Tuesday, July 9th 2019

Creative Formally Launches the Sound Blaster AE-7 and AE-9 Audiophile Sound Cards

Press Release by
btarunr
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Creative Technology Ltd continues its legacy of revolutionizing audio with the launch of its most advanced PCI-e sound cards ever - the Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7. Built with only the most premium components, and complemented with the latest technologies from Creative, these sound cards are designed to define a new performance standard in this class for the ultimate PC entertainment experience.

Up till 1989, the only sounds coming out of the PC were mere beeps. The same year, Sound Blaster was born, and PC audio was transformed forever. Since then, over 400 million Sound Blasters have been sold; and the Sound Blaster brand has become synonymous with the term sound card and high-quality PC audio - first for gaming, and then movies and music. With experience and expertise refined over three decades of audio innovation, Sound Blaster has continued to reinvent itself with the development of digital audio processing technologies. Each new innovation served to redefine what the ultimate audio experience really means, such as when it evolved beyond the PC in the form of external sound cards for platforms like gaming and entertainment consoles.
"The Sound Blaster philosophy is simple yet demanding. With every new product, we aim to break new ground in four key areas: technology, performance, function and platform. In our 30th year, we will make greater strides than ever before in redefining the Sound Blaster experience. The AE series, which represents our biggest leap in PCI-e sound card innovation yet, is just the beginning. Later this quarter, we will be introducing our latest addition to the "X" series of multi-channel audio external sound cards; it will be the first Sound Blaster product featuring Super X-Fi, our game-changing and award-winning headphone holography technology. And in the next quarter, we will unveil our latest products under the "G" banner of gaming-focused sound cards with better console compatibility and ease of use than before. Simply put, Sound Blaster makes great sound, and never stops making it sound greater," said Sim Wong Hoo, CEO of Creative.

Sound Blaster AE-9: In a Class of Its Own
Sound Blaster AE-9 is Creative"s flagship PCI-e sound card, and it more than delivers on its promise to gratify the needs of pro-gamers and pro-audio users. It uses audiophile-grade components such as the top-of-the-range ESS 9038 SABRE-class reference DAC that delivers up to 129 dB DNR, PCM 32-bit 384 kHz sampling, DSD64 playback of lossless audio with ultra-low distortion and jitter elimination, and boasts Nichicon Fine-Gold capacitors, WIMA film/foil audio capacitors and swappable op-amps.

What really makes Sound Blaster AE-9 stand out against the competition is its CleanLine Technology, a new breakthrough in filtering a microphone path for clear and uncompromised voice communication. This latest technology features specially-designed circuitry and components which eliminates voltage rail issues and isolates unwanted noise caused by power supply ripple from high-performance GPUs. Sound Blaster AE-9 is the first ever to integrate this technology in its core, allowing users to forgo the need for a desktop mixer while still enjoying the benefits of having one.

Sound Blaster AE-7: Next-in-line, Yet Still an Audio Beast
It may seem to sport slightly "lesser" specs compared to the Sound Blaster AE-9, yet Sound Blaster AE-7 is very much a powerful sound card in its own right, being equipped with a hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that boasts up to 127 dB DNR, with 32-bit 384 kHz sampling and DSD64 playback. Audio clarity is the order of the day, with a THD of 0.0001% which represents an upgrade over its predecessor Sound BlasterX AE-5, and also the competition. At its price point, Sound Blaster AE-7 presents an excellent value proposition.

