Immersive Sound and Lots of Tweaks!
Written: Aug 06 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent sound quality, multitude of software apps
Cons: Problematic installation, plug interface on back of computer without optional drive bay interface
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| jimzak's Full Review: Creative Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ |
Combine this card, its clarity and digital sound effects with a good set of multimedia speakers, and you'll be sucked into an immersive aural feast!
Despite getting the Blue Screen of Death several times during installation, the card seemed to install itself pretty well. I immediately went to the Creative Website (http://www.sblive.com) and downloaded and installed the latest drivers and sound applets. The sound quality of the card is excellent on its own (no background hiss, good highs and lows), but if you tweak things with the software supplied, you can make things much more interesting.
The software package is extensive with lots of MP3 related items, game related apps, and text to voice stuff, and a control panel for all the apps (which probably number 10 or more.)
I was concerned that it might be a resource drain as previous Creative cards had been for me. This one doesn't seem to drag down my P3-733 too much :)
I moved up from an OEM card combining modem and soundcard on one PCI card; this dedicated, high quality card sounds near miraculous to me :)
I've had more than enough experience with soundcards, dating back to 93 or so when I installed my first soundcard (that worked), a Creative card, in a 486-33 mhz computer. As I recall it was hissy, and resource sucking, but also "near miraculous." He he he.
I'm tempted to add on the drive bay interface for the card so I don't have to get on my arthritic knees down on the floor to plug stuff into this card.
Your mileage may vary...
Jim
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 77
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Epinions.com ID:
jimzak
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Member: James Zachary
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Geek
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