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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 |
||
|
• 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) |
|
|
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) |
|
|
1 x TOSLINK optical out |
||
|
1 x 3.5mm headphone out |
||
|
1 x 3.5mm microphone/line in |
||
|
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.
Guru3D 2016 December 5 contest - Win a Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR soundcard - 12/05/2016 10:50 AM
In December here on Guru3D we will give away a nice prizes. That means every day up-to December 31st you will have a chance of winning something. Today we give away a Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR ...
Creative X-Fi Sonic Carrier - 15.2 High-Resolution Audio - 01/05/2016 03:22 PM
X-Fi Sonic Carrier packs 15 drivers, a wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos support, and an 800-watt amplifier. Powered by a whopping 7 processors with 14 cores....
Creative Sound BlasterX G5 71 HDA Portable Sound Card and Headphone Amp - 12/22/2015 09:15 AM
Creative Technology Ltd today announced the availability in the U.S., as part of the Sound BlasterX Gaming Series, the Sound BlasterX G5, a 7.1 HD audio portable sound card with built-in headphone amp...
Creative Announces the Woof 3 Bluetooth Speaker - 12/22/2015 09:14 AM
Creative announced the Creative Woof 3, the ideal micro-size Bluetooth speaker companion for smartphone and tablet users who want to enjoy their music out loud on the go. ...
Creative Sound BlasterX G5: 7.1 External Sound Card and Amplifier - 08/04/2015 02:17 PM
Creative today announced the Sound BlasterX G5, a 7.1 HD audio external sound card with built-in headphone amplifier. The Sound BlasterX G5 is an external sound card that comes with the built-in SB-Ax...
SetsunaFZero
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 2010-04-10
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 2010-04-10
#5442234 Posted on: 06/13/2017 07:51 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: 640
Joined: 2010-03-27
Senior Member
Posts: 640
Joined: 2010-03-27
#5442237 Posted on: 06/13/2017 08:01 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 08:47 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: 136
Joined: 2005-02-17
Senior Member
Posts: 136
Joined: 2005-02-17
#5442252 Posted on: 06/13/2017 09:11 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.
Paulo Narciso
Senior Member
Posts: 1219
Joined: 2007-02-21
Senior Member
Posts: 1219
Joined: 2007-02-21
#5442318 Posted on: 06/13/2017 11:30 AM
Sound quality is going backwards. EAX 5 was amazing, there's nothing right now that come close.
This card is irrelevant and besides some leds, it won´t bring anything different.
Sound quality is going backwards. EAX 5 was amazing, there's nothing right now that come close.
This card is irrelevant and besides some leds, it won´t bring anything different.
Witcher29
Senior Member
Posts: 1139
Joined: 2015-06-02
Senior Member
Posts: 1139
Joined: 2015-06-02
#5442329 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:00 PM
Nothing can beat an external Soundblaster X7 card from creative, i am really done with them pci-e cards, it takes space, and when u have a SLI-setup then there is no room anymore for such a thing.
Nothing can beat an external Soundblaster X7 card from creative, i am really done with them pci-e cards, it takes space, and when u have a SLI-setup then there is no room anymore for such a thing.
qqryq
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: 2012-05-11
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: 2012-05-11
#5442332 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:10 PM
While Creative drivers aren't amazing, I would still take them over ASUS drivers any day. ASUS basically re-brand the C-Media drivers and call it a day, which means that they are at the mercy of someone else writing the driver and software. This is why ASUS has trouble supporting newer operating systems on their sound cards.
Creative at least write their drivers in-house, which I find much preferable.
So true.
I'm not even touching Asus crap drivers, only UNi Xonar Audio Drivers (modded drivers for Xonar and other C-Media 8788 audio chipset based sound cards).
http://maxedtech.com/
While Creative drivers aren't amazing, I would still take them over ASUS drivers any day. ASUS basically re-brand the C-Media drivers and call it a day, which means that they are at the mercy of someone else writing the driver and software. This is why ASUS has trouble supporting newer operating systems on their sound cards.
Creative at least write their drivers in-house, which I find much preferable.
So true.