Common Features for Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7
  • The Best Sound Blaster Processing Yet: Enjoy the full spectrum of Sound Blaster audio customization and enhanced audio realism with immersive 5.1 and 7.1 surround virtualization along with Dolby Digital Live encoding and DTS Connect encoding.
  • Award-winning Headphone Amplification: The custom-designed, award-winning fully discrete Xamp headphone amplifier with push-pull design ensures each audio channel is individually amplified to deliver a whole new level of pristine audio fidelity in an authentic, unaltered lossless model.
  • All-new Audio Control Module (ACM): Both sound cards feature ACMs built with user-friendliness in mind. Sound Blaster AE-9's ACM stands out with a display unit for direct and easy volume control, a headphone selector switch supporting different types of headphone impedance, a multi-function microphone input port with +48V Phantom power and a built-in amplifier.
  • New and Streamlined Software Interface: The newly designed Sound Blaster Command software sports a revamped user-friendly interface which drives Creative's signature Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine through achieving more audio control customizations with lesser clicks.
Upgrade Promo for Sound Blaster Users
As a gesture of appreciation for their support over the last 30 years, Creative is offering an exclusive promotion to its fans - the opportunity to upgrade from their old sound cards with an attractive 15% discount off the latest Sound Blaster products. This promotion will be valid for all upcoming Sound Blaster products launched between now and the end of the year.

Pricing and Availability
Sound Blaster AE-9 (on pre-order) and Sound Blaster AE-7 are priced at SGD439 and SGD299 respectively, and are available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit the product pages of the Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7.

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62 Comments on Creative Formally Launches the Sound Blaster AE-7 and AE-9 Audiophile Sound Cards

#26
Ferrum Master
ApocalypseeLooks interesting, the AE-7 have discrete outputs (no opamps but use discrete transistor) like the AE-5, while the AE-9 uses opamps with similar layout like X-Fi Titanium HD (uses two dual-channel opamps for I/V stage and two single-channel opamps for buffer) but they downgraded the opamp quality (swapping the good LME49710 with generic NE5534 judging from the website page). The board looks busy with multiple DSP on board, hopefully one of them at least have hardware accelerated EAX as I still playing old EAX titles. Would love TPU to review it and see all the chip details.
So much wrong here. EAX is dead. There is no HW to do it. They do have HW accelereted effects CPU, yes.

Please prove that NE5534 is really worse choice for the specific task vs the LME49710, they are very very very similar, the common noise rejection may be better on the LME counterpart, but by a fraction. I can point you to a book containing proof of this claim. The whole circuit is the one that decides what opamp behaves better, swapping them on blind is utter madness in my books.

The ESS 9038 implementation is really the most interesting part of this whole product. Only that actually. Creative rarely drifts away from the manufacturer EVAL sample implementation though, it is usually 1:1 to it.
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#27
TheDeeGee
I been using Creative Soundcards since the early SoundBlaster days really.

Still using a SoundBlaster ZxR myself which i got for €160 at the time (was a steal really, considering they went for 250). Before that i had the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro.

I personally never really had any major issues with Creative Soundcards and it's Drivers.
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#28
Apocalypsee
Ferrum MasterSo much wrong here. EAX is dead. There is no HW to do it. They do have HW accelereted effects CPU, yes.

Please prove that NE5534 is really worse choice for the specific task vs the LME49710, they are very very very similar, the common noise rejection may be better on the LME counterpart, but by a fraction. I can point you to a book containing proof of this claim. The whole circuit is the one that decides what opamp behaves better, swapping them on blind is utter madness in my books.

The ESS 9038 implementation is really the most interesting part of this whole product. Only that actually. Creative rarely drifts away from the manufacturer EVAL sample implementation though, it is usually 1:1 to it.
EAX is dead yes, no denying that. But I can hear difference between software EAX and hardware EAX (the soundblaster MB software that common to some motherboards sounds different from native EAX soundcard)

You already said the CMRR is better so there's that. I do agree circuit surrounding the opamp is what makes or break the opamp compatibility and by following the recommended opamp from the OEM datasheet is usually the best.

