best multimedia sound card &iexcl;&iexcl;&iexcl;&iexcl;&iexcl;&iexcl;
358202
The best card soundcard for the computer achieved by creative. it has everything necessary to complete your multimedia entertainment  in your PC. I am a lover of  music and i think that you need good cans to extract the best from this card . recommended &iexcl;
2880622
Best piece of audio equipment I've ever purchased. I would *HIGHLY* recommend this product.

RME is a fantastic company! Rock solid drivers, frequent firmware and driver updates for both OS X and Windows. Round-trip latency is INSANE. We're talking under 3 milliseconds (from what I understand) in both OS X and Windows.

What are you waiting for! Purchase this card. Make sure you buy the balanced breakout cable. It's well worth the money.
786831
I had this sound card close to two years now. It works perfectly fine with Windows 7 64-bit. If you're planning to buy this, DO NOT use the cd to install your drivers even if it's for Windows XP or Windows Vista, the drivers, applications, and utilities are outdated. ALWAYS download the latest drivers on the Creative website and make sure you select the correct Operating System (towards the bottom of the website) before you start downloading them. DO NOT use the Windows Update driver either.

I am currently using this sound card in my second PCI-Express x16 2.0 slot because my PCI-E x1 slot on my motherboard is dead. Yes, it will work fine in a PCI-E x16 slot, PCI-E x8 slot, and PCI-E x4 slot. Make sure you get an air duster to blow out the dust before you add your new sound card in.

This is what I have installed from the Creative website: Driver, Creative Console Launcher, which is to switch being Entertainment mode and Gaming mode, DTS Connect Pack, and Dolbly Digital Live Pack. Anything else is either a trial software or sound editing application.

As for watching movies, I noticed when I watch HD movies with this sound card with SVM (Smart Volume Management) on, the volume of the actors voice and anything in that happens in the background is balanced. When I watch a movie with the Realtek integrated HD audio, there was no balanced of sound. When the actors were talking, I could barely hear them; as a result, I needed to turn up the volume, but at the same time, the volume of anything happening in the background got even louder. This annoyed me a lot and sometimes scared the crap out of me too due to the explosions in the movie. The SVM fixes this.

As for gaming, I would make sure you switch to game mode. It just sounds better that way. In entertain mode, it amplifies my footsteps and everyone's footsteps, then I wouldn't be able to differentiate. The explosions sounds weird too. I don't PC game with a headset nor do I use a headphone. I just like to use my speakers. When people are talking on the microphone, I can clearly hear them even if they are speaking in a low voice. When I didn't have a sound card, I couldn't hear them speaking or all I heard was just static.

As for listening to music, all I can say that the experience is like having the concert right in front of me or I am sitting in the middle section without anyone sitting in front of me.

I use this sound card for PC gaming, listening to music, and watching movies.  A lot of people say sound cards are a waste of money, which I believe is not true for this model. Any other Creative sound card below this model is not worth getting if your computer is running Windows Vista or Windows 7 because the drivers are buggy and may cause issues. Overall, I would recommend getting this sound card if you are considering one.
4404430
I am using this soundcard on a Windows 7 x64 XBMC/Kodi media player, using the optical passthrough to a Logitech Z5500 DTS/DDD/THX 5.1 system. Flawlessly I might add. I am also using a Creative Labs EMU 404 on another laptop, using the optical passthough on that soundcard (OUT) to the optical (IN) on the Vantec, which also allows a direct passthough to the Logitech Z5500 as well.

I downloaded the updated software from the Vantec site and this fixed a problem with the optical (OUT) that I was having using the Windows default drivers AND the CD that came with the card.

