Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with Dolby Digital and DTS, Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp, Up to 122dB SNR, RGB Lighting System
Condition: Used - Very Good
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Sunday, Nov 1
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At a glance
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Color
- Option 1: Black with DDL and DTS
- Model
- SB1740
- Dimensions
- 5.71"L x 5.04"W x 0.79"H
- Weight
- 454 g
- Hardware Interface
- PCI Express x4
- Audio Output Mode
- Surround Sound
- Works with
- Personal Computer
Features 5
- SUPPORTS DOLBY DIGITAL AND DTS Now with support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for even more delivery options to your external audio devices! The AE-5 Plus also supports 5.1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround, as well as Sound Blasters Surround Virtualization technology
- POWERFUL DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus features Xamp, our custom-designed discrete headphone amp that utilizes bi-amplification technology to power each earcup individually with 1 output impedance and drives studio-grade headphones of up to 600, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones
- PRISTINE AUDIO QUALITY Featuring the SABRE32 ultra-class PCI-e DAC to deliver up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter, the AE-5 Plus is more than capable of hi-res audio for games, music, and movies; put simply, for discerning audio lovers of any kind, the AE-5 Plus is set to blow past your expectations with pristine audio and powerful performance
- RGB YOUR GAMING RIG The AE-5 Plus has customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and also features an included RGB LED strip. Enjoy a symphony of lights and sound with 16.8 million colors in different patterns to choose from, all via the Sound Blaster Command software for PC
- INDUSTRY-LEADING AUDIO PROCESSING The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus rides on Sound Blasters long legacy of audio processing and enhancements, available through the Sound Blaster Command software and featuring fully customizable audio processing technologies to deliver clearer vocals, accurate cues, and bass boost
Description
We've always believed in the power of sound. In 1989, we changed how people experienced audio with sound blaster. For the first time, computers had a voice. Today, we carry that legacy forward. Our headphones, speakers, and sound cards are designed for how people live, work, and create. Whether it's a quiet moment alone or a shared experience that matters, we build audio that inspires. Audio that becomes part of your story. 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. 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. The Sound BlasterX 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 Command software for PC. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a SABRE32 Ultra-class PCI-e DAC which is perfect for hi-resolution audio for games, music, and movies. It delivers up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback* with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter. *32-bit playback only available in Windows 10 or higher 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. 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! Meanwhile, CrystalVoice technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications.
Specs 18
| Brand | Creative |
|---|---|
| Hardware Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Audio Output Mode | Surround Sound |
| Platform | Windows |
| Hardware Connectivity | PCI Express x4 |
| Hardware Platform | Headphones, PC |
| Surround Sound Channel Configuration | 7.1 |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 384 KHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 122 db |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 5.71"L x 5.04"W x 0.79"H |
| Model Name | ae-5 |
| Model Number | SB1740 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| UPC | 054651193895 |
| Item Weight | 454 g |
| Manufacturer | Creative Labs |
| Mfr Part Number | 70SB174000003 |
No specs match.
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Sunday, Nov 1
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Top Amazon Reviews
Well worth the price!
Replaced an aging Sound Blaster Z with the AE-5, for windows compatibility reasons and driver stack issues causing loss of sound and the card was exhibiting failure indications. Well worth the value at nearly half off for a factory refurbished product. I was expecting just the sound card, but nope, this is the full product, as if you are buying the product brand new. included the box, and all accessories. Card drives my headphones extremely loud and is exactly what I was expecting, it took me a few minutes to reconfigure the Equalizer to match my previous card, but the much more modern drivers align with newer OS Sound Models.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2026 by Andrew
Best audio card for enthusiasts.
Best pc investment I ever made, my audio quality beats every modern pc I encounter.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2026 by Skyler
OMG...buy it now
I'm coming from SBX-Z card paired with old Intel MOBO, back then the integrated sound quality was piece of horse crap, so after upgrading to X570 ASUS Gaming-F, the sound quality is decent, but felt like its just flat and not up to the standards. I got this card to see if there are any differences, first run, it felt like the same and i was like f*** this s*** and got extremely disappointed, but i said to myself, let me play with the settings and configure it properly, so that item in the software menu called Encoder is magical, its set to No Encoder by default , turned it on, set some other settings like crystalizer and smart volume and started to play with the built-in profiles the result is just OMG, the clarity, surround, everything is just awesome, you could even hear ant steps walking on instruments. only thing annoyed me is the length of the LED strip, its made for mid-tower cases, mine is super tower (COSMOS C700M) case, it barely covers half of the case, i would got another strip if i had known, anyway, its not a big of a deal. Saw some reviews bashing molex connecter as this card requires it for LED lighting, i have no problem with molex, not sure why people are crying over it, its just a connecter similar to any other.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2021 by YazX
Rich full sound, quirky software.
The software on this, is a little strange but nothing an afternoon playing around with the varying settings can't fix. That said, this is an incredibly solid little unit. My other sound card was an Asus Essence STX. Putting this card in, solved a lot of strange quirks the other card had, straight away that I thought was a receiver problem, as I run the pc to my Yamaha receiver. I could never get the surround sound to work right with the receiver, nor get the Dolby or DTS to truly work. Somehow the encoder on it, wasn't compatible with the receiver. That said, I had zero issues with that on the Creative here. It immediately received the signal, went right into surround and I've been off to the races since. There's a lot more sound settings you can adjust on this card than the asus unit I had, and it's incredible how much difference every sound setting can make. I started with the equalizer, much like I did with the asus. But unlike the asus, I could tell it exactly what kind of speakers I have, in addition to their placement. The sound itself, is dramatically fuller and warm. The RGB is a nice touch and addition to the pc of course, and the leds themselves seem to be of a pretty good color range compared to some other products out there. There is also decidedly less coil whine coming from my pc now, and a lot of strange foibles I had with sound sources, are gone. Having had the Essence for seven or eight years, and coming to this one I've got a pretty good comparison. Both are great, this one's better. Both blow away the motherboard mounted stuff, by a long ways. Of the two, I'd recommend this, every time. It sounds better than the Essence II, as well (which a friend has).
