Audio - Sound Blaster Cinema 2

MSI offers a Realtek ALC 1150 based multi-channel audio solution on this motherboard, it further enhances on that IC with improved component selection and a nifty software suite from Creative Labs. With Audio Boost 2 MSI offers higher quality audio quality with the use of Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 so you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music through 8-channel HD Audio. Audio Boost 2 acts like a dedicated sound card by physically isolating the audio circuitry. Built-in dual headphone amplifier will get quality audio towards your headphone, studio level sound quality up to 600 Ohm is mentioned here. MSI adds Nichicon Japanese capacitors, specially designed for audio purposes.

Sound Blaster Cinema 2

The motherboard also comes with a Sounds Blaster Cinema solution. Make no mistake though, the audio is arranged by a Realtek HD audio chip (RT ALC1150). On top of that you will install a software layer which opens up some really sweet options. 
 

When using Sound Blaster Cinema, gamers will be able to hear their opponents more clearly and easily while enjoying the competitive advantage of accurate positional audio to reveal the precise location of their opponents. This is a much welcomed addition opposed to the rather generic Realtek HD software Sound blaster Advanced sound blaster calibration. The “settings” tab houses all the options to set up your speakers/headphones and features a visually pleasing speaker calibration section too. 

Armed with the technology of the biggest name in PC gaming audio, gamers can leverage Sound Blaster Cinema to get the best sound enhancements for today's games powered by Sound Blaster SBX Pro Studio technology. Each of the five technologies of SBX Pro Studio is focused on delivering a more immersive gaming experience:

• SBX Bass - SBX Bass technology dramatically improves the sound experience by expanding the low frequency tones
• SBX Crystalizer - Ensures that every audio detail is heard by restoring the "highs" and "lows" that are compromised with audio compression
• SBX Dialog Plus - SBX Dialog Plus intelligently enhances voices in games and moves for dramatically clearer dialog
• SBX Surround - Goes beyond 7.1 surround sound creating unprecedented levels of audio realism including stunning surround effects that produce virtual speakers around, above and below you
• SBX Smart Volume - Address the problem of abrupt volume level changes in games by intelligently applying gain and attenuation to deliver consistent volume levels

So in a nutshell, audio is based on a 100+ dBA SNR DAC, an external headphone amp circuit, ground-layer isolation, audio-grade capacitors, and EMI shielding. It is pretty nice to see where MSI is moving with this, and obviously it is so much better opposed to say two years ago, where you would get an audio codec and that was it.