Last Updated: August 30, 2020 (Refresh Now)

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5 1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp

Last Updated: August 30, 2020 (Refresh Now)
7.9
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
1000
Old Reviews
611
Unverified
36
Spam Test
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Yes
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Review Analysis - 353 recent, verified reviews

Detailed Mode
Sound Quality
 170
onboard, motherboard, sound blaster, sound, board
+84%
-16%
comment
" ...  Now owning a 7.1 sound card, it is huge. ... Sound quality adds more clarity comparing to the onboard sound. ... 2.0 is great for music.  ...  "
comment
" ...  There are other programs (WinAmp's our favorite) with their own equalizer's, the surround sound is stable now and is terrific.  ...  "
comment
" ...  There was a time when Creative Labs means great sound cards.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy install and better sound than on board sound.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Wanted to upgrade from onboard sound and this card is just what I needed.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I've been using a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy card for many years now.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Sound quality is terrific paired with my New Logitech 5.1 speaker set.  ...  "
comment
" ...  It's got great sound & with the built in Amp it's loud, & I like loud :). ... Take a very good look at this sound card.  ...  "
Drivers
 61
driver, windows 10, creative, website, downloaded
+66%
-34%
comment
" ...  I've installed the card and downloaded the driver (very easy to do).  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy installation, downloaded the latest driver and software from official website, deleted other audio drivers and installed Creative ones.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Disabled my on-board sound via windows device manager, installed the new drivers from Logitech's website (had to do some hunting around), restarted my PC and viola!  ...  "
comment
" ...  Works great with just the native Win10 drivers.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I first installed the card with the Win 7 drivers then reinstalled using Creative's driver set plus it's collection of extra programs to utilize and adjust the card.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Just go to the creative sound blaster website and download the latest and greatest driver for your pc and you should be good to go.  ...  "
comment
" ...  You can download a more recent W10 version, drivers & apps, at the Creative support area (model SB1570)  ...  "
comment
" ...  I then downloaded the latest drivers from creative website (windows 10 version) and it comes with enough features I'll never use it all.  ...  "
Setup
 53
installation, easy to install, card, setup, software
+91%
-9%
comment
" ...  easy to install, sounds nice .  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy Peasy to connect on a 1:1 basis.  ...  "
comment
" ...  easy installed, had to tweak settings but works as expected, not super quality, but enough for online  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy to install and setup.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Total bust post installation so returned and look for other options.  ...  "
comment
" ...  After installation of the WIN10 executible file, the product worked just fine.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This one was easy to install and I was back up and running in minutes.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy to install in any open PCI express slot.  ...  "
Device Compatibility
 41
windows 10, dell, card, desktop, manager
+63%
-37%
comment
" ...  I installed this on an HP Computer which is running Windows 7 Pro.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This product replaced an on-board soundcard in my HP computer.  ...  "
comment
" ...  There are always stuff you can buy for a computer.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Love the sound of my music on my pc  ...  "
comment
" ...  this card with a good speaker system is the ideal partner, trust me, try it.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I got tired of trying all the 'fixes' form Dell and all the comments from computer guys.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Recently purchased a Lenovo P300 desktop as a refurb. ... After reading some more on the web, I felt directed to look at Software Devices within Device Manager.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I tested the headset on another computer, everything works. ... I disabled the SoundBlaster and re-enabled the onboard card, everything works.  ...  "
Product Reliability
 36
months, card, cards, failed, windows 10
+53%
-47%
comment
" ...  Bought many months ago. ... After troubleshooting and research finally got it working.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Leaving it like this is working just fine for me.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Installed it and that was it, worked fine.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Have had *NO* issues since .  ...  "
