diff --git a/sc2/ChangeLog b/sc2/ChangeLog
index c68679bb0..77d5d9c68 100644
--- a/sc2/ChangeLog
+++ b/sc2/ChangeLog
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 Changes towards version 0.8:
+- Added speech option which controls loading of 3dovoice addon (no need
+  to set speech volume to 0 anymore) - Alex
 - Added the MetaChron story to the no-voice Melnorme script (bug #43) - Alex
 
 0.7.0:
diff --git a/sc2/content/base/ui/setupmenu.txt b/sc2/content/base/ui/setupmenu.txt
index 65f4a503e..80cbb090c 100644
--- a/sc2/content/base/ui/setupmenu.txt
+++ b/sc2/content/base/ui/setupmenu.txt
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ Player One
 Player Two
 Control Set
 UQM Remixes
+Speech
 
 #(CAT_0_OPTS)
 320x240
@@ -421,6 +422,20 @@ Overrides PC or 3do soundtrack with the
 modern soundtrack written by The Precursors.
 Requires a restart of UQM to take effect.
 
+#(CAT_22_OPTS)
+Disabled
+Enabled
+
+#(CAT_22_OPT_0_DESC)
+Do not load the 3DO Speech Pack.
+Uses script closer to PC version.
+Requires a restart of UQM to take effect.
+
+#(CAT_22_OPT_1_DESC)
+Use 3DO speech. The script is closer to 3DO
+version where there are differences.
+Requires a restart of UQM to take effect.
+
 #(SLIDERS)
 Music Volume
 SFX Volume
diff --git a/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.c b/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.c
index c9f7e800a..e247e5a47 100644
--- a/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.c
+++ b/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.c
@@ -593,7 +593,8 @@ readSoundSample (void *ptr, int sample_size)
 // We use AGC because different pieces of music and speech can easily be
 // at very different gain levels, because the game is moddable.
 int
-GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height)
+GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height,
+		bool wantSpeech)
 {
 	int source_num;
 	TFB_SoundSource *source;
@@ -634,7 +635,7 @@ GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height)
 	source_num = SPEECH_SOURCE;
 	source = &soundSource[source_num];
 	LockMutex (source->stream_mutex);
-	if (speechVolumeScale != 0.0f && (!source->sample ||
+	if (wantSpeech && (!source->sample ||
 			!source->sample->decoder || !source->sample->decoder->is_null))
 	{	// Use speech waveform, since it's available
 		// Step is picked experimentally. Using step of 1 sample at 11025Hz,
@@ -642,9 +643,10 @@ GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height)
 		// better this way.
 		step = 1;
 	}
-	else if (musicVolumeScale != 0.0f)
+	else
 	{	// We do not have speech -- use music waveform
 		UnlockMutex (source->stream_mutex);
+
 		source_num = MUSIC_SOURCE;
 		source = &soundSource[source_num];
 		LockMutex (source->stream_mutex);
@@ -653,11 +655,6 @@ GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height)
 		// It looks better this way.
 		step = 4;
 	}
-	else
-	{	// We do not have anything usable
-		UnlockMutex (source->stream_mutex);
-		return 0;
-	}
 
 	if (!PlayingStream (source_num) || !source->sample
 			|| !source->sample->decoder || !source->sbuffer
diff --git a/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.h b/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.h
index e71ae4b97..57661325a 100644
--- a/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.h
+++ b/sc2/src/libs/sound/stream.h
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ void ResumeStream (uint32 source);
 void SeekStream (uint32 source, uint32 pos);
 BOOLEAN PlayingStream (uint32 source);
 
-int GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height);
+int GraphForegroundStream (uint8 *data, sint32 width, sint32 height,
+		bool wantSpeech);
 
 // returns TRUE if the fade was accepted by stream decoder
 bool SetMusicStreamFade (sint32 howLong, int endVolume);
diff --git a/sc2/src/options.c b/sc2/src/options.c
index d8306dfa1..5b8389c36 100644
--- a/sc2/src/options.c
+++ b/sc2/src/options.c
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ const char **optAddons;
 
