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Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with Dolby Digital and DTS, Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp, Up to 122dB SNR, RGB Lighting System
Brand | Creative |
Hardware Interface | PCI Express x4 |
Audio Output Mode | Surround |
Platform | Windows |
Hardware Platform | Headphones, PC |
About this item
- SUPPORTS DOLBY DIGITAL AND DTS – Now with support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for even more delivery options to your external audio devices The AE-5 Plus also supports 5.1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround, as well as Sound Blaster’s Surround Virtualization technology
- POWERFUL DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP – Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus features Xamp, our custom-designed discrete headphone amp that utilizes bi-amplification technology to power each earcup individually with 1 ohm output impedance and drives studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones
- PRISTINE AUDIO QUALITY – Featuring the SABRE32 ultra-class PCI-e DAC to deliver up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter, the AE-5 Plus is more than capable of hi-res audio for games, music, and movies; put simply, for discerning audio lovers of any kind, the AE-5 Plus is set to blow past your expectations with pristine audio and powerful performance
- RGB YOUR GAMING RIG – The AE-5 Plus has customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and also features an included RGB LED strip. Enjoy a symphony of lights and sound with 16.8 million colors in different patterns to choose from, all via the Sound Blaster Command software for PC
- INDUSTRY-LEADING AUDIO PROCESSING – The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus rides on Sound Blaster’s long legacy of audio processing and enhancements, available through the Sound Blaster Command software and featuring fully customizable audio processing technologies to deliver clearer vocals, accurate cues, and bass boost
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 5.71 x 0.79 x 5.04 inches |
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Item Weight | 1 pounds |
Manufacturer | Creative Labs |
ASIN | B086QN3WNX |
Item model number | SB1740 |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #9 in Computer Internal Sound Cards |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 2, 2020 |
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Product Description
Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus – Now with Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for more surround sound delivery options!
Be one of the proud OPs showing off their gaming rigs on r/battlestations! The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a perfect convergence between aesthetics and performance that features a SABRE32 ultra-class hi-res PCI-e gaming sound card and DAC with customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and comes with an included RGB LED strip. It also features our award-winning Xamp discrete headphone amp that utilizes a bi-amplification technology, as well as our full suite of industry-leading audio processing technologies including Surround Virtualization.
Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp
Each audio channel is individually amplified, allowing the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus to deliver pristine audio fidelity in an unaltered lossless model to each earcup regardless of demand.
r/battlestations Worthy
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 has customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and also features an included RGB LED strip. Program up to 16.8 million colors in different patterns with the free downloadable Sound Blaster Command software for PC.
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SABRE32 Ultra-class PCI-e DACThe Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a SABRE32 Ultra-class PCI-e DAC which is perfect for hi-resolution audio for games, music, and movies. It delivers up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback* with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter. *32-bit playback only available in Windows 10 or higher |
Sound Blaster Acoustic EngineThe Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus rides on Sound Blaster’s long legacy of audio processing and enhancements, available through the Sound Blaster Command software. The Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine is a suite of fully customizable audio processing technologies deliver new levels of audio immersion and precision for the ultimate competitive advantage. These sound technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism, including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets. |
Incredible ProcessingActivate Scout Mode to give yourself a distinct tactical advantage! This tried and tested technology enhances important in-game audio cues—such as footsteps and weapon switching sounds—allowing you to quickly and accurately pinpoint your opponents' location before they pinpoint yours! Meanwhile, CrystalVoice technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications. |
Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus | Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus Pure Edition | Sound Blaster AE-7 | |
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Add to Cart
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Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars
2,775
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4.4 out of 5 stars
2,775
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Encoding | Dolby Digital Live / DTS | Dolby Digital Live / DTS | Dolby Digital Live / DTS |
DNR / SNR | 122 dB | 122 dB | 127 dB |
DAC | ESS SABRE32 Ultra | ESS SABRE32 Ultra | ESS SABRE-class 9018 |
Max Playback Resolution | PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz | PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz | PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz, DSD: DSD64 |
THD + N | 0.00032% (DAC) | 0.00032% (DAC) | 0.0001% (DAC) |
Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Swappable Op-amps | N/A | N/A | ✓ |
RGB Aurora Lighting | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
ASIO Support | 2.3, Playback and Recording | 2.3, Playback and Recording | 2.3, Playback and Recording |
Supported Operating System | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 |
Compare with similar items
This Item Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with Dolby Digital and DTS, Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp, Up to 122dB SNR, RGB Lighting System | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | ||
Price | — | $149.99$149.99 | -18% $89.99$89.99 List: $109.99 | -11% $40.06$40.06 List: $44.99 | -17% $49.99$49.99 List: $59.99 | $17.99$17.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Easy to install | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Volume control | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
For gaming | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Easy to use | 4.0 | 4.0 | — | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Sold By | — | Creative Labs, Inc. | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Creative Labs, Inc. | Creative Labs, Inc. |
hardware interface | pci express x4 | headphone | pci express x1 | pci express x1 | headphone | pci express x1 |
audio output mode | Surround | Surround, Dolby Digital | Surround | Surround | Stereo Surround | Stereo Surround |
surround channels | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 7.1, 5.1 |
hardware platform | Headphones, PC | Headphones | Speakers, Headphones | PC | Speakers, Headphones, PC | Speakers, PC |
384 KHz | 384 KHz | 192 KHz | 192 KHz | 192 KHz | 192 KHz | |
signal-to-noise ratio | 122 decibels | 122 decibels | 116 decibels | — | 120 decibels | 120 decibels |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality and ease of installation of the sound card. They mention that it's a great product, with the usual Creative high build quality. They appreciate the crisp and crystal clear experience. Customers are also happy with the RGB lighting, and adjustment. Opinions are mixed on sound quality, performance, software, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the sound card. They say it has the usual Creative high build quality, and delivers a crisp and crystal clear experience. Customers also say it's a solid card, and is easy to install. They also appreciate the sleek design and the beautiful 5.1 Dolby sound.
"...The back connections are as expected and seem of high quality (won't break easily)...." Read more
"...Sound wise, the quality is great, but the software options kill what should be a pleasant experience with this card." Read more
"...foot steps and sound imaging in game play was cool and made my sensory perception heightened which improved my experience and abilities in the..." Read more
"...AE-5 audio cards on my Windows 10 64 bit pc and had continuous problems with both cards as noted by many, many others who have bought this card...." Read more
Customers find the installation process of the sound card to be easy. They mention that the software is easy to use, navigate, and navigate. They also say that the initial setup is nice, and the sound is easy on their system. Customers also mention that it's easy to connect through PCIe, and download drivers. They like the easy-to-use EQ, and say that it has tons of options. Overall, customers are happy with the ease of installation.
"...One of my favorite features is the easy to use EQ. My current headphones are the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro, and they are slightly harsh on the high end...." Read more
"...Most of the software is well designed and very easy to use. The virtual surround is everything I could ask for...." Read more
"...I switch audio profiles frequently and find the setup mostly convenient...." Read more
"...not a big deal it opens quickly and is easy to get to I just wish there was a toggle switch I could add to the taskbar or a right-click option on..." Read more
Customers like the RGB lighting on the sound card. They say it has a very nice lighting effect, and the LED lights are cool. Some customers also mention that the light show is interesting. Overall, customers are satisfied with the lighting options on the card.
