Creative takes users to 7.1th heaven

2 November 2003 23:16 GMT / By PRESS RELEASE

Comment: Priced at £100 t he 7.1 THX enabled Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS is designed to be aimmed at the gaming and music fans. The Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro is racked to the hilt with features including a breakout box that offers a host of connection possiblities similar to the original Audigy 2. The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro will retail at £199.99 inc. VAT when it becomes available in October.

Creative (Nasdaq: CREAF), the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, announces its new Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS sound cards which are designed to elevate PC audio to a new level of quality.

The new sound cards include features such as 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio at 108dB SNR, for high-definition recording and playback; and surround sound up to 7.1 channels, including support for EAX ADVANCED HD, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES for movies and games. Another unique feature of these systems is the THX Console, which supports precise speaker calibration for optimum acoustic immersion. Breathtaking music playback is assured via Advanced Resolution(tm) DVD-Audio support at up to 24-bit/192kHz in stereo or 24-bit/96kHz in 5.1, together with full Windows Media 9 compatibility.

"The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 has already established a new high standard in PC audio. Now the ZS development moves the quality bar even higher, with two models which deliver even more benefits to users in any PC-based entertainment environment," comments Darragh O'Toole, European audio brand manager with Creative.

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS meets the needs of gamers and music lovers, giving them a fast-track entry into a new, more immersive and realistic world of sound. It supports EAX 4.0 ADVANCED HD for multi-environment gaming, together with EAX ADVANCED HD effects for 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 output with over 400 DirectSound3D games. To give music lovers the top-quality results they demand, it is fully compatible with DVD-Audio and offers tremendous quality with MP3, WMA and Windows Media 9 content, all at up to 108dB SNR on all channels. With availability in early September, the SRP is £99.99 including VAT.

"This card responds to the needs of users who want an immediate move up to new levels of quality, flexibility and versatility," explains O'Toole. "Game fans will be amazed at the immersive power of its audio, while its FireWire connectivity will enable them to network PCs together for high-speed LAN sessions."

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro is the feature-rich music recording solution for musicians and audio enthusiasts. It includes an External I/O Hub which brings all inputs together to ensure the best possible audio quality, isolating them from any risk of interference from the PC. It can record up to 6 simultaneous channels at 24-bit/96kHz and its advanced functionality includes an on-board effects processor and sampler. Its connectivity includes optical and coaxial S/PDIF I/O; 3 analogue line-ins (or 2 line-ins and a microphone); full-size MIDI I/O; a headphone output; two FireWire connectors (one front, one rear); and a master volume control with push mute.