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Creative Releases BlasterX AE-5 Gaming Soundcard
With the excellent embedded audio solution housed in motherboards I figured that soundcards would have been a thing of the past. Creative today however releases BlasterX AE-5 Gaming Soundcard. Oh and of course, it has RGB LEDs and a LED controller.
The sound card features the world’s best gaming headphone amplifier for PCs. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 delivers the ultimate audio performance with the full force of a 122dB 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre™ DAC, a kick-ass custom-designed 600Ω discrete headphone amp, audiophile-grade components, and proprietary Sound Blaster audio enhancement technologies.
Delivering an industry-leading gaming headphone amplification experience, the on-board headphone amplifier is custom-built using discrete transistors and audiophile-grade WIMA film/foil capacitors in a dual-amp design to satisfy the most demanding needs of today’s intense games and high-resolution audio. Experience the difference of a discrete dual-amp design as each audio channel is individually amplified to deliver pristine, uncompromised audio. Plus, the high heat resistance of the German-made WIMA capacitors greatly reduces noise and audio interference. The Xamp’s ultra low 1Ω output impedance also makes it perfectly capable of driving sensitive in-ear monitors as well as studio-grade headphones from 16Ω to 600Ω.
122dB DNR Sabre-Class DAC with Industry Leading Audio Processing
At the heart of the Sound BlasterX AE-5 sound card is the quad-core Sound Core3D audio DSP and a 122dB ESS Sabre-Class DAC that instantly boosts regular motherboard audio with up to 32 times more clarity. The premium audiophile-grade DAC with its high dynamic range indulges users with up to 32-bit/384kHz lossless playback and true audio fidelity for high-definition audio in games, movies, and music.
Updated, refined, and perfected through years of being the leader in sound processing, Creative’s AE-5 is feature-packed with the latest and greatest version of Creative’s award-winning audio processing and algorithms that improve music, movie, and gaming experiences. The legendary Sound Blaster technologies provide fully customizable DSP-powered audio enhancements, crystal-clear vocal reproduction, in-game voice communication enhancements, 7.1 virtual surround sound and other advanced audio technologies.
World’s First Sound Card with Integrated RGB Controller Powered by Aurora Reactive Lighting System
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 card is the first sound card to feature a built-in RGB controller that comes with the Aurora Reactive Lighting System. A separate RGB lighting system could set a user back by at least USD 50, but now this is built into the card itself with the AE-5, giving users amazing value and performance for their system. This also means that valuable space within a gamer’s desktop can be saved for other components.
The RGB controller, powered by Creative’s very own Aurora Reactive Lighting System, not only lights up the card through the PCB, but also gives gamers the flexibility to build their dream gaming rig by connecting up to four LED strips to match the awesome sound with an awesome light show. The fully customizable Aurora Reactive Lighting System allows users to choose from multiple presets or program it with up to 16.8 million colors and various rhythms to choose from, using the Sound Blaster Connect PC software.
All New Scout 2.0 Feature
Scout 2.0 is an upgraded version of Creative’s well-received Scout Mode feature – Scout 2.0 now also includes Scout Radar.
Scout Radar is a smart companion that enables gamers to visualize and pinpoint their enemy’s position on a Scout Radar app with the user’s smart device, while Scout Mode lets gamers hear their enemies before they are seen. The all new Scout 2.0 feature is sure to give gamers that added winning edge.
5.1 Discrete Speaker System Support
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 comes with support for a full-fledged discrete 5.1 speaker set-up, enabling gamers to enjoy the full potential of surround sound in today’s entertainment content.
“The Sound BlasterX AE-5 represents the best amplification experience for gaming headphones that a sound card can offer. Since our very first sound card 30 years ago, we’ve always been passionate about sound when it comes to entertainment and gaming. The AE-5 embodies our continuing dedication in giving gamers the absolute best. This is an amazing way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our gift of sound to the PC world: the Sound BlasterX AE-5,” said Low Long Chye, general manager of Creative.
“Discrete circuitry designs using components such as transistors and capacitors deliver audio with warmth and nuance that is seldom found in today’s commoditized audio products. With the AE-5, we have preserved the rich legacy of these quality components and combined it with world-class engineering and audio processing technology to deliver the absolute best audio experience for the PC. And that’s not all, the AE-5 also takes the sensory experience beyond sound with a 16.8 million color light show.”
Technical Specifications
|
• Audio/DSP processor |
: Sound Core3D |
|
|
• Channels |
: 5.1 discrete speaker out |
|
|
7.1 virtual headphone surround |
||
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• Interface |
: PCIe |
|
|
• DAC |
: ESS ES9016K2M SABRE32 Ultra DAC |
|
|
o Max playback resolution |
: 32-bit/384kHz* |
|
|
o DNR |
: 122 dB |
|
|
o THD + N |
: 0.00032% |
|
|
• ADC |
: Sound Core3D |
|
|
o Max recording resolution |
: 24-bit/96kHz |
|
|
• Headphone amp (600 Ω) |
: Custom-designed discrete headphone amp (Xamp) |
|
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o SNR |
: 116 dB |
|
|
o THD + N |
: 0.0009% |
|
|
o Output impedance |
: 1 Ω |
|
|
o Headphone impedance range |
: 16 – 600 Ω |
|
|
• Connectivity |
: 3 x 3.5mm line out (front, rear, center/sub) |
|
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1 x TOSLINK optical out |
||
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1 x 3.5mm headphone out |
||
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1 x 3.5mm microphone/line in |
||
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1 x Intel HD audio front panel |
||
Sound BlasterX AE-5 Pure Edition
A special white edition of the Sound BlasterX AE-5 is also available exclusively online at creative. Unlike the standard version, which comes with a single 30cm LED strip with 10 LEDs, this special Pure Edition will include four LED strips.
