The Sound Blaster Pro Studio suite provides many features dedicated to gaming, such as: surround sound, Crystalizer, and smart volume. The headphone Amp provides support for headphones with impedance ranging from 32-Ohm to 600-Ohms. The sound card also provides swappable OpAmps like the Essence STX II, although there are no extra OpAmps in the box. The PCM1794 is used for headphone-out and Front-out while PCM1798 is used for Rear and C/Sub. Sound Blaster ZxR uses the SoundCore3D chip replacing the X-Fi chip in the older models. The mainboard provides outputs for Mic, Headphone-out, Front Left and Right, Rear and the Sub/C while the daughterboard provides Aux-in and Toslink Optical S/PDIF-in and S/PDIF-out. The sound card provides its audio quality via two boards, just like the Asus Essence STX II, along with the audio processor – an Audio Control Module (ACM). This is especially true of the Creative Sound Blaster line of sound cards with the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR being the company’s latest flagship sound card and it just so happens to be a great sound card for gaming too. So, if you have around $100 to spend and don’t require discrete 7.1 we don’t think you can go far wrong.Ĭreative is a name that is widely known for its PC sound cards, as it is one of the oldest companies when it comes to PCIe audio cards and has long had a reputation for cards with the best sound. This card has been around for a few years now, but the latest drivers do offer Windows 10 and Windows 11 support.

In terms of extra features, this card supports Sound Blaster Command software, plus for gamers, there are SBX Gaming EQ profiles for titles including Apex Legends, Fortnite, Overwatch and PUBG. However, the Z SE does offer support for up to 600-ohm impedance headphones – none too shabby if you have ‘phones of that level available. This means it will offer 7.1 virtual surround sound via headphones and speakers, but won’t support actual 7.1 systems. Providing a 116dB signal-to-noise ratio at 192kHz for high-quality (indeed, high fidelity) output, the Z SE offers discrete 5.1 and virtual 7.1 support. And it’s certainly a good solution for doing so. The Z SE’s main function is to enhance audio for productivity and gaming use of course – well above what a motherboard’s onboard chip can offer. To start, it’s not too pricey, coming in at around $100 (or if you’re lucky, just under), and that’s a sweet spot for functional tech with added extras. The Creative Sound Blaster Z SE sits at the top of our best Sound Cards list as a mix of of the right features.

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