Creative Sound Blaster Z Review – As one of the most active players in the world, especially audio computer audio, the Creative Sound Blaster its ranks continue to be present with interesting innovations. After the X-Fi series is quite popular a few years ago, followed by a Recon3D series , is now back comes with Creative Sound Blaster sound card series Z. Z series is currently divided into 3 variants, Z, Zx, and ZXR.
This time the arrival we variant value of the Z series is Sound Blaster Z. In addition to the most affordable priced, creative Sound Blaster Z also includes the simplest equipment other than the 2 variants. Even so, its still a complete and sufficient to pamper users.
Comes with a new color theme, the Creative Sound Blaster Z performing “strong” with dominant red accents. This sound card also uses a protective electromagnetic interference or EMI Shield so called quality sound output can be maximized. Interestingly, protective design that has a transparent section to display the Sound Core3D chip and decorated with bright red LED that lights up when it is installed in the PC. Not to forget the sound card is using PCI-Express x1 interface.
For connections, the Creative Sound Blaster Z provides a fairly complete port both analog and digital. Five 3.5 mm stereo port is available for connecting analog comprising 1 Line In/Mic In, 3 to output multi-channel 5.1 and 1 special port for headphones. These specially designed headphones output and headphone able to handle “heavy” to 600 ohms. As for digital, optical manifold connection is also provided.
After installing this sound card, we first complaint is the distance between stereo port which is quite narrow, especially for its multi-channel 5.1. The solution is to use a more slender stereo connector or using a digital connection for outputting multi chanels. But this is not a problem if you are just using the stereo speakers only. The existence of special headphone output is very easy so you do not need to “pull the plug” if you want to switch from speakers to headphones.
One of the features of reliable software, SBX Pro Studio provides many settings for sound output that you can customize yourself. One of them is the famous Crystalizer effect. This effect can help give you the definition of music as you play, but according to us, use of effects above 50 % even make voice sounded artificial. There was also the effect of Surround to simulate surround sound effect even just stereo sound source.
Creative Sound Blaster Z includes a microphone called beamforming microphone. Combine with CrystalVoice features, then the sound of your conversation will be heard clearly by the opponent although the area around your noisy or less optimal. Make the game players, ScoutMode features help detect sound like gunfire and footsteps . Very helpful in FPS games, especially if you are using headphones.
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On testing, the sound quality was good sound card presented, slightly better than the previous generation such as the X-Fi in the same class. Detailed and clear sounding music instrument separation , and the use of EMI Shield enough to help produce a clean sound. Most noticeably is the well blow low or bass tones generated . Seen that the sound card is more suitable to be used to play games, watch movies , and listening to music are fierce.