Creative usually follows the sample but they do use boosted capacitor value on the audio path like in X-Fi series and specifically in Titanium HD they put 220uF caps where in the datasheet it didn't call for any caps to be put there. I 'restore' the card to what specified in the datasheet including the recommended opamps.
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#29
Dristun
Can't see anyone using a DAW buying it for the purposes of using a DAW, what with all the latency and dropout troubles Creative's asio drivers had in the past and non-existent I/O. Audiophiles will continue to look for external DAC's and separate amps too, even if for that demographic 350$ is cheap.
This is aimed at PC-enthusiast crowd who want much better sound than onboard and some gaming-specific sound features. Like all the Sound Blasters before. I have a Titanium and AudigySE too! For these purposes it will probably be excellent, if a bit too expensive.
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#30
Ferrum Master
ApocalypseeCreative usually follows the sample but they do use boosted capacitor value on the audio path like in X-Fi series and specifically in Titanium HD they put 220uF caps where in the datasheet it didn't call for any caps to be put there. I 'restore' the card to what specified in the datasheet including the recommended opamps.
That's just common sense there. It is a coupling cap, so the minimum transfer frequency in sub region is already met, they just simplified it to stack them there as in other parts they were used too. The assembly cost is reduced as they use the same roll of caps. Different value means different roll at the conveyor. No harm also done otherwise. They didn't change the I/V + Buffer section from the PCM1794A datasheet nor in the X-FI HD nor ZxR witch I have both also. The ground plane construction, changed tho, that's the best they now how to do.

LME49710 is a fine opamp, I use it as a default choice too. But... I guess the catch is that the NE5534 is lower bandwidth(10 vs 55MHz) and thus more stable in such polluted and noisy environment like PC and slower op amps are preferred, there is some sort of reason for sure, as Creative design team ain't stupid for sure. Costs are not an argument this time, the truth can be found out only when I will get my hands on the card.
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#31
FreedomEclipse
~Technological Technocrat~
They are bringing back Dolby Digital Live. I guess people really shit on them for the AE-5 which lacked that feature.
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#32
INSTG8R
Vanguard Beta Tester
FreedomEclipseThey are bringing back Dolby Digital Live. I guess people really shit on them for the AE-5 which lacked that feature.
Such love for such a terrible DSP. I suppose it’s all that saves TOSLink users from Stereo but then if I was using TOSLink it would be to an AMP that would have its own DSP suite I’d be using so I’d just be after pass through. I mean I’ve been strictly 5.1 gaming for at least a decade and never used any DSP/effects just straight up analog 5.1 which is really the ideal no? Pure multichannel, no DSPs “making things up” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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#33
Rafi_J
Would it be too much to ask for this thing to have better MIDI playback? I'm sick of that pathetic Microsoft Synthesizer thingy. But I guess General Midi is dead so....
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#34
Postmodum
I have a ZxR just standing on the shelf... I decided to get everything sound related from the computer, went with Burson Playmate and Bang amp ... not that cheap but best decision I did. Now I can downsize my case without any issues of loosing sound quality.
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#35
Mistral
Sticking to my Auzen Forte till it dies. Then it'll be sound over DP/HDMI for me...
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#36
Hotobu
lexluthermiesterIf you think about it, it's really not all that bad. I remember paying $189 for my AWE64 Gold BITD, and it was on sale. That was 1997. Fast forward 22 years and adjust for inflation the price is actually a better value given that you get more for the money. Even the SB Live5.1 was $220 in 1999(when I bought one, it came out in late 1998).
Except back in those days a sound card was a necessity. Now on board sound is so good the extra cost doesn't go as far as it used to.
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#37
lexluthermiester
HotobuExcept back in those days a sound card was a necessity.
True
HotobuNow on board sound is so good the extra cost doesn't go as far as it used to.
Myth Edit; While onboard sound has improved, sound technology has improved all around and dedicated sound cards are still completely superior to onboard all day long.
Posted on Reply
#38
Hotobu
What myth? Did anyone say or imply that a soundcard wasn't superior?

