Best sound solution for Laptop - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

sa_ill · 05-06-2007, 01:09 AM

I am looking for a sound solution for my Asus A8Js. It already has Realtek High Defination installed.
I want something which can improve my music listening experience and gaming experience with my earphones.

What do you suggest?

onvn · 05-06-2007, 02:50 AM

a DAC and maybe an amp.. but it's not worth getting if you have cheap buds.. What headphones/earphones do you use?

sa_ill · 05-07-2007, 05:44 AM

I use Sennheiser CX-300
im not lookin for amps n stuff
im lookin for a sound card (USB or PCI)

infinitesymphony · 05-07-2007, 06:58 AM

Everybody seems to be enjoying the E-MU 0404 USB (~$200) these days...

If you care about gaming and want even higher sound quality, check out the X-Fi Elite Pro (~$270).

Schalldämpfer · 05-07-2007, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony

Everybody seems to be enjoying the E-MU 0404 USB (~$200) these days...

If you care about gaming and want even higher sound quality, check out the X-Fi Elite Pro (~$270).

Does the X-Fi really have a better sound quality than the EMU?

infinitesymphony · 05-07-2007, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Schalldämpfer

Does the X-Fi really have a better sound quality than the EMU?

That's probably a matter of opinion... Most people find the CS4398 DAC used in the Elite Pro to sound more resolving than the AK4396 in the 0404 USB, which has been called more musical. Of course, implementation is also important, and the E-MU might trump the X-Fi in that category.

However, if gaming is a concern (ex. multichannel or EAX), the X-Fi is a better option than the 0404. That said, I use a 1212M for gaming and I like it just fine.

In the 2.x versus surround sound debate, I'll gladly stick with 2.x if it means higher fidelity playback.

Schalldämpfer · 05-07-2007, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony

That's probably a matter of opinion... Most people find the CS4398 DAC used in the Elite Pro to sound more resolving than the AK4396 in the 0404 USB, which has been called more musical. Of course, implementation is also important, and the E-MU might trump the X-Fi in that category.

However, if gaming is a concern (ex. multichannel or EAX), the X-Fi is a better option than the 0404. That said, I use a 1212M for gaming and I like it just fine. In the 2.x versus surround sound debate, I'll gladly stick with 2.x if it means higher fidelity playback.

I feel the same way. Sound quality over surround.

sa_ill · 05-08-2007, 01:19 PM

I am looking for a solution for laptop, not desktop

And I want something that can enhance my music listening experience on the Sennheiser CX-300

maarek99 · 05-08-2007, 02:33 PM

Well EAX does make better sound quality than non-eax. The loss of reverbs in good eax games is noticeable.

infinitesymphony · 05-08-2007, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by sa_ill

I am looking for a solution for laptop, not desktop

And I want something that can enhance my music listening experience on the Sennheiser CX-300

The 0202 USB and 0404 USB are USB DACs and can be used with either a laptop or a desktop. E-MU also make a PCMCIA card, the 02 CardBus card, which is even less expensive. It's difficult to find on its own, though.

With those earphones, a change in source might not be particularly noticeable. You might do well to upgrade those first.