Is the Recon3D the best budget card out there?!

This is the Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D PCI express. It’s part of the Recon3D series that was announced in September 2011 and also includes Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional and Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion. There aren’t any real hardware improvements in the more expensive cards, only some cosmetic changes, a metal shroud and a beam forming mic.
Also, a lot of reviewers weren’t that impressed by this card when they compared it to the previous card range, the X-Fi cards. I have reviewed the latest high end card of that series in the past and I was deeply impressed! The Creative X-Fi Titinium HD is one of the best cards ever created. But the REcon3D isn’t meant to be a high end sound card.
So how good do I think this card is? Find out, in this video!

[@CheapSushi]

There's a Sound Blaster Recon3D Professional Audio version too with a blue color chip, a metal shroud and blue LED. But I have not seen it available in the wild.

[@Belznis]

That scout mode on the z was insane, it was not just a bit better, because with the z you can hear people behind the wall when there is a door open, but with the scout mode you hear a bug sneezing :D

[@AntonsHardware]

Lol! Working my trough Tarkov now, so that's something I need!

[@Belznis]

@@AntonsHardware oh yes, creative z and creative ae 5 both have this feature. The ae, even without the scout mode, is very precise. I use it in warthunder to listen in realistic mode for tank engines behind hills or buildings. You could do a video maybe comparing scouting mode for both cards. I remember that the first driver version for the Z had some issues. The location of foes with scouting mode worked, but at times in some games was just a bit too much.

[@shane21882]

Enjoyed the video, interesting you thought the card was good and maybe I should have kept it lol. I replaced it with the zx, but couldn't really tell the difference between them . The old interface was bugging me with when selecting the digital Dolby thing it kept switching the 5 speakers back to stereo. Think after seeing the notes given on the new zx driver interface, there was a reason for it. Might be a future video explaining that. Thanks again for the video, could have got drunk on shots with all mentions

[@AntonsHardware]

Lol! You're welcome!

[@oynamalan]

I really like the SB audigy 7.1 PCI sound quality. Bought one of these and its on the way. Hope it doesn't disappoint me.

[@AntonsHardware]

And? Have you heard it yet? What do you think about the Recon3D?

[@soerya22]

Ah, adding some music on background. Nice to hear that..

[@AntonsHardware]

That ties the video together don't you think!?

[@soerya22]

@@AntonsHardware Yes. It's strengten your video character as music related channel. Makes more enjoyable learn about something while listening some music..

[@AntonsHardware]

I wish I could add the music I really listen to, not the rights free music from KZbin. I would love to make a video about all the reference songs that I always use and let others hear examples.

[@muratciftci579]

Nice Soundtracks

[@AntonsHardware]

Thanks! It's from KZbin's free library!

[@creativity4you83]

creative sb0570 vs sb1350, which is better?

[@JJ-sh4jn]

Podrías por favor enviarme el driver correcto de esta tarjeta el que tengo no me muestra todos los niveles en la opción propiedades del alta voz. Gracias.

[@AntonsHardware]

El controlador que uso es el de Creative. Solo usé Windows 7 de 64 bits. ¡Este también funciona en Windows 10! support.creative.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?prodID=149&prodName=Audigy%202

[@sng5314]

Anton did you tried dd live? I'm thinking of getting for the feature but if doesn't work anymore ill go for the soundblaster z se

[@AntonsHardware]

No sorry, didn't try the DD Live functionality!

[@matsgueggel7470]

i have this card since 7 years or so. Do you think an external soundcard like an Epos gsx1200 pro would be an upgrade? Never used an external dac.

[@AntonsHardware]

I didn't like the Epos GSX1000 which is almost identical tot the 1200. I would say that you won't hear that much of an upgrade, but the 1000/1200 do have the added bonus that you get a large volume knob!

[@f0nd4c54]

Hola Antons!!! una pregunta, me recomiendas usar el modo estéreo directo o el DSP en una sound blaster ae 5 plus?

[@AntonsHardware]

¡Esa es una pregunta difícil para la que no sé la respuesta! Hice un video sobre el AE5 hace mucho tiempo. ¡Quizás es hora de que haga uno nuevo!

[@f0nd4c54]

@@AntonsHardware Me encantaría un video donde des tu opinión sobre las características del software de la placa de sonido. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@ArchangelGabriel]

Hi !! Is 7.1 or 5.1 surround accessible from the SPDIF audio output? Is there any way to manage more than 2 speakers digitally connected to the AV receiver with this card?

[@AntonsHardware]

I really can't tell. Sorry! I haven't tested the SPDIF output on this card.

[@AndreFG]

One year have passed but to answer your question, yes you can have 7.1 with the digital output BUT only when using the Dolby audio codec (enabled in the creative settings) and your HT has to support it as well

[@ahmetpolat58]

Hey Anton, Which one is better: Recon3D(2011) or X-fi Titanium(2008)?

