8 best creative pc sound cards

• PRISTINE AUDIO OUTPUT | Supreme audio fidelity with 127 dB DNR hi-res 32-bit / 384 kHz playback via ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC and DSD64 playback support that satisfies even the most demanding needs of audiophiles for incredibly clean audio
• MASSIVELY POWERFUL HEADPHONE AUDIO | Custom Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp powers each earcup separately with 1Ω output impedance and drives studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones. And with the Audio Control Module, gain quick access to the Volume Control Knob, as well as the ¼” and ⅛” mic and headphones I/O connectors – all within your fingertips
• THEATRICAL-GRADE DISCREET AND VIRTUAL SURROUND | Supports discrete 5. 1 on speakers with Dolby Digital Live / DTS Connect Encoding, and up to 7. 1 virtual surround on headphones and speakers. To top it off, we have also integrated Sound Blaster’s Surround Virtualization technology onto AE-7 so that you can conveniently enjoy surround sound on most form of media
• TRUE HARDWARE ACCELERATED AUDIO | Dedicated quad-core processor designed to deliver incredibly pristine and enhanced sound on your PC without overstressing your CPU. Sound Blaster manages audio processing on the card itself, freeing your CPU to handle other tasks
• NEW AND IMPROVED SOFTWARE CUSTOMIZATION SUITE | Sound Blaster Command software interface provides hardware processed sound enhancements and complete control of audio output via the Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine for a full, customized audio experience that delivers clearer vocals, accurate cues, and bass boost

User questions & answers

Question:	Anyone know how this would couple with the game one or game zero headsets
Answer:	I have the game one headset and it sounds great. I wish the headphone ohm setting had a 50 ohm selection, but I can't go over half volume in Windows at the 32ohm setting so it pushes plenty of power. I had the sound blaster zx before this and this card sounds better.
Question:	This or the zxr? that is only $20 more but 5 year old tech. i use the logitech z906 speakers and no headphones
Answer:	i don't know, do you listen to 24bit audio, like blu rays and youtube and high-res music from hdtracks, or 32bit audio? If 24bit, you might be best off then with the ZxR, on the other hand I'd say the AE-5 is a safer bet, because of the surely nicer headphone amp inside can be properly used with many more headphones..., but then again your using speakers and might have an external headphone amp.., Hard to say.
Question:	If I hook up an astro mixamp (with headphones) to the fiber-optic port, am I losing the benefits of this card? Or will it pass through the amp
Answer:	Outputting digital audio via S/PDIF means that its quality becomes dependent of the DAC built into your external amplifier or mixamp, rather than the output stages of the Sound Blasterx AE-5 as, optical signals are in PCM stereo format only. Also, the Sound BlasterX AE-5 does not have Dolby and DTS encoding for optical out.
Question:	Does the led on the card itself work without the molex connector? i'm not interested in attaching the led strip
Answer:	For me, the led on the card DOES NOT work without the molex. As I have no interest in attaching the LED strip or using molex, I don't know if it's by design or by fault.
Question:	Does this allow a usb stick to be shared by 2 devices at the same time? (1 device reads while the other writes). is there a less costly method
Answer:	No. It would allow the same USB stick to be seen by 2 computers, but only one at a time. When you switch to PC #1 only it can see the USB inputs. When you switch to PC#2 only it can see the USB inputs and PC #1 can no longer see the USB inputs. Probably the best way of accomplishing what you're talking about is to plug the USB stick into one PC and share the drive over your network.
Question:	Does this support 1920x1080@144Hz
Answer:	I purchased this KVM. I'll post what it states in the manual to best serve you:"support for high resolution applications (supports resolutions beyond 1080p: 2560x1600 @60Hz, up to 3840 x 2400 at lower refresh rates), offering a superior KVM switching solution thatintegrates perfectly into demanding imaging, medical, and multimedia environments."In other words, I have 1440p monitor & I get 96Hz with my 27" PLS monitor running on a GTX670. I think another user posted on the review that he got 120Hz with his 1080p setup. Keep in mind if your hardware can support it I don't see why not since its just routing the signal. In other words, NO it does NOT SUPPORT 1080p @ 1440Hz, but it might work if your hardware can handle it, since this is designed as a high resolution kvm. I think it has more bandwidth to route the signal but I cannot vouch for that.
Question:	Anyone used this with a laptop & VGA cable + VGA to DVI-I adpater? Can't get the laptop to see the ext. monitor through the switch. PC tower sees it
Answer:	If I understand you correctly, this won't work. VGA is an analog signal. DVI-I is a combined cable with both analog and digital wires. A VGA to DVI-I adapter simply connects the analog and leaves the digital hanging. This StarTech switch is designed to switch the dual link dvi (digital) signal - so it would ignore any analog signal.

