Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 - Driver Issues (Update: Much Improved)

Asmodian · Oct 8, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by thuNDa

It's a response to what Fiercy asked, which was misunderstood as Surround ala Dolby, and not headphone surround which is the only sense one can make of that post from fiercy (shiitstack is related to headphone only).

I see, the question was if it would be better to generate a stereo virtual 7.1 to send via SPDIF to the stereo DACs in the Shiitstack, or simply plug the headphones into the AE-5 directly?

In that case, I don't know. It should work but the SPDIF-Out only supports up to 24 bit, 96 kHz (if that matters to you). I assume the AE-5 can output its virtual 7.1 headphone mode via SPDIF but I am not even sure of that.

Fiercy · Oct 8, 2017

I am sorry for the confusing post my mind get's ahead of me sometimes.

Previously I had Sound Blaster Z sending sound via SPDIF to my Schiit Stack Modi and Magni these are external DAC and Headphone Amplifier. Now Sound Blaster Z mixer stopped working for some reason so I had to replace the card. Now that the price of AE-5 149$ is very close to the price of the Shiit Stack 199$. My question was is it worth it to keep the stack and keep using the sound card for virtual surround sound only or should I just plug the headphones directly into the card.

Basically is the DAC and Amplifier in AE-5 better or worse then what Modi 2 and Magni 2 use.

mikailmohammed · Oct 9, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by thuNDa

If i didn't already own a shiit stack before, i wouldn't bother with SPDIF and only use the soundcard, otherwise i would probably use the SPDIF option for peace of mind reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiercy

I am sorry for the confusing post my mind get's ahead of me sometimes.

Previously I had Sound Blaster Z sending sound via SPDIF to my Schiit Stack Modi and Magni these are external DAC and Headphone Amplifier. Now Sound Blaster Z mixer stopped working for some reason so I had to replace the card. Now that the price of AE-5 149$ is very close to the price of the Shiit Stack 199$. My question was is it worth it to keep the stack and keep using the sound card for virtual surround sound only or should I just plug the headphones directly into the card.

Basically is the DAC and Amplifier in AE-5 better or worse then what Modi 2 and Magni 2 use.

Schiit stakc is soo much better than it. I tried them with my 990 pro 250ohm and the sound is completely different. Stack and other external dac/amps sound a lot better. You can use something like eq apo for a eq and use the virtual surround setting in it also.

MSim · Oct 10, 2017

Anyone having issues with sound not working after reboot? This happens at random for me. If i mess with speaker config, the sound will work again. Fresh install of windows didn't make any difference..

Creative support told me to try the following:
Disable the Fast Startup/Boot feature on both Windows and the motherboard BIOS settings (didn't fix it)
If possible, increase the POST delay time in the motherboard BIOS settings (didn't fix it)
Disable the onboard audio from BIOS menu (already disabled)
Update Chipset/BIOS drivers from the motherboard's support site (using the latest chipset/bios drivers for my ASUS HERO Z270)

I do have Logitech gaming software and Corsair CUE software installed. Don't know if that might be causing a conflict with Sound Blaster Connect 2 software.

Support told me they hope to release a software update by the end of October 2017.

Notor1ouS · Oct 10, 2017

I've to switch my sound mode aswell after reboot, but only sometimes. otherwise i hear nothing.

Mainboard: asus p8z68 deluxe, latest bios.

the biggest mess is the microphone jack, white noise issues and a constant peep tone (though it's not loud) . also low volume. creative said they will fix it in the October update. tried different microphones.

actually was thinking to sell it and get an external device. where can i get informations/reviews which devices are good within 100-150€ range? using beyerdynamic dt990 250ohm.

mikailmohammed · Oct 10, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notor1ouS

I've to switch my sound mode aswell after reboot, but only sometimes. otherwise i hear nothing.

Mainboard: asus p8z68 deluxe, latest bios.

the biggest mess is the microphone jack, white noise issues and a constant peep tone (though it's not loud) . also low volume. creative said they will fix it in the October update. tried different microphones.

actually was thinking to sell it and get an external device. where can i get informations/reviews which devices are good within 100-150€ range? using beyerdynamic dt990 250ohm.

