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Sound Blaster AE-7
Hi-res PCI-e DAC and Amp Sound Card with Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp and Audio Control Module
VIDEO
Features
Overview
Featuring pristine audio fidelity alongside Sound Blaster's audio processing legacy, the AE-7 takes the audio game up a notch and will awe you with its audiophile-grade components with playback exceeding massively popular desktop amps and DACs.
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DAC
Hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9018 with incredibly clean 127 dB DNR audio stream
THD + N
Up to -120 dB, 0.0001%
Playback Capability
Clear, pristine audio at 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 Playback
Headphone Amp
Ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance, supports 16Ω to studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones
Surround Sound and Encoding
5.1 discrete surround for speakers, 7.1 virtual surround for headphones, Dolby Digital Live, DTS Connect Encoding, and Sound Blaster Surround Virtualization
Convenience
Audio Control Module - perfect for quick access to volume control knob, 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm mic and headphones I/O connectors. Also fitted with a built-in mic array for hassle-free communications
Audio Enhancements
Full suite of audio enhancements including customizable EQs and Sound Profiles, Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume, and Dialog Plus that further boosts your audio. For gamers, Scout Mode is a feature not to be missed!
Customization
New and improved Sound Blaster Command software for further audio customization, with a quick on and off toggle switch to activate or deactivate audio processing effects
Audio
Hardware Accelerated Audio
The addition of AE-7 to your PC rig basically means one thing — you're adding in a dedicated quad-core processor designed with one goal in mind — to deliver incredibly pristine and enhanced sound on your PC without overstressing your CPU. Sound Blaster handles audio processing on the card itself, freeing up your CPU to handle other tasks.
Clean and Crisp Audio Clarity
Enhanced audio is only going to sound as good as the components delivering it, and with the AE-7, we're not pulling any punches. The AE-7 features an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that delivers an incredibly clean 127 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 Playback. If pristine is at the core of your demand, the AE-7 is going to blow past your expectations.
Custom Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amplifier
Audiophile and theater-grade components deserve an audiophile-grade headphone amplifier. The AE-7 features our custom Xamp bi-amplified headphone amp in which each earcup gets its own power from the first stage of amplification all the way through delivery.
The end result in your ears is silky smooth audio regardless of how dynamic or demanding the current audio scene may be. For the pro-audio users, the Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp satisfies even the most demanding needs of audiophiles seeking for music in its original form, and appreciate music the way it is intended to be.
It also features an ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance that can drive studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones.
Surround And Processing
Theatrical-Grade Discrete and Virtual Surround
Whether you are outputting to headphones or speakers, the AE-7 is able to take stereo or multi-stream sources and transform them into immersive, theatrical audio. It supports discrete 5.1 on speakers, and up to 7.1 virtual surround on speakers and headphones. You can even switch effortlessly between headphones and your speakers for those times you want to pump the bass or go stealthier with your headphones.
There's also Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect Encoding for even more delivery options to your external audio devices.
Incredible Processing
And that's not all! Having been in the audio processing game for 30 years, the Sound Blaster AE-7 comes with Sound Blaster's full suite of audio enhancements. You can enjoy Surround for an incredible immersion, Crystallizer that helps to improve the dynamic range of audio, or Bass that provides bigger punch on the low end. Meanwhile, CrystalVoice technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications.
AE-7 also supports our proprietary Scout Mode™ for the distinct tactical advantage that enhances important in-game audio cues so you can emerge victorious!
The software audio processing tech can be fully customized, or switched off completely. The best part? You get to control every bit of it from the new and improved Sound Blaster Command software.
Customization
Take Full Command of Your Audio Setup
All thanks to our users and community, the newly designed Sound Blaster Command software suite has been improved based on their feedback! It's now easier than ever to customize your audio quickly for your specific needs.
Do you prefer pure audio with no effects or processing while listening to music? Or do you prefer to push your audio immersion to the limits by putting the Sound Core3D enhanced audio effects to work while gaming? The ability to save and switch to multiple profiles with a simple click expands your options when it comes to changing between music, gaming, or movies.
SBX Profile
Switch between pre-tuned SBX audio profiles and / or tweak your EQ and Acoustic Engine effects like Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume, and Dialog+.
Playback
Customize your playback settings such as playback resolution or switch between Direct Mode and DSP mode. You can also calibrate speakers, select pre-tuned Headphone profiles, and test audio channels.