Product features

Sound Blaster AE-7: Hi-res PCI-e DAC and Amp Sound Card with Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp and Audio Control Module

HARDWARE ACCELERATED AUDIO

The addition of AE-7 to your PC rig basically means one thing – you’re adding in a dedicated quad-core processor designed with one goal in mind – to deliver incredibly pristine and enhanced sound on your PC without overstressing your CPU. Sound Blaster handles audio processing on the card itself, freeing up your CPU to handle other tasks.

Enhanced audio is only going to sound as good as the components delivering it, and with the AE-7, we’re not pulling any punches. The AE-7 features an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that delivers an incredibly clean 127 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 Playback. If pristine is at the core of your demand, the AE-7 is going to blow past your expectations.

CONVENIENCE

Take easy control with the ACM that is incorporated with a built-in microphone array, ¼” and ⅛” connectors for mic and headphones input and output connections. You can conveniently adjust the volume with the knob on the ACM – all within your fingertips.

CUSTOMIZATION – TAKE FULL COMMAND OF YOUR AUDIO SETUP

All thanks to our users and community, the newly designed Sound Blaster Command software suite has been improved based on their feedback! It’s now easier than ever to customize your audio quickly for your specific needs. The Sound Blaster Command software is available at our support site.

Do you prefer pure audio with no effects or processing while listening to music? Or do you prefer to push your audio immersion to the limits by putting the Sound Core3D enhanced audio effects to work while gaming? The ability to save and switch to multiple profiles with a simple click expands your options when it comes to changing between music, gaming, or movies.

Product description

Meet the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx! This half-height sound card is powered by SBX Pro Studio Technology and instantly converts your system with 5.1 entertainment system that delivers cinematic surround sound - perfect for bringing out the best in your movies, music and games. Users can look forward to full audio customization with Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel, a downloadable PC software suite that allows users to control every aspect of SBX Pro Studio. The Audigy Fx further features 24-bit 192kHz digital-to-analog converter (Playback), 106dB SNR and a high-end 600 ohm headphone amplifier for studio grade monitoring. Minimum System Requirements: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.2GHz or faster recommended, Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard, Microsoft Windows 8 (32/64-bit), Windows 7 (32/64-bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), 1 GB RAM, > 600 MB of free hard disk space, Available PCI Express 1x slot, Available CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Software includes: Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel, Creative ALchemy, Creative Software AutoUpdate, Creative Host Open AL / EAX5.0 HD, Creative Diagnostics. Package contents include: Sound Blaster Audigy Fx card (with full height I/O bracket), Quick Start leaflet, Installation CD containing: Drivers for Windows 7 & 8 , Vista, Creative Software Suite, User's Guide PDF, Half-height I/O bracket. Supported Operating System - Microsoft Windows 10 (32/64-bit)

• Easily converts the PC into a cinematic entertainment system by providing a compelling 5.1 surround sound
• Advanced Audio Processing with SBX Pro Studio, a suite of Sound Blaster audio processing technologies that let you bring out the best in your audio
• Includes the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel, PC software that puts you in full control of the SBX Pro Studio suite of technologies
• 600 ohm headphone amp for high performance, studio grade monitoring
• 106 SNR and 24-bit 192kHz DAC (Playback) and 96kHz ADC (Recording)

User questions & answers

Question:	Does the optical out support 7.1 or do you have to use individual wires for each set of speakers
Answer:	For 4k, might want to get a 2070 super. But 1440 or less this will do the trick considering everything else in your system is grade A.
Question:	Does this have a front panel header
Answer:	of course. I use this with B360M bazooka
Question:	Will the software (Audigy Fx Control Panel) allow me to adjust right/left balance to compensate for my hearing loss
Answer:	Changing markets? Newegg is pretty consistent in pricing. Check it out there as well. The 5700 XT is also a good option.
Question:	does it have a AC97 header to plug in the computer case front headphone and mic
Answer:	This takes up two slots.

