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    M1730 Audio

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jmeyer2039, Mar 23, 2009.

  1. jmeyer2039

    jmeyer2039 Notebook Evangelist

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    I've never owned a laptop before and am configuring a Dell XPS M1730. I was wondering what music and games will sound like with its default audio option which is "High Definition Audio 2.0." Obviously, it's not going to compete with a desktop system with multiple speakers and a subwoofer. But, it still might be acceptable for me, as long as it isn't too bad.

    There is also the option to purchase "ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi" Sound Card. What exactly does this do for a laptop's audio? Make everything sound better?

    Please help a newbie out!
     
  2. nomoredell

    nomoredell Notebook Deity

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    i had a dell xps m1730 with default speakers last year,
    no creative sound card.
    the speakers are very loud, clear, very nice surrounding sound.
    compared to apple iphone, if iphone is 100, dell xpsm 1730 is 80.
    its better than average external logictech 5.1 subwoofer+speakers ,
    so you likely dont need extrnal speakers at all.
     
  3. jmeyer2039

    jmeyer2039 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, I've never heard or even seen an iPhone in person, but I like to hear that you think it has nice sound. I'll hold off on the ExpressCard sound card. I'm not even sure what it does, though, or what it's supposed to do.
     
  4. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    I'd say M1730 have really impressive speakers, certainly not poor by any standard.

    No ofference, but iphone has a single tiny mono speaker, which is c**p literally. I don't see how you can compare the two... :confused:

    M1730 is just WAY more awesome, ithere are worlds worth of difference, between the quality speakers of XPS and that cheap mono speaker of iphone.

    http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/01/the_iphone_is_not_the_best_music_phone.html



    ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi is for designed for better sound quality on the go; either through headphone, or external speakers. If you get it, cou'll have some cool extra audio effects as well, though personally those are just market gimmicks. Here is reviews:

    http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3847

    http://www.trustedreviews.com/multi...e-Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Xtreme-Audio-Notebook/p1


    There is also apparently vista driver compatibility issues, creative sound cards never played that nice with vista. Don't know if thats fixed.

    If you are planning to M1730 to your 5.1 speakers at home, without quality loss, then its a worthy investment, otherwise, I think its best not to get it, as M1730 already have pretty good speakers.

    Also be aware, it sticks out of the laptop.