Just ordered my new laptop... one concern though

[Deleted member 17413]

Hi, i've just ordered my first ever custom build laptop.
After a lot of digging online i have to say pcspecialist seemed to be the best i could find in terms of pricing.

Now i have looked around a lot, and i found some really nice machines but the pricetags were incredibly high, so much so that i actually decided to stick with Pcspecialist yet increase the specs i was after as i could get less power for MORE money in a lot of cases, so, in the end i went for this:

Vortex III: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3840QM (2.80GHz) 8MB
32GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (4 x 8GB)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 675MX - 4.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 320GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD3200BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
2nd Hard Disk 320GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD3200BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
(RAID 1 (MIRRORED VOLUME - 2 x same size & model HDD / SSD) )
20GB INTEL® 313 mSATA SSD - SLC CACHE DRIVE- SPEED UP HDD
4x BLURAY ROM, 8x DVD ±R/±RW & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ 1202 WIRELESS GAMING 802.11N + BLUETOOTH 4.0
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence

It should be a really powerful laptop, and pretty much future proof for the next five years in terms of games/program requirements, however there is one concern:

The sound quality.

I have read quite a few reviews and a lot all say the same, the sound quality sucks!!

the most common comment is that it is "tinny"
i was really disappointed that there was no option to install a sound card/software to fix this problem.
On my current laptop i have a conextant high defintion smartaudio HD2 sound system, and the sound is -great-
It has a set of altec lancing speakers and the quality is really good.
however no such option was availible with the vortex series off pcspecialist.

i am wondering just how bad the sound really is, and is the Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ MB2 software would be worth buying to try and improve this.
I am also curious to know if i would be able to rip out the conextant sound card ( i believe its a soundcard and not software...) and install it on the new laptop?
My technical knowledge isnt great so anyone out there who knows about these things and can offer tips/advice would be really welcome!

 

[steaky360]

Hi there, welcome to the forums!

I'm not sure if you can install an internal soundcard in the laptops unfortunately, I think this has been asked before elsewhere on this forum and the answer was no but I can't find the post so I'm not certain of that.

There is always the option of using an external sound card though which (from what I've read) is meant to be excellent and completely solve the original problem. Not sure if that is what you're looking for though.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

From what i understand an external soundcard is only functional with speakers/headphones etc... the onboard speakers dont benefit from it?

Good to get an answer on the internal soundcard though.
So the next question is would it be worth installing the software option of the Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ MB2 ?
the software is available as a download for about $25 ( so about 15 quid in british money) so if its a real improvement its certainly worth it considering howmuch the laptop itself costs.

 

[steaky360]

From what i understand an external soundcard is only functional with speakers/headphones etc... the onboard speakers dont benefit from it?

Good to get an answer on the internal soundcard though.
So the next question is would it be worth installing the software option of the Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ MB2 ?
the software is available as a download for about $25 ( so about 15 quid in british money) so if its a real improvement its certainly worth it considering howmuch the laptop itself costs.

Yeah sorry I kinda figured if you were concerned about the sound you wouldn't be using the internal speakers. My understanding is that the speakers themselves were not great and most laptop users would use a headset or something to get better sound.

I cant help you about the software though I've no clue what (if any) difference it would make.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

The whole idea is that the laptop would be good for everything... I dont mind using speakers etc, but for the sake of portability speakers arent too great, and using headphones all the time is just annoying... so i was looking for a solution where it would be a sort of all-in-one type option..

If the only way to get good sound is to use an external and then speakers/headphones then thats what ill have to do..but if i can solve it with onboard software/hardware then thats a better option for me

 

[Chris79]

The whole idea is that the laptop would be good for everything... I dont mind using speakers etc, but for the sake of portability speakers arent too great, and using headphones all the time is just annoying... so i was looking for a solution where it would be a sort of all-in-one type option..

If the only way to get good sound is to use an external and then speakers/headphones then thats what ill have to do..but if i can solve it with onboard software/hardware then thats a better option for me

I wouldnt have thought there was any such software that would improve on the internal speaker output quality, but you shouldn't need an external soundcard for good quality headphone/external speaker sound, there's nothing actually wrong with the onboard soundcard itself just the speakers are poor.

 

[Deleted member 17413]

I wouldnt have thought there was any such software that would improve on the internal speaker output quality, but you shouldn't need an external soundcard for good quality headphone/external speaker sound, there's nothing actually wrong with the onboard soundcard itself just the speakers are poor.

