Customer Reviews

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 ( 70SB061000000 )

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

 

 

This card is amazing. The one that it replaced (SB 16) was extremely noisy compared to this one. I gained about 40dB of S/N ratio when I plugged it in.
As an added bonus, it came with software to convert analog audio to MP3 and it also would remove pops & ticks from LPs. This was something that I had been wanting to do, so I did. The results were well beyond my expectations.
Bottom line is - good card, good value.

I needed a better sound card because I wanted to digitize my vinyl and tape collection. I then wanted to listen to the digitized version on CD and off the computer. It definately did all that and does it well. It even makes it simple and easy to do. However, the provided software and sound card combination has many more capabilities than I expected and I have not yet be able to use them all - yet. This is a smart buy at a really reasonable price. I give it five stars.

I was looking through my older tech box and found this audio card I purchased long ago (approx. 2006-2007). I looked up the specs and realised it's better than the card in the computer which I purchased only 3 yrs ago. I still had the driver cd in my cd book. Yes!!
The card sounds great. I don't care if you are using the computers on-board speakers or have a high-end (5.0-7.0) set up. It improves the sound on every level. You can adjust the properties for the type of sound system you have and test them out by full system/surround or by each speaker seperately.
The additional software - I am not using it now but I remember back when I first used this card in an older computer, was pretty easy to use and I had no problems with it. I never had any problems with the remote control except it's a bit functionally limited but at the time this card was released, it was a perk that made this card better than most. Today's media centers and players are maybe better quality overall but the software that comes with this card is free and is made for this card so what more do you need? Also, the IR reader for the remote takes up one more USB port. Keep this in mind if you are port-conscious.
I only lowered it to 4 stars vs. 5 for this reason.
The on-board card that came with my "Multimedia" computer has additional connections for TV (Coaxial cable) and more. This card does not have those plugs/connections. My card also does not have the color coded ports shown in the picture. It is one solid metal plate but is clearly marked and easy to use.
Right now, the computer is not connected to the TV but If I can do it with this card, I will connect it.
Although there are better cards out there, this is still a solid performer in 2011.

I've got it installed in my multi-media box running Debian Linux. Works fine and no problems.

I haven't been using it very much, but it hasn't been all that bad. A good product, easy to start using but it would be nice if the remote worked with more than just the creative music player. When am I ever going to actually use their program?? Not often if ever, too much familiarity with other programs already.

Update: 4 years later
1. So now that I got a new PC w/ its own built in sound card, I noticed the audigy 4 did provide better sound quality. However, its odd to find that at lowest volumes, my right speaker is louder than my left speaker. This is with the updated audigy 4 drivers. With the normal computer onboard sound, the speakers worked perfectly.
2. Now that they have updated their drivers, the remote control now works correctly.

I will now upgrade the review to 4 stars from 3.



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1. Sounds similiar to my Dell Dimension 9200 Onboard sound using my logitech z2300.

2. Control doesnt really work correctly. I.E. Increase volume actually fades volume from left or right speaker.

So overall it didnt really do much for me.

My Audigy 3 card started getting a static sound so I decided to upgrade to the Audigy 4. The sound on MP3s was better than the Audigy 3. However, my Audigy 3 had more inputs like a digital in for my DVD player in my PC. I don't play movies on my PC much but I wonder why it didn't have that port? Maybe there is a higher end Audigy 4 that has more inputs...

I can't tell how better it is compare with my on board audiocard, but one thing I am sure is it is not only a audiocard, but also a mediacenter.

Started having problems with my onboard sound on my Asus board. Bought this card and wow! Fixed the problem and much more! Great sound. Gave it a 4 due to the fact that I haven't really played with the software yet. EASY installation!!!