Product features

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx is the perfect upgrade from basic motherboard audio to legendary Sound Blaster audio. Powered by SBX Pro Studio technology, it provides high-quality 5.1 cinematic sound for your movies, music and games. It comes with the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel, which puts you in full control of your SBX Pro Studio settings.

Enjoy multi-channel cinematic sound

The half-height PCIe sound card is just the perfect size for your home theatre PCs. You can now upgrade your cinematic experience with Sound Blaster audio fidelity. Sound Blaster Audigy Fx comes with 5.1 channel outputs so you can connect to your existing multi-channel speakers with ease.

Independent input sources

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx comes with independent line-in and microphone connectors, which allow you to plug in two different audio sources to your PC.

You can plug in your MP3 player and sing along, while recording your singing session for your friends to enjoy!

Product description

Designed around the powerful Sound Core3D™ audio processor, the Sound Blaster Z series once again raises the bar for the industry standard of PCIe sound cards. Sound Blaster Z has been designed to meet the standards of those who want a vastly superior experience over motherboard audio. With external DACs delivering 116dB SNR, a 600 ohm audiophile-grade headphone amp, and massively customizable SBX Pro Studio technologies, Sound Blaster Z packs a serious audio punch.

Features:

• Includes an external high quality dual-microphone array standard with card
• Features Sound Core3D Audio Processor for accelerating advanced audio and voice technologies
• SBX Pro Studio sound technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets
• Delivers 116dB SNR, plus audiophile-grade capacitors and gold-plated I/O connectivity
• Use the Sound Blaster Control Panel just toggle between you headphone and speakers system with a flip of a switch

• New - Retail
• 1-Year Limited Warranty
• Creative Labs 70SB150000000
• Creative Labs 70SB150000000 Sound Blaster Z Sound Card 5.1 Channels 24-bit PCI Express

User questions & answers

Question:	what are the play back and recording sample rates and resolutions that this cARD supports
Answer:	I'm sorry but I havent even used the card!!! However I cam speak of earlier soundblaster cards, they are amazing so yeah...
Question:	Does the software with this allow for independent headphone left right volume control
Answer:	after you update to your systems (drivers) yes
Question:	Is the Win 10 driver simple and straight forward? I don't want to be nagged to download smart apps nor forced pandora/spotify/amazon music nagware
Answer:	Granted it was a while ago, but when I bought this card and loaded the driver there was nothing added. There might be some optional downloads, but I'm pretty sure that kind of thing isn't built into the driver itself.
Question:	Does this sound card need any wires/cables to go to the motherboard and does it work on windows 10 pro please
Answer:	Needs no extra cables. And it works with 10 pro.

Product description

Upgrade to mind-blowing PC gaming audio with the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIE sound card powered by the revolutionary Sound Core3D quad-core Sound and Voice processor. Whether you’re on a headset or desktop speakers you’ll have a distinct tactical advantage over the competition with massively powerful THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies that deliver incredibly immersive surround sound with pin-point accurate audio placement. Lead your fellow warriors on the battlefield with CrystalVoice Voice and Clarity technologies that ensure even in the heat of battle your voice will be heard clearly. Choose the PC audio choice of Champions, and hear the sound of victory. Choose Sound Blaster.

From the Manufacturer

Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIe Sound Card

Upgrade to mind-blowing PC gaming audio with the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe sound card





Powerful technologies deliver incredibly immersive sound and voice clarity





Enjoy the ultimate in Sound Blaster performance with support for studio quality headsets

Upgrade to mind-blowing PC gaming audio with the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe sound card powered by the revolutionary Sound Core3D quad-core Sound and Voice processor. Whether you're on a headset or desktop speakers you'll have a distinct tactical advantage over the competition with massively powerful THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies that deliver incredibly immersive surround sound with pin-point accurate audio placement. Lead your fellow warriors on the battlefield with CrystalVoice Voice and Clarity technologies that ensure even in the heat of battle your voice will be heard clearly. Choose the PC audio choice of Champions, and hear the sound of victory. Choose Sound Blaster.

Hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies deliver unsurpassed audio playback quality, while the innovative CrystalVoice processing lets you communicate with crystal clear vocal fidelity in your multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing. Engineered for low power consumption and high performance, the Sound Core3D processor is Creative's first sound and voice processor to integrate a quad-core high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) and high-quality converters onto a single chip.

