Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Internal Sound Card

The THX certified Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS delivers 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio, 108dB SNR clarity across 8 channels, and is the only available PC platform to deliver Advanced Resolution 24-bit DVD-Audio playback in 24-bit/192kHz stereo and 24-bit/96kHz 5.1 surround. EAX ADVANCED HD effects produces ultra-realistic sound in supported games and multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1and 7.1 with over 400 existing 3-D games. EAX ADVANCED HD acoustic enhancements dramatically improve all your music with features including Bass Boost, Graphic Equalizer, Audio Clean-Up, and more!

Superior Fidelity 24-bit ADVANCED HD Audio
Superior quality 24-bit/192kHz audio, ultra-realistic EAX ADVANCED HD GAME effects, and studio quality EAX ADVANCED HD MUSIC settings
THX Certified Sound Card for Cinematic Audio
The only certified sound card with exclusive Creative THX Setup Console that provides accurate audio calibration for a precise speaker listening environment
Advanced Resolution 24-bit DVD-Audio Playback
The only certified PC platform for Advanced Resolution 24-bit/96kHz 5.1 surround and 24-bit/192kHz stereo DVD-Audio playback
Ultra-realistic EAX 4.0 ADVANCED HD Effects
Multi-Environment audio with up to four simultaneous environments processed in real-time and up to 7.1 surround with over 400 existing DirectSound3-D enabled games
EAX Music Console with Acoustic Enhancements
Dramatically enhance your music experience with new EAX ADVANCED HD MUSIC features including Bass
Patented Creative CMSS 3-D Audio Technology
Allows all stereo recordings including MP3/WMA, CDs, VCD, and movies to be played back in captivating 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 surround
Integrated High Speed 1394 FireWire Port
Enables PC-to-PC networking and low latency gaming plus high speed data transfers with IEEE compliant devices including MP3 players, storage devices and DV Camcorders

Features and Benefits

Superior Fidelity 24-bit ADVANCED HD Audio

Superior quality 24-bit/192kHz audio, ultra-realistic EAX ADVANCED HD GAME effects, and studio quality EAX ADVANCED HD MUSIC settings
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS is the ideal platform for Windows Media 9 content including full 24-bit/96kHz audio in discrete 5.1 surround sound.

THX Certified Sound Card for Cinematic Audio

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS has received the prestigious THX Multimedia Certification making it the ideal choice for delivering cinematic quality audio on the PC.
The unique Creative THX Setup Console provides accurate audio calibration for a precise speaker listening environment.

EAX Music Console with Acoustic Enhancements

Dramatically enhance your music experience with new EAX ADVANCED HD MUSIC features including Bass Boost, multi-band Graphic Equalizer on all 8 channels, Audio Clean-Up and Karaoke. Bass Boost: Punch up the bass with all PC audio
Multi-Channel Graphic Equalizer: Personalize playback across all 8 channels
Audio Clean-Up: Remove noise from MP3s of old recordings
Smart Volume Management (SVM ): Automatically match volume levels across music tracks
EAX Effects: Add acoustic effects like Concert Hall to your music

Patented Creative CMSS 3-D Audio Technology

Allows all stereo recordings including MP3/WMA, CDs, VCD and movies to be played back in captivating 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround.
Delivers virtual surround with headphones and stereo widening with stereo desktop speakers.

Complete Cinematic Surround Sound with DTS-ES and Dolby Digital EX Movies

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS features built-in DTS-ES and Dolby Digital EX decoding to deliver captivating audio playback in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround with DVD movies.

Comprehensive Multi-Channel Surround with 3-D Games

Comprehensive Multi-Channel Surround with 3-D Games - Enjoy up to 7.1 surround in existing 3-D games. Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS plays back DirectSound3-D games in 5.1 surround, 6.1 surround with additional rear center channel, or 7.1 surround in rear center surround or side surround configurations.

Integrated High Speed 1394 FireWire Port

Enables PC-to-PC networking and low latency gaming plus high speed data transfers with IEEE compliant devices including MP3 players, storage devices and DV Camcorders.

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
This is going to be a long review because I just purchased this and I want to answer some questions that I couldn't find answers to before I purchased it. If you want the 1 word summary, it's "INCREADIBLE"!! I was upgrading from a Fortissimo 1 sound card. I understand that this is not a great card, however I was using the optical out to connect to a DTS receiver. Essentially the sound card was doing nothing but transferring data and my nice receiver was doing all of the work. This made me apprehensive about upgrading to the Audigy 2 because I wasn't sure if I would notice a difference from my optical card. (pause for a quick side note) You can NOT hook this card up digitally to a receiver. I LOVE this card, but I feel this is important for customers to understand this fact, and very deceiving from Creative. The digital output on the card uses a proprietary digital signal. For the techs out there, a normal (electrical not optical) digital signal is a sine wave. The crest of the wave registers as "on" and the bottom of the wave registers as "off". The creative digital-out uses 8 points on the sine wave to create the signal. 1 point for each audio channel. This will only work with computer speaker sets designed for this type of proprietary signal. It will not work with home theatre receivers because it is not a standard digital signal. (now back to my review) With the Audigy 2 ZS I would need to hook everything up using analog THX certified monster cables. Essentially it boils down to weather my receiver will sound better decoding the digital signal (old card), or if the Audigy 2 ZS will sound better decoding the signal and then passing it to the receiver for amplification. I honestly could not be happier with the results. The Audigy 2 ZS sounds 10 times better than my old setup. Everything is MUCH more crisp and well defined, and the low end sounds AMAZING. I'm not talking loud bass, I'm just talking really really tight and smooth. I could not recommend this card more. It is THE BEST upgrade I have made to my PC in years. I also wanted to touch a bit on the setup, because I couldn't find any reviews anywhere that explained how to hook up the analog outs to a home theatre receiver, and Creative made it a little tricky. First, the 8 channels use only 3 mini plugs as connectors. How you ask? The first connector is an easy to find cable. It's a mini -> 2 RCA. This is the same cable you use to hook a Discman up to your receiver. The other 2 are weird. They are mini -> 3 RCA. The only use I've ever seen for a cable like this is hooking up a DV camcorder to a TV. If you are using monster it is called a CAMAV cable. The first plug feeds your front right and front left speakers. The second plug feeds you rear left, rear right, and side left speakers. The third plug feeds your side right, center, and sub speakers. I could not find that info anywhere before buying and experimenting. I use a double receiver setup with two 5.1 receivers. The second receiver has some unused channels, so later I can expand as far as 10.2. I highly recommend this setup. I also HIGHLY recommend this card. Like I said before, I am blown away by the sound quality. I've never heard a computer sound so good.