable ; )
     
    IgnisDR, Jun 21, 2011
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  5. Chastity

    Chastity Company Representative

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    Chastity, Jun 21, 2011
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  6. IgnisDR

    IgnisDR Notebook Geek

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    We are talking about it........
     
    IgnisDR, Jun 21, 2011
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  7. AndrewA4

    AndrewA4 Newbie

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    hmmmm, i was really hoping for someone who had tested it.. As far as everything has gone, it should work well.

    I guess i'll have to find it in a store rather then online so i can take it back :p
    thank you very much for your help :)
     
    AndrewA4, Jun 26, 2011
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  8. Chastity

    Chastity Company Representative

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    What is there to test out? On one side it has the 3 mini-stereo ports for 5.1 analog output, which is exactly what you are looking for. It's the same configuration as a regular soundcard.

    The other panel inludes dual RCA jacks for front line-out, plus a toslink port for digital SPDIF, and ports for recording.
     
    Chastity, Jun 26, 2011
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  9. ValkerieFire

    ValkerieFire God Follower

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    It works fine, I bought one and tried it for awhile. It will conflict with the X-Fi motherboard software, so you'll have to uninstall that. Otherwise it works perfectly. The only con is that it is a huge tangle of wires, but if your laptop is in a semi-permanent location, you could tuck them away under the desk. I returned it because it wasn't very portable due to all the wires.
     
    ValkerieFire, Jun 26, 2011
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  10. IgnisDR

    IgnisDR Notebook Geek

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    i have it on edge of the desk : ) looks nice ^^
     
    IgnisDR, Jun 26, 2011
    #10