Sound Blaster Live 5.1
Written: Feb 02 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Accurate Sound, Amplified Sound, Easy Install Drivers, Great Software, Bang For Your Buck!
Cons: Better Cards Now Days
The Bottom Line: Sound quality is great but this is a bang for your buck card. Newer games require a better card
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| termy's Full Review: Creative Technology Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 |
I had used many computers running the Sound Blaster 16 cards back in the day and I was always happy with them. Now days we have surround sound speakers that require spdif jacks and front/rear output jacks and the sound blaster 16's were not capable of this. I had to go and buy myself the Sound Blaster Live 5.1. Here is my review...
Installation was simple, remove the mounting screw on the card slot, remove the old card, install the new card, hook up the audio cable from the cdrom drive if applicable, and screw in the mounting screw and your ready to go! All I had to do now was install the drivers. The sound blaster card comes with two cd's, one is the installation cd and the other is a demo cd for a couple of games. Once the drivers are installed, you have the option to install software that comes with the cd. I recommend that you install Creative's Play Center because it was designed for your sound card in mind. Meaning you can listen to audio tracks on cd's or mp3 files on your computer in all 5 speakers! You can also setup play lists just like in Windows Media Player or Itunes.
The very first thing I noticed when I went to play a MIDI file was all the instruments I never heard on the old SB 16 cards! Not only that, but the instruments were louder sounding and projected more. Then I listened to some MP3's, and they sounded so great with all 5 speakers plus subwoofer. Keep in mind that your sound will also very on what type of sound system you have. For example, I am using a Logitech Z-5300 5.1 Surround Sound speaker system that costs $200.00 retail and it puts out a total of 280 watts RMS with a peak power of 560 watts RMS. So a speaker system like that coupled with this sound card creates incredible sound! But if you buy a cheap $100.00 or less 5.1 speaker system, its not going to impress you.
I really like this sound card, it more accurately produces sound than the old SB 16's do. The SB Live also amplifies the sound more and sounds awesome! However, I have used Creative's Audigy 2 cards in other machines and I think those cards are much better. This sound card is your bang for buck card so even though it sounds great, it leaves some to be desired. Installation was simple and the drivers were easy to install. I found the software to be useful and easy to use, I recommend installing the Creative Play Center. The full potential of this card will be heard depending on what surround sound system you are using. This card is great for games and movies however, the new games require more than this card can produce. If you are a hardcore gamer than you need to step up to a Audigy 2 ZS Gamers Card.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 25.00
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Epinions.com ID:
termy
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Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 3 members
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