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The Creative Sound Blaster Z Sound card is part of the new flagship series of Sound Blaster and features the multi-core Sound Core3D audio processor and beamforming microphone. There are three models in the Sound Blaster Z range; the Z, the Zx and the ZxR.
A beamforming microphone is made up of, in short, two omni directional microphones at both ends of the device. The beamforming feature then creates an area (from the projected beam of each mic) in front of the subject and captures the sound within, attenuating anything out of the area. This is great for reducing background noise and combined with Creatives' CrystalVoice should give excellent vocal pick-up.
Specifications
| Audio Processor: | Sound Core3D |
| Audio Resolution: | 24-Bit |
| Digital Audio Convertor (DAC): | Cirrus Logic |
| Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Wgt): | 116dB |
| Maximum Playback Quality: | 5.1 : Up to 96kHz Stereo Direct: Up to 192kHz |
| Frequency Response @96kHz: | 5.1 : Up to 96kHz 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 |
| 16-bit to 24-bit Recording Sample Rates: | 8,11.025,16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 96 (kHz) |
| 16-bit to 24-bit Playback Sample Rates: | 8,11.025,16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 96, 192 (kHz) |
| Maximum Recording Quality: | Up to 24-bit/96kHz |
| I/O Ports (Main Card): | 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 |
| 600 Ohm Amplified Headphone Output: | Maxim MAX97220A |
| Included Acesssories: | Beamforming Microphone |
My biggest problem with creative has always been their drivers and software. it is so unoptimised and clunky and often there will be huge bugs which take a long time to fix. I try to avoid them when possible if I was being honest.
How dare you speak the truth Joe!