Connect to your favorite audio equipment with ease. View larger

Powered by Sound Core3D

Sound Core3D is a high performance Sound and Voice processor for accelerating advanced audio and voice technologies. The quad-core Sound Core3D audio processor offloads THX TruStudio Pro and CrystalVoice effects processing from your primary CPU, improving your gaming experience with faster frame rates and drastically superior audio and voice quality.

THX TruStudio Pro Sound Technology

THX TruStudio Pro Sound Technology creates unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headphones by producing additional virtual speakers around, above and below you.

CrystalVoice Voice Enhancement And Clarity Technology

Let your teammates hear you clearly thanks to the CrystalVoice suite of realtime audio processing tools. CrystalVoice Acoustic Echo Cancellation eliminates echoes that interfere with your conversation. CrystalVoice Noise Reduction eliminates unwanted background noise from your conversation. CrystalVoice Smart Volume allows you to be heard clearly without having to shout or whisper. CrystalVoice FX morphs your voice into different characters and accents. And CrystalVoice Focus suppresses noise outside your acoustic zone and be heard with amazing clarity.

Scout Mode

Hear your enemies before they hear you. Scout Mode is a proprietary technology that allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat.

Dolby Digital Live

Connect the Recon3D to your home theater system through a single digital cable and enjoy cinematic DVD movies by transforming any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams into high fidelity immersive surround sound.

Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe Control Panel Software

Calibrate and customize every aspect of the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe audio and voice settings to really get into your game.

High Quality Headphone Amp

The dedicated high quality headphone amp supports studio quality headphones and headsets with up to 600 ohm impedance.

What's in the Box?

Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe sound card, Quick Start leaflet, installation CD containing drivers for Windows, Creative software suite, and User's Guide.

System Requirements

• Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.2 GHz or faster
• Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
• Microsoft Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
• 1GB RAM
• 600MB of free hard disk space
• Available PCI Express (x1, x4 or x16) slot
• Available CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

Which Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D Sound Card is Right for You?

• Quad-core Sound Core3D Audio Processor
• THX TruStudio Pro sound technologies
• Dolby Digital Live for compelling 5.1 surround sound from any source
• Dedicated high quality headphone amp; supports headphones and headsets with up to 600 ohms impedance
• Calibrate and customize every aspect of the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIE audio and voice settings to really get into your game
• Connects to your home theatre system through a single digital cable and enjoy cinematic DVD movies by transforming any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams into high fidelity immersive surround sound

User questions & answers

Question:	Does it have What U Hear
Answer:	I believe most Creative cards have this functionality as long you install the most recent drivers. It's simply an option under the Recording Devices in Windows. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20595-what-u-hear-recording-enable.html
Question:	will this work with hp z220 Workstation
Answer:	It depends on what form factor your Z220 is. If you have a small form factor model - no, it won't that one requires half-height cards. If you have the larger tower form factor, and you have an available PCIe slot, yes it will work on a Z220.
Question:	For best sound quality should i use the optic output
Answer:	For best sound quality you should get rid of that card because Creative does not put any EMI shielding on the card. My card makes a nasty buzzing sound when in a game because it is picking up EMI from my graphics card. Bur for all intense and purposes yes, use optic out.
Question:	Does this support ASIO recording
Answer:	The new line of sound cards Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D / Sound Blaster Z are based on the Sound Core 3D chip integrates four DSP cores that generate a 6-channel audio and 24 -bit 102dB . It also incorporates analog - digital converters and digital to analog signal , amplified headphone output , and input / output S / PDIF .One of the salient feature more about these cards is that it comes with a dedicated output for amplified headsets with 600 Ohm impedance MAX97220A thanks to Maxim chip.These cards have been harshly criticized by dispense Hardware support for ASIO , Sound Font and other APIs but being directed to the market " Gamer" are features that no player will miss ... And speaking of players, these cards bring a " Scout Mode" that when activated allows you to better hear the enemies as they approach what you can become a tactical advantage in any online game .In terms of software comes with a new unified control panel that allows you to enable and adjust all the functions of the card. The supported operating systems are Seven and 8 so that Vista and XP users are out of luck . One of the things that have always been the weakness of Creative are your drivers but have not found stability problems or incompatibilities when using this card. It is noteworthy that the last driver update was January 18, 2013 and the previous December 18, 2012 so it seems the company is learning from past mistakes and regularly updates its software .My personal experience with the card has been quite positive, I like the sound and options are very useful most of the time. While I recognize that this is not a sound card for everyone especially for amateur and professional musicians .Com But I've said before these cards have been harshly criticized by without the support for ASIO Hardware