"...Pretty good variety of lighting configurations if you are in to that sort of thing (comes with a strip as well).A++++" Read more
"...The LEDs are cool but not a deciding factor for me buying it...." Read more
"...This card also has RGB lighting which really doesn’t matter to me, but it’s a nice touch.. I’ve always been a fan of Creative Labs SoundBlaster..." Read more
"...LED lights are cool, if you're into that. I mean, it's fun to see my feet lighting up. :)" Read more
Customers like the adjustment of the sound card. They say it is customizable on many levels, has multiple settings for headphones, and can save multiple EQ settings for various setups or preferences. The software that comes with it lets you adjust the EQ and other sound processing. The card has a much wider range of adjustment of equalizer type settings and volume, and it can be individually tuned and saved for multiple devices. The control panel has many customization options, and is easy to navigate through.
"...Now they sound much smoother to me. On top of this, you can save multiple EQ settings for various setups or preferences...." Read more
"...There are multiple settings for headphones so If you're using 80ohm or 250ohm beyerdynamic studio sets they have you covered...." Read more
"...the included external volume controller is a bit odd... it doesn't actually control the volume on the computer just the volume of the actual output..." Read more
"...software (I rarely say that anything has great software).. configurable on so many levels... Solid EQ presets or configure your own...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the sound card. Some mention that the sound is amazing, detailed, and high-performance. They also say that the foot steps and sound imaging in game play was cool. However, others say that they have no sound, the line in does not appear in windows sound settings, and the optical option only provided 2 channel sound.
"...My desktop speakers are the Klipsch 2.1 setup. They sound pretty good regardless of your PC's audio processing, but on this card, they sound A LOT..." Read more
"...The foot steps and sound imaging in game play was cool and made my sensory perception heightened which improved my experience and abilities in the..." Read more
"...It really does sound that good. Sound positioning is spot on, the sound clarity is great in all channels, and the volume is balanced all around...." Read more
"...Line in does not appear in windows sound settings either...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the performance of the sound card. Some mention that it works perfect for 5.1 on their games and sounds excellent on their 2.1 system. However, others say that it doesn't play well with HP Omen desktop computers, their products routinely fail, and are completely useless.
"...playback can cause audio to stop playing, and might require a restart of the audio source...." Read more
"...For what I bought it for, it does the job nearly perfectly. It has fantastic sound quality and drives my higher impedance headphones great...." Read more
"...9/24Able to work through driver issue, but card randomly dissapears from system until reboot. At least rarely" Read more
"...The software is the worst part but it is very usable.-Switching from Headphones to 5.1...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the software. Some mention that it's pretty good, functions and is manageable, and very powerful at controlling your sound system. However, others say that it is clunky, difficult for beginners, and loses some capabilities of previous versions.
"...So to achieve full functionality from this card, you need to use 2 different software packages, which will both run in the background, wasting..." Read more
"...No problems downloading the software. I use a Logitech Z5500 5.1 system for my gaming by the way...." Read more
"...The software is the worst part but it is very usable.-Switching from Headphones to 5.1...." Read more
"...One con is there's no easy way to switch between headphones and speakers...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the sound card. Some mention that it's worth every penny, a great start for the price, and well worth the upgrade. Others say that it was not worth purchasing, wasting system resources, and not enough for high end.
"...software packages, which will both run in the background, wasting system resources...." Read more
"...haven't dived into better audio processing, then this is a great start for the price...." Read more
"...No. This card is very expensive, relative to the cost of the other components...." Read more
"...Everything worked great i just felt it was too much extra work on the video card...." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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If you need to use line in, then it will work if you remove the front panel connection from the card. Once I did that, the line in option magically appeared. The person working on this case informed me that he will let the relevant people know about this issue.
Again, I am impressed at the efficiency and accuracy of their response. I have upped my rating to 5 stars.
Original review...
As far as sound goes, this is much better than my on-board sound. I have no use for LED lighting, I never have, so I have not connected the LED strip.
A few things bug me about this card, or more to the point, the software used to customize the sound. There are 2 different software packages. 1) The older Sound Blaster Connect 2 and 2) the newer Sound Blaster command. I prefer the sound blaster command software because the interface is better and more logical. However, with the Command software, there is no customization or settings for the LED lighting. As I have also discovered, you cannot use Line IN as an input if using only the Command software. Line in does not appear in windows sound settings either. When you choose the multi Input configuration the only choice is Microphone or Front Panel Microphone.
