Sound Blaster Surround 5.1

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
Includes essential cables for instant and comprehensive connectivity. Creative's Sound Blaster Surround 5.1 is the simple upgrade to 24-bit surround sound for desktop and notebook PCs. It's easy to install and enables desktop and notebook PCs to be totally integrated into any home audio set-up. Users can connect analogue PC speakers or home cinema systems, from 2.0 stereo to 5.1 surround, using the RCA cables supplied, and the system will up-mix any audio to surround. Digital connectivity includes coaxial and optical outputs, which can connect the system to decoders. An optical digital cable is included. Convenient microphone and headphone jacks on the front panel, plus dedicated volume controls and easy to use recording and playback software complete this excellent value package. -Easy to install upgrade to 24-bit, 5.1 surround for PCs and notebooks. -Up-mix any music and movie content to 5.1 surround. -Analogue connectivity for PC speakers and home cinema systems. -Optical and coaxial digital outputs for connectivity to decoder systems. -Three minijack-to-RCA cables and one optical digital cable included. -Easy to use software for recording, audio clean-up, MP3 creation and CD burning.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-23 rating:
Great Sound
I bought this with the sole intention of using it with my laptop for DJ'ing. I had previously just used the laptop's built in sound and wasn't impressed with the overall sound, too bright. This little gem sounds superb, a nice balanced sound that made my laptop sound a lot more professional. I was worried that the USB would add latency and cause trouble with outputting 4 hours non stop music, I needn't have worried, the Sound Blaster handled it all without any trouble. Well pleased!!

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review by: date: 2008-07-25 rating:
Sound Blaster Surround 5.1
I am so thrilled with this sound blaster......
it was so easy to install and set up....I use it for adding effects whilst singing online and I love it......
The sound quality is superb and the effects are top quality.....
I so wish I had bought it earlier....

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review by: date: 2008-07-11 rating:
EXCELLENT!
Have just taken delivery - to replace Creative SB Audigy 2NX which died the other day. A worthy replacement. All the software installs and works, provided you take the Custom option on installation. This allows you to tick boxes to ensure that all the software you want/do not want is installed. Highly recommended.

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review by: Danny date: 2008-02-26 rating:
Its Awesome
Okay, so I've had it a day....here are my thoughts so far.

First and foremost, I'd like to point out that I have absolutely no intention of recording records like the other customer review above me so I can't talk about those features.

What I can tell you is that it works exactly as described
+ sound works on 2.1 and 5.1 speakers
+ its plug and play on Windows XP - you literally plug in the wires (USB) and audio output and it works
+ a drivers disc is packaged with for Windows Vista
+ if you have a dodgy soundcard on your laptop and need to replace it, this does the job
+ aesthetically, it looks real cute
+ it plays with no problem, sounds real nice and all without breaking a sweat!

I would recommend this product.


review by: date: 2008-02-25 rating:
Sound quality superb; Easy to set-up
Let's face it; most of us aren't going to record vinyls. Most of us are in it only for the listening experience. So if you have a laptop and want to enjoy 5.1 then this is the sound card for you. They have a little bang for everyone:

1. EAX Effects for gaming enthusiasts
2. Virtual Surround (the CMSS button you can see) re-creates any audio coming into your sound card into 5.1. Uncannily effective. Music enthusiasts: get ready to be blown away.
3. Optical out for those who want to connect high-def audio systems.
4. Line in: if you're a guitarist and want to use your card as an electronic amp, there's a line in for you.
5. SPDIF and DIN ports.

Use them with a good audio system like the Logitech X-540 and you've got yourself a very good bargain.

The X-540:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-X-540-Multimedia-Speaker-System/dp/B000LBHFMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203950090&sr=1-1

And for those of you who may have heard that using audio splitters like these ones:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CI3480

from Belkin can enable you to cheaply connect all 3 audio jacks to one of your laptops output ports, don't even think about it. I tried it, and I thought the speakers sounded good, but when I got the sound card, I was literally transported to another realm. The speakers sound miles better using the sound card.

Needless to say, they play any 5.1 format (DTS, Dolby, DTS-EX, DTS-ES, AAC) effortlessly with discrete and loud sound coming from all channels.

Of course, with DTS-EX and DTS-ES, you don't get the rear centre channel because this is not a 6.1 sound card but a 5.1. Investing in a 6.1 card is infinitely more expensive and then you need a 6.1 audio system as well, and they're not cheap either. Plus, if all you've ever been using is a 2.1 system, you won't notice the difference. There are also very few 6.1 movies and games. The only such movie I know of is Lord of the Rings. Oh yes, try Lord of the Rings on your new 5.1 system. You'll find out why one of the Oscars it got was for sound mixing.

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