In need of a good sound card... For a laptop...

I've got an express card slot on my Qosmio and was wondering if there were any sound cards out there that would provide better overall sound for music, games and the like?

 

you could also check the USB based soundblaster

 

I know of two:

- the Creative Labs SoundBlaster X-Fi that has 5.1 output with additional module connected to it;
- the Echo Digital Indigo IOx that is supposed to have real nice drivers;

both come on either expresscard or PCMCIA interface. The Echo Digital also makes another DJx card that has two outputs so good for DJ mixing stuff. The IOx one has one input and one output.

 

Depends on what you want from a card. If you are 2.0/2.1/Headphone user and wants better music audio, then you should check out DAC/Amp Combos like the FiiO E7 and the E10. Enhances your sound to the headphones or 2.0/2.1 setup without needing any drivers or fluff. Just the DAC/Amp via USB and it would shine.

However if you need a 5.1 setup for directional surround, the X-Fi 5.1 Pro USB is an option, but you will need their drivers for it to work in its optimal state and a lot of the sound is software-enhanced, so it only sounds marginally better than onboard.

However if you want to use ExpressCard, then I recommend the X-Fi 5.1 XCard and wire that to a Hi-Fi amp like the FiiO E11.

 

I'd be more towards the Indigo cards because I've heard of people complaining about the X-Fi card giving them delays of the sound and the drivers being kind of crappy. Besides, most receivers nowadays have tons of different 5.1 emulations thus can provide that from a regular 2-channel input. I know my Denon receiver can do at least 5 or 6 different 5.1 to 7.1 outputs with its own DSP, and the receiver is like 5-year-old unit.

on the other hand the real nice feature of the Indigo is the fact that it can have up to 8 virtual outputs, meaning that you can combine/mix/manipulate the sound from 8 different programs before sending it to the output

also, I would stay away from any USB sound card - I have tons of other USB deivces that dont need to sacrifice speed for adding yet another one.

 

DJx users here.

 

The older X-Fi solutions are pretty bad IMO. The only good Sound Blaster solution is their 2nd generation X-Fi HD. I have yet to try their new Recon3D solutions. I personally prefer a simple amp like the Fiio E5, but if you want to go a step up, get a DAC as suggested above. Fiio has great bang for your buck solutions.

 

Linky plox?

 

This should be in accessories. But, instead of moving it you can just read an identical thread there.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/629799-laptops-sound-card-sucks-help-me.html


Firewire always requires external power BTW.

 

o-o that link does not sound appealing...

Edit: Oh the onboard sound sucks... oh... thought he was talking about an actual sound card... oops...