Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value 7.1-Channel Sound Card

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value Sound Card, PCI

The SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value internal PCI card provides the perfect sonic upgrade for DVD-ROM-equipped PC computers. The card delivers an impressive 106 dB signal-to-noise so it can reproduce truly cinematic 5.1-, 6.1-, and 7.1-channel surround sound from high-resolution DVD-Audio and Dolby Digital EX movies as well as unparalleled realism from the hundreds of existing DirectSound 3D game titles. Audigy 2 Value also facilitates high-quality 24-bit/96 kHz recording and, using patented CMSS 3D audio technology, can up-mix stereo MP3 and audio-CD music into full 7.1-channel surround sound.

The SoundBlaster Audigy 2 is the only PC card with the ability to reproduce DVD-Audio at 24-bit/192 kHz in stereo and 24-bit/96 kHz in 5.1. DVD-Audio is the highest resolution recorded music available for the PC. DVD-Audio offers super high-fidelity (192 kHz/24-bit) sound. DVD-Audio discs provide multichannel and stereo sound, incredible storage capacity, and unique bonus materials not available on regular audio CDs.

SoundBlaster 24-bit EAX ADVANCED HD audio effects processing delivers up to 8 times better clarity than standard host audio. The power of Audigy 2 processing enables full 24-bit/96 kHz audio resolution in discrete 5.1 surround sound with playback of Windows Media Audio (WMA) 9 Professional, the Web's first digital 5.1 surround sound audio codec from the new Windows Media 9 Series. High-definition EAX ADVANCED HD effects include Environment Morphing, Environment Panning, Environment Reflections, and Environment Filtering technologies.

Further, Audigy 2 supports a discrete rear-side speakers for stunning 7.1 surround sound from DirectSound 3D games, Dolby Digital EX movies, and MP3 and CD audio. For PC gamers who compete in any DirectSound 3D first-person shooter or racing title, SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value provides the competitive advantage of being able to hear an opponent approaching from directly behind. This feature works automatically on any current game that supports DirectSound 3D. For DVD movie playback, the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 brings a cinematic audio experience to the PC with Dolby Digital EX support, which is featured on major DVD movie titles.

The card includes Creative's MediaSource Player, a full MP3 and WMA ripping application with a fresh, clean interface and exciting new music-enhancing features. It offers SVM (Smart Volume Management), which matches volume variations across MP3 tracks to eliminate your need to make adjustments during playback; second-generation Audio Clean-up removes pops and clicks from MP3 and WAV files or recorded material from vinyl records or cassettes; a library "find" tool helps you find music quickly by entering the first few letters of an artist or song; and integrated audio modules enable Internet radio and full bitrate encoding on MP3s and WMAs and recording with ASR (Audio Stream Recorder) 2.0.

The SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value enables multichannel recording at 24-bit/96 kHz resolution, the best digital recording bitrate available commercially, allowing a pure recording path and high-performance analog-to-digital converters to accurately capture the full quality and subtle details of any music. It also delivers 16-bit/48 kHz multichannel low-latency ASIO support and 1 each coaxial digital-audio input and output. Other connections include a microphone input, a line-level input and output, and an input for a telephone answering device.

What's in the Box
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value PCI card, a user's manual on CD, a quick-start guide, drivers for Windows ME, 2000 SP4 and XP SP1, Creative Software Pack, 2 CDs of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (full retail version), Creative DVD-Audio sampler disc, and a Sounds Best On SoundBlaster CD.

1 Best cinematic surround, Great package
First i had creative SB live value sound card which is 4.1 i was really impressed with that product the sound quality and bundled softwares.
Recently, i upgraded my system then i purchase this card! Excellent product from creative this card support from 2.1 to 7.1 channels speaker systems and have ability to decode dolby digital signal for watching DVD movies one option i like most in card is audio cleanup believe it this will solve your many problems like pops sounds hiss either high or low the SB Audigy 2 can remove it This card has ulta reallistic sound quality . I suggest to use some speaker sets that works well in my thinking

1. Altec lansing MX5021 THX 2.1
2. Logitech Z-680 5.1
3. Creative gigaworks S750 7.1

I think that sound quality (not raw power i.e higher level of volume ) of all named systems are almost equal these three are top of the line of speakers system available which one system do you like u can play with SB Audigy 2 card for best sound environments around you.