[@AntonsHardware]

That is a diffucult choice. I think I'd go for the Recon

[@johanvanaert1734]

Bedankt anton

[@AntonsHardware]

Dank je wel! :D

[@THISLOVETHISHATE99]

hey do u still have the sound blaster recon3d if u do could u please do a test for me i want u to try and get that sound card to use the subwoofer with stereo content like with web browsers i need to get a pcie sound card cause the alc4080 on my z590 aorus ultra is unable to utilize the EQ while u have surround sound enabled u have to enable that to have the subwoofer work. thank you

[@AntonsHardware]

I do still have that card and I would love to test that for you. But I don't have a subwoofer to test that.

[@something7432]

You have software download link?

[@marioschmith6790]

Very well, user from Brazil, language pt-br, via google translator, congratulations on the video, Do you think this one from the test, better or worse than the SB1040, or SB 0880, I think this is Titanium, which one do you recommend to compose? I want to use the optical output, using DAC decoder (optical to analogue) at the other end, to eliminate noise from electromagnetic induction, because I'm having noise, 60 hz or hum, ground noise (loop ground) I believe, and noise in the treble, because I turn it on it's a low power fm radio transmitter (tx 25 to 100 W), I've tried all the ways to remove noise, changing cables, and connectors for better shielding but it didn't work, because the line is unbalanced, like it comes out of the board. pc, and goes to pre-amplifier, very low noise comes out, tester with headphone, connected to the modulator of the fm transmitter, disconnects the modulator cable, noise comes out, I'm trying to solve this analog noise that comes in through electromagnetic inductions, from switched sources, solar inverter, which feeds the appliances and ground loop noise, snoring 60 or 120 Hz, noticeable when there is no music, bass, if you can give me a tip? Thank you! Thank you! Hug!

[@AntonsHardware]

I have the SB1040 planned for this year, so I can't say if it's better or worse. I think that they are comparable, but I'm not sure! As for the SB0880, that one is a bit better, but the difference is very small. Also those cards are getting old and obsolete. You may want to use the Soundblaster Z. That is a lot better! I'm not really into the background noise. Sorry! Thankfully I don't have that issue, but I can imagine that if you have it, it's really annoying! I have heard about "power cleaners" that supposed to make the electric power clean of buzzing sounds, but I have no experience with that.

[@andcravo]

Já viu que sou brasileiro, né? Tenho uma placa daquela Fatality mas pra te dizer a verdade não vejo essas placas da Creative fazer tanta diferença em uma placa mãe que tem chip dedicado pra som. Mas elas amassam qualquer placa de vc ligar na saída spdif com um dac e tiver Dolby Atmos. O som fica umas duas vezes mais alto. Nas saídas comuns não vejo quase diferença. Eu usando headset razoável assisto vídeos no KZbin no volume praticamente no minimo e o áudio do windows tá no 19 (de 100). Mas só consegui essa proeza usando uma equalização personalizada no Dolby Atmos.

[@pizza5queijos597]

who is better ? Sound Blaster Recon3D, SB1350 Quad-Core Ultra our Creative Soundblaster Recon3d Fatal1ty ? thank you friend !

[@AntonsHardware]

The SB1350 is the same as the Recon3D. The Fatality is just a regular as the Recon3D, only made to look cooler. I'd go for the regular Recon3D!

[@user-po1qq7ow5w]

Which is better, then z?

[@mattsparks3546]

The x-fi titanium and the recon3d are both very cheap if you're fine getting the OEM dell version

[@AntonsHardware]

Good point! I got mine second hand, but oem versions do just fine!

[@ahmetpolat58]

Which one is beter? Recon3d or x-fi titanium?

[@dgc940]

Anton I have watched several of your video's over last few years. can you possible recommend me a sound card that will take me up a level under 200 euros preferably 150 area? I currently have a sound blaster pcie 116db and I never use head phones I use home theater receiver along with a windows HT desktop I built 4 years ago. I love both movies and music and my receiver and speakers are high end quality. I trust your knowledge on cards. Im not into the tech part I just love good sounding music. My sound that I stream without PC is a Nvidia shield and it is better than what comes from my pc card I would at least like the quality between the two equal or better even Thank You sir!

[@AntonsHardware]

Then see my video this Friday! It's about the AE-5! I can definitely recommend that card! And thanks for the views! I really appreciate it!

[@JJ-sh4jn]

Que tal va para grabaciones?

[@AntonsHardware]

¡Va bien! ¡El próximo video ya está en proceso! ¿O estás especialmente ansioso por 1 video?

[@JJ-sh4jn]

@@AntonsHardware podrias ayudarme a configurarla correctamente ya que al conectar el microfono se escuha a destiempo y no en tiempo real. ayuda por favor.

[@mattraymond2935]

WINDOWS 11?

[@AntonsHardware]

This will help: support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=200667 :D

[@jimbab101]

Sadly it is not support by windows 11

[@AntonsHardware]

Good of you to say! I'm planning on making a video about soundcards and Windows 11 in the near future, but it will be a lot of work.