Interesting Post:I have the "Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS" sound card with the "Creative 5.1" speakers.Some time ago, I had problems hearing my rear speakers and went through the setup and calibration procedure from Creative. I thought that I had everything working ok. After reading this post, t now am not sure that I checked all media and programs to see that they all played fair.Under the "Creative / Speaker Settings / Speaker Test: / Channel" and "Noise" tests, all speakers work correctly and in the correct sequence. The same goes for "Diagnostics" tests.The only indication I have of a problem with the "Creative" provisions is that when the "Speaker Settings / Calibrate / Advanced" option is selected, the only speakers that are shown are the "Left - Front Speakers - Right". All others are dimmed out in the display, nor do they respond when selectedIn the "EAX Console" I have "Environment / Living Room" as the "Active Preset" with "Effects Amount : 100".In the "EAX Console" under the "CMSS 3D" option, I have "Enable CMSS 3D" checked and "CMSS" selected.Although they all respond as per the volume settings for each individual speaker in the Creative settings, the only speakers with sound for a tape, CD, FS9, or FSX are the front left and right speakers.Any ideas?RTH

Interesting Post:I have the "Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS" sound card with the "Creative 5.1" speakers.Some time ago, I had problems hearing my rear speakers and went through the setup and calibration procedure from Creative. I thought that I had everything working ok. After reading this post, t now am not sure that I checked all media and programs to see that they all played fair.Under the "Creative / Speaker Settings / Speaker Test: / Channel" and "Noise" tests, all speakers work correctly and in the correct sequence. The same goes for "Diagnostics" tests.The only indication I have of a problem with the "Creative" provisions is that when the "Speaker Settings / Calibrate / Advanced" option is selected, the only speakers that are shown are the "Left - Front Speakers - Right". All others are dimmed out in the display, nor do they respond when selectedIn the "EAX Console" I have "Environment / Living Room" as the "Active Preset" with "Effects Amount : 100".In the "EAX Console" under the "CMSS 3D" option, I have "Enable CMSS 3D" checked and "CMSS" selected.Although they all respond as per the volume settings for each individual speaker in the Creative settings, the only speakers with sound for a tape, CD, FS9, or FSX are the front left and right speakers.Any ideas?RTH

Creative drivers have been problematic for years now, as I said earlier it's the main reason why I changed my sound cards.EAX is dead technology, the future is Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. You will have full 5.1 for the CD, FS9 & FSX that you currently don't have with your creative card. You guys have no clue what your missing.Don't buy creative because they are the big company, there are much better sound cards on the market. Not to mention that these C-Media soundcards have excellent control panels that give you so much more control over sound output than creative.I almost feel like a salesman, trust me guys...Creative has been dead for years.Regards,Emil

Creative drivers have been problematic for years now, as I said earlier it's the main reason why I changed my sound cards.EAX is dead technology, the future is Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. You will have full 5.1 for the CD, FS9 & FSX that you currently don't have with your creative card. You guys have no clue what your missing.Don't buy creative because they are the big company, there are much better sound cards on the market. Not to mention that these C-Media soundcards have excellent control panels that give you so much more control over sound output than creative.I almost feel like a salesman, trust me guys...Creative has been dead for years.Regards,Emil

Hey Emil,I tried searching for a good C-Media based card the other night but came up confused, hence me playing with my Creative card... Can you offer any advice on a good card to do what you are suggesting? Also, do you need to go optical to a receiver or can I run it straight to my 5.1 computer speakers? Just wondering if the receiver is essential or optional.Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated,-Paul

OK:I don't doubt that there is superior hardware, drivers, and software to what I have.However, I just cleaned house completely of all "Creative" and "Soundblaster" files and started over. This included:1. The Windows add/remove provisions, 2. Running Driver Cleaner, 3. Deleting all left over folders or files, 4. Deleting the creative" provisions in the "Start / All Programs" listings.I then did a Google search for my "Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS" cardA. http://us.creative.com/welcome.aspB. Select "Support"C. Select "Sound Blaster"D. Select "If your product is not listed above, please click here".E. Select "Audigy"F. Click "Next"F. Select "Audigy 2 ZS" (or whatever you have)G. Click "Next"H. Download and install the "Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series Driver 2.18.00.10" driversI. Go to the bottom and select: "Software AutoUpdate"J. Follow the instructions.With this latest software which was released in February and March, all six of my speakers function and the sound is great with my tapes, CD's, FS9, and FSX. It is possible to balance the speakers to personal preference as well, including totally rear, totally front, or anywhere inbetween.I realize this may not be the cat's whiskers to the sound purest, but to these old ears it is GREAT!The only strange thing I found is with FSX only. All I have tried is the startup MSFSX Cessna 172 and the LDS 767. With the 172, the sound configuartion (front or rear speaker balance) cannot be changed on the fly. However, when I select the LDS 767 it can. This needs more investigation if it was worth anything to anybody, but it would appear that in FSX options may be user specific.For what it is worth:Respectfully:RTH

Try adding this to your FS9 config too...[sOUND]Channels=4SamplesPerSec=44100BitsPerSample=16

Now I have srround sound for FS9!!!ThanksDaniel

Wow, I'm reading every post in this topic. I'm also having 5.1 speaker but never noticed this ...Thanks a lot !!!!

Emil,I ended up with a C-Media card as advised. Right bow I am using Dolby Digital. Do you suggest DD or DTS? Edit: Forgot to mention I am running optical out to a 5.1 receiver...Thank you in advance, losing the creative card was a phenomenal move!!!

Edited January 29, 201214 yr by psolk

Emil,I ended up with a C-Media card as advised. Right bow I am using Dolby Digital. Do you suggest DD or DTS? Edit: Forgot to mention I am running optical out to a 5.1 receiver...Thank you in advance, losing the creative card was a phenomenal move!!!

Optical out to an AV receiver is the best way I think!!! Especially if you have a good one, like Denon, Marantz, Yamaha or something like that!! Daniel