AAWWEEESSSOOOMMMEE
Written: Oct 14 '00 (Updated Dec 19 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great sound for little money
Cons: Doesn't have all the options of its cousin
|
|
|
| ldwalker59's Full Review: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card |
Introduction
I really didn't need to upgrade my soundcard. It wasn't that bad it was a Creative Soundblaster 64 AWE. I just wanted to get closer to my buddy's Soundblaster Live! Platinum without spending the hearty fee that came along with that card. Since I knew Creative as an awesome brand not to mention the fact that this is the best sound for your money I had to pick it up.
Beneficiaries... Gotta be the gamers!
As for who would benefit the most from using this product if you ask me it is anyone who can hear. The sound makes leaps and bounds over even the 64 AWE that I had, and the card is compatible with everything I have tried to use. From ancient DOS games like Interplay's "Master of Magic" all the way up to Blizzard's "Diablo II" the sound is crisp and clear. Well at least as crisp and clear as the game makes it.
The sound gives you the feeling like you are there in the wilderness as you travel from place to place in games like 3DO's "Heroes of Might and Magic III", and as you listen to your songs (either mp3 or CD) you hear it with a clarity that is very nearly unmatched.
What's in the Box
Now the Soundblaster Live! Value does not come with its cousin's (Soundblaster Live! Platinum's) extra recording module that makes it easier to plug in a microphone and other utilities, but you can still listen to up to four analog speakers at the same time (giving you that 3D sound before mentioned). You can still plug in a microphone it is just a little more of a hassle having to go to the back of the computer. The Value does come with the following software:
-Unreal™ Special Edition by Epic MegaGames®
-Prody Parrot™ by Mindmaker, Inc.
-TextAssist® by Mindmaker, Inc.
-VoiceAssist® by Mindmaker, Inc.
-Sound Blaster® Live! Experience
-Creative PlayCenter™
-Creative Launcher™
-Creative AudioHQ™
-Creative Rhythmania™
-Creative WaveStudio™
-Creative Soundo'LE®
-Creative Keytar™
-Predefined Game Environment presets
-Music Library
Many of these are helpful but I am a big fan of Winamp so I tend to turn most of the software that comes with it off, and I don't use it often. Others I know prefer the software that comes with the card to anything else so that is really up to you if you like it or not.
Other Accessories to Compliment this Card
Other accessories that work well with this product are just about any of the Koss speaker line. The put forth great sound also for not too much pain in the wallet area. I have not had too much experience with microphone's and this card, but from what I understand many tell me that all of the microphone's they have used (meant for computers of course) have worked well with the card.
Quick Summary
In conclusion, this card rocks the sound world, and still is one of the top cards today. I don't see any need anywhere in the near future to upgrade this card.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 70
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ldwalker59
|
|
Location: Plano, TX
Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 13 members
About Me:
fan of sports, vid games, and computers Woohoo!!!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.