Sound Blaster Audigy

Lore & Background

The first generation Audigy cards equipped with EMU10K2 could process up to 4 EAX environments simultaneously with its on-chip DSP and native EAX 3.0 ADVANCED HD support, and supported from stereo up to 5.1-channel output. The audio processor could mix up to 64 DirectSound3D sound channels in hardware, up from Live!'s 32 channels. Creative Labs advertised the Audigy as a 24-bit sound card, a controversial marketing claim for a product that did not support end-to-end playback of 24-bit/96 kHz audio streams. The Audigy and Live shared a similar architectural limitation: the audio transport (DMA engine) was fixed to 16-bit sample precision at 48 kHz. So despite its 24-bit/96 kHz high-resolution DACs, the Audigy's DSP could only process 16-bit/48 kHz audio sources. This fact was not immediately obvious in Creative's literature, and was difficult to ascertain even upon examination of the Audigy's spec sheets. A resulting class-action settlement with Creative later awarded US customers a 35% discount on Creative products, up to a maximum discount of $65.

The Audigy card supports the professional ASIO 1 driver interface natively, making it possible to obtain low latencies from Virtual Studio Technology (VST) instruments. Some versions of Audigy featured an external break out box with connectors for S/PDIF, MIDI, IEEE 1394, analog and optical signals. The ASIO and break out box features were an attempt to tap into the 'home studio' market, with a mainstream product. Variants include the Audigy ES (SB0160) which uses the full EMU10K2 chip but lacks FireWire; the Audigy SE and Audigy Value (both SB0570) which use a less expensive CA0106 audio-controller, limiting them to software-based EAX and no advanced DVD-Audio or Dolby Digital playback; the Audigy LS (SB0310) which supports neither hardware acceleration nor FireWire; the Audigy Platinum EX (SB0090) with an external break out box and FireWire; and the Audigy VX (SB0060), a low-profile PCI card.

Reader's Guide

The Sound Blaster Audigy line represents a pivotal moment in consumer PC audio, bridging the gap between gaming and home studio aspirations. Its flagship EMU10K2 DSP offered hardware mixing of 64 DirectSound3D channels and native EAX 3.0 support, doubling the 3D audio capabilities of its predecessor. However, the line is most remembered for a controversial marketing claim: despite being advertised as a 24-bit sound card, the Audigy's DMA engine was fixed to 16-bit/48 kHz, preventing end-to-end 24-bit playback. This limitation, not immediately obvious in Creative's literature, led to a class-action settlement offering US customers a 35% discount up to $65. The Audigy also introduced native ASIO 1 support and external break out boxes, targeting the home studio market. The line's significance lies in its widespread adoption, its role in advancing EAX standards, and the lessons it provided about transparency in audio hardware specifications. The Audigy SE remains notable as a low-profile PCI card still available from online retailers, unlike other Audigy cards.

Did You Know?

• A class-action settlement over the 24-bit marketing claim awarded US customers a 35% discount up to $65.
• The Audigy SE and Audigy Value both carry the SB0570 model number and may be the same card sold under different names.
• The Audigy supported native ASIO 1 for low-latency VST instrument use.