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Creative Sound Blaster Z Series ZXR (70SB151000000) Sound Card

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#1 ·
Creative Sound Blaster Z Series ZXR (70SB151000000) Sound Card

Description:
The Sound Blaster ZxR is the flagship of the ultra high-performance Z-Series of Sound Blaster PCI-Express sound cards, elevating the standards of technology and performance for the future of gaming and entertainment on the PC. Designed to deliver the ultimate audio playback and creation solution for the PC, Sound Blaster ZxR personifies the ultimate gaming and entertainment performance for a sound card. Features include: TRUE Audio Expertise, Sound Core3D Audio Processor a high performance Sound and Voice processor for accelerating advanced audio and voice technologies for use with SBX Pro Studio and CrystalVoice effects from your primary CPU , improving your gaming experience with faster frame rates and drastically superior audio and voice quality, SBX Pro Studio Technologies creates unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets, Crystal Clear Communication using the Sound Blaster beam-forming microphone array designed and tuned for hands free chats. With CrystalVoice Focus, this stereo microphone creates an acoustic zone and suppresses noise outside it, enabling you to be heard with amazing clarity. Software includes: Sound Blaster Z-Series Control Panel, SBX Pro Studio effects, CrystalVoice effects, Creative ALchemy, Creative Host OpenAL / EAX5.0 HD, Creative Diagnostics, Dolby Digital Live encoder, DTS Connect encoder, Sound Blaster Speaker Setup, Creative Software AutoUpdate, Creative Product Registration. Ships with: Sound Blaster ZxR sound card, Sound Blaster DBpro card, Sound Blaster Audio Control Module, 1x Optical Cable, 1x Stereo(3.5mm)-to-RCA cable, 1x DBpro cable, Quick Start Leaflet, Installation CD containing: Drivers for Windows 7 and Windows 8, Creative Software suite, User's Guide.

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandCreative
EAN0054651181311
FeatureCrystalVoice Voice Enhancement and Clarity Technology, express yourself and be heard crystal clear in video conferencing, multiplayer games and online chats
CrystalVoice FX, forge your own unique team identity in crystal clear audio; match your voice to your game avatar
High Quality Headphone Amp, supports studio quality headphones with up to 600 ohm impedance
Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect, connect to your decoder or home theater system through a single digital cable for intense 5.1 surround sound from any source
Headphone/Speaker Switching means you never have to unplug your headphones again, just toggle between your headphone and speakers system with a flip of a switch
A signal to noise ratio or SNR of 124dB means your audio will be > 99.99% pure audio which is 34.4 times better than the average sound cards
High-Quality Audio Cables, enjoy high quality audio listening and recording with easy connection to your entertainment system, amplifier or active speaker via our premium analog and optical cables
Scout Mode, hear them before they hear you, proprietary technology allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat
LabelCreative
ManufacturerCreative
ModelSB1510
MPN70SB151000000
PublisherCreative
StudioCreative
TitleCreative Sound Blaster ZxR SBX PCIE Gaming Sound Card with Audio Control Module SB1510
UPC054651181311
CatalogNumberList - CatalogNumberListElementS11312800
6102293
70SB151000000
Item Height7.92 inches
Item Length14.58 inches
Item Width4.12 inches
Package Height4.1 inches
Package Length15.7 inches
Package Weight2.75 pounds
Package Width7.8 inches
PackageQuantity1
PartNumber70SB151000000
ProductGroupPersonal Computer
ProductTypeNameSOUND_CARD
UPCList - UPCListElement054651181311
Item Weight1.08 pounds
 

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#2 ·
Remarkable piece of hardware

review by sam66er

After using many type of sound cards (PCIe or intergrated) till i pick up Creative Sound blaster, you won't be able to find a better one in desktop series. somethings to do with the quality of the sound, bass that i am not special in that outstanding others. I alway fantasia that the DB pro and volume mic control going wireless.....it will be perfect.

ProsCons
Powerful, Crystal clear, Very high quality, Amazing Output and versatility DB pro and volume control is not wireless (if technology allow)

Ratings
Overall4
 
#3 ·
Fantastic sound card for driving headphones

review by the_rocker

I have just bought and installed this sound card in order to get some high quality sound for my exclusive gaming rig. Having previously used sound cards such as the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude and the ASUS Xonar Essence STX, I knew what sort of thing I was looking for.

The Soundblaster ZxR is a 3 piece package:

The ZxR itself
The DBPro Daughterboard
The ACM (Control Module)

I purchased this card based on the following requirements:

- High quality amp driven headphone out
- Volume control at your fingertips along with headphone & mic input

Sound is very clear and punchy. The creative soundblaster control panel software is very easy to use and much better than the X-Fi offerings of yesteryear. Various effects can be controlled easily and the software headphones/speakers switch works very well.

I use a pair of Beyer Dynamic DT990 Premiums 250ohm and my first question was whether this card has the headphone amp to drive them well enough. YES! It certainly does, easily as well. You are able to put the headphone amp in 'Normal' or 'High Gain' modes. High gain being for headphones around 600ohm, it gives a considerable boost to output level. I am having no trouble driving my DT990's loud in the Normal gain mode. Windows volume always stays at 100% for me, and I use the knob on the ACM to control the volume, in which case all I need is around 50-60% in this configuration. Excellent amp!

I was very impressed by its ability to drive headphones, it reminds me very much of the Xonar Essence STX headphone amp I used years ago, but thanks to the ACM, with more convinience thanks to the inline volume knob on the ACM.

Now for the negative....

The built in microphone on the ACM only produces acceptable levels when boosted to +30dB. Unfortunately at this level there is so much noise and static that you are forced to use the CrystalVoice noise reduction. Although this does a good job at stopping noise, it also negatively effects the sound of your voice to the point where you sound like you are using a terrible mic, whilst underwater, if your words are not cut off short anyway.

Unfortunately this is also true when using my Modmic V4 with the built in mic input as well. Boosting to 30dB which is needed for levels creates unusable amounts of static noise. I have since started using a cheap USB sound dongle for the mic input and it is MILES better.

The last point to touch on is the DBPro daughter board. This board screws into an expansion slot on your case and connects to the main card with an ugly black ribbon cable. Since the DBPro card only provides a bunch of IO that I am not going to use, I would have liked it to be optional. However its not. You have to use it.

Anyway. Overall this is an excellent sound card, particularly for those who want to drive a good set of headphones and have volume control on their desk. Shame about the mic input, but thats a common problem and is easily solved with a cheap USB dongle.

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ProsCons
Powerful headphone amp, excellent sound quality, excellent stereo connectivityNoisy mic input, cant use without daughter board

Ratings
Overall4
 
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