The soundblaster software is meant to be able to improve it ( assuming the advertising info isnt all lies) but if its just a case of the speakers ( which apparently are meant to be "premium" quality!) then would if be possible to take the altec lansing speakers from my current laptop, which are pretty decent ( assuming that it isnt all the conextant high def smartaudio hd2 working) and put them in the new one to replace the onkyo speakers?

 

[Chris79]

The soundblaster software is meant to be able to improve it ( assuming the advertising info isnt all lies) but if its just a case of the speakers ( which apparently are meant to be "premium" quality!) then would if be possible to take the altec lansing speakers from my current laptop, which are pretty decent ( assuming that it isnt all the conextant high def smartaudio hd2 working) and put them in the new one to replace the onkyo speakers?

That would void your warranty!! but technically a mod like that is possible but I dont think it would be worth the it!

 

[Chris79]

That would void your warranty!! but technically a mod like that is possible but I dont think it would be worth the it!

To add to my quote Those speakers from your other laptop may also be driven by an onboard preamp I wouldnt suggest swapping out fixed components!

 

[Deleted member 17413]

So basically my only option is speakers and hope that that counters the poor sound quality or the soundblaster software...
That or put up with having paid £1900 for a custom specification laptop who's "premium" quality speakers are discribed as "tinny", "low quality" and have "weak sound output"

( I CANNOT express how disgraceful i think it is that i am paying nearly £1900 for a laptop that is meant to have PREMIUM quality speakers yet has such poor reviews on sound quality... this soundblaster software costs about £20 and if it actually rectifies it i really dont understand why it isnt automatically included or at the very least listed as a purchase option on ALL models)

 

[SlickShoes]

Don't buy it if you are not happy with the sound quality. I hate to be so blunt but I would not buy any product for £1900 that I am as upset about a feature as you are the speakers on this laptop.

Maybe do some more research and find a laptop that has great sound quality as well as the other features you require.

 

[Animal]

So basically my only option is speakers and hope that that counters the poor sound quality or the soundblaster software...
That or put up with having paid £1900 for a custom specification laptop who's "premium" quality speakers are discribed as "tinny", "low quality" and have "weak sound output"

( I CANNOT express how disgraceful i think it is that i am paying nearly £1900 for a laptop that is meant to have PREMIUM quality speakers yet has such poor reviews on sound quality... this soundblaster software costs about £20 and if it actually rectifies it i really dont understand why it isnt automatically included or at the very least listed as a purchase option on ALL models)

Well if is any consolation I'm buying a highly spec'd Omega Supreme laptop at a total cost of almost £3000 which also happens to have crap speakers!

You're kind of contradicting yourself as you've already acknowledged that the PCS laptop is substantially cheaper compared to similar spec'd laptops? Like yourself I I did lots of looking around/searching the net and contemplated buying an Alienware M18x but it was well over a £1000 more and even then the spec wasn't as good. The question I asked myself was; is the Alienware worth an extra £1000 plus essentially for a Gucci chassis and better speakers? The answer was obvious; no.

In the end I was happy to sacrifice the speakers to save a shed load of money.

In any event, no laptop is ever going to provide decent sound quality unless connected to a quality amplifier/speakers.

The bottom line is, no one is forcing you to buy it! If you think it is that important buy something else!

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Yes i get your point about always having the option to actually buy or not...
But as i have said, getting the same spec from other custom build sites is near on impossible and the difference is often hundreds if not over a thousand in some cases.

But that doesnt excuse the fact that the sound is (according to a lot of reviews) very poor and due to the speakers which are meant to be premium ones!
I'll be blunt, sure, i might be paying £750 less than if i ordered a similar spec off Dell (Alienware) but i AM still paying £1900! Not only that, but a decent set of laptop speakers by themselves -dont- cost 750 quid.... Anyway, the audio isnt a deal-breaker...if it had been i wouldnt of placed the order, this thread seems to have gone off track (some of it due to me expressing how disappointed i am that such a big price tag still has such a basic flaw) if it really comes down to it i will fork out for a set of good external speakers, but i was hoping to find a solution that would still be inclusive to the laptop rather than additional paraphenallia

What i was trying to get from you guys (and some people have given ideas on RE: switching over my current speakers or using a software package or trying to put my current laptop soundcard/system into the new build) was options to try and counter the poor sound quality.

As has been previously stated to me, swapping over the speakers will invalidate the warranty, and apparently trying to put the soundcard in is not possible, so i was asking if people had experience of the soundblaster software and if its worth trying that option (although the indication i get is that it wont make a lot of difference as its not the onboard audio, its the speakers themselves that are the issue)
'
@Animal, the system you have in your signature on the forums lists the omega supreme, which i understand comes with the soundblaster software package, could you give some insight as to what it does for the onboard audio? Is it a noticable improvement?

