Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 review

Technical Specifications

High Definition Audio Quality for Playback & Recording

24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion during playback with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 & 96kHz in 6.1 mode & up to 192kHz in stereo mode.

24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion during recording in 8, 16 or 24-bit at sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 & 96kHz.

SPDIF output up to 24-bit at 48 or 96kHz.

ASIO drivers for low latency (as low as 2ms) multi-track playback & recording at 16-bit/48kHz.

Advanced Audio & 3D Audio Technology

·         Dolby Digital audio decoding to 5.1 (digital or analog modes) or Dolby Digital EX decoding to 6.1 (analog mode only) speaker channels.

·         Hardware acceleration of EAX & EAX Advanced HD for games.

• 32-bit Professional Quality Effects Engine with support for real-time digital effects like reverb & chorus across any audio source.

Wave-Table Synthesis & MIDI Features

·         Creative Hardware synthesizer (2x16 Channels) with 64-voice polyphony featuring E-MU's patented 8-point interpolation technology for accurate sample reproduction.

• Creative Software synthesizer - multi timbral wave-table (16 Channels).

SB1394/FireWire Connectivity

• IEEE 1394/FireWire/i-Link compatible interface with up to 400Mbps transfer rate.

Sound Blaster Audigy On-Board Connectors

·         Line level out (Front/ Rear/ Centre/ Subwoofer/Rear Centre).

·         Digital Out for 5.1 support.

·         Line in.

·         Microphone in.

·         SB1394/FireWire port.

·         Telephone Answering Device in.

·         Analog/Digital CD Audio in.

·         15-pin MIDI/Joystick port extension header.

·         Internal SB1394/FireWire header to Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Internal Drive (Upgrade Option).

• AD_EXT extension header to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Internal Drive (Upgrade Option).

Sound Blaster Audigy Audio Performance

·         Signal-to-Noise Ratio (AES17, A-Weighted) Rated Output 2V:1V.

·         Stereo Output = 106dB: 102dB.

·         Front & Rear Channels = 106dB: 102dB.

·         Centre, Subwoofer & Rear Centre =~90dB  ~86dB.

·         Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (AES17) = 0.004% (1V, 2V Rated Output).

·         Frequency Response = <10Hz to 46kHz (1V, 2V Rated Output).

• (+/-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input)

Warranty

Creative Labs offers a 2-year limited hardware warranty.

Content wise the retail package for the Audigy 2 contains;

·         Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI card

·         Digital CD Audio Cable

·         Joystick/MIDI bracket

·         User Manual (on CD)

·         Quick Start Guide Leaflet

·         Creative Software Pack

·         Drivers for Windows 98SE, 2000 SP2, Me & XP

·         SoundFont Sample Banks

The Audigy 2 is bundled with the following Applications/Game/Software:

Creative MediaSource Go

Creative MediaSource Organiser

Creative MediaSource Player

Creative Audio Stream Recorder 2

Creative Audio HQ

Creative Diagnostics

Creative MiniDisc Center

Creative Restore Defaults

Creative Wave Studio

Creative SoundFont Bank Manager

Creative Speaker Calibrator

Creative Speaker Settings

Creative Surround Mixer

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demonstration CD

Creative DVD-Audio Sampler Disc

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Getting Started Demonstration

Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (Full Version)

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (Full Version)

Select Audigy 2, Out of the Box and Connectivity Audigy 2 Drivers & 24-Bit/96kHz Technical Specifications EAX Advanced HD Music Playback DVD playback quality Gaming Output Quality Performance Hit, DVD playback tests Final Thoughts

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