Creative Presents Sound BlasterX AE-5 Sound Card

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Creative Technology uses E3 2017 to launch what it claims is the "world's first sound card with an integrated RGB controller"-- the Sound BlasterX AE-5.

Sound BlasterXThe PCIe sound card is designed for gamers, and as such features high-end components including a 32-bit 384kHz ESS ES9016K2M Sabre 32 Ultra DAC, a custom-designed 600O discrete headphone amp, German-made WIMA film/foil capacitors and proprietary Sound Blaster audio enhancement technologies. It supports discrete 5.1 or virtual 7.1 channel aduio, and promises a low noise figure of 122dB DNR.

Meanwhile the BlasterX Acoustic Engine suite handles audio processing, such as 3D sound effects for speakers and headsets, Crystal Voice sound enhancement and a Scout 2.0 enemy audio radar overlay, an addition apparently useful for FPS games.

This being a gamer product, it obviously has integrated LED lighting-- specifically a 30cm RGB LED strip with 10 LEDs. The card handles up to x4 LED strips, and software allows lighting control through either built-in presets or programming with up 16.8 million colours and a variety of illumination rhythms. The lighting system connects to PSU via 5V 4-pin molex peripheral connector.

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 ships from July 2017.

Go Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5