Pricing and AvailabilityThe Sound BlasterX AE-5 will be available in July 2017 at USD149.99. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Pure Edition will be available in August 2017 at USD179.99.
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SetsunaFZero
Member
Posts: 88
Joined: 2010-04-10
Member
Posts: 88
Joined: 2010-04-10
#5442234 Posted on: 06/13/2017 08:51 AM
I have Creative Sound Blaster ZxR which was supposed to be their BIG thing for Sound Blaster series and I must say driver support for it is absolute ****.
Once in frikkin' couple of months I get sound gone because Windows Update updates it as Recon3D - a thing Creative did not bother to resolve with M$ so far.
Or the fact that if I try and set Fast Boot in BIOS there is a chance addon card won't be correctly detected.
Or sound channels getting messed up for Headphones occasionally when you have SBX Surround enabled, right channel becoming left, left right and the rest disappear.
Really the hardware may be good, but software and support... sheeeeesh, I never seen anything as **** as that and I bet this new product will suffer the same.
Did you already tried the Creative custom PAX Drivers?
or this http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=126331&h=13a
I have Creative Sound Blaster ZxR which was supposed to be their BIG thing for Sound Blaster series and I must say driver support for it is absolute ****.
Once in frikkin' couple of months I get sound gone because Windows Update updates it as Recon3D - a thing Creative did not bother to resolve with M$ so far.
Or the fact that if I try and set Fast Boot in BIOS there is a chance addon card won't be correctly detected.
Or sound channels getting messed up for Headphones occasionally when you have SBX Surround enabled, right channel becoming left, left right and the rest disappear.
Really the hardware may be good, but software and support... sheeeeesh, I never seen anything as **** as that and I bet this new product will suffer the same.
Did you already tried the Creative custom PAX Drivers?
or this http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=126331&h=13a
LesserHellspawn
Senior Member
Posts: 671
Joined: 2010-03-27
Senior Member
Posts: 671
Joined: 2010-03-27
#5442237 Posted on: 06/13/2017 09:01 AM
I've stopped using Creative soundcards after they dropped 7.1 support. They however have a little software solution called Soundblaster MB3, which adds all the still unsurpassed bells&whistles of their superior surround support and EAX to any run of the mill mainboard onboard sound. I'm using that on top of my Realtek audio chip with a 7.1 speaker setup, and yes, it was worth the 29€.
I've stopped using Creative soundcards after they dropped 7.1 support. They however have a little software solution called Soundblaster MB3, which adds all the still unsurpassed bells&whistles of their superior surround support and EAX to any run of the mill mainboard onboard sound. I'm using that on top of my Realtek audio chip with a 7.1 speaker setup, and yes, it was worth the 29€.
Bleib
Senior Member
Posts: 371
Joined: 2013-08-19
Senior Member
Posts: 371
Joined: 2013-08-19
#5442244 Posted on: 06/13/2017 09:47 AM
No problems with either Z or ZR on Win7 or Win10.
The worst drivers I've encountered have been on the motherboard and one Asus card which name escapes me atm..
I doubt costum drivers for motherboards adds proper EAX support. One of the mistakes Creative did was not to license EAX fully, other cards just emulated EAX badly.
No problems with either Z or ZR on Win7 or Win10.
The worst drivers I've encountered have been on the motherboard and one Asus card which name escapes me atm..
I doubt costum drivers for motherboards adds proper EAX support. One of the mistakes Creative did was not to license EAX fully, other cards just emulated EAX badly.
dragonlord
Senior Member
Posts: 170
Joined: 2005-02-17
Senior Member
Posts: 170
Joined: 2005-02-17
#5442252 Posted on: 06/13/2017 10:11 AM
$150-$180 to try and make headphones sound better with audio resolution far beyond the human ear can even hear. 5.1 speakers only (instead of 7.1 speaker support). And a color light show! ROFL.
I guess there will be suckers who'll fall for this. But, eesh. What a joke.
$150-$180 to try and make headphones sound better with audio resolution far beyond the human ear can even hear. 5.1 speakers only (instead of 7.1 speaker support). And a color light show! ROFL.
I guess there will be suckers who'll fall for this. But, eesh. What a joke.
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
Member
Posts: 54
Joined: 2014-07-13
I have Creative Sound Blaster ZxR which was supposed to be their BIG thing for Sound Blaster series and I must say driver support for it is absolute ****.
Once in frikkin' couple of months I get sound gone because Windows Update updates it as Recon3D - a thing Creative did not bother to resolve with M$ so far.
Or the fact that if I try and set Fast Boot in BIOS there is a chance addon card won't be correctly detected.
Or sound channels getting messed up for Headphones occasionally when you have SBX Surround enabled, right channel becoming left, left right and the rest disappear.
Really the hardware may be good, but software and support... sheeeeesh, I never seen anything as **** as that and I bet this new product will suffer the same.