comment
" ...  Seems to be working fine.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Worked perfectly when I installed it.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The product itself is great, hopefully it will last longer, than the first one that I ordered, which lasted for maybe 6 months or less  ...  "
comment
" ...  Worked on the first try.  ...  "
Software Platform
 31
windows 10, windows, windows 7, uninstall, manager
+52%
-48%
comment
" ...  Anyway, I run Windows 10 pro 64 bit and it works without a hitch. ... The installation software can be found in under a minute with a google search.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I installed this on an HP Computer which is running Windows 7 Pro.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Had no problems installing it on Windows 10, 64bit.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Note - get the latest software especially for Windows 10 - the CD version included with the card locks-up.  ...  "
comment
" ...  (Windows 10 Home ver 1809 build 17763.316)  ...  "
comment
" ...  Had to find to many updates,but now works good  ...  "
comment
" ...  my computer is running linux, and passing the audio card through to a windows 10 VM through OVMF.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Somehow Creative can make a good piece of hardware and completely phone it in on the software.  ...  "
Ease of Use
 27
easy to install, install, sounds, software, super easy
+96%
-4%
comment
" ...  It is also plug and play to make things easier.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy install, easy set up  ...  "
comment
" ...  This sound card is very high quality, accomplishes everything as advertised, easy to install, and was shipped very quickly.  ...  "
comment
" ...  GOOD SOUNDS, EASY USE AND QUICKLY CONFIGURATION.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy install and better sound than on board sound.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Good sound quality and easy installation and set-up.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy Peasy to connect on a 1:1 basis.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Easy to install and setup.  ...  "
Price
 22
money, card, worth, waste, sound card
+91%
-9%
comment
" ...  wanted to get the better card but wasn't in the budget but for the features this has at its price range NO one else comes close in price and quality.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This card nailed it, for not a lot of money.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Best for the buck.  ...  "
comment
" ...  If you want to save money and don't need an expensive card, this is the way to go.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Can't beat it for the price!!!  ...  "
comment
" ...  Great card for the price.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Well worth $40 over onboard audio!  ...  "
comment
" ...  I'm very happy with it and the price was nice too.  ...  "
Gaming
 19
games, gamer, game, sound card, card
+95%
-5%
comment
" ...  makes it easy to hear footsteps around you when gaming. ... Plays PUBG, CS:GO, Apex, and Overwatch well.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I'm running the MSI X470 Gaming Pro Carbon MOBO which apparently has some sort of Audio Boost feature though I could never find any specific settings to increase volume.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I have been building my own custom gaming PC's for over 35 years, & this sound card is awesome!  ...  "
comment
" ...  I am not a gamer, and I've had no need of Tech Support.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I bought this card for my son's gaming pc. ... Card worked perfectly, restored his headset functionality and he said that it improved the overall sound of his games.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Not only did it work, I heard more detail and volume from games than ever before.  ...  "
comment
" ...  ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 4 -CB ATX  ...  "
comment
" ...  But this only happens with certain games, and I haven't had the issue with my most graphics intensive game or with things like video editing.  ...  "
Overall performance
 17
card, job, ryzen, msi, job well
+76%
-24%
comment
" ...  Once again you people have really done an outstanding job.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This cheap card did the trick.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Meets my expectations for performance.  ...  "
comment
" ...  this Card installed in minutes and configured even faster with no issues what so ever.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I plug this device to the adapter of the motherboard I have 2017\2018 I7 8700 processor the soundcard sounds very nice!  ...  "
comment
" ...  Card works great.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The Audigy FX worked immediately with no problems.  ...  "
comment
" ...  It does a really good job!  ...  "
Ports
 17
ports, plug, motherboard, pci, front panel
+47%
-53%
comment
" ...  The ports just do not detect 3.5mm jacks! ... Even rapidly plugged and unplugged the jacks in and out.  ...  "
comment
