ThinkPad and surround sound 5.1 (and a sound mixer question)

[Marin85]

Hi,

Here is a setup I´m trying to make work somehow decently... I have just got my hands on Creative Inspire T6xxx 5.1 speakers kit (no gift though). When I plug them into my ThinkPad (sound card is built-in Analog Devices AD1981HD / SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio, only one jack!), using the 'upmix' button of the speakers system the latter runs like 2.1 and the sound quality is as expected (for a 2.1 system). The tricky part comes here: when I put the 'upmix' to max (i.e. 5.1 mode), the whole setup is still able to reproduce sort of accurate sound through all the speakers (the audio pros out there please don´t kill me for such a statement) except for the fact that the sound appears to be strongly dominated by the bass (as well as some other 'slight' distortions that I am not sure how to describe). So, I figured out there might be a way to improve things by software means, so here are my questions:

1) Is there in fact any software installable on my ThinkPad that could improve the status-quo? If so, would it be to a satisfactory degree and would it be feasible for an audio non-pro? Or should I better give up any attempts on that and go for an external sound card or just a 2.1 speakers system?

2) Any recommendations in general for some software expansion or replacement to the Windows 7 built-in sound mixer for the ThinkPad SoundMax device (if it is worth it at all!)?

Merry Christmas,

Marin

[Harryc]

I think you could make 5.1 surround work using an Advanced Mini Dock's SPDIF out port. I do not think you can make it work without the dock unless you use a USB 5.1 card.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=211779

[Marin85]

Thanks for your reply! The Advanced Mini Dock is actually a nice idea, yet it would be somewhat an overkill for me as I don´t really need all the other connectivity features (yet). I figured out that it makes huge difference which of all the 3 output cables to use, it seems I had picked the (black) one that delivers rather the bass-like part (for 5.1), so I´m now using the 'green' one and the sound is much more accurate. Anyways, I am now looking towards an external USB soundcard. Considering the speakers system, it seems to me that Creative Soundblaster x-fi surround 5.1 would be a good choice.