Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350
Bottom line: The Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350 ($78.02 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Quad-core Sound Core3D processor offloads audio from your CPU during gameplay; main trade-off: PCIe card only, so no use in laptops or small-form-factor builds without a slot.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Quad-core Sound Core3D processor offloads audio from your CPU during gameplay
- ✓ Headphone amp drives high-impedance cans up to 600 ohms without a separate DAC
- ✓ Dolby Digital Live encodes any stereo or 5.1 source to surround over one digital cable
- ✓ THX TruStudio Pro adds directional cues for locating footsteps and gunfire
Cons
- ✗ PCIe card only, so no use in laptops or small-form-factor builds without a slot
- ✗ Creative drivers for this 2011-era SB1350 lag behind current Windows releases
- ✗ CrystalVoice and THX effects are processed presets some listeners find colored
- ✗ Surround output requires a receiver or speakers that accept the digital stream
Manufacturer description
Product DescriptionUpgrade to mind-blowing PC gaming audio with the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIE sound card powered by the revolutionary Sound Core3D quad-core Sound and Voice processor. Whether you’re on a headset or desktop speakers you’ll have a distinct tactical advantage over the competition with massively powerful THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies that deliver incredibly immersive surround sound with pin-point accurate audio placement. Lead your fellow warriors on the battlefield with CrystalVoice Voice and Clarity technologies that ensure even in the heat of battle your voice will be…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350 using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the sound cards category. Creative's sound cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for sound cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- Quad-core Sound Core3D Audio Processor
- THX TruStudio Pro sound technologies
- Dolby Digital Live for compelling 5.1 surround sound from any source
- Dedicated high quality headphone amp; supports headphones and headsets with up to 600 ohms impedance
- Calibrate and customize every aspect of the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIE audio and voice settings to really get into your game
- Connects to your home theatre system through a single digital cable and enjoy cinematic DVD movies by transforming any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams into high fidelity immersive surround sound
Full Specifications
| Brand | Creative |
|---|---|
| Platform | Windows 7 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Model Number | SB1350 |
| Mfr Part Number | SB1350 |
| Audio Output Mode | Dolby Digital, Stereo, Surround Sound |
| Hardware Platform | Personal Computer |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer, Amplifier, Speaker, Headphone, Laptop, Gaming Console, Smartphone, Tablet |
| Hardware Interface | PCI Express x1 |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 96 KHz |
| Hardware Connectivity | PCI Express x1 |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 105 db |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00054651176430 |
| Surround Sound Channel Configuration | 5 1 |
Ready to buy?
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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