Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-Bit External Sound Card

5.0 stars

"Best External for the money" on January 23, 2005

Pros: It is very well featured and has worked perfectly for my logitech z5300e 5.1 speakers. I bought it because i had not pci slots open and it delerves amazing sound for dvd's, mp3's, and games. I am very impressed.

Cons: 24 bit audio only works in 4.1 but not 5.1 for me because it says i do not have enough usb/pci bandwidth. I took everything out so this was the only thing running and still nothing. 16 bit audio still sounds great though.

5.0 stars

"All you need for recording and playback" on August 8, 2010 by swift6912

Pros: Good quality design, gold plated input entries, sounds great and simple to use. Works with almost every low latency sound drivers. Knocks Creative's new usb X-FI external down the drain since it supports every sound program or recorders properly.

Cons: Still uses USB 1.1 cable but does not run slow or anything like that, its just and old USB format.

Summary: My experience with this Usb soundcard was sublime. I had just purchased the new X-fi 5.1 external and all i had was nightmares with recording and instrument playback. With the Live 24 bit EX, everything worked like a charm and i could use low latency sound drivers such as Asio4All without getting Blue Screens like the ridiculous X-fi was giving me. This is the macadamian nut of affordable usb cards, you wont get good quality for such a low price from creative anymore.. Get it while you still can.

1.5 stars

"Line in does not work. Cannot get any support." on September 27, 2008 by PeteCress

Pros: Line in does not work. Cannot get any support.

Cons: Line in does not work. Cannot get any support.

Summary: Line in does not work. Cannot get any support.

4.5 stars

"Best sound card for the money!" on January 4, 2008 by ameroso

Pros: Awesome bass enhancement.Great overall sound boost.Excellent value.My Klipsch 2.1 Promedias with this sound card can rival many high end home theatre systems.

Cons: could be better in surround sound

Summary: I was at the store debating between with this sound card or the Turtle beach Advantage Micro.And i'm glad i chose this sound card.For $49 Canadian i got an excellent sound card.I spent alot of money over the holidays and did not want to spend alot on a sound card.I have the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia speaker system which are probably the best sounding 2.1's for the money.They sound awesome on their own(with the integrated soun card),but i wanted a little extra boost.I really appreciate the low end sound.Now my pc sound system is outstanding for upgrades adding up to under $300.