Creative Sound Blaster X-fi ExpressCard

Hey, I'm not sure If I have posted this in the correct section. But it seems to fit - Mod please feel free to move the thread if it is in the wrong section

Ok now to my dilemna,

I'm very interested in buying the creative x-fi xpress sound card, just wondering If i will notice any sound difference in my current setup. I have a hp dv5-1050tx (notebook speakers are Altec Lansing, not sure what inbuilt sound card is) and using Logitech x-230 2.1 speaker system through headphone jack. I mainly use the computer for music/movies/games etc. Will i get noticably better sound with the creative sound blaster x-fi? I hope someone can help, thanks

 

I have its Cousin the X-Mod USB which also has the x-fi crystalizer and the 3-D setting. You will definitely notice the difference if you are listening to low quality mp3s. In other words, the crappier the audio source the more difference in sound you will notice.

edit: i am using Shure earbuds where I do notice the difference. Never used on external speakers, so not sure how much the effect would be.

 

I have a X-Fi Go! USB version of X-Fi series ( my review).

I think you will notice a difference. I did with earphones, maybe not so much with a 2.1 system, but still you might.... The biggest advantage for me was the equalizer that works across the board (Music, video, web). Crystallizer can also enhance the sound a little, and EAX can add some nice environmental effects. Not a big fan of CMSS 3D though. But I really like “What u hear” channel.

 

Thanks for your reply guys, anyone with this particular model or 2.1 speaker system notice a difference? I'm also considering upgrading the x-230, but not sure what to upgrade to :/

Edit: I'm deciding between the Logitech Z-2300 or Z-5500.

 

Slight notice:
Yes, you do notice a difference, and as above mentioned correctly, the worse the source file, the greater the improvement.
(Wave is virtually unchanged)

But:
The effect is less noticeable with speakers oddly enough.

We've got 2.1 logitech speaker (and 2 X-Fi cards ) - and the sound really only sounds better via headphones - the speakers seem unaffected...

(its the 2 double speakers and a subwoofer type)

 

Very little laptops have a good in-built sound card - they do what they're designed to do, but a dedicated, such as the card, has sound processors.

Perhaps a more noticeable difference than with 2.1 will occur with more speakers, such as with 5.1?

 

no with due respect "NO"