This year marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of Creative's Sound Blaster line of PC sound cards and external adapters. In that time, Creative has developed the most feature-rich, highest-quality products on the market. Whether you're looking for a near professional-quality card for recording audio, the ultimate in entertainment surround sound, or an inexpensive upgrade to an inferior integrated chip, Creative has a conversation starter to fit your needs. Read on for more on each or scroll down to consult our full feature-comparison chart.
The audiophile
If you have recording aspirations, we recommend either Creative's $250 top-of-the-line Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro or the $200 Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum. Both feature 24-bit/96KHz audio by way of an internal 7.1-channel PCI card coupled with a breakout I/O hub. On the Platinum, the hub is a panel that fits in a 5.25-inch drive bay; on the Platinum Pro model, it takes the form of an external box, thereby saving expansion space on the PC. Each I/O hub has a large, guitar- or bass-friendly 0.25-inch line-in jack with a separate volume-control knob and MIDI-in and MIDI-out ports for digital music production. Media enthusiasts of all stripes will appreciate being able to decode almost every audio format, including DTS ES, Dolby Digital EX 6.1, and DVD-Audio. In addition, the remote control helps these cards turn your PC into an entertainment hub. Anything more advanced, and you've crossed the line into professional-level hardware.
The pure gamer
Gamers and those content simply to listen to music rather than create it will appreciate the aptly named Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer LE. For $150, you get the same audio-standard support and immersive 7.1-channel, 24-bit/96KHz output that you get with the two Platinum models. You sacrifice the convenience of up-front I/O-port access, but you get a digital-output jack, five A-list games, and enough inputs for up to 7.1 speakers.
No-frills 5.1
For a more affordable option, we recommend the $70 Sound Blaster Audigy LS, which provides the same 24-bit/96KHz audio as the Audigy 2 cards. With its 5.1-channel output, the Audigy LS is great for casual users who need basic audio for playing games, listening to music, and watching DVDs but don't want to string speaker wire all over their rooms.
Portable powerhouse
If you use a laptop or a desktop with limited upgrade space, you're not left out in the cold. Creative's $130 USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX adapter is the perfect solution for when you're all out of PCI slots or want to bring out the best from your desktop-replacement notebook. Basically a condensed version of the Platinum cards, with their 7.1 channel, 96KHz/24-bit output, the Audigy 2 NX delivers optical-in and optical-out ports for connecting to digital audio receivers, MiniDisc players, and other devices, all of which you can control with the included IR remote.
| |
Platinum Pro |
Platinum |
Gamer |
Audigy 2 NX |
Audigy LS |
| Speaker channel output |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
5.1 |
| Coaxial S/PDIF in/out |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Out only |
No |
| Optical S/PDIF in/out |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| 1/8" digital out |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Remote control |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Left and right RCA audio |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Midi in/out |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| FireWire |
Yes (x4) |
Yes (x2) |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Main volume control |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Line 2 volume control |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| 1/8" line-in jack |
Yes (w/ incl. adapter) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| 1/4" line-in jack |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| 1/4" headphone jack |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| 1/8" microphone jack |
Yes (w/ incl. adapter) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| 1/4" line 2 in jack |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| DVD-Audio |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| DTS ES 6.1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Dolby Digital 5.1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| EAX 4.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| EAX 3.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Read the CNET editor's take
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8.5 out of 10
7.9 out of 10