Recording
Setup and configure input sources such as Mic-in, AUX-in, SPDIF-in and What-U-Hear. There are also microphone-specific controls include Input Volume, Mic Boost, as well as CrystalVoice - Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Smart Volume, recording resolution, and Mic EQ that will help to improve Microphone recording quality.
Scout Mode
For the avid gamers, set up Scout Mode to enhance important in-game audio cues to hear your opponents from further away and to give yourself a distinct tactical advantage during combat.
Encoder
Output audio streams in either Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect encoded format through the Optical-out port.
Advanced Settings
Access additional functions such as Mixer, and perform device factory reset.
Convenience
Audio Control Module
Take easy control with the ACM that is incorporated with a built-in microphone array, 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm connectors for mic and headphones input and output connections. You can conveniently adjust the volume with the knob on the ACM - all within your fingertips.
REVIEWS
MMORPG
The Sound Blaster AE-7 shows that Creative has been listening. It discards the RGB distraction, instead focusing on audio quality and connectivity in a great anniversary package. The bump in specification to a better quality DAC and inclusion of a breakout box make this not just a gamer’s card, but a budding content creator’s too.
The Streaming Blog
The Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 is an unparalleled sound card that delivers more than what you paid for. It comes with all of the excellent features to provide high-quality audio that will make your gaming experience more enjoyable. Aside from that, it also makes music sound better, which is perfect for audiophiles.
9.5/10
gametyrant
Overall, I can find very little to complain about when it comes to the AE-7. On the contrary, I absolutely love it and encourage all gamers, movie watchers, and music listeners (So.. everyone) to pick one up ASAP.
8/10
Customer Reviews
G. Goldenberg
Great Product. Delivers everything that promised.
M. Molinari
Incredible sound and easy to use.
M. Davie
Great product, now paired with the T100 speakers using optical for a great 2.0 setup. The desktop module also helps massively for plugging my studio headphones in directly.
A Closer Look
Specifications
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Weight
- Main Card: 215g / 7.58 oz, Audio Control Unit (ACM): 284g / 10.02 oz
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Dimensions
- Main Card: 145 x 20 x 128 mm / 5.71 x 0.79 x 5.04 inches, Audio Control Module (ACM): 100 x 92 x 70 mm / 3.94 x 3.62 x 2.76 inches
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Headphone Amp
- Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω, IEM: 16–31Ω (1.9V RMS), Normal: 32–149Ω (3V Rms), High Gain: 150–600Ω (5.6V Rms)
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Audio Technology
- Sound Core3D
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Direct Mode
- Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, PCM 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, PCM 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, DSD64 (2.8 MHz)
Playback Resolution (Optical Out): 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
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Recording Resolution
- Mic-in: 16-bit / 16.0, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
AUX-in: 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
What-U-Hear: 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz
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DSP Mode
- Playback Resolution (Stereo & Surround 5.1)
16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz
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Platform
- PCI-e
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Connectivity Options (Main)
- 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x ⅛″ Rear Out, 1 x ⅛″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x ⅛“ Mic-in / Line-in (Software selectable, default as Mic-in), 1 x ⅛“ Headphone / Headset Out (default as Headphone), 1 x ⅛″ Front-out
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Connectivity Options (Accessory)
- 1 x ⅛″ Mic-in (Mono), 1 x ⅛″ HP Out (3-pole), 1 x ¼″ HP Out (3-pole), 1 x ¼″ Mic-in (Mono)
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Headphone Amp
- Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω, IEM: 16–31Ω (1.9V RMS), Normal: 32–149Ω (3V Rms), High Gain: 150–600Ω (5.6V Rms)
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Supported Operating Systems
- Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
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DAC
- THD+N (Stereo) : 0.0001%, Dynamic Range (Stereo): 127 dB
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Power
- PCI-e bus power
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Recommended Usage
- Movies and Music
System Requirements
- Intel® Core™ i3 AMD® equivalent processor
- Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
- Microsoft® Windows 11, Windows 10 32 / 64-bit, Windows 8.1 / 8.0 32 / 64-bit, Windows 7 32 / 64-bit
- 1 GB RAM
- >600 MB of free hard disk space
- Available PCI-e slot
Package Contents
- Sound Blaster AE-7 (Main Card)
- Audio Control Module
- Quick Start Leaflet
- Warranty Leaflets
Warranty
1-year Limited Hardware Warranty
California Residents
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
To meet the requirements of Proposition 65, it is our responsibility to notify consumers in the State of California that they can be exposed to chemicals that are known to cause cancer and/or reproductive toxicity. It does not mean that the product is in violation of any product-safety standards or requirements.
