Entered CNET Catalog: 09/25/2003
SKU: 0054651060739
Manufacturer: Creative Labs
Manufacturer description
The THX certified Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum delivers 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio, 108dB SNR clarity across 8 channels, and is the only available PC platform to deliver Advanced Resolution 24-bit DVD-Audio playback in 24-bit/192kHz stereo and 24-bit/96kHz 5.1 surround. The included Audigy 2 ZS Internal I/O Drive provides enhanced front panel connectivity. EAX ADVANCED HD effects produce ultra-realistic sound in supported games and multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 with over 400 existing 3D games. EAX ADVANCED HD acoustic enhancements dramatically improve all your music with features including Bass Boost, Graphic Equalizer, Audio Clean-Up, and more!Product summary
The good: DTS ES and Dolby Digital EX 6.1 decoding; 7.1-channel output; 24-bit/96KHz output; supports DVD-Audio; extensive external device connectivity.
The bad: No USB 2.0 port; unintuitive software suite; pricey; complicated installation.
The bottom line: The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum is a great card for the demanding gamer or media enthusiast.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 03/17/2004
The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum features the same audio-processing technology as the Platinum Pro; the only differences between them, other than the price (the Platinum card costs $200, the Platinum $250), are their form factors and their selection of inputs and outputs. Where the Platinum Pro includes an external I/O hub that connects to the sound card's FireWire port, the Platinum uses an internal I/O hub that resides in one of your system's 5.25-inch drive bays, involves a more complicated installation process, and serves up fewer connections.
The backplane of the card itself is the same across the Audigy 2 ZS line and features outputs for up to 7.1-channel speakers, coaxial digital-out, line-out, and microphone-in jacks. The Platinum card's internal I/O hub has a 0.25-inch stereo headphone jack with a minijack adapter; only one line-in (that doubles as the 0.25-inch microphone in) with gain control, compared to the Platinum Pro's three line-in jacks; two RCA audio-in jacks; both optical and coaxial digital input and output ports; a 5.1-channel digital-audio out; a single FireWire port (the Platinum Pro has two); MIDI in and out jacks; and an IR receiver for the remote control. While none of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS line is on a par with professional audio production hardware, the more serious hobbyist will prefer the Platinum Pro card to the Platinum version for the more extensive array of ports found on the former.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12out of 12 user reviews
I just wonder how somebody will rate this as terrible.
Pros: I have been using this card for over 3 years now and I am really loving it. I am using a pair of JBL E100 speakers with a Yamaha equalizer and a Sony receiver and nothing comes close to these.
Cons: None. If you don't get the correct sound then you are using the wrong speakers.
out of 12 user reviews
CRASHES/CONFLICTS/PROBLEMS FOR MANY
Pros: When working... FANTASTIC!
Cons: Can be hazardous to your mental health.
PROS: Exceptional sound output. Just about anything can be done with multiple input capabilities. Has all the extras for recording various media and clean-up. Front face plate is a nice feature and convenient. An absolute dream with a 7.1 speaker system. Fairly easy install when following the well written and clear step-by-step directions included. Rebate offer of $100 (as of this posting) makes it an exceptional value.
CONS: Conflicts/Crashes during on-line gaming - see "Other Thoughts" below for more on this. Some have found the internal flat wire connector between the card and the face plate less than appealing. I agree that the design could have been better and it makes you think of how best to position it inside the cabinet so that air flow is not restricted. It can be done, however. Having to place a tiny jumper on terminals (located on the inside of the panel unit - requiring getting access inside the cabinet and removing the panel) to change microphone types was a really stupid design flaw and did not take into consideration those that may actually have different mics for recording purposes. No reason this jumper could not have been located on the front panels face plate. The jumper is also so tiny, it can be easily lost (I taped it to the inside of my access panel). Kind of hard to rate this item. When it works properly it's the best thing since sliced bread. When it doesn't, you want to put it in the middle of the road and watch trucks run it over. You will have to load updated drivers (ONLY!) from website. Do not download full application from website... useless garbage that bogs down your computer.
OTHER THOUGHTS: The first week I had it, there were no problems doing anything other than gaming on-line (no problem if not on-line). Extremely frustrating. Into a game and suddenly - Screech! Blue Screen w/error, Crash. Visiting the Creative website and going to their Forums section shows that the problem is not unique. Too many purchasers with same problem seeking a resolve to the demon within. Creative has not provided one. Now the odd thing... about a week after installing this and being thoroughly P'd Off, I loaded a Cyberlink Power DVD program disc for use with my DVD burner. It added a lot of commands and made some changes as I watched it progress during install (many had to do with the sound). Thought it might have messed up my Creative output. Don't know why and maybe some techies have the answer, but since then I have had no more problems or crashes - and everything is working properly. I'm no techie and don't have a clue - just happy it is now behaving as it should. THINK THIS PURCHASE CAREFULLY BEFORE BUYING. Have high tech-ability or be prepared to deal with problems inherent to this card.
