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Designed around the powerful Sound Core3D™ audio processor, the Sound Blaster Z series once again raises the bar for the industry standard of PCIe sound cards. Sound Blaster Z has been designed to meet the standards of those who want a vastly superior experience over motherboard audio. With external DACs delivering 116dB SNR, a 600 ohm audiophile-grade headphone amp, and massively customizable SBX Pro Studio technologies, Sound Blaster Z packs a serious audio punch.
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"The Sound Blaster Z offers crystal clear sound that allows me to
"The Sound Blaster Z is prefect for all gamers. It allows us to focus on what's most important. Winning."
"With SBX Pro Studio, the Sound Blaster Z has everything a gamer needs."
"Gaming with the Sound Blaster Z is truly a spectacular experience."
"The Sound Blaster Z has great sound quality and is ideal for casual |
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Product Name | Sound Blaster ZxR | Sound Blaster Zx | Sound Blaster Z |
Newegg Part No. | 29-102-050 | 29-102-049 | 29-102-048 |
General | |||
Audio Processor | Sound Core3D | Sound Core3D | Sound Core3D |
Audio Resolution | 24-Bit | 24-Bit | 24-Bit |
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Wgt), @ 24-bit, 96kHz |
124dB | 116dB | 116dB |
Maximum Playback Quality |
5.1 Mode : Up to 96kHz Stereo Direct Mode : Up to 192kHz |
5.1 Mode : Up to 96kHz Stereo Direct Mode : Up to 192kHz |
5.1 Mode : Up to 96kHz Stereo Direct Mode : Up to 192kHz |
Frequency Response @96kHz |
Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Rear Channel Out : 15Hz to 45kHz Center Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Headphone (33 ohms) : 10Hz to 45kHz |
Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Rear Channel Out : 15Hz to 45kHz Center Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Headphone (33 ohms) : 10Hz to 45kHz |
Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Rear Channel Out : 15Hz to 45kHz Center Out : 10Hz to 45kHz Headphone (33 ohms) : 10Hz to 45kHz |
Frequency Response @192kHz (Stereo Direct Only) | Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 88kHz | Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 88kHz | Front Channel Out : 10Hz to 88kHz |
Maximum Recording Quality | Up to 96kHz | Up to 96kHz | Up to 96kHz |
I/O Ports (Main Card) |
Headphone : 1 x Amplified 1/4" jack Speaker Out : 2x RCA (L / R) 2x 3.5mm jacks (Rear, C/Sub) Microphone In: 1x 1/4" jack |
Headphone : 1 x Amplified 3.5mm jack Speaker Out : 3 x 3.5mm jacks(F/R/C-Sub) Line / Mic In : 1x shared 3.5mm jack Optical Out : 1x TOSLINK Optical In : 1x TOSLINK |
Headphone : 1 x Amplified 3.5mm jack Speaker Out : 3 x 3.5mm jacks(F/R/C-Sub) Line / Mic In : 1x shared 3.5mm jack Optical Out : 1x TOSLINK Optical In : 1x TOSLINK |
I/O Ports (DBPro card) |
Line In : 2x RCA (L / R) Optical Out : 1x TOSLINK Optical In : 1x TOSLINK |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Connection | PCI-Express | PCI-Express | PCI-Express |
600ohm Amplified Headphone Output | Y - 80mw TI TPA6120 | Y - Maxim MAX97220A | Y - Maxim MAX97220A |
Swappable OP-AMPs | Y | N | N |
Included Acesssories | Audio Control Module (with Beamforming Microphone Built-in) | Audio Control Module (with Beamforming Microphone Built-in) | Beamforming Microphone |
Audio Technology | |||
SBX Pro Studio - Surround™ - Crystalizer™ - Bass™ - Smart Volume™ - Dialog Plus™ |
Y | Y | Y |
CrystalVoice™ - Noise Reduction - Smart Volume - Acoustic Echo Cancellation - FX - Focus |
Y | Y | Y |
Speaker/Headphone Switch | Y | Y | Y |
Music & Movies | |||
Dolby Digital Live | Encoding | Encoding | Encoding |
DTS Connect | Encoding | Encoding | Encoding |
Upmixing of Stereo to Multi-Channels | SBX Surround | SBX Surround | SBX Surround |
Gaming | |||
Scout Mode™ | Y | Y | Y |
EAX | EAX 5.0 HD | EAX 5.0 HD | EAX 5.0 HD |
Max. No. of 3D Voices | 128 | 128 | 128 |
Creative ALchemy | Y | Y | Y |
Pros: Once again, since 2001 I've been buying discrete cards and this is my 4th CSB card. On-board sound will never compare to discrete cards and in my cases the sound chip on the motherboard will have no adjustment features, such as BASS & TREBLE, at least that's why Asus came with, just the chip and a mediocre sound, that couldn't even deliver to a $20 pair of Sony headsets. With the new SB-Z, I cannot even get to level 7 before getting extremely loud and now my $20 headset sound like a $200 headset, sound is clear and have so many great features to tweak the sound with the software bundle included. The RED light doesn't bother me at all, the PC sits on the floor despite it's inside a Corsair 450D which has a huge acrylic panel. Yes, I'd definitely recommend the SB-Z, you can never go wrong with one of them, the difference between this and an on-board chips is a day and night difference. Don't have 2nd thoughts about thinking that it's not going to make a difference, buy it and you'll see that this is definitely a great improvement overall for your PC and luckily if you build another system in the near future, say 5 years from now, you'll definitely going to be able to re-use the SB-Z, just like I was able with my Audigy Gamer which I used for 10 years, till PCI was no longer supported on high-end motherboards. And yes, that Audigy Gamer is still in use in my 3rd system which is being used by my kids, and he uses it daily.
Cons: None.