OVERVIEW
Featuring pristine audio fidelity alongside Sound Blaster's audio processing legacy, the AE-7 takes the audio game up a notch and will awe you with its audiophile-grade components with playback exceeding massively popular desktop amps and DACs.
DAC
Hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9018 with incredibly clean 127 dB DNR audio stream
THD + N
Up to -120 dB, 0.0001%
Playback Capability
Clear, pristine audio at 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 Playback
Headphone Amp
Ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance, supports 16Ω to studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones
Surround Sound and Encoding
5.1 discrete surround for speakers, 7.1 virtual surround for headphones, Dolby Digital Live, DTS Connect Encoding, and Sound Blaster Surround Virtualization
Convenience
Audio Control Module - perfect for quick access to volume control knob, 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm mic and headphones I/O connectors. Also fitted with a built-in mic array for hassle-free communications
Audio Enhancements
Full suite of audio enhancements including customizable EQs and Sound Profiles, Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume, and Dialog Plus that further boosts your audio. For gamers, Scout Mode is a feature not to be missed!
Customization
New and improved Sound Blaster Command software for further audio customization, with a quick on and off toggle switch to activate or deactivate audio processing effects
AUDIO
Hardware Accelerated Audio
The addition of AE-7 to your PC rig basically means one thing — you're adding in a dedicated quad-core processor designed with one goal in mind — to deliver incredibly pristine and enhanced sound on your PC without overstressing your CPU. Sound Blaster handles audio processing on the card itself, freeing up your CPU to handle other tasks.
Clean and Crisp Audio Clarity
Enhanced audio is only going to sound as good as the components delivering it, and with the AE-7, we're not pulling any punches. The AE-7 features an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that delivers an incredibly clean 127 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 Playback. If pristine is at the core of your demand, the AE-7 is going to blow past your expectations.
Custom Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amplifier
Audiophile and theater-grade components deserve an audiophile-grade headphone amplifier. The AE-7 features our custom Xamp bi-amplified headphone amp in which each earcup gets its own power from the first stage of amplification all the way through delivery.
The end result in your ears is silky smooth audio regardless of how dynamic or demanding the current audio scene may be. For the pro-audio users, the Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp satisfies even the most demanding needs of audiophiles seeking for music in its original form, and appreciate music the way it is intended to be.
It also features an ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance that can drive studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones.
SURROUND AND PROCESSING
Theatrical-Grade Discrete and Virtual Surround
Whether you are outputting to headphones or speakers, the AE-7 is able to take stereo or multi-stream sources and transform them into immersive, theatrical audio. It supports discrete 5.1 on speakers, and up to 7.1 virtual surround on speakers and headphones. You can even switch effortlessly between headphones and your speakers for those times you want to pump the bass or go stealthier with your headphones.
There's also Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect Encoding for even more delivery options to your external audio devices.
Incredible Processing
And that's not all! Having been in the audio processing game for 30 years, the Sound Blaster AE-7 comes with Sound Blaster's full suite of audio enhancements. You can enjoy Surround for an incredible immersion, Crystallizer that helps to improve the dynamic range of audio, or Bass that provides bigger punch on the low end. Meanwhile, CrystalVoice technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications.
AE-7 also supports our proprietary Scout Mode™ for the distinct tactical advantage that enhances important in-game audio cues so you can emerge victorious!
The software audio processing tech can be fully customized, or switched off completely. The best part? You get to control every bit of it from the new and improved Sound Blaster Command software.
CUSTOMIZATION
Take Full Command of Your Audio Setup
All thanks to our users and community, the newly designed Sound Blaster Command software suite has been improved based on their feedback! It's now easier than ever to customize your audio quickly for your specific needs.
Do you prefer pure audio with no effects or processing while listening to music? Or do you prefer to push your audio immersion to the limits by putting the Sound Core3D enhanced audio effects to work while gaming? The ability to save and switch to multiple profiles with a simple click expands your options when it comes to changing between music, gaming, or movies.
CONVENIENCE
Audio Control Module
Take easy control with the ACM that is incorporated with a built-in microphone array, 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm connectors for mic and headphones input and output connections. You can conveniently adjust the volume with the knob on the ACM - all within your fingertips.
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight
Main Card: 215g / 7.58 oz, Audio Control Unit (ACM): 284g / 10.02 oz
Dimensions
Main Card: 145 x 20 x 128 mm / 5.71 x 0.79 x 5.04 inches, Audio Control Module (ACM): 100 x 92 x 70 mm / 3.94 x 3.62 x 2.76 inches
Headphone Amp
Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω, IEM: 16–31Ω (1.9V RMS), Normal: 32–149Ω (3V Rms), High Gain: 150–600Ω (5.6V Rms)
Audio Technology
Sound Core3D
Direct Mode
Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, PCM 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, PCM 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0, 384 kHz, DSD64 (2.8 MHz)
Playback Resolution (Optical Out): 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
Recording Resolution
Mic-in: 16-bit / 16.0, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
AUX-in: 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz
What-U-Hear: 16-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0 kHz
DSP Mode
Playback Resolution (Stereo & Surround 5.1)
16-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz, 24-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz, 32-bit / 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0kHz
Platform
PCI-e
Connectivity Options (Main)
1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x ⅛″ Rear Out, 1 x ⅛″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x ⅛“ Mic-in / Line-in (Software selectable, default as Mic-in), 1 x ⅛“ Headphone / Headset Out (default as Headphone), 1 x ⅛″ Front-out
Connectivity Options (Accessory)
1 x ⅛″ Mic-in (Mono), 1 x ⅛″ HP Out (3-pole), 1 x ¼″ HP Out (3-pole), 1 x ¼″ Mic-in (Mono)
Headphone Amp
Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω, IEM: 16–31Ω (1.9V RMS), Normal: 32–149Ω (3V Rms), High Gain: 150–600Ω (5.6V Rms)
Audio Technologies
CrystalVoice
Scout Mode
DTS Connect Encoding
Dolby Digital Live Encoding
Supported Operating Systems
Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
DAC
THD+N (Stereo) : 0.0001%, Dynamic Range (Stereo): 127 dB
Power
PCI-e bus power
Recommended Usage
Gaming
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
For Windows® OS
Intel® Core™ i3 AMD® equivalent processor
Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
Microsoft® Windows 11, Windows 10 32 / 64-bit, Windows 8.1 / 8.0 32 / 64-bit, Windows 7 32 / 64-bit
1 GB RAM
>600 MB of free hard disk space
Available PCI-e slot
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Sound Blaster AE-7 (Main Card)
Audio Control Module
Quick Start Leaflet
Warranty Leaflets
WARRANTY
2-year Limited Hardware Warranty
