DJ1s's Full Review: IBM Creative SoundBlaster Live!
I got the SoundBlaster Live! when I first built my new computer two years ago, Christmas. Throughout that time, much has changed but one thing has stayed constant: The SoundBlaster Live! is the best consumer sound card on the market. Creative Labs has also been known as a leader in sound cards with their SoundBlaster series of cards. Their latest Live! series of cards continues this tradition.
Based on the EMU10K1 audio processor, the original SoundBlaster Live! has gone through many changes since it's inception. Since the EMU10K1 is completely re-programmable Creative has been able to keep up with the times, adding new features and figuring out ways to grab more sheer power from this tremendous chip.
The success of the SoundBlaster Live! and its stunning EMU processor is evident when you see that Creative has released their new line of SoundBlaster products, The Live! 5.1 series, which uses the SAME chip as their first version two years ago. This clearly shows how versatile this product is, how after more then two years the heart of the card, the EMU10K1, is still the top of the line and Creative is still working on tapping more power with their driver releases and special Live!Ware packages.
The Live! is best known for it's audio API: EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions). EAX is a powerful 3D sound API that allows for developers to make the audio in their games more immersive and more realistic. EAX is available in games that support DirectSound 3D and the EAX API. Hooked up to my Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2500's (check my review if interested) using FourPoint sound games come in amazingly life-like. If you haven’t experienced 3D sound in games then this will be a huge jump for you. Quite amazing.
EAX has changed a lot over the years. The card originally came with just EAX 1.0, the Live!Ware updates bumped it up to 2.0. EAX 1.0 had effects like reverberation and reflection. EAX 2.0 added effects like occlusion and obstruction, allowing for sound to feel as if it is coming from behind an object or from a nearby room. Creative has shown off EAX 3.0 but has yet to release it in their drivers. Its features seem to enhance features from the past, giving greater control of reverberation and reflection.
The Live! is bundled with a Digital I/O (Input/Output) card, which provides digital SPDIF I/O (for DVD's) and MIDI I/O. The Digital I/O allows you to play DVD's from your computer on to a Dolby Digital system through the SPDIF-out on this daughter card. This does not mean that the Live! can decode Dolby Digital, it can't, rather it provides a pass through for an external decoder (like a DD receiver, or the DTT2500 in my case). This card is quite small but does take up a slot in the back of your case (ISA or PCI, your choice. I suppose you could rig something up if you felt the urge). A short ribbon cable connects this daughter board with the Live!
The Live! does have legacy SoundBlaster 16 DOS Emulation if you're still using DOS based games... I have this disabled as it does grab an IRQ and I don't play any DOS games so it is of no use to me.
Any flaws?
Well, one the card doesn't have a built-in amplifier so you might not be able to blow your eardrums too easily; so if you like to listen to your music ultra loud this may be a concern. Second, Creative seems to be a little slow releasing new drivers/new Live!Ware packages. EAX 3.0 was announced more than a year ago (March 16, 1999 to be exact) yet Live!Ware 3.0 still used EAX 2.0. Also there are many reports that the card may cause some hardware conflicts with specific components; IRQ issues and such. These are on a system-by-system basis though, as I have experienced none of these problems.
Overall I love this card and have used it in all of the systems I have built for others. It’s relatively inexpensive (you can find a Live! value version for less then $60 OEM) and extremely powerful. The sound is phenomenal and knowing that the industry has accepted EAX as a solid 3D API assures the end user that his or her product will be highly supported.
Intensify your gaming with the power of clear digital and analog 5.1 audio Surround yourself with head-turning 3D positional audio with the dynamic ac...More at eBay
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