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024 by Aaron Keating
GAME CHANGER! GET IT!
My Experience with Fixing Popping Sounds and Poor Audio Playback Hey everyone, here’s the deal: I’ve been battling nonstop audio issues on my system since I built it. My setup includes: Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gaming WiFi Audio: Onboard Realtek sound Speakers: Dell Altec Lansing ADA995 THX 5.1 The Problem: From day one, I’ve had relentless popping sounds. It wasn’t terrible for music or movies, but every new audio event caused a pop at the start. To make matters worse, only the left and right speakers worked properly. During a Windows speaker test, I could hear sound from all speakers (center, left, right, and rear), but in actual playback, I couldn’t get all speakers to work together, no matter what I did. I’ve spent 20+ years in IT, so I tried everything: Disabled power-saving modes for the Realtek card using a registry hack (worked temporarily on another system). Tried installing the latest drivers through ASUS Armory Crate. Disabled the virtual driver, installed Realtek's app from the Microsoft Store, and downloaded every piece of software from ASUS and Realtek. Reinstalled drivers at least 10 times (as of January 2025). Nothing worked. The sound quality remained poor, the popping persisted, and my speakers refused to cooperate in harmony. The Solution: This week, I hit my breaking point and decided to try a dedicated sound card. I ordered the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res Gaming Sound Card off Amazon for around $130. Holy. Crap. What a difference. All my speakers now work beautifully. The card includes an amazing built-in EQ, which lets me adjust individual speaker volumes. I cranked up the rears, boosted bass, treble, and mids, and tweaked everything to perfection. No more popping sounds. My system now sounds 3X better. I also downloaded Sound Blaster Command (Creative’s software), which is surprisingly excellent. I typically avoid letting extra software run on my system, but this one stays. It’s my digital EQ and totally worth it. Pros: Crystal-clear audio, no more popping. Full control over individual speaker volumes and EQ settings. My 5.1 system finally delivers the sound quality I’ve been chasing for years. Music sounds incredible, and my system cranks like never before. Cons: There’s a bit of reverb from Sound Blaster Command that I’d love to reduce by about 25%, but I haven’t found the setting yet. Final Thoughts: If you’ve been suffering through Realtek’s onboard audio issues like I have, do yourself a favor and invest in this sound card. This upgrade has been a total game-changer for me. Thanks, Sound Blaster, for bringing joy back to my audio setup. Realtek, on the other hand... well, you know where I stand. I hope this helps someone out there! Cheers, A happy human (soon to be deaf).
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2025 by Dustin A Bernier
Amazing sound card
Great sale card for any PC enthusiast. Audio has been perfect and the quality build of this card is phenomenal and highly recommended easy install and set up was a breeze. It was a great bargain when I purchased it and wasn't sure if it was gonna be the right one for me but definitely was amazing. The RGB function works great that matches the interior of our PC so if you can get this at a great deal go for it. You won't be disappointed.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2026 by Benjamin N.
As close to perfect as you can get
Fantastic Sound! SO much better than the Realtek that came with the motherboard. The interface is friendly and has tons of options. Where it really shines for me is when I plug in my headphones. I never even knew what I was missing. Now I am totally immersed in the game. I did have a problem of not hearing YouTube sound as it was muffled. Contacted the chat line (provided in setup) and discovered it was simply a bad driver download. They picked up in less than 1 minute and very helpful. Yea, it costs a little more but you will never need or want another :)
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Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023 by Chris Junkert
Not For the Non-technical
I had to install a program that allowed me to force this card to not share interrupts with my video card. If that sentence doesn't make sense to you, you should avoid this product. I don't love the included software, and the LED stuff is silliness, but what are you going to do? Paired with a quad of pretty cheap speakers, I get loud, crisp, pretty sound out of this card. This is overkill for most PC users and gamers, but I also work with a Digital Audio Workstation, and I wanted a near-professional level card. That's what this is and I'm happy with it. The sound will not rival a spendy, retentive hi-fi system, but it will hang with anything else. I lowered my review score and added this: Got to say, there are some uber dumb features on this card, or in its software, anyway. When you switch from speakers to headphones, the software defaults to a "virtual 7.1 surround sound" mode. YOU CANNOT TURN THIS MODE OFF AND SWITCH TO STEREO while using headphones. So, you just can't hear the center channel, which is also called the voice channel, in the headphones. There's a "Direct Mode" that only seems to exist to fix this dumb problem with the driver software, and, of course, it just doesn't work. When switched on, the picture in the software changes to look like stereo speakers, but it still seems to be in 7.1 mode, and the center voice channel is still nearly impossible to hear. I was going to score this card at a 3 because I think this is still the best internal sound card at its price. However, I can't really recommend this card to anyone. If you're not producing semi-professional audio, you should purchase a less expensive card. Unless you're a serious techie, you may not even be able to get it to work, and if you plan to use headphones, or switch back and forth between headphones and speakers, you should avoid this card.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2021 by Da Nlokemoen