Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1
USB 2.0
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
39 reviews
Since I have worked with various sound cards in the past, I...
Unfortunately, I have to update my rating.
Since Windows 10, the device has repeatedly struggled with microphone failures. In the meantime, it no longer works at all. There are numerous reports about this on the net.
Creative doesn't manage to update their drivers either - the last update was in 2015. Another product that Creative is throwing away and definitely the last one.
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Since I had my problems with various sound cards in the past (catastrophic drivers, whirring/noise,...), I decided to buy an external one after looking around for a while.
The Omni from Creative is really excellent. Absolutely high-quality sound output (I use a Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro). The functionality is great and there are also various options for players.
The workmanship is also impressive. It is plastic, but nothing creaks and it is absolutely stable. The rotary knob is also solid and can be turned comfortably.Contra
- Microphone incompatible with Windows 10 (sporadic failures or does not work at all)
Due to a new graphics card, I had to change out of p...
Due to a new graphics card and lack of space, I had to switch to an external sound card, in my case the Omni.
The card comes in a compact box containing the sound card, a USB connection cable (a little short at about 1m), a cinch jack adapter and a somewhat cheap remote control with a few non-functional buttons. However, mute, volume and player controls work perfectly.
The card is about the size of three iPhone 5s placed on top of each other, so it might be a bit too big for mobile use. However, there is nothing wrong with the workmanship.
Although the sound card has dedicated connections for speakers and headsets, there is unfortunately no option to switch between the two. As soon as a headset is plugged in, the output always goes through it until you unplug it again. I would deduct half a star for this shortcoming.
The built-in microphones seem fine. However, I haven't tested them in games yet.
The software/drivers are a huge improvement over the old drivers on my Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro and offer a variety of features, such as the SBX Pro Studio sourround emulation.
However, the old CMSS-3D seemed a little more precise, with SBX celebrating a little more of a mid-range feel.
For players, there is also the scout mode, which emphasises the sounds of the opponents in the game and allows you to better hear the potential sneaking up of the opponent.
It should also be mentioned that, unlike many other Creative products, the Omni does not have DTS Connect, but only Dolby Digital Live.
The sound of the card is flawless, even if it is a bit colder than the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro. And despite a somewhat lower signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB, I can't detect any noise at all. An external sound card is also less susceptible to EM interference than an internal one.The microphone fails about every 10 minutes, after which the amplifier has to be unplugged and plugged in again for it to work again. There are also many on the net with the same problem.
Microphone failures under Windows 10
I would buy again in a heartbeat.
Together with the Logitech Z906 system, a brilliant duo.
Cheap sound card
Very good in combination with the Logitech Z906 Surround System. Inexpensive USB sound card. The software is a little old-fashioned, but provides good setting options.
Pro
- Two built-in microphones
- Stylish, yet simple design
- Adapter for cinch connection included
Contra
- Plastic looks a little cheap
Works
Close the gap between my microsoft surface book 2 and my logitech 5.1 surround system.
6 out of 39 reviews
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