Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is designed to deliver high-fidelity audio and advanced processing capabilities for an enhanced gaming, music, and movie experience on your PC.

Key Features

Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding Support: Enables surround sound delivery to external audio devices. Supports 5.1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround, along with Sound Blaster's Surround Virtualization technology.
Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp: Custom-designed bi-amplification technology powers each earcup individually with 1 ohm output impedance, supporting headphones up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones.
SABRE32 Ultra-Class PCI-e DAC: Delivers up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion, and jitter for pristine audio quality.
Aurora Reactive RGB Lighting System: Customizable RGB LEDs on the card and an included RGB LED strip offer 16.8 million colors and various patterns, controllable via Sound Blaster Command software.
Industry-Leading Audio Processing: Utilizes Sound Blaster's audio processing and enhancement technologies via the Sound Blaster Command software, offering customizable settings for clearer vocals, accurate cues, and bass boost.

Setup

1. Hardware Installation

Before installing the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus, ensure your computer is powered off and unplugged from the wall outlet. Open your computer case and locate an available PCIe x1 slot.

Carefully insert the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus into an available PCIe x1 slot on your motherboard. Ensure it is seated firmly.
Secure the card with the retaining screw or clip provided by your PC case.
Connect the included RGB LED strip to the dedicated RGB header on the sound card, if desired.
Close your computer case and reconnect all cables.

Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus sound card installed in a PC

Figure 1: Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus installed in a PCIe slot.

2. Software and Driver Installation

After hardware installation, power on your computer. Windows will typically detect new hardware. It is recommended to install the latest drivers and software from Creative's official website for optimal performance and access to all features.

Navigate to the official Creative support website.
Locate the drivers and Sound Blaster Command software for the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus (Model: SB1740).
Download and run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Restart your computer if prompted.

Screenshot of Sound Blaster Command software interface on a monitor

Figure 2: Sound Blaster Command software interface for audio customization.

Operating the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus

Sound Blaster Command Software Overview

The Sound Blaster Command software is your primary interface for controlling and customizing the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus. It allows you to manage audio profiles, adjust sound enhancements, control RGB lighting, and configure playback/recording settings.

Audio Playback and Enhancements

Surround Sound: Configure 5.1 discrete or 7.1 virtual surround sound settings. The card supports Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for external audio devices.
Xamp Headphone Bi-amp: The Xamp technology provides dedicated amplification for each headphone channel. Ensure your headphones are connected to the appropriate jack.
Equalizer: Customize audio frequencies to match your preferences or specific content types (e.g., gaming, music, movies).
Scout Mode: Activate Scout Mode to enhance in-game audio cues like footsteps and weapon switching sounds, providing a tactical advantage.

Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus with icons indicating Dolby Digital Live, DTS Encoding, 5.1 Discrete, and 7.1 Virtual Surround support

Figure 3: Support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding.

Diagram illustrating Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp technology with separate amplification for left and right channels

Figure 4: Custom-designed Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp.

Scout Mode toggle switch with silhouettes of gamers in a dark environment

Figure 5: Distinct tactical advantage with Scout Mode.

RGB Lighting Control

The Aurora Reactive Lighting System allows you to customize the RGB LEDs on the sound card and the connected LED strip. Use the Sound Blaster Command software to select from 16.8 million colors and various lighting patterns to match your system's aesthetic.

Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus with colorful RGB lighting and a gaming PC case in the background also showing RGB

Figure 6: RGB lighting system for gaming rigs.

Official Product Video

Video 1: Overview of the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card, highlighting its features and capabilities.

Maintenance

Driver Updates: Regularly check Creative's official website for the latest drivers and Sound Blaster Command software updates to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
Cleaning: Keep the sound card and surrounding PC components free from dust. Use compressed air to gently clean the card and PCIe slot periodically. Ensure the PC is powered off and unplugged before cleaning.
Software Management: Periodically review your Sound Blaster Command settings to ensure they align with your current audio preferences and system configuration.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
No sound or distorted audio.	Incorrect driver installation, loose connection, incorrect audio output selected.	Verify the sound card is properly seated in the PCIe slot. Ensure the latest drivers and Sound Blaster Command software are installed. Check Windows sound settings to confirm the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is set as the default playback device. Verify speaker/headphone connections to the sound card.
Popping or crackling sounds.	Driver conflicts, power management settings, DPC latency issues.	Ensure all other audio drivers (e.g., onboard audio) are disabled in Device Manager. Update motherboard chipset drivers. Disable power-saving features for PCIe devices in BIOS/UEFI or Windows power options. Try a different PCIe slot if available.
RGB lighting not working.	RGB strip not connected, software settings, power issue.	Verify the RGB LED strip is securely connected to the sound card. Check RGB settings within the Sound Blaster Command software. Ensure the sound card is receiving adequate power from the PCIe slot.
Sound Blaster Command software not launching or crashing.	Corrupted installation, conflicting software.	Perform a clean reinstallation of the Sound Blaster Command software and drivers. Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall software during installation. Ensure Windows is up to date.

Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model Number	SB1740
Hardware Platform	PC
Hardware Interface	PCI Express x4
Audio Output Mode	Surround
DAC	SABRE32 Ultra-Class
Playback Resolution	Up to 32-bit / 384 kHz
SNR	122 dB
Headphone Amp	Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp (16-600Ω)
Dimensions (LxWxH)	5.71 x 0.79 x 5.04 inches
Weight	1 pound
Color	Black with DDL and DTS
Compatible Devices	Personal Computer
Operating System	Windows

Warranty and Support

For detailed warranty information, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Creative website. For technical support, driver downloads, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Creative support page or their official brand store.

Official User Guide (PDF): Download User Guide
Official User Manual (PDF): Download User Manual
Creative Brand Store: Visit Creative Store on Amazon

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Creative SB1740