Upon installing the older SB Connect2 software, I was able to enable the line in as an input, and it also appeared in the Command software. The connect software does not let you adjust the speaker and input volumes, the balance and quality settings - these must be done through the windows sound settings. Why??? It also does not show the "What U Hear option. Again, a visit to windows sound settings is necessary to enable/adjust this. The newer Command software allows all volume/balance and quality settings to be made without the necessity to visit the windows sound settings - which Microsoft has made very well hidden.
So to achieve full functionality from this card, you need to use 2 different software packages, which will both run in the background, wasting system resources. It might be nice if Creative created an all inclusive software/driver package that let you do everything in one application. Having to use 2 different software apps is not very "creative" at all.
You can output up to 32 bit 92kHz with sound settings enabled and up to 32 bit 384kHz with Direct Sound turned on - this disables all sound enhancements (EQ, SBX). You can record up to 32 bit 96 kHz, which is fine for me as I use 24/96 to record my vinyl. There is a variable gain headphone amp, but it's not clear if that just applies to the back headphone jack, or to the front one as well. Which brings to mind another annoyance - the SB cards use to have the option to mute the rear line outs (speakers) when headphones were plugged into the front - not so anymore. You have to open the software (either one), and select the headphone output manually.
Sound wise, the quality is great, but the software options kill what should be a pleasant experience with this card.
My first impressions of this were how nice the card looks in person. Usually cards look pretty minimalist with their PCB exposed, although there are a few that have nice aesthetics. This is the best IMO in that regard. The included equipment is fine, nothing special, and the drivers are automatically installed, with additional resources on their website. You will need to have the additional molex power cable available to plug in to this card to power it. The other connector is for RGB, which is optional and I currently am not using, but is great for those who like lighting up their build. The connections for the front audio connectors are fine, with one caveat (will mention below). The back connections are as expected and seem of high quality (won't break easily).
Once the card was set up, the use of the sound blaster connect 2 program was simple enough. One of my favorite features is the easy to use EQ. My current headphones are the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro, and they are slightly harsh on the high end. I used the EQ to adjust the top end -6db. Now they sound much smoother to me. On top of this, you can save multiple EQ settings for various setups or preferences. The sound blaster effects settings (e.g. surround simulation, crystalizer, bass, vocal and smart volume) all work very well and can be distinctly noticed moving the sliders from 0 to 100. They can individually be tuned and saved for multiple devices as well. One note, if you use the direct headphone or direct stereo output options in the program, the EQ and sound effect enhancements will be bypassed to send the highest quality, unfiltered sound to your device. This is generally for purists who want the best reproduction of recordings with high end equipment. Most people won't notice the difference on typical listening devices.
One of the other features that is marketed on this card is the discrete headphone amp, which is great for anyone who wants the features of the DAC/amp without having a separate device to configure on your desk. My headphones sound fine with normal phones powering them, but they never get that loud or dynamic in sound. Plugged into this card, they become incredibly dynamic and can be ear shattering loud while staying clear. The bass alone will rumble your head. However, I've found that there is a difference between the front panel connector (typical headphone port) and the rear headphone connector. They both sound great, but the rear connector is better shielded and ends up sounding cleaner (IMO) and louder. This could be because the headphone amp is cleaner coming from the rear connector, but this will require you to plug your cans to the back of your PC which is awkward.
My desktop speakers are the Klipsch 2.1 setup. They sound pretty good regardless of your PC's audio processing, but on this card, they sound A LOT better. I can now shake the whole room and the nearby rooms with this tiny setup. I was immediately impressed with the result from this, and I've been jamming all my previous tunes to them like it is the first time I've heard music. I imagine with better quality speakers and speaker amps, you can really push some quality sound, especially for the price of this card, which is much much lower than mid-tier and upper-tier DAC.
