Creative Sound Blaster Z Sound Card Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. Creative Sound Blaster Z Sound Card4. Software5. Performance6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

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

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