Your inflation argument isn't structured properly considering that a couple decades ago without a sound card you'd get no audio whatsoever. You can't calculate the value of no sound before vs what's essentially "luxury sound" now.
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#39
lexluthermiester
You said;
HotobuNow on board sound is so good the extra cost doesn't go as far as it used to.
Then I said;
lexluthermiesterMyth Edit; While onboard sound has improved, sound technology has improved all around and dedicated sound cards are still completely superior to onboard all day long.
How is that difficult to understand?
HotobuYou can't calculate the value of no sound before vs what's essentially "luxury sound" now.
Sure you can. The problem that exists here is perspective. We disagree on what is acceptable for advanced use. Onboard sound can get someone by and while it is much better than it once was, it's still sub-par for anything other than casual use. Gaming, Audio/Video and content creation almost requires a high end sound card. Here's a simple rule to follow; If you can't tell or don't understand the difference, don't get one. However coming into a thread like this and complaining like you did makes you sound like a special-snowflake telling people what to think and how to live. Some people find that irritating.
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#40
Mamya3084
I just sold my ZxR. My new MB pretty much matches the capabilities it had.
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#41
Hotobu
What's difficult to understand is why you aren't understanding proportionality. Decades ago soundcards were quite literally infinitely more important. Without them there was no effectively sound. 100% of the people who wanted to hear sounds that weren't coming from inside their case needed to buy a sound card, that number is now 0%. Soundcards are now a choice for some, not a necessity for all. I will reiterate what I said earlier about calculating value because you are doing it incorrectly. In order to do it correctly you would do the following: (199X cost of a high end sound card) - (199X cost of a "standard") vs (current high end). That would but the actual way to do it.

My final remarks: I'm not sure what non existent "complaint(s)" you're referring to, I told no one how to live, only how to properly assess the value proposition of a soundcard, and the real snowflake would be someone that gets agitated over such a discussion.

Now I'm sure you're champing at the bit to have the last word on this, so I will give you the permission to have it.
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#42
Sir Alex Ice
These prices are insane, anything more than 100$ for a sound card is crazy and should be reserved for professional sound studios.

And no, the driver support has not improved, they still do not have driver support for older Audigy models to be used in Windows 7 or 10 systems.

I have an external USB X-Fi something, it's fine I guess, got it because I could not make my perfectly fine Audigy work with Windows 7 and 10.
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#43
lexluthermiester
Sir Alex IceThese prices are insane, anything more than 100$ for a sound card is crazy and should be reserved for professional sound studios.
Opinion.
Sir Alex IceAnd no, the driver support has not improved, they still do not have driver support for older Audigy models to be used in Windows 7 or 10 systems.
Patently false on both points.
First point, you clearly didn't go looking;
support.creative.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?catID=1&prodID=4847&prodName=Sound%20Blaster%20Audigy&CatName=Sound+Blaster
Second point, the Windows 7 drivers work in Windows 10.
Sir Alex IceI have an external USB X-Fi something, it's fine I guess, got it because I could not make my perfectly fine Audigy work with Windows 7 and 10.
See above... And if you don't like Creatives drivers for some reason, try DanielK's very excellent custom drivers here;
danielkawakami.blogspot.com/2017/01/sb-audigy-series-support-pack-62.html

However, it should be noted that most of the Audigy series of cards are more than 15 years old. Complaining about driver support for such an old series of cards is silly and you should feel lucky they still do.
HotobuMy final remarks: I'm not sure what non existent "complaint(s)" you're referring to
See above. How we doing on that point?
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#44
Prima.Vera
Does any of those card support 5.1 analogs? like 1x 2 Front; 1x 2 Back; 1x 1 Center/LFE ?
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#46
aQi
TheLostSwede$329 for a sound card, or a CPU, hmmm..?

