Customer Reviews

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ 5.1

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Great card, but it has compatibility problems with the Abit KT7 (RAID) motherboard and Windows 2000. It works great in Windows 98/ME, and works great in Windows XP.

I upgraded my computer with the SB live and connected it to my Stereo system and it really rocks!!! but in the other hand my last sound card - has surround capabilites and 3d sound and it cost about 70$ and if you will put those two systems in comparison you will probably won't hear a diffrence. If you already have a sound card with 4 speaker output dont buy it!