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speaker gargle
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Posted by: BordrGuy108
recently i bought a brand new HP pavillion zd8000 notebook. overall i think its a good machine, but sometimes i notice a weird kind of gargling noise comming from the speakers when certain tones are played in songs or on games. its not a constant thing, but i was wondering if there was something i could do about it or if thats just what you get from laptop speakers. here are my specs:
3.4 ghz pentium 4
Windows XP professional
1 Gig or RAM
my speakers are on the front of the machine and are altec lansing
not sure what type of sound card i have (if someone could tell me how to figure this out as well it would be appreciated)
any help would be appreciated
Posted by: goranpaa
Hi!
Could be electronical interferences from the other cards in your PC, disturbing your sound card. This is more common with integrated sound. And in a notebook, where the differnt hardware sits closer together. I guess it could easiely happend.
It also could be that one of the speaker elements is slightly faulty,. And can't handle certain frequensys well. Try the speakers in another computer if possible.
The best way, to avoid such disturbanses is to get an external soundcard like Creative Soundblaster Live. USB external soundcard. costs about 45 USD. Or as you say it is a new machine, use the warranty.
If you wanna find out what soundcard you got? Go to Windows device manager or download Everest Home.
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/everest.html
Posted by: BordrGuy108
thanks for the advice. where in the device manager can i find the sound card? i looked under the "sound, video and game controlers" point but all i could find was stuff like "audio codecs, and legacy audio drivers" and stuff like that. also i was wondering how does an external sound card work, and how can i update my audio drivers?
also something else came to my attention. the reason i initially posted this was because the sound comming from the speakers when i play counterstrike is much poorer quality than when i play it on my home desktop computer. i just now tried playing counter-strike with earphones plugged into my laptop and i think it sounds much better than when i hear it comming from the altec lansing speakers. is this due to some setting or something i can change? these altec lansing speakers were advertised as above average but they are somewhat dissapointing me. they play music quite nicely for the most part, but this is somewhat dissapointing....
Posted by: goranpaa
Hi again.
As you can't find the soundcard in the device manager. You probably have an integrated sound card. And then you will have to visit HP home for the driver.
The Altec speakers you got. Is it 2.1 speakers or surround?
If it s surround, you may have to go into the speaker software and set the speaker to 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1 or what speaker config you got? + additional settings, like equalizer etc. Also check out the Windows Control panel for speaker setting
But from what I have heard and read, the Altecs have got complaints for beeing somewhat "muffeld" like you have placed a pillow in front of the speakers.
An external soundcard, is like the PCI soundcard. But here you have like a very small Hi-Fi amplifier, that you hook up to a USB port . the best thing is that you often have more control options from the external soundcard. and that all connections is easily accessable.
I use a Creative Audigy 2NX external myself. and I really like that card.
But if you want the very best external soundcard? Then go Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro 8 (7.1) Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI but it will cost you $277.00
My card , Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 NX, costs $102.00
And the cheapest external card, Creative External Sound Blaster Live! SB0490 6 (5.1) Channels 24-bit costs $46.99. This card is as i pointed out, the cheapest external. But still a good one.
I would recommend Logitech Z-3 40 Watts 2.1 Speaker . $69.00 if you are looking for a 2.1 system? Or Creative I-Trigue 3300 43 Watts 2.1 Speaker $77.00
If it is surround speakers you want? Then here is a good speaker:
Logitech X-530 70 Watts 5.1 Speaker. $49.95
prices from newegg, webshop.
http://www.newegg.com/
in the picts. Left, soundblaster live external. middle Audigy 2NX. Right, Audigy4 Pro8
Posted by: BordrGuy108
ok thanks. im not sure if i have 2.1 or surround, but i did go into the settings and change it to 7.1 surround and i think it sounds a little better in counter-strike, but doesnt make any noticible difference when playing music from itunes. would buying a sound card improve the quality of sound i hear from my speakers? or would updating my drivers do that either? one more question, would i plug in new speakers to my laptop through a usb port or what?
Posted by: goranpaa
Hi again!
If you just have 2 speakers? Then it is normal stereo. If you have 2 speakers + subwoofer? then it is 2.1. Then next step is 4.1 surround, 5.1 surround and 7.1 surround.
If you change the setting to 7.1 I think the sound will be worse instead.
If your integrated sound card have speaker plug ins. ( most integrated soundcards have). Then you plug in the speakers there. Look at the back of the notebook. Look for 2 connectors (often marked black and red (Red for Right channel). If you have a surround card it will be 4 or more speaker connectors.
A good soundcard is always a improvement. And it is seldom the integrated cards are really good.
But the truth is, that the quality of the speakers, have the "final word". It does'nt matter how good soundcard you have if the speakers is less good. The same goes for choosing Hi-FI stuff.
So maybe you should, if your budget allows it? Buy both new sound card and speakers?
Posted by: goranpaa
A good combination, would be the Creative Soundblaster Live USB external and the Logitech X-530. 70 Watts 5.1 Speakers. Then you have a very good surround system, that will take both your gaming and music to new hights for under 100 bucks.
The speakers in the picture is the Logitech X-530:s
Posted by: BordrGuy108
hey thanks so much for all your help. i really appreciate it. this seems like a good solution and under 100 bucks it seems unbeatable
Posted by: goranpaa
Hi again!
Your'e welcome.
It is just fun talking about audio stuff. Me beeing an old HI-Fi freak. Nowadays converted to Pc freak lol.
Another nice bonus for you, when getting an external, is if you uninstall the the driver for your old soundcard in the Device manager. Then you will have one less thing adding hot air to your notebook.
It would have been fun if you came back, when you have got the stuff, and told me how you liked it?
Cheers,
goranpaa
P.S. When you set up a 5.1 surround speaker system. Try to have the speakers in an equally sided square around you. And the speakers in height of your ears if possible? I did make some "cages" for my surround speakers. Using soft metal tread about 1.5 mm thick. And hung the speakers on the walls. Not aestetic looking maybe, but effective.
And after installing the drivers for the soundcard, you will have to go into Creative software settings for 5.1 and make some adjustments. And also in Windows Control panel.
Posted by: BordrGuy108
lol right on. yeah man seeing as im going off to college im a little short on the cash, but when i do decide to upgrade im definitely keeping your suggestion in mind and i'll post back telling you how i like it. thanks again for all the help!
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