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Sound BlasterX AE-5
Overview REVIEWS Specifications
Buy the Sound BlasterX AE-5

Sound BlasterX AE-5

Hi-Resolution PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with RGB Aurora Lighting System

VIDEO

Features

Overview

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 is a SABRE32 Ultra Class Hi-Resolution PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with Xamp, a brand new discrete headphone amp utilizing bi-amplification technology. It delivers astonishingly pristine audio, and also shows off the Aurora Reactive Lighting System with 16.8 million customizable colors.

Audio

Xamp Discrete Headphone Amplification

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 is the first sound card to feature Xamp, our custom-designed discrete headphone amplifier. Each audio channel is individually amplified, allowing the AE-5 to deliver a whole new level of pristine audio fidelity in an unaltered lossless model to each earcup regardless of demand. The ultra-low 1Ω output impedance drives 16-600Ω headphones perfectly.

SABRE32 Ultra Class DAC

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 is a SABRE32 Ultra Class PCIe DAC which is perfect for hi-resolution audio for games, music, and movies. It delivers up to 32-bit 384kHz playback with a 122dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter.

RGB Lighting

Aurora Reactive Lighting System

Enjoy a symphony of lights and sound with the Aurora Reactive Lighting System! The AE-5 has customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and also features an included RGB LED strip. Program up to 16.8 million colors in different patterns with the free downloadable Sound Blaster Connect software for PC.

Sound Enhancement

BlasterX Acoustic Engine

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 rides on Sound Blaster's long legacy of audio processing and enhancements. BlasterX Acoustic Engine is a suite of fully customizable audio processing technologies that deliver new levels of audio immersion and precision for the ultimate competitive advantage. These sound technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism, including stunning 3D surround effects for your speakers and headsets.

Scout 2.0

Expand your horizon with the world's first smart gaming companion that enables you to visualize and see where enemies are on the radar through your mobile device for any First Person Shooter game. Scout mode has been given an updated feature that is sure to bring the pain to whoever you meet in the battlefield!

Scout Mode

Activate Scout Mode to give yourself a distinct tactical advantage! This tried and tested technology enhances important in-game audio cues — such as footsteps and weapon switching sounds -- allowing you to quickly and accurately pinpoint your opponents' location before they pinpoint yours!

Pure Edition

Pristine, Pure, Perfect

The Sound BlasterX AE-5 also comes in a special white edition. Apart from its pristine white casing, the Pure Edition comes with four LED strips - three more than the standard version - and is available exclusively on Creative.com.

Find Out More

Meet The Family

Sound BlasterX AE-5 Sound BlasterX AE-5

Sound BlasterX AE-5

Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus

Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus

Sound Blaster AE-7 Sound Blaster AE-7

Sound Blaster AE-7

Sound Blaster AE-9 Sound Blaster AE-9

Sound Blaster AE-9

AUDIO PROCESSOR
Sound Core3D™
Sound Core3D™
Sound Core3D™
Sound Core3D™
DNR/SNR
DAC: 122 dB
DAC: 122 dB
DAC: 127 dB
DAC: 129 dB
DAC
ESS SABRE32 Ultra
ESS SABRE32 Ultra
ESS SABRE-class 9018
ESS SABRE-class 9038
MAX PLAYBACK RESOLUTION
PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz
PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz
PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz
DSD: DSD64
PCM: 32-bit / 384 kHz
DSD: DSD64
THD + N
0.00032% (DAC)
0.00032% (DAC)
0.0001% (DAC)
0.0001% (DAC)
DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP
Yes (Bi-amp)
Yes (Bi-amp)
Yes (Bi-amp)
Yes (Bi-amp)
SWAPPABLE OP AMPS
No
No
No
Yes
ACM
No
No
Yes
Yes
RGB AURORA LIGHTING
Yes
Yes
No
No
ASIO SUPPORT
2.3, Playback and Recording
2.3, Playback and Recording
2.3, Playback and Recording
2.3, Playback and Recording
ENCODING
No
Dolby Digital Live / DTS
Dolby Digital Live / DTS
Dolby Digital Live / DTS
SCOUT MODE
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS
Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
CONNECTOR TYPE
  • 3 x 3.5 mm 5.1 Line-out
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical-out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm Headphone Out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm Mic / Line-in
  • 1 x Intel HD Audio Front Panel
  • 3 x 3.5 mm 5.1 Line-out
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical-out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm Headphone Out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm Mic / Line-in
  • 1 x Intel HD Audio Front Panel
  • 3 x 3.5 mm 5.1 Line-out
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical-out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm HP-out
  • 1 x 3.5 mm Mic / Line-in
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical-in
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical-out
  • 1 x ⅛″ Rear-out
  • 1 x ⅛″ Center / Sub-out
  • 1 x ACM Link
  • 1 x 6-pin (PCI-e) Power Header (required for ACM)
  • 2 x RCA (Left / Right) Front-out

