When paired with a compatible Cambridge SoundWorks or Creative Labs speaker system, the Extigy can render game soundtracks through a low-noise, six-channel digital connection. Like Creative Labs' other high-end offerings, the Extigy can also produce six channels of uncompressed digital audio through a proprietary digital-out jack. Back-panel connectors include six-channel analog outputs, a coaxial S/PDIF input, and discrete MIDI I/O jacks. Its front panel contains optical Toslink S/PDIF I/O connectors, master volume and microphone volume knobs, as well as analog line-in, microphone and headphone jacks. It lacks an IEEE 1394 interface (which would require too much bandwidth for a USB-attached device) but otherwise manages to match most of the connectivity offered by the company's top-of-the-line Audigy Platinum eX sound board. It can be mounted flat on the desktop or stood on end and hot-plugged into host devices through a USB 1.1 interface. The Extigy is packaged in a handsome black-and-silver chassis, measuring 1.5 by 7.6 by 8.0inches (HWD). Based on Creative Labs' acclaimed Audigy sound cards, this innovative product is an external outboard with a 5.1-channel audio module designed specifically for sealed systems, such as notebooks and game consoles.

That said, our first reaction to the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Extigy ($135 street) was to wonder why nobody else is selling a consumer-friendly external sound board for machines that lack expansion slots. Great ideas always seem obvious in hindsight.

Creative labs sound blaster extigy