Looks like the 7.1 is fake effects, can it at least do real 5.1? It says 'virtual 7.1' in all descriptions.

You can't, if you didn't notice, it doesn't support surround at all, it's right in the spec list.

Hi — I’m always interested in soundcards. Like displays, I just want to know I’m getting as much clean “sonic juice” into my brain as possible as the years take their toll. I’m not entirely sure what to take away from this review, though. It doesn’t really tell me whether the AE‑X is a good product or who it’s actually for. Most of what I’m getting is: there’s a driver to install, here’s what it looks like, and here’s what’s in the box. There’s a lot of emphasis on the SPDIF input. When you mention not needing to switch headphones between console and PC — does that mean the PC has to be powered on just to pass audio through? That seems like a fairly big waste of energy. Is this more something a streamer would use alongside a capture card? How are you testing the sound? (Also, you might want to clarify that you’re using the headphones in wired mode when you mention they’re wireless.) You mention the lack of EMI shielding — how much real‑world difference does that make compared with typical motherboard audio? On multi‑channel: what exactly isn’t supported? Does this mean Windows spatial audio (Dolby Atmos for Headphones, DTS Headphone:X, etc.) won’t work, or just that the card itself doesn’t decode surround formats? And are there any true multi‑driver “surround” headphones left that would even use that? You also highlight support for high‑impedance headphones — but what does that translate to in practice? How does it compare to driving the same headphones from a normal device, and does it make any difference for everyday, lower‑impedance models? In short, who is this card actually targeted at?

Yes, THIS is wordart, not the styling that can now be done. Wordart was all about those curvy words, that you could change the path of, like making words go around a circle. I don't think it can be done now, right?