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Technical Characteristics
The following table lists the technical characteristics of the new audio card in contrast to other products from the Sound Blaster family.
| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 | Sound Blaster Audigy LS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro |
Audio Quality | |||||
Sound Blaster 24-bit ADVANCED HD Quality | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) | 90dB | 100dB | 108dB | 108dB | 108dB |
Max. Audio Resolution Playback & Quality | 16-bit/48kHz | 24-bit/96kHz | 24-bit/192kHz in Stereo | ||
Max. Recording / Sampling Rate | 16-bit/48kHz | 24-bit/96kHz | |||
DACs | AC'97 | 24-bit/96kHz | 24-bit/192kHz | ||
As you see, the declared signal-to-noise ratio for the Audigy 2 ZS series is 108dB already. Note that the SNR parameter for the Platinum eX was 2dB lower (106dB). It’s possible to improve this parameter by using high-quality converters, so I am eager to look for any changes in the electronic stuffing of the card (see the PCB Design section of this review).
| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 | Sound Blaster Audigy LS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro |
Gaming | |||||
EAX | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EAX ADVANCED HD | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EAX 4.0 ADVANCED HD* | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hardware Acceleration of EAX &/or EAX ADVANCED HD | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No. of Audio Environment(s) Processed Simultaneously* | 1 | 1 | >1* | >1* | >1* |
Max. No. of 3D Voices | 32 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
Max. Channels in 3D Positional Audio | 5.1 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
PC-to-PC Gaming with FireWire | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Speaker Calibration for Optimal 3D Positional Audio | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
* Require driver or software update
The new Audigy provides the gamers with the support of the new API – EAX 4.0 Advanced HD. The owners of the previous Audigy 2 versions are not behind the times: driver and software updates are waiting for you at the Creative technical support page. Another most important thing is the support of eight-channel speaker systems, and all new games from renowned developers are supposed to featuer three-dimensional positioning of the sound sources among eight channels. The FireWire port is available in the new models, too, and serves gaming needs in the first hand. You can use it to connect two computers for a game of your favorite simulator.
| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 | Sound Blaster Audigy LS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro |
Music Playback / Music Creation | |||||
Integrated Digital Music Player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Integrated Digital Music Ripping (in Player) - MP3 & WMA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
True Bit Accurate Recording w/o SRC | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio Playback | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EAX Music Enhancements | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EAX Effects | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
CMSS 3D Upmixing of Stereo to Multi-Channels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Audio Clean-up | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smart Volume Management (SVM) | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Karaoke | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multi-Channel Graphic Equalizer | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bass Boost | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Surround over 2 Channel or Headphones | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Full Support for Windows Media 9 24-bit/96kHz 5.1 content | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ASIO Low Latency Multi-Track Recording Support (16-bit/48kHz) | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ASIO 2.0 Low Latency Multi-Track Recording Support (24-bit/96kHz) | NA | NA | NA | NA | Yes |
ASIO 2.0 Direct Monitoring | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For an audiophile, the Audigy 2 ZS offers karaoke and a graphics equalizer. Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro also supports ASIO 2.0, but that’s rather for professional musicians.
| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 | Sound Blaster Audigy LS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro |
Movies | |||||
THX Certification | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
THX Setup Console | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dolby Digital 5.1 Playback | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dolby Digital EX 6.1 Playback | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DTS-ES 6.1 Playback | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All ZS series sound cards are THX-certified. The certification is the recognition of their quality reproduction of DVD audio formats. Note also two new features: DTS-ES 6.1 support and a special THX control panel. I will discuss them in detail shortly.
| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 | Sound Blaster Audigy LS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro |
Connectivity | |||||
Front-Panel Audio Connectivity | NA | NA | NA | Yes | External I/O Module |
GamePort/Joystick Port | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
High Speed FireWire port | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Analog Speakers Support | Headphone, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 | Headphone, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 | |||
Digital Speakers Support | Headphone, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 | Headphone, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, | |||
As for communicative capabilities of the new card, Creative continues with its support of the legacy joystick port (many other sound card manufacturers consider it obsolete). Even the most advanced model, the Platinum Pro, supports the game port and comes with an appropriate bracket. Of course, this port is only necessary for people who still have old game manipulators. If you’ve got a modern device, you don’t have to install the bracket at all.
