Even though onboard audio on motherboards has gotten vastly better over the past several years, if you want more, adding a discrete sound card to your system is necessary. The Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is a possible option, that comes in two different versions. In this post, I’m reviewing the standard edition, which is black. The other version of the Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is the Pure Edition.
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus Specs
| Brand | Creative |
| Hardware Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Audio Processor | Sound Core3D™ |
| DNR/SNR | DAC: 122 dB |
| Max Playback Resolution | PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz |
| Audio Output Mode | Surround |
| Hardware Platform | Headphones, PC |
| Price: | $141.99 |
| My Rating: | 9/10 |
An Overview of Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus
Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is an internal sound card. The design of the card is sleek and fits well into any system. A stylish backplate provides additional protection and offers a much nicer look than a bare PCB. Besides the usual analog jack inputs and outputs (analog 5.1 is still possible here), you’ll find an optical SPDIF connector on the slot bracket. The AE-5 Plus has added both DTS encoding and Dolby Digital Live, which “enrich” the audio experience of everyone who uses an A/V amplifier with their computers. This is the only real difference to the older AE-5 without Plus.
The Sound Blaster Command software enables you to have complete control over your listening experience. Here’s a video walkthrough of some of the best tools available in this application.
Features
SABRE-class DAC
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a SABRE-class PCI-e DAC that is perfect for high-resolution audio for games, music, and movies. It delivers an extremely clean 122 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with ultra-low distortion and jitter.
Surround Sound
On top of support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect Encoding, the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus also features discrete 5.1 on speakers and up to 7.1 virtual surround on both speakers and headphones. You can transform your gaming audio into immersive theatrical audio.
RGB lighting
The integrated RGB lighting fits perfectly into any gaming system. It uses digitally addressable RGB LEDs to illuminate two strips and the AE-5 Plus logo. You can connect and control other RGB products thanks to the integrated ARGB connection. But, this requires an additional power supply via a 4-pin Molex connector directly on the card. However, this is not required for the internal RGB lighting.
Scout Mode
With Sound Blaster Command software you can activate Scout Mode, to give yourself a distinct tactical advantage in gaming. This technology enhances important in-game audio cues such as footsteps and weapon switching sounds allowing you to quickly and accurately pinpoint your opponents’ location before they pinpoint yours.
About the Creative Brand
Creative has been for decades the worldwide specialist for sound cards. Famous for its Sound Blaster® sound cards and for driving the multimedia revolution, Creative continues to reinvent the Sound Blaster. With the Sound BlasterX AE-5, Plus Creative wants to show that great sound and exciting looks are not automatically mutually exclusive.
Pros and Cons for Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus
Pros
Sound
In comparison with an onboard sound card of a mainboard, the sound quality is outstanding. SABRE32 Ultra DAC, the heart of Creative’s Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus, delivers sound with up to 32 times more clarity than a standard motherboard onboard audio chip, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 122 dB and a maximum lossless playback rate of up to 32-bit / 384 kHz. It adds an impressive boost of quality and value to the cheapest headphones or speakers.
RGB lighting
The integrated RGB lighting fits perfectly into any gaming system. It uses digitally addressable RGB LEDs to illuminate two strips and the AE-5 Plus logo. You can connect and control other RGB products thanks to the integrated ARGB connection. But, this requires an additional power supply via a 4-pin Molex connector directly on the card. However, this is not required for the internal RGB lighting.
Headphone amplifier – Xamp
For each of the two stereo channels, you have a headphone amplifier called Xamp, built by Creative. It adds an impressive boost for quality and value even to the cheapest of headphones or speakers.
Cons
32-bit and 384 kHz quality is limited
32-bit and 384 kHz quality only work when the board is in Direct mode where no effect can be applied.
Poor volume balancing
Anything past volume 10 would be too loud. This can be easily remedied by using headphones with their own volume controls as well for easy balancing.
Virtual 7.1 sound
This sound card isn’t a true 7.1, it’s 5.1 with virtual 7.1 sound.
Amazon Customer Reviews
Conclusion / Final Verdict
If you’re not happy with your onboard audio, you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, or you want to upgrade your existing sound card, the Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is definitely a great option. With the right drivers and software installed you can have an impressive audio experience.