53SB053000003 Creative, Same great card for less $$$
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Same great card for less $$$
If you have searched Amazon for an Audigy 2 ZS notebook sound card you may have noticed that the Amazon search engine returns three different results for this product. Two of them (item model # 70sb053000012 and SB0530) priced over $20 than this model. If you are wondering what the difference is between those two and this one, you may be surprised to know that there is none other than the packaging. The two high priced versions come one in a colorful box and the other in a clamshell. This one comes in a plain cardboard box. The contents of the box are exactly the same and so are the technical specifications for the card.
Package contents:
- PCMCIA Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook audio card,
- Speaker docking cable,
- Clear carrying case,
- Creative earphones,
- Quick start leaflet,
- Creative DVD-Audio sampler disc,
- Sounds best on SOUND BLASTER CD installation,
- Applications CD containing: drivers for Windows XP & Windows 2000, Creative software suite, and user’s guide.
The one that I bought did not have the latest version of the drivers. However, you can easily download them from the Creative web site together with several upgrades for the applications that come with the card.
So, if you want to save yourself at least $20 to use them towards buying yourself, say, a good speakers system, and you do not care about fancy packaging you may seriously consider buying this one.
I did not experience any problems with my card, like pops/click sounds as those problems are more related to the laptop where you will install the card (e.g. insufficient PCMCIA bandwidth that depends on your system’s cardbus controller) than to the card itself. Also, the volume buttons of my laptop (Compaq) do control the card volume.
Update (9/8/2010):
The featured review for this product, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook Clamshell Sound Card 53SB053000003 Electronics, was written by G. Camano-Garcia.
The average rating for this item is out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.
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Tags: audio system, cardbus, creative, creative labs, durable, eax, laptop, mp3 player, mutlichannel, optical, pcmcia, quality, sound, sound card, soundcard, stereo
Posted on: May 25, 2010
Filed under: Reviews
Reviews (3)
G. Camano-Garcia
April 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Same great card for less $$$
Rated 5 stars.
The Information
April 12th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Best Creative Product Ever!
The state of affairs regarding laptop audio quality is awful. Laptop manufacturers cut corners in every way they can to reduce cost. They assume customers will be satisfied with average or below-average audio performance. Buying a laptop that has high quality audio “out-of-the-box” is near impossible. Even if you have a high-end laptop, the audio output is usually plagued by system noise, poor volume levels, and poor frequency response.
By installing a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook Sound Card you will be entering the playing field of decent laptop audio. I was immediately impressed with the audio quality after the simple installation process. Creative has finally streamlined the software portion of the installation so system clutter is minimal. I chose a “custom” installation so I could avoid certain software components.
Plugging in headphones proved to be a delightful experience. This card produces a depth and volume output level that is rich and satisfying. In terms of audio output it outperforms any portable MP3 player I have ever used. It blows away Creative’s very own Zen Nano Plus, and also outperforms Apple’s iPod by leaps and bounds. This little card has major “ooomph!”. The low low bass frequencies are strong and punchy. Your average laptop or portable MP3 player would require a separate headphone amp to have the audio depth and power this product has all by itself. Wiring this card into my main stereo was just as impressive.
I think laptops should already have this level of audio quality, but until they do I consider this product a “must”.
R. MIDDLETON
May 8th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
ENE Controller Problems
He is someone who has a laptop that uses the controller cardbuss ENE will be some problems with this card - and that many people! Before you buy - check your device manager to see what is on your PC. The problems vary somewhat, but burst and to some extent is quite common. You may be able to get rid of him trying different solutions, including its holding in Standard mode, but you lose some functionality and audio performance. Many intelligent people have spent much time trying to get this card working on their computers with NEC and controllers are not yet defined / universal fix. Currently there are 19 pages on the forum topic Creative. Creative for their part do not support the issue by proposing a solution, they had a lot of time now. Ultimately - if you have the controller ENE and still decide to buy ready to go back and waste precious time, like me.
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