I understand these use some higher end components, but Creative must be mad if they think they'll sell a bunch of these.
They have gone crazy and asking me for my SB Tatinamium Fatal1ty with Front Panel and just giving me a 15% discount on these while i sit back and record music on Interface and ignore the fact that its just a creative way to blast sound. And eventually most gamers have gaming motherboards with upto mark audio solutions in gaming. Why would anyone want this ? Even for being a fan i hardly see a come back at this point for creative.
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#47
InVasMani
Try again Creative come back with a E-MU audio interface with a modern twist on the 1212M or don't bother. I want them 1/4 jacks the output gotta be THICC like the rack gear.
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#48
lexluthermiester
InVasManiTry again Creative come back with a E-MU audio interface with a modern twist on the 1212M or don't bother.
Before offering critique on the technical capabilities of the current chip used for audio processing, maybe you should do some research...
InVasManiI want them 1/4 jacks the output gotta be THICC like the rack gear.
Buy a $4 adapter.
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#49
Sir Alex Ice
lexluthermiesterOpinion.

Patently false on both points.
First point, you clearly didn't go looking;
support.creative.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?catID=1&prodID=4847&prodName=Sound%20Blaster%20Audigy&CatName=Sound+Blaster
Second point, the Windows 7 drivers work in Windows 10.

See above... And if you don't like Creatives drivers for some reason, try DanielK's very excellent custom drivers here;
danielkawakami.blogspot.com/2017/01/sb-audigy-series-support-pack-62.html

However, it should be noted that most of the Audigy series of cards are more than 15 years old. Complaining about driver support for such an old series of cards is silly and you should feel lucky they still do.


See above. How we doing on that point?
1st, I looked quite a lot when 7 and 10 came out, with no luck. Fyi I used to re-sell Creative products and got contacts with their EU team, they could not help.

2nd, it is Creative's job to support their products, especially considering they have not launched anything really new in 20 years. Not my job to try and make work their Windows 7 in Windows 10 - which by the way only worked when you upgraded to 10 from 7 and the drivers where inherited by the new OS. Simply the fact that DanielK's drivers exist proves that Creative does a very poor job to support its products.

3rd, I suppose you would be totally OK if for instance your car's manufacturer stopped offering spare parts. Or maybe you could find only new gasoline / petrol that would not be compatible with your engine.
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#50
lexluthermiester
Sir Alex Ice1st, I looked quite a lot when 7 and 10 came out, with no luck. Fyi I used to re-sell Creative products and got contacts with their EU team, they could not help.
Ok, that's very easy, when 7 came out the Vista drivers worked flawlessly. When 10 came out, the 7 drivers worked(and still do) perfectly. So yeah there's that.
Sir Alex Ice2nd, it is Creative's job to support their products, especially considering they have not launched anything really new in 20 years.
Either you're trolling or you haven't been paying attention. Regardless, you're wrong.
Sir Alex IceNot my job to try and make work their Windows 7 in Windows 10 - which by the way only worked when you upgraded to 10 from 7 and the drivers where inherited by the new OS.
Not really a difficult task. Run driver setup, let it finish. Taa daa!
Sir Alex IceSimply the fact that DanielK's drivers exist proves that Creative does a very poor job to support its products.
Like anything that gets modded, the reasons are usually because someone wanted to customize what they're modding. In DanielK's case, he wanted to work new driver features into older drivers for older cards. The quality of the drivers was not in question.
Sir Alex Ice3rd, I suppose you would be totally OK if for instance your car's manufacturer stopped offering spare parts. Or maybe you could find only new gasoline / petrol that would not be compatible with your engine.
Comparing the automotive industry to the PC industry is simply not a good comparison as there are completely different dynamics involved. However, no I don't expect Honda to offer support on my son's '93 Acura Legend without them charging for it, which they do. I'm sure if you offered to contract Creative to adapt and update older drivers for specifically for Windows 10 they would likely happily say yes for say $150k. So have at it.

EDIT: All this does not imply that I don't care. I would love to see them update their driver sets for older cards to work on the latest version of Windows 10. They're under no obligation to, but It would be very cool if they did.
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