The drivers
The Revolution 7.1's drivers don't offer any particularly new and exciting functionality, but M-Audio has put together a quick and relatively small (~8MB) driver package that's quick to download and install. There's even a nifty little control panel:
To make things easier for users, M-Audio's drivers include QuickSwitch settings for different speaker configurations. It's nice to be able to fiddle with settings for a particular speaker configuration, but users will still have to rummage around behind the backs of their PCs in order to switch between speaker and headphone connections.
Given the fact that no one really offers a 7.1 PC speaker package, users will likely restrict themselves to the driver's 5.1 configuration settings.
Curiously, the Revolution 7.1's drivers default to disabling the card's support for Sensaura and 3D gaming audio standards. It's not a big deal to click the checkbox and enable 3D audio, but it seems odd that M-Audio would require user input to unlock the feature at all.
Bundling it up
Since the Revolution 7.1 is available only as a boxed retail product, it's worth checking the card's bundle for extra goodies. M-Audio claims that the Revolution 7.1 is bundled with "over $200" in software, although there are only four full-version retail titles included with the card. Full versions of MixMan Studio and VJ Lite should give audio enthusiasts something to play with, while WinDVD 4 (Dolby Digital EX compatible) and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 should keep everyone else entertained. Unlike the games included in Creative's Audigy2 bundle, which are specifically optimized for 3D audio, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 doesn't appear to offer much in the way of meaningful 3D audio support. The fact that M-Audio isn't pushing 3D audio in its bundle hints that perhaps the card won't be marketed on the strenght of its 3D audio capabilities.
Rounding out the Revolution 7.1's bundle are trial versions of Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live. There's also a sample CD featuring songs by a number of artists that M-Audio has worked with in the past, including Los Lobos, if that gets your foot tapping.
