All stock codes associated to this product
70SB159000001, 90050349, 054651185609
Creative Sound Blaster E5 USB DAC w. Portable Headphone Amp
High Resolution USB DAC &Portable Headphone Amp
The Sound Blaster E5 is a 24-bit/192kHz high resolution USB DAC and portable headphone amplifier. Built with precision audiophile components, a best-in-class 600 ohm headphone amplifier and aptX technology for Bluetooth, the Sound Blaster E5 is the perfect audio component for music lovers, whether they are on the move or beside their PC/Mac.
FEATURES
Compact External USB DAC for PC / MAC
The Sound Blaster E5 is the result of Sound Blaster's relentless audio innovation since the PC era, backed by decades of legendary audio engineering expertise. With a proven track record of providing high-fidelity PC audio for discerning ears, the E5 now brings a high-resolution audio experience for your use with laptops, smart phones and tablets.
Designed For The Audiophile In You
The Sound Blaster E5 is designed from the ground up, to reproduce high-fidelity audio with minimum distortion and noise. It is built on the flagship Cirrus Logic CS4398 Digital-Analogue Converter (DAC), with an impressively high 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that supports sample rates of up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
High-Resolution Audio Playback
Sound Blaster E5 is able to decode audio files ranging from MP3s and CDs (16-bit/44kHz) to high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz files, be it from your PC / Mac or other smart devices.
16bit / 44.1kHz, known as the audio CD standard, was selected as the best compromise between quality and file-size, while adequately covering hearing range of human ears. However, as seen in the diagram shown above, it is unable to adequately replicate the original recording during playback.
16-Bit / 44.1 kHz
24-Bit / 192 kHz
Digital audio media that is above 16-bit/44.1kHz is classified as High-Resolution Audio. The most significant improvement comes from the increase in bit depth, which better replicates the original analog recording during playback. 24-bit offer 256 times the resolution of 16-bit CD, which means it is possible to hear more details, and with much better clarity.
HIGH GAIN - 120O - 600O (GAIN: UP TO 15 dB)
Powers High-impedance Headphones, With A Dual Gain Switch.
A best-in-class Texas Instrument TI6120A2 headphone amplifier enables you to power any of the headphones available in the market, giving you clarity, details and a total harmonic distortion value plus noise (THD+N) of <0.005%.
The headphone amplifier utilises a current-on-demand design in the headphone output, which enables the amplifier to respond quickly without the risk of output distortion. When a large amount of power is suddenly needed, the amplifier can respond extremely quickly without raising the noise floor and thus degrades the signal-to-noise ratio.
Have a variety of normal and power-demanding headphones in your collection? The dual gain switch also allows you to match your headphones to the correct impedance from the Sound Blaster E5. This gives you flexibility in listening to music at the most optimal playback volume.
Hi-Fi Companion For Your Mobile Devices
You can play digital audio direct from your iOS or Android* device via the Sound Blaster E5 to your headphones. Digital audio signals are sent from the device directly to the Sound Blaster E5, which decodes them without any degradation in audio quality. What you get is audio playback at its highest fidelity.
Enhanced Audio Realism with SBX Pro Studio
Enjoy immersive audio realism, with SBX Pro Studio when you are watching movies or playing games.
SBX Pro Studio can be switched off, when listening to high-quality lossless audio, so that you may get to enjoy the songs unprocessed, in the way you desire.
Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth
The Sound Blaster E5 features Bluetooth 4.1 with NFC technology for one-touch, fuss-free Bluetooth pairing. A wide range of Bluetooth streaming codecs such as aptX Low Latency, AAC and SBC which enhances audio quality wirelessly, are also supported.
Very Low Output Impedance - 2.2 Ohm
Headphones, like consumer speakers, have defined classes allowing manufacturers of amplifiers, receivers, etc to design with those standards in mind. Generally different types of headphone fall between 16-32 ohm for consumer or home applications and 600 ohm for broadcast applications.
When designing the Sound Blaster E5, our engineers pushed boundaries by specially engineering the headphone amplifier circuit with a very low output impedance of 2.2 ohm. This allows the Sound Blaster E5 to accommodate both extreme ends of headphones in the market - from the most demanding high-impedance studio headphones to the most sensitive low-impedance in-ear monitors - while minimizing the introduction of distortion to audio content caused by variance in frequency response.
Dual Orientation Recording with CrystalVoice Technology
The Sound Blaster E5 records via built-in dual microphones with auto-orientation sensor that reacts to landscape or portrait orientation, allowing stereo recording to smartphones or tablets.
The Sound Blaster E5 also features CrystalVoice Technology, a suite of audio recording enhancements built into the digital signal processor (DSP) that reduces noise and provides for clear calls and voice recordings, be it from mobile phones or via Skype conferencing.
Communication profiles such as A2DP, HFP and AVRCP are supported for voice calls.
Dual Headphone Outputs
Dual headphone output lets you and your loved one enjoy your favourite tracks simultaneously!
