Audigy HD Audio vs Dell Basic Audio

Is there a definite difference in these two dell integrated sound options? Its only a 20 dollar difference in price upgrade...

 

from what ive read, the upgrade is only software. No actual hardware upgrade. Id skip it and save yourself the 20 dollars. At least thats what i did.

 

Yep it is only software

 

Yeah it is really only software, but I heard that it makes a difference, and if its only $20, why not?

 

For the $20, might as well go for it. I've noticed, as others have reported, a nice boost in the volume alone and slightly better quality. Naturally, you won't hear any difference really as far as bass; that's a limitation of the speakers. But you'll hear differences when wearing earphones, plus, if someone games, the EAX options will be available to use. You can obtain it separately from Creative themselves later, too, if you preferred not to add it to an order now. I barely have the speaker volume up a few notches on my E1505 and it's quite loud (and clear). Louder than even the wonderful harmon/hardon speakers I had on my Toshiba 5205-S703. Had the E1505 had better quality speakers, the difference would be more apparent.

 

Well, I skipped them. I went with the standard audio and its plenty loud and plenty clear without them. The software isn't worth $20 -- and as pointed out you can get it later to try out if you want.

On headphones I have mine turned up only 5 "clicks" and it sounds great, and plenty loud.

More than any software can, speakers/amp make the biggest difference in sound quality.

FYI - Mine shipped with it as a demo, and as far as I could tell it didn't do much at all.

 

What does your notebook have, 1 speaker on the underside? Your not going to be able to tell much if you have 1 lousy speaker thats not even pointed at you. Im getting a M1210, it has 2 speakers pointed right at my head. Ill be able to tell a big difference if I get the HD audio. So I guess if your notebook has the standard 1 underside speaker, and if your not going to use external speakers, then its not worth getting. If you having more and better placed speakers, or using a pair of externals, then the extra $20 should be worth it since you'll see a greater difference.

 

Exx05 have two speakers pointed up.

And, they already have HD audio as well. (in other words, the hardware isn't changing, which would have the greatest impact on the sound anyway).

The Audigy stuff is simply a piece of software (read a service) that installs on your system and modifies the signal before it is sent to the speakers.

It'll sound different after manipulation, but "better" is subjective.

 

I also heard that installing this software , you can also add various sound effects like the Realtek AC97 on my desktop , its quite cool

unfortunately Dell doesn't have that option when I order my E1505

 

I find it makes a very noticable difference, when I was making the comparisons I was running the laptop through my logitech z5300 desktop speakers and I think its well worth the 20 bucks, the difference isnt quite as dramatic using the notebooks speakers, but it is noticeable

 

I've read the audio software can conflict with other programs. I'd skip it, it's gimicky and just runs even more processes. Dell is already king at running processes behind the scenes. No thanks.

 

Not an expert, and YMMV....
My experience is that it features headphones or 2.1 sound. No 5.1, or 7.1.
If you have 5.1 headphones or speakers, it seems useless.

For headphones the 3D effects seem to work well for game playing. Not as good as true 5.1, but better than just headphones without the Creative 3D effects.

If you are looking to enable EAX in Doom3 or Quake4, this Audigy software driver wont do it. They require an OpenAl that only a few Creative Labs cards support, none of them work in a 1505/1705.

If I remember correctly it adds about 7 processes to your system.

 

Anyone know what the software is called? So i can do some research before i add this to my comp specs?

 

Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED MB

I have to say I am very pleased with the E1405. It runs soooo quiet, and the speakers sound GOOD for a laptop. (Not just adequate, so you don't have to make sure the headphones are nearby)

This audio software is like the remote control or some of the other Bells and Whistles on this notebook .... not really necessary, but it makes for a good, fun computing experience.

If your using a $450 or $750 coupon, it's a no brainer.

 

I have it, sure its software based, but you get more audio control to work with, which is nice. Plus more control for recording and so on.

 

I noticed a difference in bass because I turned it up. Also, I have it configured the way I want. Personally though, I would say screw it. Not worth twenty bucks. People say why not, you're buying a computer but hell save 20$.

 

im having trouble reinstalling the drivers for this, any ideas? (HD audio that is). also, im having trouble with wireless internet

 

Install the Sigmatel Drivers first, then reset. Install HD drivers. I got an error a few times, but the reset cleared that up. Also, you WILL have to re-activate the HD software online before it will actually work.

 

yea, my problem was that i wasnt restarting. haha