ALL of the issues you have i have had and got fed up. I bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HERNVFM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now it has enough power for me to push the DT990 pro 250ohm. If you have the cash and willing to spend on something good there is this...

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-M6-Converter-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B014P5HQ34/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1507628986&sr=1-1&keywords=smsl+m6

For my mod mic 5 i use my old sound card from creative. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO6X4XG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All my friends tell me this sounds the best and cleanest through discord.

The DT990 pro sounds so much better with the external dac and amps. They are not overbight and become super clean.

mikailmohammed · Oct 10, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSim

Anyone having issues with sound not working after reboot? This happens at random for me. If i mess with speaker config, the sound will work again. Fresh install of windows didn't make any difference..

Creative support told me to try the following:
Disable the Fast Startup/Boot feature on both Windows and the motherboard BIOS settings (didn't fix it)
If possible, increase the POST delay time in the motherboard BIOS settings (didn't fix it)
Disable the onboard audio from BIOS menu (already disabled)
Update Chipset/BIOS drivers from the motherboard's support site (using the latest chipset/bios drivers for my ASUS HERO Z270)

I do have Logitech gaming software and Corsair CUE software installed. Don't know if that might be causing a conflict with Sound Blaster Connect 2 software.

Support told me they hope to release a software update by the end of October 2017.

Make sure you are on the latest drivers.

MSim · Oct 10, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikailmohammed

Make sure you are on the latest drivers.

I'm using the latest drivers/BIOS for my motherboard (ASUS HERO Z270)

BIOS: Version 1009 2017/08/04
Chipset: Version 11.7.0.1014 2017/07/19
Samsung driver: Samsung_NVM_Express_Driver_22
SBC2 Driver/software: BXAE5_PCDRV_L13_3_1_22_0

What i find weird about Sound Blaster AE-5 sound card, you can hear the sound card turn on. It happens after you can see your desktop.

Creative support latest response to me "Please note this issue cannot be replicated on our side. What we can advise is for you to wait for a new driver build and try if the issue still persist.

Hopefully the new software fixes this issue.

mikailmohammed · Oct 10, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSim

I'm using the latest drivers/BIOS for my motherboard (ASUS HERO Z270)

BIOS: Version 1009 2017/08/04
Chipset: Version 11.7.0.1014 2017/07/19
Samsung driver: Samsung_NVM_Express_Driver_22
SBC2 Driver/software: BXAE5_PCDRV_L13_3_1_22_0

What i find weird about Sound Blaster AE-5 sound card, you can hear the sound card turn on. It happens after you can see your desktop.

Creative support latest response to me "Please note this issue cannot be replicated on our side. What we can advise is for you to wait for a new driver build and try if the issue still persist.

Hopefully the new software fixes this issue.

That sound is the amp turning in. I get it with external amps as well. But drivers are so messed up I got fed up and am never going back to a sound card. My external dac/amp was plug and play. I use eq apo for small adjustments.

djsolidsnake86 · Oct 16, 2017

guys there is a way for change on the fly output from speaker to headphones? a link or a hotkey?
if not, i must go everytime inside the panel and change this setting?

Glasofruix · Oct 18, 2017

Whoopsie daisy

MSim · Oct 27, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsolidsnake86

guys there is a way for change on the fly output from speaker to headphones? a link or a hotkey?
if not, i must go everytime inside the panel and change this setting?

I don't see any way to do that on the fly. I notice youtube video will stop playing if switch between speaker setup.

