Soundcard on P-6860FX?

Does anyone know if it is a "5.1 surround sound" sound card?

I'm thinking about buying a new headset/headphones and some of them say you need a good 5.1 capable card.

Thanks

 

if what is?

as far as i know if you want 5.1 youll need the creative xtreme audio express card and youll have to buy the 'dongle' which is seperate which allows you to hook up 5.1/7.1 to the express card

 

heh heh... Dongle.

 

the creativ x-fi card can slip into your expresscard slot, but it isn't worth the 80 dollars. If anyone manages to find one for under 60, grab it.

 

Both the analog output and optical digital output of this laptop are 2-channel. If you want 5.1 surround, you have a few options:

1. Buy a surround sound speaker system like the Logitech system that connects to the digital output of the laptop via the optical output hidden in the analog out connector.
2. Connect to your surround sound entertainment system via the optical output.

Both of these options rely on the decoder built into the external equipment to convert from 2-channel to true 5.1 surround.

3. Buy an ExpressCard that supports analog connections to surround sound speakers/headphones.
4. An external USB box of some type. {edit} Forgot about USB devices...

If you are staying in a fixed location, the first two options would be best.

There is also the HDMI connector. I haven't fully explored this, but it works fine connected to my HDTV and through that to my surround receiver.

 

Thanks for the information.

I was trying to decide between getting the Medusa 5.1 headset and Audio Technica ATH-AD700's. From reading on head-fi it seems that 5.1 headphones are way overrated, so I think I'm going to get the ATH-AD700's.

To kind of rephrase my question; will the sound card on the 6860fx be adequate for quality headphones like these?

 

i have the 7805u and the onboard sound is not very good. well its ok but not great. i purchased a xfi notebook (wireless one) and that was great card for 2 channel audio like headphones but i already have a 5.1 headset so i needed something that could output 5.1 through optical or analog. thats when i bought the xfi surround 5.1 external usb. this is a great card i love it and it was kinda cheap. as for the xfi notebook im not sure what ill do with it.(probably just store it in the closet or something)

so to answer your question if your onboard is anything like the on boaard on my 7805 then no. quality headphones will make that onboard sound even worse because the headphones will bring out the flaws.

 

For another option, I am using the turtle beach audio advantage SRM usb sound card with my razer barracuda head phones, and the sound is absolutely amazing. I had the older creative white xfi express card, however standard 2 channel head phones sounded much better with the turtle beach card.

 

Hey,
regarding this issue, is there any simple and cheap device/way to have another Line out (2) to another set of stereo speakers I have? I dont want to pay more money for an X-Fi Express Card if I cant have another extra Line Out option unless their desktop pci cards, help?

 

how abought something like this?... '
i use one similar since i have a set of 5.1 speakers(they used to be for my desktop)... so the rear speakers are just another L/R

 

FPS Sean - Can't you just use a headphone splitter?

 

OR, if you have a 6 series gateway, you can get bluetooth enabled speakers!

 

thats what i recommended >_<

 

Oh, lol. I didn't click your link

 

yeah, a splitter would probably work okay. But will I lose any quality there? I guess Il try looking for a real gold audio jack splitter cheers