I'm not even touching Asus crap drivers, only UNi Xonar Audio Drivers (modded drivers for Xonar and other C-Media 8788 audio chipset based sound cards).
http://maxedtech.com/
mackintosh
Senior Member
Posts: 245
Joined: 2012-11-28
Senior Member
Posts: 245
Joined: 2012-11-28
#5442333 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:12 PM
Haven't used a sound card since Auzentech went out of business and my HT HD went the way of the dodo. Perfectly happy with a receiver and speakers/headphones combo for all my music/gaming needs. I'm not sure what the point of a sound card is these days.
Haven't used a sound card since Auzentech went out of business and my HT HD went the way of the dodo. Perfectly happy with a receiver and speakers/headphones combo for all my music/gaming needs. I'm not sure what the point of a sound card is these days.
Turanis
Senior Member
Posts: 1477
Joined: 2014-08-15
Senior Member
Posts: 1477
Joined: 2014-08-15
#5442337 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:14 PM
Should be great card,I miss old Creative sound blaster cards.
From a goood guy who bring modded drivers for ASUS, C-Media and Creative soundcards:
https://danielkawakami.blogspot.ro/
Should be great card,I miss old Creative sound blaster cards.
From a goood guy who bring modded drivers for ASUS, C-Media and Creative soundcards:
https://danielkawakami.blogspot.ro/
Denial
Senior Member
Posts: 12557
Joined: 2004-05-16
Senior Member
Posts: 12557
Joined: 2004-05-16
#5442345 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:21 PM
Sound quality is going backwards. EAX 5 was amazing, there's nothing right now that come close.
This card is irrelevant and besides some leds, it won´t bring anything different.
I don't know about sound quality, but I'd agree with sound "importance" started to take a back seat. But recently with VR becoming more mainstream, a lot of studios are going back and developing some pretty cool 3D sound processing stuff. Steam Audio is starting to get integrated in to the major engines:
https://valvesoftware.github.io/steam-audio/
It's in both UE4 and Unity now.
Also UE4 with 4.16 completely revamped it's audio system:
https://youtu.be/ErejaBCicds?t=2416
This video shows some of the new stuff including a completely modular synthesizer.
Sound quality is going backwards. EAX 5 was amazing, there's nothing right now that come close.
This card is irrelevant and besides some leds, it won´t bring anything different.
I don't know about sound quality, but I'd agree with sound "importance" started to take a back seat. But recently with VR becoming more mainstream, a lot of studios are going back and developing some pretty cool 3D sound processing stuff. Steam Audio is starting to get integrated in to the major engines:
https://valvesoftware.github.io/steam-audio/
It's in both UE4 and Unity now.
Also UE4 with 4.16 completely revamped it's audio system:
https://youtu.be/ErejaBCicds?t=2416
This video shows some of the new stuff including a completely modular synthesizer.
OnnA
Senior Member
Posts: 10258
Joined: 2014-10-25
Senior Member
Posts: 10258
Joined: 2014-10-25
#5442352 Posted on: 06/13/2017 12:33 PM
Where is Dolby ATMOS? (5.1.2 | 5.1.4 | 7.1.2 & 7.1.4)
Rest is Briliant:
32-bit with 384kHz !
This DAC ->>> ESS ES9016K2M SABRE32 Ultra DAC
But USD149.99 is way too much for a SC without ATMOS....
Where is Dolby ATMOS? (5.1.2 | 5.1.4 | 7.1.2 & 7.1.4)
Rest is Briliant:
32-bit with 384kHz !
This DAC ->>> ESS ES9016K2M SABRE32 Ultra DAC
But USD149.99 is way too much for a SC without ATMOS....
RealNC
Senior Member
Posts: 3131
Joined: 2011-11-24
Senior Member
Posts: 3131
Joined: 2011-11-24
#5442381 Posted on: 06/13/2017 01:20 PM
Who needs that? I don't think it's gamers... Unless I missed something, games come with 16-bit/48kHz (or 44.1) audio.
Even my 24-bit/192kHz Xonar goes completely unused in that department. Everything I throw at it is just 16-bit/48.
Am I missing something?
Who needs that? I don't think it's gamers... Unless I missed something, games come with 16-bit/48kHz (or 44.1) audio.