@Anyone else... any other ways to perhaps counter the poor sound quality or is speakers/headphones the only real option available here?
If an external option really is the only way to address it then so be it, its just not what i would prefer to do if there are other ways...

 

[Animal]

Sibun1, it's still being built, lol! I hope to receive it next week and am planning to produce a video review for this forum. I will make sure it includes the sound quality/software

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Sibun1, it's still being built, lol! I hope to receive it next week and am planning to produce a video review for this forum. I will make sure it includes the sound quality/software

LOL DOH!!!
Awesome stuff.
Mines in pre-production atm (has been for about 3 days now) and i'm on working day 4 of a 9 to 11 day guide-time..
If i am brutally honest i'm -really- excited about it i just wanna find a way to smooth out this one wrinkle and be ready for when it arrives if that makes sense!

Knowing me, if that soundblaster stuff does help i'll get it as well as buying a set of speakers too...
the speakers will end up for home use but i also still cart my laptop about for work etc

 

[Animal]

LOL DOH!!!
Awesome stuff.
Mines in pre-production atm (has been for about 3 days now) and i'm on working day 4 of a 9 to 11 day guide-time..
If i am brutally honest i'm -really- excited about it i just wanna find a way to smooth out this one wrinkle and be ready for when it arrives if that makes sense!

Knowing me, if that soundblaster stuff does help i'll get it as well as buying a set of speakers too...
the speakers will end up for home use but i also still cart my laptop about for work etc

Yes know how you feel. I've already downloaded all the up to date drivers!

I'm planning on connecting the beast to a powerful receiver and the new Samsung F8000 55" LED TV when I move next year (current house is not big enough!). It will be awesome

 

[Animal]

Sibun1, following Michael D's review of the speaker quality, I may invest in a small USB powered laptop speaker. I've done some research and came across this neat product which has had some really good reviews. If you have a 17" laptop it will not stick out from the sides.

I configured an Alienware last night to try to match spec and it was £1500 more (not £1000 as previously mentioned) and even then had a inferior processor, so am happy to fork out £50 for a speaker

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lNsKVxHm5YU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlNsKVxHm5YU

http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/7363/logitech-laptop-speaker-z305-reviews/reviews.htm

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Sibun1, following Michael D's review of the speaker quality, I may invest in a small USB powered laptop speaker. I've done some research and came across this neat product which has had some really good reviews. If you have a 17" laptop it will not stick out from the sides.

I configured an Alienware last night to try to match spec and it was £1500 more (not £1000 as previously mentioned) and even then had a inferior processor, so am happy to fork out £50 for a speaker

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lNsKVxHm5YU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlNsKVxHm5YU

http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/7363/logitech-laptop-speaker-z305-reviews/reviews.htm

:S it says that product is no longer available
I'm going to have a dig too... If i cant find anything nice over the weekend i may just add some speakers to my order

 

[Animal]

Doh! I guess I should have checked first lol! There is another Logitech speaker the Z205 but doesn't appear to be as good. The Z305 is available on eBay but from outside the UK. If you find something decent, can you let me know. Cheers

 

[Deleted member 17413]

Right, the only thing i found like those that apparently still deliver good sound (and are still available!) were these
on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-CHANN...?pt=UK_Computing_Speakers&hash=item1c295fbd05
Direct from ricco:
http://www.ricco.tv/ricco-p26-dsp-speaker-for-laptop-and-desktop-214-p.asp
On Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ricco-Alumi...mputer/dp/B003Y2ULIC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

reviews on amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003Y2ULIC

But i'm a bit suspicious as they only cost about 20 quid.... the guy says they pump out strong sound and that they are good, but its not a brand i am familiar with nor would i have thought for that pricetag they pumped out -quality- sound for things such as movies/music

I have cracked though. I couldnt find something i was happy with as a clip on type attachment so i have created a sub order with PCS for a pair of Gigaworks T40 speakers from creative....
Both the T20 and the T40 have -awesome- reviews...often stating that the 2.0 sound they provide is often better than most 2.1 systems and the T40 (although not small at all ) and are noticably better and far more stable (the T20's shape kinda makes it a bit of a topple hazard if knocked due to all the rounded corners and no proper stand...)

I'm slightly disappointed in myself for cracking and forking out a further £85 quid, it also wears away even more at the whole "portability" idea but at least now i should have a sound output i'm happy with (God help em' if i find i still need to buy an external soundcard after all this!)..
If i end up buying anything more i'm going to -seriously- go over the budget... as it is i am contemplating trying to give up smoking! hahaha
...Rate i'm going i should of got a damn desktop!!
lol