Sound Blaster Z: The Complete Desktop Audio System: Sound Blaster Z

Part of the ultra high-performance Z-Series of Sound Blaster® PCI-Express sound cards, the Sound Blaster Z is an ideal all-around gaming and entertainment solution that incorporates all the hardware and software features of the Sound Blaster Zx card and comes with an external high-quality beam-forming dual-microphone array.

Crystal Voice: If you're not communicating you're not winning

When used with CrystalVoice™ the bundled Sound Blaster beam forming microphone creates an acoustic zone and suppresses noise outside it, enabling you to be heard by your teammates with amazing clarity even in noisy environments.

SBX Pro Studio: Live it, don't just hear it

The SBX Pro Studio suite of technologies immerse you in awe-inspiring audio so you can experience games in a 360-degree true-to-life sound stage over speakers or regular headphones, just as the developer intended.

116dB: Experience every detail

A signal to noise ratio or SNR of 116dB delivers > 99.99% pure audio, which is 34.4 times better than typical motherboard audio.

Sound Core3D: Power up

The quad-core Sound Core3D™ audio processor offloads gaming effects processing from your primary CPU, improving your overall PC performance.

Scout Mode: Find them before they find you

This proprietary technology allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat.

Gear up for victory

There's no longer any need to unplug your speakers to connect a gaming headset. Sound Blaster Z features separate I/O so you can easily switch between hardware without having to unplug any gear.

TRUE Audio Expertise

With over 400 million Sound Blasters sold Creative are the digital audio standard.

Technical Specifications

Audio Performance

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio : 116dB
• 24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at up to 96 kHz sample rate
• 24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at up to 192 kHz sample rate to analog outputs
• 16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8,11.025,16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
• 16-bit to 24-bit playback sampling rates: 8,11.025,16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 96 and 192kHz

Rear Panel Connectivity

• Line In / Microphone In : Shared 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jack
• Headphone : 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jack
• Front-Out : 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jacks
• Line Out : 3 x 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jacks
• Rear-Out : 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jacks
• Center / Subwoofer : 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) mini jacks
• Optical Out : TOSLINK
• Optical In : TOSLINK

Speaker Support

• Stereo/2.1 Speakers
• 5.1 Speakers
• Headphones

Bus Connection

• PCI Express 1x
• Front Panel Header
• One 2x5pin Intel HD Front Panel Audio standard header

Warranty

• 1 year limited hardware warranty

Package Contents

• Sound Blaster Z sound card
• Sound Blaster Beam-forming Microphone
• Quick Start Leaflet
• Installation CD containing:
• Drivers for Windows
• Creative Software suite
• User's Guide

Software

• Sound Blaster Z-Series Control Panel
• SBX Pro Studio effects
• CrystalVoice effects
• Creative ALchemy
• Creative Host OpenAL / EAX5.0 HD
• Creative Diagnostics
• Dolby Digital Live encoder
• DTS Connect encoder
• Sound Blaster Speaker Setup
• Creative Software AutoUpdate
• Creative Product Registration

Minimum System Requirements

• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo or AMD® equivalent processor, 2.2GHz or faster recommended.
• Intel®, AMD® or 100% compatible motherboard
• Microsoft® Windows® 8 (32/64-bit), Windows® 7 (32/64-bit)
• 1 GB RAM
• >600 MB of free hard disk space
• Available PCI Express® (x1, x4 or x16) slot
• Available CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive