Pros: -Sounds are much crisper and sharper. Bass also sounds deeper without distortion. Be sure to use 'direct mode' to utilize the best of the card. I'm not sure how to explain it, everything just sounds better! I haven't bought a sound card since 2007 but I figured I would soup up my new pc as much as possible - absolutely no regrets at all. I'll never go back to on-board audio ever again!

Overall Review: -I'm using 2.1 audio (Left and right speakers + subwoofer) and I had to plug it into "front left and right" input.

Overall Review: Yes, I would recommend this product to anyone using onboard sound. Im no audiophile, just your average layman and this card has improved my sound 100 fold. I had all volume maxed, before installing this card and everything sounded horrible. I could barely hear anything with all volume to max levels with my onboard sound. I installed this card, which automatically had master volume set to 50%, which was still too loud for me. I had to lower the volume from video controls even more. The clarity, surround sound, and dialog blew me away!, Just awesome!, you wont be disappointed, if your looking for better sound from onboard sound. Worth every penny!

Pros: Easy to install, Window 10 Pro, downloaded most current driver and basically was ready to go, however if you wanted all the cool stuff too, you had to download the other software to take advantage of its other capabilities. Once I got everything installed and working together, there is a definite sound quality and sound boost over the built in sound on my motherboard. I truly felt like games and music were new, like it was the first time hearing it. I hear a lot more sounds in games I never heard before & music is completely different, more vibrant and life like.

Cons: none

Overall Review: You cant count tweaking the software and getting it all dialed in as a con. I know you will have to make adjustments & some of the capabilities aren't for everyone. I didn't use a lot of the items they said would make everything sound better. I went in and setup the equalizer the way I like, and everything just seemed to come alive. There's a lot more volume & the sound control is awesome, I have played it very loud and there was no distortion or any crackling sounds. It comes with an LED strip and needed cables to attach it to the card, however you will need to plug in the 4 pin molex (old school connector) to the card if you want to run said LED strip. I don't want the strip connected, so a non-issue for me, however may be a drag for others. You can also customize the colors on the card itself with the SoundBlaster software. It wasn't hard to get the needed software, just a bit of pain to go thru the website to download the software, which once you find it and download it; its all good from there. Just be patient when setting it up, took a little bit to get it dialed in & then it was simply awesome. My build: Thermaltake 71 view case ASUS Rampage VI Extreme Omega Intel core i9 9900X cpu overclocked to 4.5 ghz G.Skill 64 gig set - Desktop Memory Model F4-3000C14Q-64GTZR EVGA 3080ti Hybrid XC3 Ultra gaming Corsair H150i pro 360mm water cooler w/ 6 LL series fans setup as push/pull on radiator @ front of case EVGA Super nova 1300 watt gold completely modular PSU Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Razer Basilisk Ultimate wireless gaming mouse SoundBlaster X AE-5 Plus sound card Logitech z906 5.1 Dolby Digital DTS speaker system Aorus FV43U 43" QLED UHD 4K monitor

Pros: -Looks nice, and nicely packaged -When working properly it makes sound really impressive in gaming

Cons: -Doesn't work properly (Windows 11) -Dolby Encoding not functioning -Software and setup quite time consuming and frustrating, manual/troubleshooting not much help

Overall Review: Had a lot of trouble setting it up with a Logitech Z906 system over the digital optical link, would often drop out or reverse channels, or refuse to use the Dolby encoder. Eventually got it working somehow and it was really good. Then randomly it decided to keep switching off the Dolby encoder and it doesn't seem to work any more either. Tried a fresh install of Windows 11 and doesn't make a difference. Not sure if I have a hardware problem or if it just doesn't work with Windows 11 currently. Quite disappointed, without Dolby it's basically the same as the onboard audio on the Asus motherboard. 2 starts rather than 1 as I have some hope that in the future maybe it'll work properly.

Pros: I now have full control of my sound playback and it is awesome. Sound is clearer and crisp and clean. It is better than my motherboard sound and it comes with RGB to boot witch adds that extra lighting to my system, Very nice.

Cons: You have to switch between speakers and headphones manually in the control panel.

Overall Review: Recommend it to anyone who loves great sound.

Pros: Easy to set up Program is user friendly Great sound

Cons: None that I've seen

Overall Review: So far I have lived this sound card. Was easy to install and get up and running. The sound from it is amazing, I'm actually hearing sounds differently from the on board sound. And with it hooked up to a vizio sound bar and sub with a digital audio cable, my room is booming with sound

Pros: Sound is so much clearer from this sound card than the motherboard. It truly is a night and day difference. I have an old set of Logitech Z906 5.1 speakers, and it makes them sound like new again. I listen to a lot of music and the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus makes it sound so good now, with more definition and clarity. Granted i have subwoofer but the lows are punchy and tight sounding now. Gaming sound has been vastly improved also. Nothing sounds muddy or washed out.

Cons: None so far.

Overall Review: I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is not satisfied with the on board sound card on their motherboard. Like i said it's a night and day difference.

Pros: This Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus has very Clean Sound Quality and does not Dull out at High Volume Levels as the Creative Sound Blaster Z did. The Creative Sound Blaster Z was a very Poor Quality Sound Card and the Software was even more frustrating. This AE-5 Plus sounds better than the EVGA Nu Audio and even better at Higher Volume Levels. The EVGA would dull out the High Frequencies at 90% Volume levels. The EVGA was way overpriced for what it was and had no What You Hear Software, so no Music Audio was not possible to Record with no Stereo Mix options available. That to me was an EVGA Rip Off to not include What You Hear Stereo Mix.

Cons: For Audio Studio use, stay away from the EVGA Nu Audio Series. No allowed Music Audio recording, as it is not possible due to the lack of Quality, and no What You Hear Options.

Overall Review: Creative finally got another good Sound card out. The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a very Good Card and decent Software, an it also has the Native Speaker Check Testing Software that the XFI Series had.