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Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus
Hi-res PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC with RGB Lighting, Dolby Digital Live, and DTS Encoding
Features
Overview
Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus—Now with Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for more surround sound delivery options!
Be one of the proud OPs showing off their gaming rigs on r/battlestations! The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a perfect convergence between aesthetics and performance that features a SABRE32 ultra-class hi-res PCI-e gaming sound card and DAC with customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and comes with an included RGB LED strip. It also features our award-winning Xamp discrete headphone amp that utilizes a bi-amplification technology, as well as our full suite of industry-leading audio processing technologies including Surround Virtualization.
Audio
Custom Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp
Maximize your prized headset's potential! Powerful headsets require audiophile-grade headphone amplifier to drive outstanding audio performance, and that's where Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus comes in. The hi-res sound card features Xamp, our custom-designed discrete headphone bi-amplifier.
Typical Headphone Amp
In a typical headphone amp, your left and right channels are amplified all at once using the same amplifier IC.
Xamp Headphone Amp
In Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp, each audio channel is individually amplified, allowing the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus to deliver pristine audio fidelity in an unaltered lossless model to each earcup regardless of demand.
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.
The end result? Silky smooth audio regardless of how dynamic or demanding the current audio scene may be. From times when you need a break from gaming, the Xamp also 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.
SABRE-class DAC
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a SABRE-class PCI-e DAC that is perfect for high resolution audio for games, music and movies. It delivers extremely clean 122 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz* playback with ultra-low distortion and jitter.
*32-bit playback only available in Windows 10 or higher.
RGB Lighting
Aurora Reactive Lighting System
Enjoy a symphony of lights and sound with the Aurora Reactive Lighting System! The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus 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 Command software for PC.
Sound Enhancement
Surround Sound Technologies
Transform your gaming audio into immersive, theatrical audio! On top of support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect Encoding, the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus also features discrete 5.1 on speakers, and up to 7.1 virtual surround on both speakers and headphones.
Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus rides on Sound Blaster's long legacy of audio processing and enhancements, available through the Sound Blaster Command software. The Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine is a suite of fully customizable audio processing technologies 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 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!
REVIEWS
Think Computers
The Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is an excellent sound card. The AE-5 Plus looks great. I was never really a huge fan of RGB lighting but the lighting on the Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus is subtle and I do like the addition of the external RGB strip. The design of the card is sleek and fits well into any system. Especially with the use of neutral colors. But looks aside, the Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus also performed great. The sound quality was amazing and the AE-5 Plus powered my TMA-2’s with absolutely no issues.
9/10
Customer Reviews
H. J. T. Jr.
Oh WOW love Sound Blaster cards this AE-5 Plus is fantastic sound card. I replaced my old Sound Blaster Z sound card and that was great but this AE-5 Plus WOW the sound is awesome with music and gaming. Been a Sound Blaster user since 1989. Never thought it could get any better in sound. Love the led light strip it really adds to my tower that lights up too.
J. Ballard
Needed this to drive my audiophile headphones on PC. Works wonderfully and delivers amazing audio quality.
A. Arop
Great internal pcie soundcard that way better than onboard audio
A Closer Look
Specifications
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Interface/Power
- PCI-e bus power, +5V for Aurora lighting (requires 4-pin molex peripheral connector from PC power supply)
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Audio Technology
- Sound Core3D
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Dynamic Range (DNR)
- 122 dB
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Connectivity Options (Main)
- 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, 1 x Front Panel Header
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Headphone Amp
- Output Impedance: 1Ω, Low Gain: 16—149 Ω (+0 dB), Supported Headphone Impedance: 16—600Ω
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Audio Technologies
- CrystalVoice
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Supported Operating Systems
- Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
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Dimensions
- 145 x 20 x 128 mm
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ASIO
- Playback & Recording
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Platform
- PCI-e
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Recommended Usage
- Gaming
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DAC
- Dynamic Range: 122 dB, THD+N (DAC): 0.00032[%]
System Requirements
- Intel® Core™ i3 or 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 BlasterX AE-5 Plus
- 1 x LED Strip (30cm / 10 LEDs)
- 1 x Extension Cable
- 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.
