Question 1

My setup is using Klipsch 4.1 speakers (front left, front right, rear left, rear right) and a subwoofer.  One of the comments I read indicated that this speaker configuration is not supported with this card.  Is this true?

Accepted Answer

Lloyd B- I have the same speaker set-up-Pro Media 4.1 with the same speakers. The software doesn't have a setting for 4.1's, but it work if you set the speaker configuration to 5.1, select front left and right, and also check rear pair.

To directly answer your question- it isn't supported via one setting, but if you do as I said, they work fine.

I hope this is helpful. It's a really decent card.

Question 2

What's the difference between this card and the model "30SB150200000" SB Z "OEM" card Newegg also sells? (Besides the obvious price difference...)

They look identical, and have the same features...

Accepted Answer

I'm not sure. From the looks of the card's interface and board design, I do not see any significant differences. What I think it is, is either the more expensive one is an older card that was quickly replaced by the less expensive card, or that the more expensive card has an extra feature. Either way, this $57 is the better buy because it is cheaper. I bought this when it was $60 bucks and it was a good improvement, but not significant. I wouldn't buy this card again because it is more of a luxury instead of a huge improvement from the motherboard built-in sound. You do get better support for 2.1 and 5.1 sound and you do get better sound quality, but it really is more of a luxury. So if you have an extra 60 bucks, go ahead! It will be great for home theater and gaming. But if you are stretching for money, stay away. Hope this helps.

Question 3

Does it have software? What does it look like?

Accepted Answer

Creative provides an installation disc and instructions to install the hardware and then process the disc to install the software.  The instructions are clear and not an overwhelming task to accomplish.  Not sure what you mean by "What does it look like?" The Sound Card looks like the pictures shown on the NewEgg web site.  If you need more pics, go to the Creative web site. If you want a description of the software, it is a single installation CD inserted in your CD or DVD drive.  Once the software is installed you will need to set it up using the Pro Studio (software you installed) to set up for headphones or some other media.

Question 4

my speakers have the green orange and black plugs, where would they go on this car, or is it not compatible for that?

Accepted Answer

According to the manual (sorry I only use headphones)

Green - Front speakers - Connector #1
Black -Rear speakers - Connector #2
Orange -Center/subwoofer -  Connector #3

connector #3 is the closes to the Optical Out in my card
From top to bottom:
Microphone - ?
Headphones - ?
#1
#2
#3
Optical Out
Optical In

The numbers are hard to read, but they are there

Question 5

Im confused so it says the Line Out is connected by 3 x 1/8" mini jacks so if I were to get these speakers http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121044 Would I have to get an adapter to plug into the sound card? Or will I be able to plug the speakers right into the sound card?

Accepted Answer

no you don't need an adapter. the 3 audio cables that are supplied with the speakers is all you need to use as 5.1 surround sound. if u only want 2.1 sound you will only use the audio cable with the green ends. I hope your not trying to use these speaker like a home surround system. I wouldn't expect them to be very loud at 75 total watts and each satellite speaker being 8 watts. I have 2.1 Klipsch Pro Media with 200 total watts and each satellite speaker being 35 watts and the sound card makes them sound great. if you decide to purchase these products and the sound you here isn't what you expected, I wouldn't blame the card.

Question 6

i need the slot to be x16 how does this work on this card?

Accepted Answer

It worked great on my 3rd PCI-e x16 w/3.0 enabled slot. Fact, it seem to sound better than the 1x slot...but maybe it's my imagination. My board is an x79 Asus Sabertooth.

Question 7

Does it have an ASIO driver?

Accepted Answer

I never tried. But the following info from creative may help.

The following Creative sound cards support ASIO 2.0:
1.Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX*.

2.Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS series.

3.Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro.

4.Sound Blaster X-Fi series (excluding Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio and external sound cards).

5.  Sound Blaster Z-series (ASIO support without Direct Monitoring - need to install latest web update). 
*To be ASIO 2.0 compliant, software or hardware must support at least one of the new features. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX is ASIO 2.0 compliant as the driver set supports Direct Monitoring. ASIO Positioning Protocol is not supported, as this feature is typically only required by professional studios.

Question 8

Will this sound card work with my Logitech Z313 2.1 Speaker?

Accepted Answer

It should work just fine, that is pretty much how my Klipsch 2.1 set up is.

One note - the Sound Blaster Z is not real intuitive on speaker setup, it will be set at default for 5.1 speakers and you will not see a setting for 2.1.

But what you do is go in and disable the speakers you do not have, you will actually disable the rear speakers along with the sub ( your sub will run through your speaker setup same way mine does) , and select " stereo" You will have only 1 jack plugging directly into the sound card, which will come out of your subwoofer.

Hope this helps,

Question 9

Does anyone know if this card is compatible with VISTA, 64 bit?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is, and in fact, when I first put it in and installed the drivers I was running Vista. Went clear all the way from Vista to 8.1, hitting everything in between, and the only problem I had was having to re-install the drivers a couple times on 7 due to what I assume was installation errors or something of the sort. I had just switched to an SSD as my boot drive, directories were funked.
Very good card.

Question 10

Does the software package on the OEM disc include support for  Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect? If not, can the drivers / utilities that include support for these encoders be downloaded from Creative's web site?

Accepted Answer

The software on CD includes options for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect.  However if you choose DTS Connect it will give you a link to download the latest package.  Dolby Digital Live works out of box with CD software.

Questions & Answers