 BOOLEAN opt3doMusic;
 BOOLEAN optRemixMusic;
+BOOLEAN optSpeech;
 BOOLEAN optSubtitles;
 BOOLEAN optStereoSFX;
 BOOLEAN optKeepAspectRatio;
diff --git a/sc2/src/options.h b/sc2/src/options.h
index c675aec02..23c6f4c73 100644
--- a/sc2/src/options.h
+++ b/sc2/src/options.h
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ extern int optMeleeScale;
 
 extern BOOLEAN opt3doMusic;
 extern BOOLEAN optRemixMusic;
+extern BOOLEAN optSpeech;
 extern BOOLEAN optSubtitles;
 extern BOOLEAN optStereoSFX;
 extern BOOLEAN optKeepAspectRatio;
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm.c b/sc2/src/uqm.c
index c3597a486..a94e233ed 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm.c
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ struct options_struct
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(int, soundQuality);
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(bool, use3doMusic);
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(bool, useRemixMusic);
+	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(bool, useSpeech);
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(int, whichCoarseScan);
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(int, whichMenu);
 	DECL_CONFIG_OPTION(int, whichFonts);
@@ -247,6 +248,7 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  soundQuality,      audio_QUALITY_MEDIUM ),
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  use3doMusic,       true ),
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  useRemixMusic,     false ),
+		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  useSpeech,         true ),
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  whichCoarseScan,   OPT_PC ),
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  whichMenu,         OPT_PC ),
 		INIT_CONFIG_OPTION(  whichFonts,        OPT_PC ),
@@ -368,6 +370,7 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
 	// Fill in global variables:
 	opt3doMusic = options.use3doMusic.value;
 	optRemixMusic = options.useRemixMusic.value;
+	optSpeech = options.useSpeech.value;
 	optWhichCoarseScan = options.whichCoarseScan.value;
 	optWhichMenu = options.whichMenu.value;
 	optWhichFonts = options.whichFonts.value;
@@ -620,19 +623,13 @@ getUserConfigOptions (struct options_struct *options)
 
 	getBoolConfigValue (&options->use3doMusic, "config.3domusic");
 	getBoolConfigValue (&options->useRemixMusic, "config.remixmusic");
+	getBoolConfigValue (&options->useSpeech, "config.speech");
 
 	getBoolConfigValueXlat (&options->meleeScale, "config.smoothmelee",
 			TFB_SCALE_TRILINEAR, TFB_SCALE_STEP);
 
-	if (getListConfigValue (&options->soundDriver, "config.audiodriver",
-			audioDriverList))
-	{
-		// XXX: I don't know if we should turn speech off in this case.
-		//   This affects which version of the alien script will be used.
-		if (options->soundDriver.value == audio_DRIVER_NOSOUND)
-			options->speechVolumeScale.value = 0.0f;
-	}
-	
+	getListConfigValue (&options->soundDriver, "config.audiodriver",
+			audioDriverList);
 	getListConfigValue (&options->soundQuality, "config.audioquality",
 			audioQualityList);
 	getBoolConfigValue (&options->stereoSFX, "config.positionalsfx");
@@ -971,16 +968,8 @@ parseOptions (int argc, char *argv[], struct options_struct *options)
 				}
 				break;
 			case SOUND_OPT:
-				if (setListOption (&options->soundDriver, optarg,
+				if (!setListOption (&options->soundDriver, optarg,
 						audioDriverList))
-				{
-					// XXX: I don't know if we should turn speech off in
-					//   this case. This affects which version of the alien
-					//   script will be used.
-					if (options->soundDriver.value == audio_DRIVER_NOSOUND)
-						options->speechVolumeScale.value = 0.0f;
-				}
-				else
 				{
 					InvalidArgument (optarg, "--sound");
 					badArg = true;
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/comm.c b/sc2/src/uqm/comm.c
index 13a5a7e1b..6dadf28c0 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/comm.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/comm.c
@@ -46,8 +46,7 @@
 #include <ctype.h>
 
 #define MAX_RESPONSES 8
-#define BACKGROUND_VOL \
-		(speechVolumeScale == 0.0f ? NORMAL_VOLUME : (NORMAL_VOLUME >> 1))
+#define BACKGROUND_VOL (usingSpeech ? (NORMAL_VOLUME / 2) : NORMAL_VOLUME)
 #define FOREGROUND_VOL NORMAL_VOLUME
 
 // Oscilloscope frame rate
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/comm/starbas/starbas.c b/sc2/src/uqm/comm/starbas/starbas.c
index 860896cc2..18bd4cfb9 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/comm/starbas/starbas.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/comm/starbas/starbas.c
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "libs/graphics/gfx_common.h"
 #include "libs/mathlib.h"
 #include "libs/inplib.h"
-#include "libs/sound/sound.h"
 
 
 static void TellMission (RESPONSE_REF R);
@@ -214,7 +213,7 @@ ByeBye (RESPONSE_REF R)
 		}
 
