I was wondering what is the best way to connect my laptop (IBM T42p) to my speakers (Logitech Z5500). Right now it is connected to my desktop sound card (audigy 2 zs) but I will be using my laptop for now.

8/24/2005 12:54:19 PM

External Soundcard via USB.

8/24/2005 1:05:35 PM

no, PCMCIA. sound blaster makes 5.1 and greater PCMCIA sound cards.

8/24/2005 1:54:05 PM

i was thinking more along the lines of 3.5mm to the 3 rca lookin connections. Do you think a soundcard is necessary?

8/24/2005 1:56:32 PM

Yeah..just use a 3.5mm cable. From looking at http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/z5500/index8.php that review, it seems you could have the one 3.5mm cable from your laptop to the front connection, then have the z5500 split it up among all of the satellites.

8/24/2005 2:39:04 PM

Are you wanting real 5.1 sound or do you just want sound coming from all 6 speakers?

8/24/2005 5:25:10 PM

real 5.1 sound would be best. I was looking at the monster cable website and they have a cable that is 3.5mm on one end and 2 speaker connections on the other (http://www.monstercable.com/thx/productPageTHX.asp?pin=1613&LastPage=Audio%20Interconnects), but my problem is that I need a cable that is 3.5mm on one end and 3 audio connections on the other. 1 for the front, 1 for the rear, and 1 for the center/sub. I cant seem to find any that are like that and I was looking at monster cable because I want good quality cables.

8/24/2005 5:52:16 PM

you're not going to get 5.1 from the laptop's onboard sound (ie. the single 3.5) if you want it to sound decent then buy a external sound card or a pmcia card that fits your needs

8/24/2005 6:52:49 PM

i just bought a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm female (3 connections) adapter for like 8 bucks at rat shack.

that would probably clone the audio to all three channels if you wanted to.


i was gonna return it, but ill stick it in an envelope tomm. if you want it O_o

[Edited on August 24, 2005 at 7:34 PM. Reason : .]

8/24/2005 7:33:56 PM

u can get a usb sound blaster live for 50 bucks and it will sound great and hold its value forever

8/26/2005 4:03:36 AM

any suggestions on a external usb sound card that will sound as good as my audigy2 zs?

8/26/2005 9:19:56 AM

the audigy 2 zs notebook?

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769

8/26/2005 9:30:52 AM

agreed

8/26/2005 9:59:47 AM