Laptop Sound Card That Bad?
zingo
Posts: 11,258
I have a new laptop for work (Toshiba Satellite C55), and I can't image the sound card is really this bad! I have my trusty Monsoon magnetic planar desktop speakers, and when I used their 1/8" plug into the headphone jack on the laptop (the only analog out), the sound is like I'm listening through a tin cup and string. I plugged my phone into the speakers to ensure it was the laptop, and the sound was back to its previous glory; these speakers really are amazing for what they are. I can't image the output is really that bad, so maybe there is an issue with the Windows 8.1 or stock "DTS" sound drivers? I've tried these speakers on a number of work computers, some of which were eight years old Lenovo business machines, and never had this poor of sound.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Post edited by zingo on
Comments
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I would just grab the $100 Audioquest DragonFly and be done with it.
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How is this a surprise?
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
+1. I use one with my party system.AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »I would just grab the $100 Audioquest DragonFly and be done with it.Main System: Denon DP-59L | Audio-Technica AT33EV | Marantz SA-11S2 | Classe DR-10 | Classe CA-300 | Classe RC-1 | PSB Stratus Gold i's | DIY Balanced AC Power Conditioner | Acoustic Zen and NeoTech cables | Oyaide and Furutech power connectors | Dedicated 20A isolated ground line.
Home Theater: Toshiba D-VR5SU | Laptop #1 |Outlaw Audio OAW3 wireless audio system | Marantz SR-19 | Phase Linear 400 Series 2, modified | AudioSource 10.1 EQ (for subs) | Axiom M3 v3’s | Axiom VP150 | Optimus PRO-X55AVs | Dayton 12” powered subs (x2) | Belkin PureAV PF-60 line conditioner.
Party System: Laptop #2 | Audioquest Dragonfly USB DAC | Technics SU-A6 | Acurus A-250 | Radio Shack 15-band EQ | Pioneer SR-9 reverb | Cerwin Vega DX9's | Dayton 100° x 60° horns with titanium HF/MF compression drivers. -
HT SYSTEM-
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Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Samantha has some ugly man hands.... -
You guys are worthless at helping fix my problem without spending money... :P
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Isn't that what money and friends (and to a slightly lesser extent) wives are for?Home Theater
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
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the question is, how is it set up?
A walk through the control panel is in order."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I've been hearing about all sorts of problems with Windows 8, particularly with drivers. No surprise that the sound sucks as well. Since it's a work 'puter, you may be limited to what you can change on it. As suggested, a walk into the control panel to see your options is a good idea.
Maybe your boss intentionally did this....do more work and less listening to music.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Sorry, my boss, the CEO, doesn't have anything to do with setting up my new laptop...
I just picked up an HRT Headstreamer, which will provide an 1/8" out to my planar speaker system from async USB. -
Yup, the sound card was that bad. Plug in the HRT USB DAC, and I have music again! I even did an A/B between the stock headphone out and I couldn't believe that sound that poor could come out of good speakers. The system is nothing glamorous, but it sounds much better than something this compact and poorly set-up should.
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Good choice on the HRT, I use the Music Streamer II and love it.B&W CM9Classé Sigma
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Yup, the sound card was that bad. Plug in the HRT USB DAC, and I have music again! I even did an A/B between the stock headphone out and I couldn't believe that sound that poor could come out of good speakers. The system is nothing glamorous, but it sounds much better than something this compact and poorly set-up should.
What speakers are those man? They look pretty cool, especially if they are planar's.."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
It's a 90's 2.1 system from Monsoon. True magnetic planar desktop speakers driven by a class A/B amp built into the powered subwoofer. It's the best sounding pair of desktop speakers I've owned including the Focal Book XS. The small subwoofer does keep up with the speed of the speakers, but acccordingly needs to be crossed at 120Hz which sounds a little funny. I highly recommend grabbing a used set if you can find them, and they also don't take up much desktop space.
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You haven't tried the Klipsch, then.It's a 90's 2.1 system from Monsoon. True magnetic planar desktop speakers driven by a class A/B amp built into the powered subwoofer. It's the best sounding pair of desktop speakers I've owned including the Focal Book XS. The small subwoofer does keep up with the speed of the speakers, but acccordingly needs to be crossed at 120Hz which sounds a little funny. I highly recommend grabbing a used set if you can find them, and they also don't take up much desktop space. I remember seeing those Monsoon's advertised in PC Gamer magazine back in the 90's.
http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-5-1-computer-speaker-system/details
afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
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I have a new laptop for work (Toshiba Satellite C55), and I can't image the sound card is really this bad! I have my trusty Monsoon magnetic planar desktop speakers, and when I used their 1/8" plug into the headphone jack on the laptop (the only analog out), the sound is like I'm listening through a tin cup and string. I plugged my phone into the speakers to ensure it was the laptop, and the sound was back to its previous glory; these speakers really are amazing for what they are. I can't image the output is really that bad, so maybe there is an issue with the Windows 8.1 or stock "DTS" sound drivers? I've tried these speakers on a number of work computers, some of which were eight years old Lenovo business machines, and never had this poor of sound.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Just wanted to say the I agree with that assessment of Lenovos. I run one of their laptops and W 8.1 and the analog out is on a pair with a consumer grade CDP ($200+). For a simple desktop setup, no external DAC is necessary. Of course I run it into a vintage receiver and vintage speakers that probably roll off any harsh digital highs. But that's fine with me, I'm not into those highs.
I see you solved your problem! Good. Interesting set of speakers too!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
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