It's a Blast! (Updated) (Creative Sound Blaster Live!)

Member Name: The Duke

Product:	Creative Sound Blaster Live!
Date:	17/08/00 (286 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good sound, loads of software, free game!

Disadvantages: None!

I've had my SB LIve for about a year now , I ordered it from Jungle.com as a late Xmas pressie for myself to replace the ancient ISA soundcard I had.

Installation was a breeze, with the card slotting nicely into the PCI slot. Upon rebooting, the computer noticed it straightaway, and asked for my driver CD which I duly inserted.

Drivers installed, I was then requested to re-insert the CD. Why? I wondered to myself, and then the screen came up, and I was amazed. The amount of software that Creative gave away with the card was unreal! Voice recognition, LAVA, CD/mp3 players, even WinDVD for playing DVD's (With a DVD ROM, of course)

As a bonus, they even included the OEM version (i.e. no manuals) of Aliens Vs Predator! Obviously, it went onto the hard drive immediately.

Now for the crunch - what did it perform like? Well, I must admit that even on my crappy comes-free-with-the-computer speakers, the sound was much sharper, and clearer than my ISA effort.

The in-game sounds (from all games) were much improved, with better clarity, especially on those which had some sort of sampled speech. As for playing Cd's or mp3's, well it excelled in that area too with better bass and treble response than my previous card.

I bought it at £55 from Jungle.com when it was £70 in the High Street, but you should be able to get it for about £40 or better these days if you shop around.

It's £40 you will not regret spending!

**Update**
I have since bought better speakers for my computer, and the sound quality from the card has improved greatly! So if you're thinking about spending some cash on upgrading your soundcard..make sure you have either good speakers, or a lead that you can hook up to your stero to do the card justice!

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