(The above review is my own and has been repeated on Newegg, Amazon, and other sites reviewing this item. M.D.)
Almost forgot... Two games (if included with your purchase) of Tomb Raider and Rainbow Six are junk and will screw up your system - few are successful in actually getting them to work - Use them for glass coasters. Total garbage! Don't even try to load them.
Having had this for awhile now, thought I would expand my review and add a couple of details. Installed this in a new computer for a friend using a "clean" XP O.S. (no proprietary programs). I made no promises, but he liked mine so much he was willing to take a chance even after my warnings. It worked flawlessly on the first install. Go figure. Was put to the test with no problems or conflicts detected even during gaming use (the problem I had). So, now I doubt the loading of the DVD program on my system had anything to do with correcting the problem I had initially. The problems many experience remains a mystery. One thing I neglected to mention in my initial review was that this unit comes with a remote control that can only be used if the Media Program is installed from the driver disc. Be aware that installing this program adds proprietary crap such as AOL and other useless junk that will have to be removed later. The remote is a nice conversation piece, but will likely see little use unless you use your system from a couch. Shop around. Better prices can be found.
out of 12 user reviews
Great Card
Pros: Has lots off features
Cons: Remoter could be a little larger
I use the front pannel outlets a lot especialy for my 5.1 headphones. Great card
buy one you will not regret it.
Good Luck
Wendell H
out of 12 user reviews
Hardware's great, Software is lacking.
Pros: With all the features, ports and options, there is no way you could get bored with this.
Cons: The Creative software and Norton Anti-Virus software do not play well together.
out of 12 user reviews
One the best sound cards money can buy.
Pros: Excellent audio fidelity. Support for DTS is a plus. Stable drivers
Cons: The X-Fi series may be a better buy.
While some buyers have complained about the drivers I haven't experienced any problems with them at all. Under Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 the sound card is extremely stable.
Although the X-Fi series is now available this card remains a good buy. It is still available from many online resellers and would make a fine replacement for onboard audio solutions.
out of 12 user reviews
It Works, BUT...... Keep yer money 'fer now
Pros: It does basic stuff just fine.
Cons: Installation, Serious EAX problems, Drivers, Support.
BEWARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Problems from the start !! And oh, about that non-existant tech support? That IS the way it is. It's useless.
out of 12 user reviews
better than the review says
Pros: remote, 7.1, 6.1, 5.1, 24 bit sound, digital imputs, fire wire, eax support, THX, home theater inputs, three games, apps, cheap on rebate
Cons: little complicated to put in
out of 12 user reviews
Good card lack of support
Pros: great qualtiy and internal drive is nice
Cons: lack of support
point is
DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR BS.
out of 12 user reviews
Save yourself frustration - don't buy it
Pros: It has audio inputs for my digital cable
Cons: It doesn't work, and tech support is as bad as it can get
I don't mind spending the money to buy high end products, I do mind when the basic installation is flawed and generates error messages and the product doesn't work. There is no excuse for tech support to be ignorant about their product line, and it is inexcusable for tech support to use a shotgun approach to fault isolation.
This was my first, and last purchase of a Creative Labs product.
out of 12 user reviews
BOOM-BOOM! tweet-tweet!
Pros: More than enough sound for the average ears! The specs on this card also say it all, there is none better...And if there is, yours ears won't be able to tell the difference! And the cute fully functional little remote is the cherry on top!
Cons:
out of 12 user reviews
Hosed my system
Pros: excelent features if it worked on my system
Cons: DO NOT MIX WITH ATI ALL IN WONDER VIDEOCARDS THE DRIVERS DO NOT MIX WELL
out of 12 user reviews
Absolutely flawless sound from absolutely any source.
Pros: Great quality, 24-bit, 108db SNR. With 5.25" drive, will connect to every audio device in your house. 2 Firewire ports are great for high-speed audio or DV. Built-in Dolby EX Decoder. Combine it with a good graphics card and video-in, and you don't need a
Cons: I had a problem between my sound card drivers and the (admittedly unsigned) driver for my Promise Tech Ultra100TX2 IDE controller card. But it was, with a little help from Microsoft, fixable.
