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Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 Sound Card (Metallic Gray)
(13) Write a Review
See more "audio card"
In stock.
Ships from United States.
- 5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channels Channels
- 32-bit 384 KHz
- PCI Express x1 Interface
Overview
Specs
Reviews
Learn more about the Creative Labs AE-9
| Best Seller Ranking | #4 in Sound Cards |
|---|
| Brand | Creative |
|---|---|
| Series | Sound Blaster |
| Model | AE-9 |
| Part | 70SB178000000 |
| Audio Chipset | Sound Core3D |
|---|---|
| Channels | 5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channels |
| Sample Rate | 384 KHz |
| Digital Audio | 32-bit |
| SNR | 129dB |
| Encode | DTS Connect Encoding |
| Line Out | 1 x 1/8" Rear Out 1 x 1/8" Center / Sub Out |
|---|---|
| SPDIF In | 1 x TOSLINK Optical In |
| SPDIF Out | 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out |
| Other Ports | 1 x ACM Link 1 x 6-pin PCI Express (PCI-e) Power Header (required for ACM) 2 x RCA (L/R) Front Out |
| Interface | PCI Express x1 |
|---|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
| Operating Systems Supported | Microsoft Windows 10 32 / 64 bit, Windows 8.1/8.0 32 / 64 bit, Windows 7 32 / 64 bit |
| System Requirements | Intel Core i3 AMD equivalent processor Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard 1 GB RAM > 600 MB of free hard disk space Available PCIe slot Available PCI Express Power Connector for Audio Control Unit PC Power Supply Unit must be 80Plus Bronze Certified with minimum 500 Watt power output and 2 x 6 Pin PCI Express power connector |
| Features | A Feast for Your Ears The Sound Blaster AE-9 is built with the absolute best components to deliver pristine, detailed audio quality that would satisfy even the most demanding audiophile. The core of the Sound Blaster AE-9 is the flagship audiophile-grade hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9038 DAC. It delivers an ultra-high DNR of 129dB, 32-bit 384 kHz playback over PCM, DSD64, and an incredibly low Total Harmonic Distortion of -120dB (0.0001%). CLEANLINE TECHNOLOGY Our newest innovation - CleanLine Technology - is set to overthrow the need of an external desktop mixer that takes up the desktop's valuable real estate. The CleanLine Technology is designed to filter and isolate noise along the mic path so you can truly enjoy crystal clear and uncompromised voice communications even while your GPU is pushing its limits. The Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amplifier The Xamp discrete headphone amplifier uses a dual-amp design to amplify each audio channel individually for pristine, uncompromised audio. It utilizes a push-pull output stage design to achieve good amplification. Powerful Sound All Around Immerse yourself in audio! The Sound Blaster AE-9 supports discrete 5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channels. The sound card also comes with Sound Blaster's Surround virtualization technology that can be fully customized, or switched off completely. Power at Your Fingertips Many of the Sound Blaster AE-9's powerful features, such as the incredible Xamp, are contained within the Audio Control Module that sits on your desk. The Audio Control Module also supports dynamic/phantom-powered condenser microphones, perfect for serious content creators and streamers. |
|---|
| Dimensions | Main Card: 0.87" x 7.01" x 5.00" Audio Control Module (ACM): 2.56" x 5.90" x 5.04" |
|---|---|
| Weight | Main Card: 0.51 lb. Audio Control Module (ACM): 1.06 lbs. |
| Package Contents | Sound Blaster AE-9 (main card) Audio Control Module Quick Start Leaflet Warranty Leaflets 2 x Stereo to RCA cables 1 x Optical TOSLINK cable |
|---|
| Date First Available | August 21, 2019 |
|---|
AE-9 vs ZxR9/28/2020 10:34:03 PM
Amazingly good!3/24/2020 10:29:25 PM
Pros: * Quality of sound * Lots of sound options * Very good design
Cons: Is there?
Overall Review: I've been using creative sound cards since I can remember and this is probably the best one I've used especially on the headphones. I still have older models and it's still works, but this one takes the cake. I will probably get another one for my other desktop.
Amazing sound!12/20/2019 10:58:30 PM
Pros: If you want the best sound card on the market then this is the one to buy. Sound blaster been around for a very long time and know what there doing. Easy to install, great software. My headphones have never sounded better! It supports dts for my home theater, which was a must have in a sound card for me. The evga nu or the nu pro does not support dts and is why i never gave it a chance. I upgraded from my old soundblaster z and i am very happy that a did.
