Sound BlasterX AE-5 ; opinions?
- Thread starter Teh_Next
- Start date
What do you want from your soundcard?
Clearer sound potentially yes better.
However I think external is probably the best option as you then dont have interference from PC components, I am personally considering this, expensive tho.
Sound Blaster X7
But there is cheaper external options.
Some useful posts here.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/sound-blasterx-ae-vs-sound-blaster-z.18836833/
Clearer sound potentially yes better.
However I think external is probably the best option as you then dont have interference from PC components, I am personally considering this, expensive tho.
Sound Blaster X7
But there is cheaper external options.
Some useful posts here.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/sound-blasterx-ae-vs-sound-blaster-z.18836833/
AE-5 has better DAC and better amp, so sound quality should be better. It uses the same SBX prostudio for virtual surround sound as the SB Z does (all Creative products do); so if you find that rather disappointing, then the AE-5 would really only be an improvement from a sound quality perspective.
Thanks man, in that case I won't bother with it.
I have a stereo network receiver I use for my main music listening. Was looking for better simulated surround in games. Thx again.
SBX prostudio is one of, if not the best virtual surround sound algorithms available; but, audio preference varies so much from person to person, so it's not so simple to say that it will work for everyone. Dolby Headphone, for example; not as good as SBX prostudio, but there are people who find it really good; others, think it sucks.
The only option that is as good as, or better then SBX prostudio, depending on opinion, would be a Sennheiser GSX1000. Whether it's better or not will change depending on who you ask. Some people who own a GSX1000 find it a lot better than anything else; but have I seen a few people say they returned theirs because they thought Creative's SBX prostudio was better.
GSX1000 is not cheap for what it is though. AE-5 and G6 have better hardware and they are cheaper. GSX1000 would really only be worth a punt if it can be bought significantly cheaper than the £200 RRP. Even if you were to consider getting one, it won't drive those K612 headphones well enough. Output is rather weedy compared to the Creative's, more geared towards driving Sennheiser's gaming headsets, meaning you'd need to look at spending more money on different headphones.
The only option that is as good as, or better then SBX prostudio, depending on opinion, would be a Sennheiser GSX1000. Whether it's better or not will change depending on who you ask. Some people who own a GSX1000 find it a lot better than anything else; but have I seen a few people say they returned theirs because they thought Creative's SBX prostudio was better.
GSX1000 is not cheap for what it is though. AE-5 and G6 have better hardware and they are cheaper. GSX1000 would really only be worth a punt if it can be bought significantly cheaper than the £200 RRP. Even if you were to consider getting one, it won't drive those K612 headphones well enough. Output is rather weedy compared to the Creative's, more geared towards driving Sennheiser's gaming headsets, meaning you'd need to look at spending more money on different headphones.
Depends what you are looking for from surround audio I guess - SBX prostudio does a good job of moving sound out into a noticeably "spacialised" soundscape in that respect does better than the GSX but for portraying audio sources around you in 3D the GSX does much better even if at times not as noticeably "surround" - a bit hard to explain unless you get what I mean.
That still uses SBX prostudio though..
I think it's going to be a while until HRTF works for everyone. As it is now, there is too much, it works for person A but not person B.
I think there needs to be customisation and most likely a range of certified headphones. I think the biggest issue at the moment is that there is little to no customisation when it comes to configuring a system to each individual.
I get the impression, at the moment, it's like giving someone a pair of off the shelf glasses to read with, rather than tailoring them to the specific individual's requirements. Ready specs might be fine for some people, but not for others...
Microsoft certainly didn't help matters when they redesigned how sound works in Windows Vista onwards. No surprise though really. It is Microsoft after all...
I think it's going to be a while until HRTF works for everyone. As it is now, there is too much, it works for person A but not person B.
I think there needs to be customisation and most likely a range of certified headphones. I think the biggest issue at the moment is that there is little to no customisation when it comes to configuring a system to each individual.
I get the impression, at the moment, it's like giving someone a pair of off the shelf glasses to read with, rather than tailoring them to the specific individual's requirements. Ready specs might be fine for some people, but not for others...
Microsoft certainly didn't help matters when they redesigned how sound works in Windows Vista onwards. No surprise though really. It is Microsoft after all...
Well I bought a pair of arctis 7 wireless (2019) and gave them a try.
Straight back they go!
Seriously underwhelming. My kid said I sounded muffled on TS and although the positioning was defo good; not good enough to warrant £150. Guess I've just grown used to full decent sound on my current set up.
Straight back they go!
Seriously underwhelming. My kid said I sounded muffled on TS and although the positioning was defo good; not good enough to warrant £150. Guess I've just grown used to full decent sound on my current set up.
Well I bought a pair of arctis 7 wireless (2019) and gave them a try.
Straight back they go!
Seriously underwhelming. My kid said I sounded muffled on TS and although the positioning was defo good; not good enough to warrant £150. Guess I've just grown used to full decent sound on my current set up.
Upgrade itch strikes again !
As previously said the Soundblaster AE9 should be the ticket and flag ship item but creative reps have said they are improving and tweaking it to make it currently better, no real ETA it could be summer or fall at this point really but it was due early this year. Probably will come with a price tag of £250-300+ but just guesstimate.
No idea on performance in games either, but AE5 headphone amp is great for 'stereo' music over the Z series.