Even my 24-bit/192kHz Xonar goes completely unused in that department. Everything I throw at it is just 16-bit/48.
Am I missing something?
qqryq
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: 2012-05-11
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: 2012-05-11
#5442383 Posted on: 06/13/2017 01:25 PM
Should be great card,I miss old Creative sound blaster cards.
From a goood guy who bring modded drivers for ASUS, C-Media and Creative soundcards:
https://danielkawakami.blogspot.ro/
Interesting, i'll check it out. Thanks for heads up!
Edit: Well, i can't say if drivers are good or not, download links only works for Asus Xonar Windows 10 drivers blog entries. Older are dead... Pity
Should be great card,I miss old Creative sound blaster cards.
From a goood guy who bring modded drivers for ASUS, C-Media and Creative soundcards:
https://danielkawakami.blogspot.ro/
Interesting, i'll check it out. Thanks for heads up!
Edit: Well, i can't say if drivers are good or not, download links only works for Asus Xonar Windows 10 drivers blog entries. Older are dead... Pity
Fox2232
Senior Member
Posts: 9939
Joined: 2012-07-20
Senior Member
Posts: 9939
Joined: 2012-07-20
#5442396 Posted on: 06/13/2017 01:51 PM
Nothing can beat an external Soundblaster X7 card from creative, i am really done with them pci-e cards, it takes space, and when u have a SLI-setup then there is no room anymore for such a thing.
Yes, and it eats off PCIe lanes.
I am currently facing unpleasant thing with sound card. I picked PCI version instead of PCIe, because it had better board with less noise.
Now, with Ryzen boards not having PCI slots, my only option is to get PCIe to PCI bridge card. Unfortunately there were not many great external soundcards back then, and I did not find any with 6,3mm jacks for headphones.
But from space perspective, External take more of space as they have cables, power supplies and are in box which is often bigger than internal card. But, their main advantage is that you can easily use them with anything. (notebook/tablet/...)
Who needs that? I don't think it's gamers... Unless I missed something, games come with 16-bit/48kHz (or 44.1) audio.
Even my 24-bit/192kHz Xonar goes completely unused in that department. Everything I throw at it is just 16-bit/48.
Am I missing something?
It is internal mixing rate + rate at which it is willing to communicate with other software in PC.
So, it improves a quality of mixed sound a bit. I clearly noticed jump from 48 to 96kHz. But from 96 to 192kHz, I think it was more of a placebo since It took quite some listening to actually get to point of thinking there is difference.
So I say, 384 kHz looks pointless to me. + in past I met 2 games which were crashing if I had sampling at more than 96kHz.
Looking at bitrate, 24/32bit is not pointless, but again stem from 24 to 32bit is damn hard to notice.
Nothing can beat an external Soundblaster X7 card from creative, i am really done with them pci-e cards, it takes space, and when u have a SLI-setup then there is no room anymore for such a thing.
Yes, and it eats off PCIe lanes.
I am currently facing unpleasant thing with sound card. I picked PCI version instead of PCIe, because it had better board with less noise.
Now, with Ryzen boards not having PCI slots, my only option is to get PCIe to PCI bridge card. Unfortunately there were not many great external soundcards back then, and I did not find any with 6,3mm jacks for headphones.
But from space perspective, External take more of space as they have cables, power supplies and are in box which is often bigger than internal card. But, their main advantage is that you can easily use them with anything. (notebook/tablet/...)
Who needs that? I don't think it's gamers... Unless I missed something, games come with 16-bit/48kHz (or 44.1) audio.
Even my 24-bit/192kHz Xonar goes completely unused in that department. Everything I throw at it is just 16-bit/48.
Am I missing something?
It is internal mixing rate + rate at which it is willing to communicate with other software in PC.
So, it improves a quality of mixed sound a bit. I clearly noticed jump from 48 to 96kHz. But from 96 to 192kHz, I think it was more of a placebo since It took quite some listening to actually get to point of thinking there is difference.
So I say, 384 kHz looks pointless to me. + in past I met 2 games which were crashing if I had sampling at more than 96kHz.
Looking at bitrate, 24/32bit is not pointless, but again stem from 24 to 32bit is damn hard to notice.
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Posts: 54
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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.