Bluegears b-Enspirer

Introduction:

   When onboard sound options first starting populating motherboards, the quality of sound was less than what anyone really wanted coming from their machine. This was especially true with audiophiles and gamers alike. Audiophiles needed and expected a much better audio quality to preserve the experience and emotion of their projects. Gamers expected a more realistic experience no matter the game genre, not to mention, hoping for that slight edge over their opponents lesser system.

As onboard sound chips have gained many improvements, they rarely have been able to keep up or match the sound quality or  software programs in the market. With the exception of a few motherboard models, the sound quality has been mediocre at best. Some of the problems associated with onboard sound chips have ranged from poor quality to all out operating system errors and just not working.

Most every enthusiast will testify that buying an after market audio card is the best option when you really want a better quality of sound from your system. The truth is we all perceive sensations differently from our auditory and physical senses, one influencing the other. This brings us to a small test provided by Bluegears who was great enough to send us their latest audio sound card called the b-Enspirer.

• DTS® Interactive - a real-time 5.1 channel encoder that takes 2 or more channels and encodes them into a DTS bit stream

• DTS® NeoPC - an up-mix matrix that turns any 2 channel audio into 7.1 channel surround sound

• Dolby® Digital Live(AC-3) real time 5.1 channel encoding bit-stream to facilitate the connection with CE AV receiver

• Dolby® Pro-Logic IIx surround processor, spreading stereo audio into 7.1 channel surround sound

• Renowned Dolby® Headphone technology, conveying 5.1 surround and 3D gaming audio over stereo headphones

• The latest Dolby® Virtual Speaker solution, creating amazing virtual surround sound from a generic two-speaker configuration

• C-Media FlexBass™ - configurable LFE channel crossover frequency(from 50 to 250Hz)

• C-Media Magic Voice™, a popular feature for disguising voice in online chatting

• C-Media Xear3D™ 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter technology

• C-Media's unique Karaoke functions: Microphone Echo, Key-shifting

• Individual 10-band EQ for each channel

• 27 global reverberation environments

• Play 3D demo program

• Supports most industrial standards of 3D sound for PC gaming, including EAX™ 1.0&2.0, A3D™ 1.0 and DirectSound™

• Supports 7.1 CH digital audio playback for WinXP, 2K, ME, 98SE(Microsoft® DirectX V.9.0 and above is required.)

Impressions:
 

Front	Back
Specifications	Theater & Sound Formats

   Bluegears has mainly produced some great computer modification products which we were able to test in recent months. The package gave a pretty nice first impression with some nice graphics. First impressions are always a strong factor when someone is considering a product. So, before you begin thinking this is just another empty box, let's get on with the specifications and features.

The Oxygen Processor has had some success in the past on other sound solutions. This is the first Oxygen sound card on this test bench in quite some time as Creative had taken the market over in greater numbers thanks to its Audigy series. Comparing this card and its latest enhancements to that of the Audigy indicates that the X-Fi may have a powerful alternative to contend with.

The b-Enspirer is Bluegears' very first sound card to the market intended to be an alternative to other makers such as Creative. The features this sound card boasts are actually more than expected and is more up to date than many other sound card options. Thanks to the Oxygen HD CMI 8788 sound processor, the features and expectations continue to grow.

Open Box

CD Drivers & Manuals

TOSS Link Fiber Optic

The first thing you notice on the front of the box, especially if you love quality sound, is the several patented stamps on the front of the box declaring its Dolby Digital, DTS, Xear 3D, 24/192Khz, and ASIO support. The words "Theater Quality" suggest there is something more to this card's abilities other than the standard MP3 capable sound card. Theater Quality suggests the ability to properly decode and produce a better than average sound through more than just a simple pair of computer or component speakers.

Plugs and Ports	Red PCB	Top View
Back	Serial & Revision Stickers	Aux & CD In

The card supports any and everything from 2 channels up to 8 channels of quality sound whether it be a desktop PC or an HTPC connected to your favorite theater configuration. The sound card fully supports the very latest Dolby and DTS formats which ensures the latest DVD and music titles will perform to expectations.

Built on to the card are the internal connections for any ROM drives and any Auxiliary In sources. If you need to connect your ROM drive and don't have the flat 4-pin audio cable, then you will need to pick one up as the sound card doesn't come with one. The cable is usually found at a local computer store for about $1.50. Typically you would find a cable included with retail sound cards and ROM drives. OEM sound cards and ROM drives often do not include extra cabling or parts. It's possible you may see this small cable in future retail Enspirers.