Cons: none
Overall Review: If you have onboard sound or a older sound card then this will be a great upgrade! Night and day difference
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 month to 1 year
Verified Owner
Great sound with cons3/18/2021 4:32:29 PM
Pros: Great sounding card a lot of options for tuning
Cons: Card will not initialize at boot up randomly, leaving computer off for many hours for some reason seems to resolve this, sometimes.. Id explain more if i knew what was wrong. But the card just wont show up at boot sometimes. Tried changing pci slots (this worked once) tried changing pci versions in bios, tried turning off fast boot, tried re-installing drivers after clean uninstall. Nothing particular seemed to resolve the issue other than some times it worked sometimes it didn't.
Overall Review: Would not recommend till Creative Labs resolves what ever is wrong ether the driver is the problem or something with the card perhaps firmware. Love the card and the audio quality just wish the card/drivers were more stable.
Beautiful, high quality, easy to install and use.3/13/2020 10:21:58 AM
Pros: Sound quality. Great sound processing. Control and convenience.
Cons: I really love it
Overall Review: I received the Sound Blaster AE-9 from order 464022114. Everything went very well (Very Good). I would like to thank. All is awesome! There are currently no more requests. Sincerely thank the company and all of you!
Top end sound card5/9/2020 2:05:26 PM
Pros: I wasn't it expecting it be this good, the sound quality is really amazing
Cons: Can't get the sound card to work through certain TVs
Overall Review: Works better if you're using separate speakers from your tv or monitor(obviously). I am currently using my headphones so I can use the sound card while gaming or listening to music.
Potentially great product. Horrible software2/3/2021 2:01:15 PM
Pros: Great input/out options. Breakout box is nice
Cons: Expensive, but you probably know that. The software/drivers seem highly unstable.
Overall Review: I bought this for a new dual pc setup for streaming. I have an XLR microphone and hoped to use the breakout box to reduce desk clutter and the amount of cables in my setup. I had probably from the very beginning. Half the time, the box never powered on, even though the lights on the card were lit in my case. Backdating to an older driver/software version fixed that, but another problem showed itself. The software began to crash constantly, leaving me with no sound, and a nonworking mic. Often mid game/stream. Usually this would happen after the system had been powered on for about an hour or so. And then it wouldn't launch unless I turned off the computer and let it sit for a while. Even updating to the latest version was no help here. Very disappointed. I can't recommend this to anyone after my experience. I will hang onto the card since I believe this is entirely a software/driver issue. Hopefully it will get fixed.
Could not get Optical out and IN to work with a basic Logitech Z625 setup2/19/2021 10:42:28 PM
Pros: -analog sound works using RCA cables
Cons: Customer service is a joke over CHAT , no phone call or follow up emails Wasted hours trying to configure the sound card drivers to work with optical out using logitech z625 speakers and sub with optical tried 2 different known working s/pdif cables I understand optical in is only PCM and not 5.1 , Optical out does not working in windows , uninstalled and reinstalled drivers. Been using creative sound cards since the original sound blaster. Going to exchange it , make sure you test your optical out or in , this could be defective from China and quality control is lacking
Overall Review: -Would not recommend at this time
Warranty & Returns
Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information
Warranty
- Limited Warranty period (parts): 1 year
- Limited Warranty period (labor): 1 year
- Read full details
Return Policies
- Return for refund within: 30 days
- Return for replacement within: 30 days
- This item is covered by Newegg.com's Standard Return Policy. Read full return policy for details.
Manufacturer Contact Info
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Pros: With the AE-9 you have full control of your sound. -Swappable op-amps -A wonderfully designed EQ -Well though out software controls The sound is much more responsive that that of anything I have heard on-board. -Impressive tightness in bass response -Accurate highs when the EQ is properly tweaked
Cons: The amount of control you have over the sound profile can be daunting if you're really particular about how you listen to your music. For instance, it feels like you need to have a different EQ for every genre instead of something general. This isn't necessarily a hit against the AE-9; it means you are getting such a wide sound profile that you can better notice what needs to be changed to perfect your listening experience. I also found the EQ sort of difficult to perfect with Sennheiser HD598 headphones; you really need to be prepared to change it up with differently mastered albums if you want the perfect sound. Not everybody will feel the same about music though. So, again this isn't exactly a hit against it. EDIT: after 1 month of ownership, I had it cut out and disconnect from the system. I had to plug it into another PCI-E slot and now it works again.
Overall Review: As for the comparison between the ZxR and this, I really like the AE-9 more for its bass response specifically. The bass on my sub channel is noticeably more punchy, giving an accuracy that the ZxR cannot attain. The AE-9 also has a smoother tone with the highs (it feels less artificial in a way). This sounds good on paper, but its accuracy also means that poorly mastered music or lower quality mixes sound much worse than they normally would if not corrected in the EQ. The ZxR's EQ is not nearly as responsive or well thought out as with the AE-9 -- here the software really makes the difference. I can't 100% say that anybody would agree that the difference is worth the difference in price, but for me this difference matters enough.