Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1

by Creative

Product Details

Product Manual [794kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000059ZZ2
• Item model number: 70SB006003002
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 makes it easy to create, customize, and listen to Internet audio files in full 5.1 surround sound. Powered by the EMU10K1 Digital Signal Processor, you can experience the highest-quality sound reproduction with real-time audio and effects. The Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 includes a full 320 Kbps encoder, up to 9x MP3 acceleration, and a complete software suite to create CD-quality audio files. And, with EAX advanced audio technology, you can customize your MP3 experience by adding orchestrated multi-dimensional sound environments to get just the sound you want. When in Creative Multi-Speaker Surround (CMSS) mode, you can experience 5.1 audio even from a stereo signal. You can also enjoy Dolby Digital 5.1 audio when watching movies in either digital 6-channel speakers or analog Dolby Digital-ready home stereo receivers. Spice up your Internet audio files with the power of the Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1, the ultimate digital jukebox.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sound Card at an Even Better Price, February 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 (Personal Computers)

You can't beat the sound quality of this card for the price that it sells for. In fact, you probably can't beat the quality of this sound card for double or triple the price. The onboard MP3 circuits work wonderfully, and save the CPU from the overwhelming job of decoding an MP3 while surfing the internet, running Photoshop, and messing around on Napster at the same time. Great product from an established company.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let Them Tell You..., July 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 (Personal Computers)

This sound card is one amazing piece of hardware! Prior to making my purchase, I used Creative's Ensonic, a 128-voice card. I've read everywhere that all one needs to enjoy CD sound from mp3's is a 128-voice card (and the right bit rate recording). Turns out that was a bunch of horse doo. This SB card fills my room with sound, soft highs and smooth lows, and has breathed new life into my entire music collection. If you're using a cheesy old card like I was and you're looking to improve the quality of music coming from your PC (not necessarily video games), buy this card. You won't regret it!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid sound card., June 12, 2001

By 

Phillip Marquez (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1 (Personal Computers)

I bought this card to replace my Diamond Monster MX300 which finally gave out on me. I was extremely happy with the MX300 and so I expected at least similar quality or better from a newer card. I am not (so far) disappointed.

I was a little leary about EAX effects after Aureal's 3d effects on the MX300, which were great. After installing the card and all the associated Creative software I put it through some tests. Everything sounded a little deeper... richer maybe. The EAX effects are quite bountiful to say the least, maybe with a little overkill. I have yet to try the digital out, or the 5.1 speaker setup, but I am quite sure they will both be exceptional.

Overall I was quite pleased with the sound, the price is only a little higher than what I have traditionally spent on sound cards, but it's not a bad deal. I do have one exception with this card though. I would have preferred just a bare bones style install of drivers, etc. I have since gone back and pruned down most of the extra programs I installed originally, since I didn't find them to be of much long term use.

I would suggest this card to those who need to upgrade due to hardware failure, or to replace a seriously old sound card or if you just have the extra money and you are upgrading to a 5.1 speaker system this (or any of the SB Live! series) would be the card to go with.