Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

It's been a while since I have used a product from Creative, but the Sound BlasterX AE-5 PCIe sound card has certainly impressed me.

It is a diminutive little thing, measuring 145 x 20 x 128 mm, but it sure packs a punch – the AE-5 had no problems powering my Sennheiser HD 650s at ‘normal' gain, something which is quite impressive considering its draws all its power from the PCIe bus.

Creative also bundled some software with the AE-5, and while this isn't something that I am too keen on myself, it does give the end-user some options – the EQ can be tweaked, mic input settings can be adjusted and you can also enable virtual 7.1 surround-sound.

The actual sound quality is where the AE-5 shines, though. It delivers a detailed and very listenable sound – perhaps slightly smoother than I would've liked, but for a gaming-focused sound card that is probably to be expected.

Still, music sounded great through the AE-5, while I also had plenty of fun while gaming. If you are looking for a high-quality PCIe sound card, then, the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 comes well recommended.

My only concern is pricing and its overall appeal. At £129.99, Creative is going to have a tough job convincing the average gamer to upgrade – especially since on-board audio has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. I would imagine many users – folks who use typical gaming headsets – would rather spend that  cash elsewhere, perhaps on a new graphics card or SSD.

That being said, the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 is definitely a high quality product, so if you are keen to upgrade your listening experience, the AE-5 will serve you well.

You can buy one from Creative for £129.99 HERE.

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Pros

• High quality sound.
• Capable of driving Sennheiser HD 650s.
• Software lets you tweak the audio to your liking.
• Attractive piece of kit.

Cons

• On-board audio has come a long way, so many users may not need to upgrade.

KitGuru says: If you are in the market for a high quality sound card, the AE-5 is a great buy. Gamers who only use a standard headset may not benefit hugely, however.

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