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    High Definition Audio 2.0 Good Enough?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by NoteBooks4Ever, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    Hi, just wanted to ask, but since I just started working at Target, I noticed on my online employee profile, a discounts page. I have an EPP for Dell.com. I am stoked!

    The question I have is there is one Studio 1737 configuration with Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and the ONLY audio option is "High Definition Audio 2.0", this is Dell's default sound. Will this be good enough, or does the Sound Blaster Audigy Software Edition really make that much of a difference in sound?
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Dec 4, 2008
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  2. idq000

    idq000 Notebook Deity

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    I have ordered the High Definition Audio 2.0 on a laptop for my father, and so far it has performed extremely well so far, so the answer to your question is an emphatic YES, it is good enough! No need for the upgrade.
     
    idq000, Dec 4, 2008
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  3. cjcerny

    cjcerny Notebook Consultant

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    In games that support EAX, yes, but there are fewer and fewer of those every day, as Vista intentionally broke all that and you have to work hard to get EAX games to work in Vista. It's not worth it, especially since it is just a software only solution and would only enhance some games' sound.

    If you are an "audiophile", consider getting an external USB DAC and an amp. The HOTUSB1 is a good place to start.
     
    cjcerny, Dec 4, 2008
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  4. mgh_a1

    mgh_a1 Notebook Evangelist

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    I am a bit of an audiophile. I had an X-Fi in my desktop, and I have sigmatel in my laptop. Jumping back and forth I can say honestly, that there is a difference, but to my surprise, I sort of preferred the sigmatel. There is plenty of power to drive a set of headphones, and the quality seems to be right up there-lots of detail and minimal / unoticeable noise. It also seemed to have a more relaxed feel to it with my ordinary "thick" sounding sennheiser headphones. I tried switching a lot of the x-fi's "enhancements" on and off and cranking it up to see if I could find a better punchiness or detail . . . my ears could not really. And yet I know there was a slight difference.

    I'm not sure that I would bother with an X-Fi in the future, as there are some onboard chipsets that certainly compare as I am discovering. I also despise creatives lack of driver support.

    Get a good set of headphones and enjoy the tunes!
     
    mgh_a1, Dec 4, 2008
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