Creative Sound Blaster X3
Overview
Hi-Res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card with Super X-Fi for PC
and Mac
Raising the bar for your desktop movie experience, X3 comes packed full of
features that promises the best cinematic experience at home, regardless of your
preference for speakers or headphones. It is the world's first external
multi-channel USB DAC and Amp to feature our award-winning Super X-Fi
technology, as well as 7.1 discrete surround on speakers, 7.1 virtual surround
on headphones, and Dolby Digital Live1. Coupled with high-quality audio
components that power hi-res 32-bit / 192 kHz playback at 115 dB DNR / SNR, you
can be sure that audio is delivered with studio-level precision and clarity.
And when it comes to versatility, the X3 is unmatched. Featuring a myriad of
connectivity options including a USB-C port, Optical-out, and Line-in that makes
it compatible with most audio devices, X3 is set to redefine your movie
experience at the comfort of your home.
SUPER X-FI
What's Super X-Fi?
Introducing the world's first external USB DAC and Amp sound card to house
the Super X-Fi technology, Sound Blaster X3 redefines your movie experience on
PC, Mac and even PlayStation 4.
Critically-acclaimed by respected journalists all over the world and
garnering 15 CES Best-of awards in 2019, the Super X-Fi technology captures the
listening experience of a high-end multi-speaker system set up, and recreates
the same expansive experience with the same original depth, detail, realism, and
immersiveness in your headphones. Not simply a 3D surround technology, the power
of Super X-Fi lies in its capability to recreate natural, realistic audio
holography that matches your hearing profile, to deliver to you a full
theatrical experience.
Redefine Your Movie Experience
Imagine watching a film at home, putting on a pair of headphones, and feeling
the audio move around you like the movie experience you get out of a real
cinema. What's more, it works even on streamed content! Whether you're streaming
the latest 4K movie off iTunes, or watching compressed clips off YouTube, the
Super X-Fi processor in the X3 automatically transform videos into full-fledged,
cinematic audio experience.
Concerts and Music Festivals
We can't physically bring you back to that last concert you've attended, but
we can definitely help you relive the ambience and energy of that performance!
When switched on, Super X-Fi brings you to the heart of a live concert with the
same expanded soundstage as if you were there in person. Hear the crowd, feel
the passion of your favorite band, and get absolutely pumped for the next
concert.
Great for Others
Headphone fatigue? Thing of the past. With Super X-Fi, the expansive audio
allows for extended sessions of podcast enjoyment without being too heavy on
your ears.
For the casual gamer, Super X-Fi transforms all your headphone gaming content
into a full-blown, immersive cinematic audio experience, especially suitable for
role-playing games. Be transported into the thick of the action, and hear every
gunfire and explosion all around you.
MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND
7.1 Virtual Surround
If you prefer the usual 7.1 virtual surround without headphone holography, X3
also supports up to 7.1 virtual surround for headphones.
7.1 Discrete Surround
That's not all Sound Blaster X3 works beyond just headphones. With support
for multi-channel audio output of up to 7.1 discrete surround in speakers for
sound delivery that's distinctly positioned for that spatialized effect, you can
instantly transform your room into a cinema theater perfect for when you have
friends over, or to impress that special someone during movie
nights.
For Window users, there's also Dolby Digital Live1 for convenience of
encoding any audio sources to multi-channel surround sound in real-time, all
while transmitting data using only a single optical cable solution for decoding
on a home theater system.
Customize Your EQ Modes
Right out of the box, there are three specially-tuned EQ modes that are
designed to enhance audio for different usages. Simply press the Mode button on
X3 to cycle through the different modes Music, Movies, and Footsteps
Enhancer.
These EQ modes are also customizable so you can further tweak them to your
liking, and save your preferred settings to each mode via the Sound Blaster
Command software or mobile app.
The Perfect Chat and Game Mix
Find the perfect harmony between two audio sources with X3's Audio Balance
feature perfect for use during conference calls while listening to music or
podcasts at the same time. X3's Volume Control Knob allows you to toggle your
audio control between the SPDIF interface and speaker sources simply by turning
the knob left to right, and vice versa.
You can also control the volume mix between your gaming audio and voice audio
of your teammates to hear them better.
CONNECTIVITY
The X3 is highly versatile and compatible with many devices! Featuring a
myriad of connectivity options, X3 is specially designed to be used with many
platforms you'll be spoilt for choice.
Hover over the devices to see how to connect it with the X3.
AUDIO
Powerful Audio Performance
The Sound Blaster X3 features a 600 headphone amplifier that's capable of
driving studio-grade headphones with ease. Coupled with 32-bit / 192 kHz
playback, enjoy detailed audio with clarity and accuracy. Thanks to the extra
power from the amp, you'll get a load more volume!
AUDIO PROCESSING
Industry-Leading Audio Processing
To further boost your audio experience with the X3, we've also included our
industry-leading audio processing technologies featuring Sound Blaster Acoustic
Engine's full suite of audio enhancements and delivered through the redesigned
Sound Blaster Command software.
Streamlined and optimized, it's now easier than ever to customize your audio
quickly for your specific needs. When it comes to changing audio settings
between movies, music, or even games, you can save and switch to your different
profiles with just a simple click. The best part of the software? You can
control every bit of it.
Mobile Remote Control
For more convenience, you can also manage Sound Blaster X3 from your mobile
devices using wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) via the Sound Blaster Command
app. Without the hassle of switching between PC and console, you can customize
and save EQ settings, switch between EQ and SXFI, or switch between Headphone
and Speaker output all the necessary controls on your mobile
phone.
COMPATIBILITY
Platform Compatibility
We have also summarized the features of X3 and their feature compatibility
across platforms in this table.
Specifications
Weight
Dimensions
- 129 mm x 129 mm x 40.6 mm
Dynamic Range (DNR)
Direct Mode
- Surround 7.1: PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Surround 7.1: PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Surround 7.1: PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Dolby Digital Live: 16-bit, 48.0 kHz
- Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0
kHz
- Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0
kHz
Recording Resolution
- Mic-in: 16-bit /48,0, 96,0, 192,0 kHz
- Mic-in: 24 bit / 48,0, 96,0, 192,0 kHz
- What-U-Hear: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- What-U-Hear: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Line-in: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
- Line-in: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Connectivity Options (Main)
- 1 x Line-in Jack, 1 x Front-out, 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x Rear Out, 1
x Center / Sub Out, 1 x 1/8 Headphone / Headset Jack, 1 x 1/8 Ext. Mic-in
Jack, 1 x Side Out Jack, 1 x USB Type-C port for PC / Mac
Headphone Amp
- Supported Headphone Impedance: 32 - 600, Low Gain: 32 - 149 (1.2V RMS @
32, 1.5V RMS @ 150), High Gain: 150 - 600 (2.3V RMS @ 150, 2.9V RMS @
600)
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 7
DAC
- Dynamic Range (Stereo): 115 dB, THD+N (Stereo): 0.0004%
ADC
- Dynamic Range: 104 dB, THD+N: 0.0017%
Power
Recommended Usage