• Includes an external high quality dual-microphone array standard with card. Supported operating systems: windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
• Features Sound Core3D Audio Processor for accelerating advanced audio and voice technologies
• SBX Pro Studio sound technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets
• Delivers 116dB SNR, plus audiophile-grade capacitors and gold-plated I/O connectivity and Stereo Direct lets you listen to your music pure and unprocessed at the amazing bit rate of 24-bit 192 kHz.
• Use the Sound Blaster Control Panel just toggle between you headphone and speakers system with a flip of a switch
• OS : windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10

User questions & answers

Question:	So what's the difference with the sound blaster recon3d? i see the same "sound core3d" chip
Answer:	I have the game one headset and it sounds great. I wish the headphone ohm setting had a 50 ohm selection, but I can't go over half volume in Windows at the 32ohm setting so it pushes plenty of power. I had the sound blaster zx before this and this card sounds better.
Question:	What is that circular window, is it some sort of interference shield
Answer:	i don't know, do you listen to 24bit audio, like blu rays and youtube and high-res music from hdtracks, or 32bit audio? If 24bit, you might be best off then with the ZxR, on the other hand I'd say the AE-5 is a safer bet, because of the surely nicer headphone amp inside can be properly used with many more headphones..., but then again your using speakers and might have an external headphone amp.., Hard to say.
Question:	Does this sound card have Dolby Digital Live
Answer:	Outputting digital audio via S/PDIF means that its quality becomes dependent of the DAC built into your external amplifier or mixamp, rather than the output stages of the Sound Blasterx AE-5 as, optical signals are in PCM stereo format only. Also, the Sound BlasterX AE-5 does not have Dolby and DTS encoding for optical out.
Question:	Triple Question: Worth it for headphone user? Is card's mic detachable/able to be deactivated? Will it process mic audio from MoBo usb
Answer:	For me, the led on the card DOES NOT work without the molex. As I have no interest in attaching the LED strip or using molex, I don't know if it's by design or by fault.

Product features

Sound Blaster Z Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card with Beamforming Microphone

This Sound Blaster Z is an ideal all-round solution for your PC gaming and entertainment needs. It comes complete with the Sound Blaster beamforming microphone for crystal clear voice communication.

Our Sound Blaster product philosophy comes from a total system approach. We've designed the Z series cards to give the best experience for not only those wishing to experience content, but those wanting to create it as well. This includes optimizations for voice chat and recording in addition to all of the amazing SBX Studio Pro audio output enhancements.

High-quality Connections

The Z card is equipped with gold plated connection points to ensure the card delivers the best possible audio signal.

3.5 mm gold plated headphone jack driven by the 600 ohm Maxim MAX97220 amp

• 3.5 mm gold plated microphone jack
• 3.5 mm gold plated 5.1 channel connections
• TOSLINK digital audio input and outputs

116 db Signal-to-noise Ratio

A signal to noise ratio or SNR of 116 dB means your audio will be >99.99% pure audio which is 35.4 times better than motherboard audio.

SBX Studio Pro Technologies

Experience awe-inspiring audio with the SBX Pro Studio suite of technologies that immerses you in your games and movies with amazing detail and a 360-degree true-to-life sound stage.

CrystalVoice Technologies

Experience crystal clear commmunication with your teammates with the CrystalVoice suite of technologies that removes echoes, ambient noises and picks up your voice from within a zone (Voice Focus). It also maintains your voice level even if you are near or further away from the microphone.

Sound Core3D Audio Processor

The quad-core Sound Core3D audio processor is to designed to offload SBX Pro Studio and CrystalVoice effects processing from your primary CPU, improving your overall PC performance, resulting in drastically superior audio and voice quality.

Sound Blaster Beamforming Microphone

When used with CrystalVoice's Focus, the bundled beamforming microphone creates an acoustic zone and suppresses noise outside it, enabling you to be heard with amazing clarity.