 		NPCPhrase (pStr0);
-		if (speechVolumeScale == 0.0f)
+		if (!usingSpeech)
 		{
 			NPCPhrase (SPACE);
 			NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_PLAYER_NAME);
@@ -900,7 +899,7 @@ TellStarBase (RESPONSE_REF R)
 	else if (PLAYER_SAID (R, tell_me_about_crew))
 	{
 		NPCPhrase (ABOUT_CREW0);
-		if (speechVolumeScale > 0.0f)
+		if (usingSpeech)
 			NPCPhrase (YOUR_FLAGSHIP_3DO2);
 		else {
 			NPCPhrase (YOUR_FLAGSHIP_PC);
@@ -1646,14 +1645,14 @@ NormalStarbase (RESPONSE_REF R)
 		if (GET_GAME_STATE (MOONBASE_ON_SHIP))
 		{
 			NPCPhrase (STARBASE_IS_READY_A);
-			if (speechVolumeScale > 0.0f)
+			if (usingSpeech)
 				NPCPhrase (YOUR_FLAGSHIP_3DO1);
 			else {
 				NPCPhrase (YOUR_FLAGSHIP_PC);
 				NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_SHIP_NAME);
 			}
 			NPCPhrase (STARBASE_IS_READY_B);
-			if (speechVolumeScale > 0.0f)
+			if (usingSpeech)
 				NPCPhrase (YOUR_FLAGSHIP_3DO0);
 			else
 				NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_SHIP_NAME);
@@ -1711,7 +1710,7 @@ NormalStarbase (RESPONSE_REF R)
 					break;
 			}
 			NPCPhrase (pStr0);
-			if (speechVolumeScale == 0.0f)
+			if (!usingSpeech)
 			{
 				NPCPhrase (SPACE);
 				NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_PLAYER_NAME);
@@ -1914,7 +1913,7 @@ SellMinerals (RESPONSE_REF R)
 	}
 
 	NPCPhrase (pStr1);
-	if (speechVolumeScale == 0.0f)
+	if (!usingSpeech)
 	{
 		NPCPhrase (SPACE);
 		NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_PLAYER_NAME);
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/comm/syreen/syreenc.c b/sc2/src/uqm/comm/syreen/syreenc.c
index 5224eca3c..c8d090ba7 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/comm/syreen/syreenc.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/comm/syreen/syreenc.c
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@
 #include "resinst.h"
 #include "strings.h"
 
-#include "libs/sound/sound.h"
 #include "uqm/build.h"
+#include "uqm/setup.h"
 
 
 static LOCDATA syreen_desc =
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ InitialSyreen (RESPONSE_REF R)
 	else if (PLAYER_SAID (R, we_are_vindicator0))
 	{
 		NPCPhrase (WELCOME_VINDICATOR0);
-		if (speechVolumeScale == 0.0f)
+		if (!usingSpeech)
 		{
 			NPCPhrase (GLOBAL_PLAYER_NAME);
 			NPCPhrase (WELCOME_VINDICATOR1);
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/oscill.c b/sc2/src/uqm/oscill.c
index 72736db43..61ac98368 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/oscill.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/oscill.c
@@ -79,7 +79,8 @@ DrawOscilloscope (void)
 	assert ((size_t)scopeSize.width <= sizeof scope_data);
 	assert (scopeSize.height < 256);
 
-	if (GraphForegroundStream (scope_data, scopeSize.width, scopeSize.height))
+	if (GraphForegroundStream (scope_data, scopeSize.width, scopeSize.height,
+			usingSpeech))
 	{
 		int i;
 		CONTEXT oldContext;
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/setup.c b/sc2/src/uqm/setup.c
index 00984b304..01552422c 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/setup.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/setup.c
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ QUEUE disp_q;
 uio_Repository *repository;
 uio_DirHandle *rootDir;
 
+BOOLEAN usingSpeech;
+
 
 static void
 InitPlayerInput (void)
@@ -119,9 +121,11 @@ LoadKernel (int argc, char *argv[])
 		loadAddon ("3domusic");
 	}
 
-	/* Always try to use voice data */
-	if (!loadAddon ("3dovoice"))
-		speechVolumeScale = 0.0f; // XXX: need better no-speech indicator
+	usingSpeech = optSpeech;
+	if (optSpeech && !loadAddon ("3dovoice"))
+	{
+		usingSpeech = FALSE;
+	}
 
 	if (optRemixMusic)
 	{
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/setup.h b/sc2/src/uqm/setup.h
index ccf6fa9a0..0f8e151d0 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/setup.h
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/setup.h
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ extern ACTIVITY LastActivity;
 
 extern BYTE PlayerControl[];
 
+extern BOOLEAN usingSpeech;
+		// Actual speech presence indicator which decouples reality from
+		// the user option, thus the user option remains as pure intent
+
 BOOLEAN InitContexts (void);
 void UninitPlayerInput (void);
 BOOLEAN InitGameKernel (void);
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.c b/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.c
index 3ea8c0225..dc7a52dfe 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ static void clear_control (WIDGET_CONTROLENTRY *widget);
 #endif
 