" ...  In my case, I blew out my motherboard’s 5.1 sound ports.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Maybe if the ports were colored it would had been evident that one was missing.  ...  "
comment
" ...  In other words, since the card is plugged directly into the motherboard, it will pick up ANY and ALL interference that is connected to the PC or outlet. ... Is your pc plugged into an outlet where it is shared with something else?  ...  "
comment
" ...  No hdmi slot  ...  "
comment
" ...  Wanted to use for 7.1 output but it only has 3 ports for 4 channels requiring special adapter cables that are not included plus this adds additional signal loss. ... By the time you buy, if you can find, the right adapter cables you might as well have bought a different card that is more expensive.  ...  "
comment
" ...  If you were trying to plug this into an external amplifier, you'd expect outputs on the card to match inputs on your amp - but you'd be mistaken. ... Avoid this card if you are looking for true 7.1 output without any special speakers/cables/external processing.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This product is a mess when you connect the front panel connector for your pc case, the rear speaker connector is disabled, it doesn't work.  ...  "
Controls
 13
settings, volume, control, windows, restart
+77%
-23%
comment
" ...  It has a learning curve.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Very good sound card nice control features  ...  "
comment
" ...  I haven't figured out how to use the equalizer yet, but it already sounds a lot better than my motherboard lol.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The Sound Blaster Audigy FX Control panel is great.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Tried changing sound settings in Creative Control Panel but can’t hear any difference, don’t seem like those effects working with latest OS.  ...  "
comment
" ...  It takes a bit of testing to get the sound just right, and the menus for doing so are overly complicated.  ...  "
comment
" ...  What I really liked is the EQ control you have over the sound with the included App!  ...  "
comment
" ...  Smart Volume on normal at default level.  ...  "
Volume
 13
loud, sounds, card, buzzing, amp
+54%
-46%
comment
" ...  Has an awesome amp for loud listening and crystal clear audio.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Louder, crisper, clearer .  ...  "
comment
" ...  It's got great sound & with the built in Amp it's loud, & I like loud :). ... Not only is it loud for my Headset, it also Broadcasts with the Volume level I prefer.  ...  "
comment
" ...  With my old laptop, my volume had to be set to 40 to hear much.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I am actually kind of glad it happened because this sound card is a big improvement on overall volume, sound quality and clarity for my headset and antlion mod mic.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Not only is the sound quality superb, the volume is incredible.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Smart Volume on normal at default level.  ...  "
Headphones
 11
jack, headset, headphone jack, headphone, ohm
+64%
-36%
comment
" ...  I got great headphones and now my sound is fantastic.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The sound jack built into my computer box broke.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Make sure you use a pair of high quality headphones.  ...  "
comment
" ...  If you don't plan to use this for audio production it's a steal to improve sound quality and turn your headphones into a deadly weapon.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Other than that, works great with my Polk audio headphones  ...  "
comment
" ...  i still cant complain, for me its the sound that counts, and it sounds great, especially the 600 ohm headphone jack.  ...  "
Returns
 8
returning, return, contacted, returned, return window
-100%
comment
" ...  I contacted support and was able to RMA the card.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I'm not gonna bother returning it, also because it took me a while to get some free time to mess with it (so probably grace period is over) and also because it's not worth it for me personally to take more time ans ship it back.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Returned the card.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Shame I don't have two mics, guess I'll have to return it.  ...  "
comment
" ...  RMA-ing and hoping it was just a lemon.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I'm still fiddling with the settings to see if it will behave, but I'm pretty sure I'm returning it.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I am upset I wasted an entire month with their team waiting for a reply that I lost the time to just get a refund for the stupid thing.  ...  "
Cables
 7
wire, 7, l r wire, connector l r, connector
+14%
-86%
comment
" ...  Checked my wires.  ...  "
comment
" ...  SoundBlaster support doesn't even know what cable will work with this card to provide 7.1. ... By the time you buy, if you can find, the right adapter cables you might as well have bought a different card that is more expensive.  ...  "
comment
