The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Laptop to produce 7.1 sound output

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bonoz, Apr 7, 2015.

  1. bonoz

    bonoz Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hi guys,

    I have a 7.1 surround sound speaker system which was formerly used for my gaming PC. Since my gaming days are over, I have made my laptop as my primary PC. However, it would be nice to use my surround sound speaker system when my laptop is 'docked'.

    Is there a USB-based soundcard that would allow output into 7.1 so that my speaker system can be used?

    I used to have an internal creative audigy 2 ZS for my gaming PC. Looking for something similar but for a laptop.

    Any thoughts?
     
    bonoz, Apr 7, 2015
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

    Reputations:
    5,398
    Messages:
    12,692
    Likes Received:
    2,717
    Trophy Points:
    631
    tilleroftheearth, Apr 7, 2015
    #2
  3. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    2,548
    Messages:
    9,585
    Likes Received:
    4,997
    Trophy Points:
    431
    over optical, coaxial or RCA?
     
    TANWare, Apr 7, 2015
    #3
    Starlight5 likes this.
  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

    Reputations:
    5,398
    Messages:
    12,692
    Likes Received:
    2,717
    Trophy Points:
    631
    USB? (I thought)?

     
    tilleroftheearth, Apr 7, 2015
    #4
  5. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    2,540
    Likes Received:
    792
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I think TANWare meant from the sound card to the speakers?
     
    alexhawker, Apr 7, 2015
    #5
    Starlight5 likes this.
  6. bonoz

    bonoz Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    The speaker system is based on 3xRCA cables that look like this: http://microdream.co.uk/media/catal...8eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/img_2991.jpg

    They go into three of those ports.

    Alternatively, I was thinking I could look into getting a PCI-to-USB adapter which would allow me to use the 'internal' soundblaster audigy and connect it via USB to my laptop?
     
    bonoz, Apr 7, 2015
    #6
  7. baii

    baii Sone

    Reputations:
    1,420
    Messages:
    3,925
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    131
    if your machine have a express card slot, you can probably reuse the sound card.
     
    baii, Apr 7, 2015
    #7
  8. bonoz

    bonoz Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Alternatively, I was thinking I could look into getting a PCI-to-USB adapter which would allow me to use the 'internal' soundblaster au
    You beat me to it. Do you think instead of express card slot, I could use USB?
     
    bonoz, Apr 7, 2015
    #8
  9. baii

    baii Sone

    Reputations:
    1,420
    Messages:
    3,925
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    131

    I don't think such adapter exists, there are pice to USB but not other way around.
     
    baii, Apr 7, 2015
    #9
  10. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

    Reputations:
    826
    Messages:
    3,230
    Likes Received:
    1,643
    Trophy Points:
    231
    bonoz, there are such USB soundcards, from different vendors. Out of curiosity, are you banned on google?
     
    Starlight5, Apr 7, 2015
    #10
    alexhawker likes this.
  11. bonoz

    bonoz Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    bonoz, Apr 7, 2015
    #11
    Starlight5 likes this.
  12. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

    Reputations:
    826
    Messages:
    3,230
    Likes Received:
    1,643
    Trophy Points:
    231
    bonoz, everything labeled Startech is usually overpriced as hell... I strongly encourage you to read reviews prior to purchasing.
     
    Starlight5, Apr 7, 2015
    #12
  13. bonoz

    bonoz Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    The reviews seem to be pretty good for starlight on the website I linked.

    Do you have any other alternatives?
     
    bonoz, Apr 7, 2015
    #13
  14. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

    Reputations:
    826
    Messages:
    3,230
    Likes Received:
    1,643
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Quick googling revealed existense of:
    * M-Audio Sonica Theater USB
    * ASUS Xonar U7
    * Sewell SoundBox aka ST-Lab M360 which seems to be exactly the same Startech in different box
    * Diamond Xtreme Sound Digital 7.1 USB aka Sewell Sound Box Pro which might also be the same in different box for slightly higher price

    It also revealed there's nothing particularly bad about those products, combined with favourable price... seems to be a nice choice indeed. =)
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2015
    Starlight5, Apr 7, 2015
    #14
  15. octiceps

    octiceps Nimrod

    Reputations:
    3,147
    Messages:
    9,944
    Likes Received:
    4,194
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Get a Creative Sound Blaster X7.

    J/k it probably costs more than your entire laptop. :D
     
    octiceps, Apr 9, 2015
    #15