This has been stated many times to not work on a Mac/Apple. It will work as a stereo ONLY soundcard on a Mac (tested on Mini 1,1 / 10.6.8 32b)

For $25 you are going to be hard pressed to find a better usb soundcard with optical connections and I will not hesitate to buy another should the need arise.
1344092
These speakers are the best for referencing your Mix, best for Mono but also useful for Stereo. I use them via an M-Audio USB 8 channel interface switchable from Cubase Control Room.
2171627
All sound cards are not created equally. The sound card in my computer cost 2.5 times as much as this one! This one blew it out of the water! Consider:
ease of installation, price of card, setup demo, inx, delivery - another Amazon Winner!! One of the smartest PC buys I ever made from Amazon! This makes me wish I needed still more! Perhaps I will build my next computer due to all of the purchases I have made at Amazon! They certainly have the right gear at the right prices!
3677674
You can totally hear the difference on bass compare to Creative Sound Audigy SE... one of the latest card that has PC! x16 connection... most of the newer sound cards are PCI express.

Recommended for a PC gamer that does not have a PCI express available.
4963253
I have purchased 4 of these and each one works flawlessly and much less expensive than pure audio usb sound cards and works just as well if not better.  Would recommend this to any person that needs a portable and inexpensive usb sound card for your computer/laptop.
4387431
Absolutely amazing sound card. A bit tricky to get set up correctly, but from there on out the difference in sound quality is absolutely unbelievable.
1925904
I have both the MM and the C20.

For desktop : Bose Companion 20

For laptop : Bose MusicMonitor (aka M2)

Bose Companion 20 : Awesome sound for all types of multimedia. More bass.
(recommended for movies and games.  some heavy bass centric music genre)

Bose MusicMonitor : The clarity of sound is unbeatable. Less bass.
(recommended for music in general. since less base, not ideal for movies/games)
1955960
This card may not be the most high end, but it still is the absolute best when it comes to studio quality for personal use!

What I REALLY love about this card is that Linux Mint or Ubuntu will automatically detect it and install open source drivers for it for you!  So its really quick to install and gives VERY good quality sound!

The only downside is for Windows, you HAVE to install the drivers by hand. Otherwise Windows will just give it a generic sound device driver and it will NOT give you the sound you want.
493495
I purchased the PCI-e version of this card about a month ago when the built-in audio circuitry on my motherboard quit working.  Sure wish I had done this sooner!  Even though I had high-end sound on a top-of-the-line motherboard, the Soundblaster X-Fi Extreme Audio Card was better - by several orders of magnitude.  It was easy to install and configure.  It did take some time, after loading its software, to download updates from the Internet.  But, that will happen with any card.  Frankly, I was happy it did it automatically as I hate hunting for drivers.  Anyway, it has some nice config software although you may find, as I did, that it works just fine out of the box.  I run a relatively inexpensive set of computer speakers with combined subwoofer -- nothing fancy -- and the sound is amazing.  Much better than before.  I now use this PC as a Windows Media Center PC, watching and recording TV, movies, pictures -- you name it -- in the Family Room.  This card really rounds out the experience.  I paid around $50 for the card on Amazon.  I consider it a great value.  There's a reason why Creative Labs is still cranking out these boards even though motherboard manufacturers build audio in:  the sound is BETTER!  Upgrade from your motherboard card and hear the difference!
3197856
I bought this card because my new motherboard doesn't have SPDIF out so I couldn't use it with my DAC (digital to analog converter). I couldn't live with on board audio after having a taste of sound quality for many months.

Now, on to the sound card..
The first thing I noticed is Asus software which is very complete with plenty effects and options to satisfy anyone.
The sound quality on this card is way better than on board audio. The highs are crisp and detailed, the mids are there in good amount and detailed but the bass is disappointing. It's recessed to the point of being obvious, If you're not a bass head then you will probably won't mind after a while. For anyone who loves bass an adjustment on the EQ should be enough.
2981974
Creative Labs SB0950 ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook Audio System, Is the best item you can purchase to run your laptop audio through to your mixer for DJ gigs.
1887261
I am a huge fan of all media bridge products, I run this from my MP3 player to my external DAC, no issues with the sound performance
171696
Probably the last Sound Card you will ever need. Since 99% of new games don't support DirectSound3D anymore, it's mostly for older legacy games.
4941202
Amazing surround sound and performance. I love the X-Fi I/O drive with convenient front panel connections and controls.

Never settle for onboard audio.

Software could be better. Creative tries to install too many applications and services. It's ridiculous!