" ...  1 - Front connector (L/R) wire ... 1 - side connector (L/R) wire ... 1 - Center/sub connector wire ... 1 - Mic connector wire ... BOTH Left AND Right rear speakers on the same wire is normal, but also - only the right 'Side' output? ... Discounting the mic, I have 4 'Input' connectors.  ...  "
comment
" ...  A cable which I cannot find anywhere.  ...  "
comment
" ...  This is a bit of scam as it only provides all 7.1 channels if you use special cables that come with Creative Labs 7.1 speakers.  ...  "
Frequencies
 6
equalizer, treble, sliders, realtek, boost
+83%
-17%
comment
" ...  There are some effects, presets, balance, and equalizer adjustments.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I didnt have the eq set right.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Even with an EQ, the Realtek audio couldn't come CLOSE to being as good as this card. ... You get separate general bass and treble boost controls in your Windows sound settings on top of that.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The last thing that's nice is the EQ is WAY more flexible than the Realtek is, the sliders go much higher in DB range.  ...  "
Bass
 6
sound, treble, driver, crystalizer, clarity
+100%
comment
" ...  Once I found the right driver, the sound was quite good.  ...  "
comment
" ...  And yes it has great bass.  ...  "
comment
" ...  You get separate general bass and treble boost controls in your Windows sound settings on top of that. ... Crank up the bass.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The bass clarity for music and the sound clarity for movies is beyond the price you pay for this card.  ...  "
Resolution
 5
sound, settings, audio, sennheiser hd, movies
+100%
comment
" ...  Bought it for HD Sound.  ...  "
comment
" ...  You need to disable the HD audio in your BIOS settings.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Do you use headphones that cost any reasonable amount of money (like the Sennheiser HD 518s I have)?  ...  "
comment
" ...  But I do listen to a lot of varied music and watch HD movies.  ...  "
comment
" ...  I then went into the Settings/System/Sound/Sound Control Panel and disabled the on-board Conexant HD audio and verified the SB1570 was the default device.  ...  "
Marketplace
 5
thank, support, replacement, card
+40%
-60%
comment
" ...  I purchased this card in May 2019.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Amazon shipped me a replacement very quickly.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Spoke to amazon support - no help at all.  ...  "
Apps
 4
uninstall, manager, hardware, windows 10, windows
+75%
-25%
comment
" ...  I decided to give up and uninstall the software.  ...  "
comment
" ...  After reading some more on the web, I felt directed to look at Software Devices within Device Manager.  ...  "
comment
" ...  What I really liked is the EQ control you have over the sound with the included App!  ...  "
Noise Cancellation
 3
noise, surround, static, mic, low
+33%
-67%
comment
" ...  The noise is fairly distracting and is always present.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Ambient static noises, sound (through my over ear headphones) is played through the mic even when it's muted, surround sound is not clear, soundblaster application is bad, and if you have windows 10, forget about this card.  ...  "
Video Playback
 3
sound, programs, movies, hd, audio
+100%
comment
" ...  But I do listen to a lot of varied music and watch HD movies.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Videos would also stop playing.  ...  "
CD/DVD
 3
windows 10, comes, cd rom, windows 7, software
+33%
-67%
comment
" ...  Compre la tarjeta y la instalamos correctamente tal y como te lo indican en la pagina de la misma y con el CD rom y resulta que no es compatible con Windows 10 Pro.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Read that Windows 7/8 software provided on the DVD could be a problem on Windows 10.  ...  "
Delivery
 3
card, box, quickly, item
+100%
comment
" ...  Works awesome and got a great deal on open box item!  ...  "
comment
" ...  Delivered as requested.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The card was delivered quickly and exactly as described.  ...  "
Features
 3
overall
+67%
-33%
comment
" ...  Very good sound card nice control features  ...  "
comment
" ...  Whatever the features they advertise on the box are probably true.  ...  "
Cleaning
 3
works, headphone
+100%
Call quality
 3
call
+33%
-67%
comment
" ...  It doesn't go out completely but what it does is it sounds super muffled when someone is talking.  ...  "
comment
" ...  The call NEVER CAME.  ...  "
Fit
 3
dell, card, bill
+67%
-33%
comment
" ...  Fit as expected.  ...  "
Design
 3
price
+100%
comment
" ...  If you have this issue, look no further.  ...  "
comment
" ...  Look into that.  ...  "
comment
" ...  And the price is very attractive.  ...  "
Comfort
 3
headphones, good
+67%
-33%
comment
" ...  I know they will be good because he has good ears.  ...  "
comment
" ...  (The headphones have separate speakers for each channel within the ear cups).  ...  "
Build Quality
 3
pcb, black, metal, backplate
+67%
-33%
comment
" ...  Black Pcb looks good in the case and for the price its hard to beat.  ...  "
comment
" ...  (Phanteks case from a few years ago)  ...  "

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