Some complications from the card:
-Switching audio outputs from the interface (i.e. switching from headphone to desktop speaker) during audio playback can cause audio to stop playing, and might require a restart of the audio source.
-I had issues with the rear input connector, although for my mic (antlion mod mic 5.0), I just use the front panel input which works just fine.
-The input audio is very low for me. I have the input gain maxed out, which makes it pick up my voice at a normal volume.
- The biggest issue: you will probably start spending more money on better speakers and headphones to really utilize what this card can do for your PC. But, that is what you wanted anyways... right?
Overall, this is a solid 4.5 with the few issues I have with it, but I bumped it to a 5 on here because it is certainly better than a 4. If you haven't dived into better audio processing, then this is a great start for the price. You will immediately know what you've been missing out on once you get everything set up.
Top reviews from other countries
For me, the solution was going into the BIOS and disabling my onboard audio. Card was detected immediately after that. Another solution is to mount the card into a full length PCI slot instead of the shorter PCIe variety as it'll work in both.
Afterwards, setup was a breeze. Enabled DTS encoding so I can run audio through SPDIF into my receiver, while keeping the main 5.1 speaker setup at my PC. I run a fiber optic HDMI cable to my TV but it doesn't support more than stereo PCM so the DTS encoding allows me to get 5.1 to the receiver through a separate SPDIF optical audio cable from the sound card.
I do this because my TV is in the living room about 50ft away from the PC desk setup. The sound is obviously better via analog 5.1 instead of through compressed DTS, but miles above being stuck with only stereo until I can upgrade to a receiver that supports HDMI 2.1.
I bought this one as I didn't need the extra XLR and outboard unit the AE-9 came with. Creative Labs has improved their software so no one should be complaining.
Sound? Ok, I only know three people that can hear 20Hz to 20Khz. Trust me, you don't want to hear up to 20Khz, it will drive you bonkers. I don't need to hear light-bulbs squeal, my monitor hissing and upper frequencies birds and dogs hear. Me, I'm getting around 30hz to 18Khz with my ears. I'm fine with that.
Likes: it doesn't cost $6000 made with Italian marble and aviation grade aluminium and doesn't come with $4000 oxygen free, gold plated cables covered in braided
Tibetan goat wool hand picked by monks.
Dislikes: not having this sooner.
Describing sound is pointless as it is too subjective. Overall, this card will output great sound for what's it's price and the intended purpose of it. That's as far as I'll go with sound as there are a lot of myths and snake oil theories out there. The Command Center gives you more than enough control over the sound output.
Unless you're a sound engineer for a sound lab, do film production or you need precise, accurate, measured frequency response, this card is more than good enough for PC users.
Likes: works for me! I'm happy! Wow! Take that onboard sound chip! Installed in PCIe slot, boot, let Windows 10 do the detect song and dance. Download latest software from Creative website. Install. Done. I found it easy to configure.
Dislikes: Hmm...for me, there's none.
I have it plugged into a stereo preamplifier to which my headphones are plugged in and I run a cable to the mic port to plug the microphone in.
Betreibe Problemlos meine DT 770 Pro und die Einstellungsmöglichkeiten über den SoundBlaster Command sind auch sehr gut. (Unter Windows 11 hat die Software manchmal Probleme mit den Treibern, aber ein Reinstall von den Treibern + Tool behebt das meistens)
Mein einziges Problem ist nur, dass der Mikrofoneingang entweder gar nicht, oder nur minimal verstärkt ist. Das führt dazu, dass die Lautstärke mit meinem ModMic Uni in TeamSpeak oder Discord zu leise ist und durch den db Boost wird ein Rauschen deutlich. Die Sprachprogramme können das zwar rausfiltern, aber Voicechat in Spielen bietet das meistens nicht, weshalb es hier etwas stören kann.