Multiple Input Connectivity Options
Sound Blaster E5 sports a Cirrus Logic CS5361 114 dB, 192kHz stereo Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) that allows audio recordings of the highest fidelity to your device, be it PC, Mac or even smart devices.
In addition, Optical I/O supplements the Line I/O to offer unparalleled connectivity options from and to digital and analog sources, such as today's gaming console, high-definition media player and even modern TVs.
Jitter-free Audio Playback
The Sound Blaster E5 supports asynchronous mode which is superior to other USB data transfer modes. Data is 'pulled' from the computer under the control of the Sound Blaster E5, not 'pushed' to the DAC.
This allows the DAC to process the digital signal at its optimal timing, thereby ensuring the lowest possible output jitter and best possible sound quality with minimal distortion.
MFi-certified for Apple iOS
The Sound Blaster E5 is a MFi-approved product, designed to work seamlessly with iPod, iPhone, or iPad, and has been certified to meet Apple's performance standards.
Long Battery Life
The Sound Blaster E5 is equipped with a 3200mAh battery, which offers up to 8 hours1 of playback, even when using the Bluetooth connectivity option.
Sound Blaster E5 also allows Android users to charge their smart phones while on the go.
Actual battery life will vary with usage scenarios, settings and environmental conditions.
Sound Blaster E5 adopts the Sound Blaster E5 - Android Open Accessory Protocol ', openEffect: 'elastic', closeEffect: 'elastic', type: 'iframe', width: '500px', height: '430px' }); return false;" href="javascript:void(1);" target="_blank">Android Open Accessory Protocol, which allow users with compatible Android devices (from version 2.3.4 onward) seamless control.
Optimize Your Sound, with SB-AXX1 Multi-core Processor
Sound Blaster E5 is built to also entertain. Incorporated into Sound Blaster E5 is a SB-Axx1 multi-core processor, designed to improve audio experiences, such as increasing the depth and spatial width of the audio you hear, be it in movies or gaming.
The SB-Axx1 processor also saves all your audio EQ settings so that you can enjoy your personalised sound, whether the Sound Blaster E5 is connected to a computer, or as a stand-alone headphone amplifier.
Backed by multi-platform software for iOS &Android
Get extensive audio control right in the palm of your hand with the free Sound Blaster Central app for iOS and Android devices. Use it to wirelessly customize all your Sound Blaster audio E5 settings so you hear audio, just the way you want it.
Product Dimension
Specifications
- General
- Audio ProcessorSB-Axx1
- SBX Pro StudioYes
- Max. Playback QualityStereo Direct playback/recording sampling rates:
24-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz
DSP playback/recording sampling rates:
24-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Mic recording:
24-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Optical In:
24-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
- USB Audio Streaming from Mobile DevicesiOS Playback/recording:
24-bit / 44.1, 48 kHz
Android Playback:
16-bit / 44.1 kHz
- Max. Recording Quality24-bit / 96kHz
- OutputStereo
- Max. Headphone OutputHigh Gain - 120-600 (Gain: up to 15 dB)
Low Gain - 2.2-120 (Gain: up to 5 dB)
- Battery LifeUp to 8 hours
- Included AccessoriesMicroUSB cable
Desk Stand
Two Elastic Bands
Mini TOSLINK Cable
- Key Features
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)120dB (DAC)
- Connectivity Options (Main)microUSB
Line / Mic / Optical In:
1 x 3.5mm jack
Headphone Out :
2 x 3.5mm jacks
Line / Optical Out :
1 x 3.5mm jack
USB Host Streaming:
1 x Type-A USB Port
- CrystalVoiceYes
- Audio FidelityUp to 24-bit / 192kHz
- Audio CodecAAC
SBC
aptX Low Latency
- BluetoothBluetooth 4.1
- Bluetooth MultipointTwo Devices
- Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP (Wireless stereo Bluetooth)
AVRCP (Bluetooth remote control)
HFP (Handsfree Profile)
- Operating RangeUp to 10m/33ft
- Near Field Communication (NFC)Yes
- Software &Compatibility
- Included / Downloadable SoftwareSound Blaster E-series Control Panel
- Supported Operating SystemsMac OS X v10.6.8 and above
Windows 8.1
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Vista
- Supported Smart DevicesiOS:
iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for Bluetooth
iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for USB Host Audio streaming via Lightning Port
Android:
Phones/Tablets running Android 2.3 or higher for Bluetooth
Phones/Tablets running Android 4.1 or higher for USB Host Streaming*
*Devices must support AOA2 protocol for USB Host Streaming
- Compatible PlatformUSB 2.0
USB 3.0
Bluetooth
- Microphone
- Microphone TypeBuilt-in Mic with auto-orientation sensor (Landscape / Portrait modes)
- Additional Features
- Dimensions110 x 22 x 74 mm (4.3 x 0.9 x 2.9 inches)
- ASIOPlayback &Recording
- Mobile Applications
- App NameSound Blaster Central
- Supported PlatformsiOS, Android OS
- Recommended Usage
- Home EntertainmentYes
- Portable EntertainmentYes