Sound Blaster Command Software

Access the full suite of Sound Blaster’s industry-leading audio processing technologies including Crystallizer that helps improve the dynamic range of audio, or Bass that provides bigger punch on the low end. All enhancements are fully customizable from the Sound Blaster Command software suite on PC.

• Hear the power of sound blaster technology on your PC and Mac with our SBX Pro Studio and Crystal Voice Technologies
• Advanced audio technology that delivers 5.1 discrete channels of vibrant sound for your digital entertainment.If no audio output when playing digital files check whether the powered speakers or external amplifier are connected to the line out jacks.
• Easily converts the PC into a cinematic entertainment system by providing a compelling 5.1 Surround sound
• Built-in dual microphones with Crystal Voice Technology to enable optimal performance of headset-free use. Compatability - Microsoft Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista.Mac OS 10.6 & above

User questions & answers

Question:	will this work with windows
Answer:	yes. it will. from my experience, it works great with windows 8 and subsequently windows 8.1.
Question:	What playback sample rates and bit-depths does this support for 5.1 and 7.1 playback? (44.1, 48, 96, or 192 kHz / 16bit or 24bit
Answer:	From the Creative manual:High Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) exceeding 100 dB using high linearity, low distortion 24-bit converters with resolutions of up to 96 kHz.24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources during playback in 24-bit with sampling rate of up to 96 kHz in 5.1 mode without audio monitoring.24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog sources during recording in 24-bit with sampling rates up to 96 kHz without audio monitoring.
Question:	Has anyone tried to use it with an android device, via OTG? I can see it powered with note 2 and control the volume of ph using knob on SB
Answer:	YES. Unfortunately there is no apps that can utilize the device like the driver Creative builds for Windows OSes. What you get is raw sound out of device. Simply put it, the sound off it is the same as the output on the head jack. Hopes it helps... I am a bit surprised being asked this question. I thought I am the only one who does this type of stuff.
Question:	What is the sample rate? What is the bit rate? Creative USB sound cards have issues with OS X and volume sliders. Does the volume slider work
Answer:	In OSX Mavericks the volume knob works as well as clicking to mute without installing the software package.
Question:	How long did it take for you to receive this item
Answer:	If you live in mainland USA and we ship by First Class Mail, it usually takes 3-5 business days to arrive. If we ship by Priority Mail, it take 3 days.

Product features

Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 - USB Sound Card with 600 Ohm Headphone Amp

Featuring a built-in dual microphone array for crystal-clear voice communication, customizable SBX Pro Studio audio technologies, as well as a studio-grade 600 ohm headphone amplifier, the Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 is ideal for anyone looking to seriously upgrade their PC or Mac audio experience.

Dolby Digital Live

Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 features Dolby Digital Live*, an advanced audio technology that delivers 5.1 discrete channels of vibrant surround sound for your digital entertainment, via a single cable.

* For Windows only

600-ohm Amplifier

Featuring a 600-ohm headphone amplifier, the Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 is ideal for anyone seriously looking to upgrade their PC or Mac audio experience.

Scout mode

If you're into gaming as well, Scout mode allows you to hear your enemies from further away, so you gain a distinct tactical advantage in combat. Win each battle, every battle!

• Features the Audio Control Module (ACM) which incorporates a built-in microphone array and mic/headphone I/O connections, plus a knob on the ACM to adjust the headphone levels
• Features Sound Core3D Audio Processor for accelerating advanced audio and voice technologies. Available CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
• SBX Pro Studio sound technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets
• Scout Mode allows you to hear your enemies before they hear you, from further away, giving you a distinct advantage
• DTS Connect, connects your home theatre system through a single digital cable and enjoy cinematic DVD movies by transforming any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio stream into high fidelity surround sound

User questions & answers

Question:	If I connected this card to my computer case's front panel audio ports via the header, would this affect the sound quality at all
Answer:	Sorry I don't know the answer to your question but I don't know why you would want to do that, considering the card comes with audio inputs and outputs you can access from the rear of your case.
Question:	will this card record sound from the internet
Answer:	it should record any input from the internet as long as you have software for it.
Question:	Can I do Dolby Atmos with this
Answer:	It doesn't support it. bf1 has dolby atmos and it doesnt work
Question:	what type of slot will i need on my motherboard to use this card
Answer:	PCI-E x1. It's the smaller slot on the board next to your pci/pci-e x16 that holds your graphics card. But it's just a small slot which is about 1 1/4cm long.