 #define MENU_COUNT          8
-#define CHOICE_COUNT       22
+#define CHOICE_COUNT       23
 #define SLIDER_COUNT        3
 #define BUTTON_COUNT       10
 #define LABEL_COUNT         4
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ typedef int (*HANDLER)(WIDGET *, int);
 static int choice_widths[CHOICE_COUNT] = {
 	3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 
 	2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2,	3, 3, 
-	3, 2 };
+	3, 2, 2 };
 
 static HANDLER button_handlers[BUTTON_COUNT] = {
 	quit_main_menu, quit_sub_menu, do_graphics, do_engine,
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ static HANDLER button_handlers[BUTTON_COUNT] = {
 	do_keyconfig };
 
 static int menu_sizes[MENU_COUNT] = {
-	7, 5, 7, 9, 2, 5,
+	7, 5, 8, 9, 2, 5,
 #ifdef HAVE_OPENGL
 	5,
 #else
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ static WIDGET *audio_widgets[] = {
 	(WIDGET *)(&choices[14]),
 	(WIDGET *)(&choices[9]),
 	(WIDGET *)(&choices[21]),
+	(WIDGET *)(&choices[22]),
 	(WIDGET *)(&buttons[1]) };
 
 static WIDGET *engine_widgets[] = {
@@ -387,6 +388,7 @@ SetDefaults (void)
 	choices[19].selected = opts.player2;
 	choices[20].selected = 0;
 	choices[21].selected = opts.musicremix;
+	choices[22].selected = opts.speech;
 
 	sliders[0].value = opts.musicvol;
 	sliders[1].value = opts.sfxvol;
@@ -418,6 +420,7 @@ PropagateResults (void)
 	opts.player1 = choices[18].selected;
 	opts.player2 = choices[19].selected;
 	opts.musicremix = choices[21].selected;
+	opts.speech = choices[22].selected;
 
 	opts.musicvol = sliders[0].value;
 	opts.sfxvol = sliders[1].value;
@@ -1093,6 +1096,7 @@ GetGlobalOptions (GLOBALOPTS *opts)
 	/* These values are read in, but won't change during a run. */
 	opts->music3do = opt3doMusic ? OPTVAL_ENABLED : OPTVAL_DISABLED;
 	opts->musicremix = optRemixMusic ? OPTVAL_ENABLED : OPTVAL_DISABLED;
+	opts->speech = optSpeech ? OPTVAL_ENABLED : OPTVAL_DISABLED;
 	switch (snddriver) {
 	case audio_DRIVER_OPENAL:
 		opts->adriver = OPTVAL_OPENAL;
@@ -1312,6 +1316,7 @@ SetGlobalOptions (GLOBALOPTS *opts)
 	optSmoothScroll = (opts->scroll == OPTVAL_3DO) ? OPT_3DO : OPT_PC;
 	optWhichShield = (opts->shield == OPTVAL_3DO) ? OPT_3DO : OPT_PC;
 	optMeleeScale = (opts->meleezoom == OPTVAL_3DO) ? TFB_SCALE_TRILINEAR : TFB_SCALE_STEP;
+	optSpeech = (opts->speech == OPTVAL_ENABLED);
 	optWhichIntro = (opts->intro == OPTVAL_3DO) ? OPT_3DO : OPT_PC;
 	PlayerControls[0] = opts->player1;
 	PlayerControls[1] = opts->player2;
@@ -1324,6 +1329,7 @@ SetGlobalOptions (GLOBALOPTS *opts)
 
 	res_PutBoolean ("config.3domusic", opts->music3do == OPTVAL_ENABLED);
 	res_PutBoolean ("config.remixmusic", opts->musicremix == OPTVAL_ENABLED);
+	res_PutBoolean ("config.speech", opts->speech == OPTVAL_ENABLED);
 	res_PutBoolean ("config.3domovies", opts->intro == OPTVAL_3DO);
 	res_PutBoolean ("config.showfps", opts->fps == OPTVAL_ENABLED);
 	res_PutBoolean ("config.smoothmelee", opts->meleezoom == OPTVAL_3DO);
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.h b/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.h
index 257b74508..7127ce615 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.h
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/setupmenu.h
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ typedef struct globalopts_struct {
 	OPT_DRIVERTYPE driver;
 	OPT_ADRIVERTYPE adriver;
 	OPT_AQUALITYTYPE aquality;
-	OPT_ENABLABLE fullscreen, subtitles, scanlines, fps, stereo, music3do, musicremix;
+	OPT_ENABLABLE fullscreen, subtitles, scanlines, fps, stereo;
+	OPT_ENABLABLE music3do, musicremix, speech;
 	OPT_CONSOLETYPE menu, text, cscan, scroll, intro, meleezoom, shield;
 	CONTROL_TEMPLATE player1, player2;
 	int speechvol, musicvol, sfxvol;