I have the SoundBlaster between my living room laptop (for streaming movies or DVD movies) and the 5.1 surround speakers connected system. So far, the system was directly connected to the Läppi, but the sound result was mediocre. With the Sound Blaster, however, the sound is absolutely first class. I was pleasantly surprised, as much performance enhancement I did not expect ,.
The installation went smoothly on Windows 7. The Sound Blaster was immediately recognized. After inserting the CD, the programs have been installed, select the music source on the settings of the volume control after a reboot and you can start. The settings of the music source will remain the way when the system reboots! Another positive: The SB does not have a current connection, it feeds through the USB, thus satisfies one cable (USB)!
The remote control do I use to Einstellemn the volume, or to mute. The other features are designed for the Windows Media Player, which I but basically not working. There are better programs (VLC Media Player and / or WinAmp, for example, but in which the control elements of the FB do not work).
As early as the default settings of the software (which is not greyed out there, at least not on Windows) results in a bombastic sound image obtained by different included presets (rock, pop, dance, etc.), or can be manually fine-tuned over the equalizer again ,
For games freaks there is the so-called. Scout fashion, I could not test its functionality, however, is explained above in the description. Certainly one or the other review of players is here nioch come that can report the Scout mode.
For movies, there is a mode which allows you to synchronize language and action noise to a level. We all know the drill: With language you have to turn up the volume while you have to turn back the sound in action scenes, because they will be too loud. This makes the Sound Blaster circuit. And: It works fine!
Connections: at the front there are microphone headset and MP3 player connection, and 1 dual-microphone, ie 2 built-in microphones, which complement each other in the recording quality, what a sound enhancement (eg Skype) causes or which one (about Software settings) can filter out background noise to improve sound. The headphone jack has a 600 ohm headphone amplifier that brings a decent sound boost. Since I often listen to music with a wireless headset, I can confirm that even here the sound has improved a lot!
On the back you will find a USB port to connect to the PC via an included 1.5m USB cable, an optical (TOSLINK) output for digital connection to an amplifier, as well as RCA and 3.5mm jack connections to the Sound Blaster to connect directly to the 5.1 surround speakers. In the extensive manual you will find listed all the connection possibilities.
The manual I have, incidentally, downloaded from the Creative web site, since the included slightly awkward, it has to show in the form of posters designed, which I personally do not like so much.
Deliveries are made using a remote control, USB cable and an adapter 2 x RCA plug to 3.5mm jack.
Conclusion: If the computer will be a neat thrust forward power his sound, which is well served with the unit. For my use in the living room, as a 5.1-power complement the Sound Blaster is an improvement, I do not want to miss!
For lovers of good sounds an absolute buy recommendation.