REVIEWS

Unlocked

All the impressive tech specs in the world don’t mean anything if they don’t translate into real-world performance. So how does the AE-5 sound? Whether I was playing games, watching videos, or listening to music, one word kept coming out of my mouth, and that was “wow.” Everything sounds great on this card, and you can immediately and easily hear the difference between the AE-5 and onboard audio. It’s like lifting your head out from underwater.

Sound BlasterX AE-5

2018-01-24

Cheat Code Central

Creative’s new sound card is one of the highest level pieces of gear you can get for your computer. It’s the sort of thing a pro would demand, but anyone can enjoy...This is a piece of technology that does its best to offer the highest fidelity and quality audio.

Sound BlasterX AE-5

2017-07-20

Hardware Asylum

Simply put, the Sound BlasterX AE-5 is a step above every sound card device we have tested to date. If you are looking for the next step to raise your audio game or simply looking to power a set of audiophile level headphones you have come to the right place.

Hardware Asylum Recommended

Sound BlasterX AE-5

2018-10-29

Sound BlasterX AE-5 14.3 out of 0 based on 3 ratings. based on 17 reviews.

Customer Reviews

S. YOUN

Good very good

    

A. Manimtim

Awesome!

    

S. Giam

A excellent sound card with a DAC that outputs quality sound, great headphone amplification and the sound card has bright and cool-looking RGB LEDs too. Never I have seen a Creative sound card with these features and I even never regret purchasing it.

    

A Closer Look

Specifications

Interface/Power
+5V for Aurora lighting (requires 4-pin molex peripheral connector from PC power supply), PCI-e bus power
Audio Technology
Sound Core3D
Dynamic Range (DNR)
122 dB
Connectivity Options (Main)
1 x Front Panel Header, 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Mic In / Line In, 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone / Headset Out, 1 x 1/8" Front Out, 1 x 1/8" Rear Out, 1 x 1/8" Center / Sub Out
Headphone Amp
Output Impedance: 1Ω, Low Gain: 16—149 Ω (+0 dB)Supported Headphone Impedance:
16—600Ω
Audio Technologies
CrystalVoice
Supported Operating Systems
Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
Dimensions
145 x 20 x 128 mm
ASIO
Playback & Recording
Platform
PCI-e
Recommended Usage
Gaming
DAC
Dynamic Range: 122 dB, THD+N (DAC): 0.00032[%]

System Requirements

Windows
  • Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD® equivalent processor
  • Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
  • Microsoft® Windows 10 32/64 bit, 8.1/8.0 32/64 bit, Windows 7 32/64 bit
  • 1GB RAM
  • >600 MB of free hard disk space
  • Available PCIe slot

Package Contents

  • Sound BlasterX AE-5
  • 1 x LED Strip (30cm/10 LEDs)
  • 1 x Extension Cable
  • Quick Start Leaflet
  • Warranty Leaflets

Warranty

2-year Limited Hardware Warranty

Creative Store FAQ

Allow us to clarify any questions you have regarding this product. For questions related to technical assistance, please contact us through this dedicated form for a quicker response.
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