Product features

Sound Blaster Z Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card with Beamforming Microphone

This Sound Blaster Z is an ideal all-round solution for your PC gaming and entertainment needs. It comes complete with the Sound Blaster beamforming microphone for crystal clear voice communication.

Our Sound Blaster product philosophy comes from a total system approach. We've designed the Z series cards to give the best experience for not only those wishing to experience content, but those wanting to create it as well. This includes optimizations for voice chat and recording in addition to all of the amazing SBX Studio Pro audio output enhancements.

High-quality Connections

The Z card is equipped with gold plated connection points to ensure the card delivers the best possible audio signal.

3.5 mm gold plated headphone jack driven by the 600 ohm Maxim MAX97220 amp

• 3.5 mm gold plated microphone jack
• 3.5 mm gold plated 5.1 channel connections
• TOSLINK digital audio input and outputs

116 db Signal-to-noise Ratio

A signal to noise ratio or SNR of 116 dB means your audio will be >99.99% pure audio which is 35.4 times better than motherboard audio.

SBX Studio Pro Technologies

Experience awe-inspiring audio with the SBX Pro Studio suite of technologies that immerses you in your games and movies with amazing detail and a 360-degree true-to-life sound stage.

CrystalVoice Technologies

Experience crystal clear commmunication with your teammates with the CrystalVoice suite of technologies that removes echoes, ambient noises and picks up your voice from within a zone (Voice Focus). It also maintains your voice level even if you are near or further away from the microphone.

Sound Core3D Audio Processor

The quad-core Sound Core3D audio processor is to designed to offload SBX Pro Studio and CrystalVoice effects processing from your primary CPU, improving your overall PC performance, resulting in drastically superior audio and voice quality.

Sound Blaster Beamforming Microphone

When used with CrystalVoice's Focus, the bundled beamforming microphone creates an acoustic zone and suppresses noise outside it, enabling you to be heard with amazing clarity.

Sound Blaster Command Software

Access the full suite of Sound Blaster’s industry-leading audio processing technologies including Crystallizer that helps improve the dynamic range of audio, or Bass that provides bigger punch on the low end. All enhancements are fully customizable from the Sound Blaster Command software suite on PC.

User questions & answers

Question:	Could you take an onput and split it into multiple 3.5mm outputs? Thank you
Answer:	You can, as you can with any other cable or plug. You'd want to make sure the splitter has the same number of conductors as the source port, and you're going to lose signal strength as you would with any other thing you put a splitter on. It's only going to split the source, not create multiple output sources.
Question:	Does it have a processor like the
Answer:	Yes, it does.

Product features

The best PCI-e sound card we have ever made

As the best PCI-e sound card we have ever made, the Sound Blaster AE-9 delivers audio that is absolutely pristine, with a 129dB DNR and 32-bit 384kHz playback from its hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9038 reference DAC. The sound card also includes Sound Blaster’s very own Xamp fully Discrete Headphone Bi-Amplifier, supports headphones up to 600Ω and has an ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance for sensitive in-ear monitors.It also features a whole range of processing technologies – such as Sound Blaster’s own Acoustic Engine, Dolby Digital Live, and DTS Connect Encoding – as well as a convenient and powerful Audio Control Module.

Incredible Processing

The Sound Blaster AE-9 comes with Sound Blaster's full suite of audio enhancements, including Surround for an incredible immersion, Crystallizer that helps improve the dynamic range of audio, or Bass that provides bigger punch on the low end. Meanwhile, CrystalVoice Technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications. All enhancements are fully customizable from the Sound Blaster Command software suite on PC.On top of Sound Blaster's own processing capabilities, the Sound Blaster AE-9 also supports Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect Encoding.

Powerful Sound All Around

Immerse yourself in audio! The Sound Blaster AE-9 supports discrete 5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channels. The sound card also comes with Sound Blaster’s Surround technology that provides the best virtual surround sound experience on the market. The tech can be fully customized, or switched off completely.

Power at Your Fingertips

Many of the Sound Blaster AE-9's powerful features, such as the incredible Xamp, are contained within the Audio Control Module that sits on your desk. The Audio Control Module also supports dynamic/phantom-powered condenser microphones, perfect for serious content creators and streamers.