DonTheKang · Nov 2, 2017

I've had the 'Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5' for months now, and I've learned to love it, but at the same time it's been the bane of a lot of issues in my daily use. This is because of the 'Direct HP' sound setting in the software, which I like to use as much as I can. When I'm using Direct HP mode, the sound stops working entirely when I launch a good portion of my games (on steam). Also whenever I play a song on 'MusicBee' (music player) it will display many errors and the song/s won't work... until I reset the driver by changing my playback device from my sound card to my monitor speakers, and back to the sound card again. Suddenly it starts working again. And with some of my games ('Life is Strange: Before the Storm' and 'Middle-Earth: Shadow of War') the sound will work on Direct HP mode, but everything will sound very loud and distorted. Because of the many problems, I've been forced to switch to the 'Headphones' (Surround Sound 7.1) mode whenever I'd like to play a good portion of my games. There's nothing wrong with Surround Sound, but Direct HP gives a lot more clarity and sound quality to everything, fully utilizing its DAC. With one my most recent games ('The Forest') it wouldn't let the game run until I switched from Direct HP to Headphones mode. It was actually stopping the game from starting up... which is absolutely ridiculous. With all of that said and out of the way, I would love to hear if anyone else gets these same issues using Direct HP mode, and if anybody may be able to propose a fix to this awful issue. Thanks in advance! - Don R.

p6kotik · Nov 2, 2017

i have the same problem.
also i must plug my headphone on the front of my case, if i plug it directly on the back of my sound card it's not reconized as headphone.

iLUdiONisTA · Nov 3, 2017

I have a similar problem, I use Direct HP too and notice that the driver is buggy. Sometimes when switching too D Hp the sound is very loud, other times the sound is too low, sometimes is distorced, my solution is rebbot until it stays normal. And I cant risk switching between speakers and headphones just because it can snap again.

Is just a great hardware with a lame/****y/aweful/alpha state software.

Its unreal how creative is suporting this card.

My hope is to find some 3rd party drivers.

DonTheKang · Nov 3, 2017

Hi again, great news! I fixed my problem without the need of completeing any of the steps that support asked me to try. I noticed that on the Sound BlasterX AE-5 driver download page, there was a new version available (3.2.5.0, I previously had 3.1.22.0). I installed the new driver/software version without the need of any rigorous steps that I had to take the last time I updated my software version, and I restarted my computer. After my computer restarted, my issues were immediately resolved! All the issues I listed in the previous post have disapeared, and all it took was for me to install the new driver/software version! Anyway, I hope I didn't waste anyone's time at all, thanks! - Don R.

MSim · Nov 3, 2017

Creative Connect 2 Version 3.2.5.0 failed to fix my audio not working after startup (at random). I made sure to install the latest version while in clean boot mode.

I have Sennheiser GAME ZERO 50 Ohm headset.

shadowxaero · Nov 5, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notor1ouS

what mode are you using? direct-hp only?
try the following: switch to 7.1 headphones and back to direct-hp.

now record something on audacity. with and without noise reduction. there is a constant noise (peep tone) on the microphone.
only after a fresh driver install, using direct-hp directly, this noise isnt there with noise reduction.
also without installed creative drivers (using windows standard drivers), the noise is completely gone without noise reduction.

samples:
Creative driver No NoiseReduction
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/CE3g3zR5/file.html

Creative drivers with noise reduction (noise still audible) - maybe up the volume here
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/1qxf1mfR/file.html

default-driver of windows10, after deinstall of creative drivers (this sounds like it should, comparable to my old x-fi):
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/hPsQBTd4/file.html

I am having this exact same issue. No change with the newer drivers either...even after clean install I get the same noise. Only works when I don't install the drivers...

Notor1ouS · Nov 5, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowxaero

I am having this exact same issue. No change with the newer drivers either...even after clean install I get the same noise. Only works when I don't install the drivers...

everyone should report that problem.

i dont know what creative was thinking of releasing such a faulty soundcard.

Vajet1 · Nov 8, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notor1ouS

everyone should report that problem.

i dont know what creative was thinking of releasing such a faulty soundcard.

So I buy this all new sound card and hope to improve the quality of my gaming setup and the microphone sounds like an old analogue tape record. What the **** Creative... how can they even advertise quality when this is the result. I'm kinda mad right now. I got the exact same microphone phenomenon you recorded....

Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 - Driver Issues (Update: Much Improved)

Asmodian

Fiercy

mikailmohammed

MSim

Notor1ouS

mikailmohammed

mikailmohammed

MSim

mikailmohammed

djsolidsnake86

Glasofruix

MSim

DonTheKang

p6kotik

iLUdiONisTA

DonTheKang

MSim

shadowxaero

Notor1ouS

Vajet1

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