Sound Blaster X3
Hi-Res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card with Super X-Fi® for PC and Mac
VIDEO
Features
Overview
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.
1Dolby Digital Live is only available on Windows.
VIEW FULL SPECIFICATIONS 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.
Step 1
Download SXFI App on your mobile device and register for a Super X-Fi account.
(This is different from your Creative Store account).
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Step 2
Create your Super X-Fi profile via the SXFI App, select ‘Personalize' via the menu tab, and follow the guided Head and Ear-Mapping process.
Step 4
Load your Super X-Fi profile onto Sound Blaster X3 by logging onto your account (as registered in Step 1) on Sound Blaster Command software via the SXFI tab.
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.
1Dolby Digital Live is only available on Windows.
Controls
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.
| Mode 1 — Music | Get instant bass enhancement to your current tune. | |
| Mode 2 — Movies | Hear the characters dialogues clearly without compromising the background effects. | |
| Mode 3 — Footsteps Enhancer | Bring your team to victory with that footsteps enhancer that allows you hear beyond what you see. |
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.
Analog Speaker System
Mobile device / Audio player
AV Receiver
PC / Mac / PS4 / Switch
1. Analog Speaker System
2. Mobile device / Audio player
3. AV Receiver
4. PC / Mac / PS4 / Switch
Audio
Powerful Audio Performance
The Sound Blaster X3 features a 600Ω 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.
DOWNLOAD THE SOUND BLASTER COMMAND SOFTWARE
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.
Windows Desktop / Laptop
Mac OS
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
*Via Sound Blaster Command app for Android and iOS devices.
REVIEWS
Windows Central
Sound pumped through the Sound Blaster X3 is greatly enhanced, especially with Hi-Res compared to merely using a motherboard line out port. It's also effortless to switch between EQ modes, toggling SXFI, and there's plenty of options in the Sound Blaster Command software. The X3 sounds great and will be a welcomed upgrade for those on basic or integrated solutions.
4/5 Stars
HotHardware
Creative gave the Sound Blaster X3 capabilities to do more than just PC audio, too. Along with Mac compatibility, the Sound Blaster X3 can work with the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in docked mode. These consoles detect the Sound Blaster X3 as a discrete USB headset, and feed it audio as one. This lets you use any analog headset you want with your console.
Hexus.net
Creative has sought to extend the usefulness of its USB DAC products by releasing a model equipped with its unique in-house SXFI technology. The Sound Blaster X3, priced at £110, offers a really nice, accurate direct sound when connected to high-quality headphones or speakers.
A Closer Look
Specifications
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Weight
- 330g
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Dimensions
- 129 mm x 129 mm x 40.6 mm
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Dynamic Range (DNR)
- 115 dB
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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
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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
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Connectivity Options (Main)
- 1 x ⅛″ Line-in Jack, 1 x ⅛″ Front-out, 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x ⅛″ Rear Out, 1 x ⅛″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x 1/8″ Headphone / Headset Jack, 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Mic-in Jack, 1 x ⅛″ Side Out Jack, 1 x USB Type-C port for PC / Mac
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Headphone Amp
- Supported Headphone Impedance: 32Ω - 600Ω, Low Gain: 32 - 149Ω (1.2V RMS @ 32Ω, 1.5V RMS @ 150Ω), High Gain: 150 - 600Ω (2.3V RMS @ 150Ω, 2.9V RMS @ 600Ω)
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Supported Operating Systems
- Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 7
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DAC
- Dynamic Range (Stereo): 115 dB, THD+N (Stereo): 0.0004%
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ADC
- Dynamic Range: 104 dB, THD+N: 0.0017%
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Power
- USB Bus Powered, USB-C
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Recommended Usage
- Home Entertainment
System Requirements
- Intel® Core™i3 or AMD® equivalent processor
- Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
- Microsoft® Windows 10 32 / 64-bit, Windows 8.1 / 8.0 32 / 64-bit, Windows 7 32 / 64-bit
- 1 GB RAM
- > 600 MB of free hard disk space
- USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
- Mac OS X® 10.12 or higher
- 1 GB RAM
- USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
- Firmware Ver 5.0 or later
- Available USB port
- Switch OS 5.0 or later
- Available USB port (in docking mode)
- External USB Power (not included)
- Voice communications is title dependent
- Android OS Ver 7.0 or later
- Device must have built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support
- iOS Ver 11.0 or later
- Device must have built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support
^ Use as a remote controller for Sound Blaster X3 on PS4 / Nintendo Switch only, does not support Bluetooth audio streaming
Package Contents
- Sound Blaster X3
- USB Type-A to Type-C Cable
- Quick Start Guide and Leaflets
- Warranty Leaflets
Warranty
1-year Limited Hardware Warranty
California Residents
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
To meet the requirements of Proposition 65, it is our responsibility to notify consumers in the State of California that they can be exposed to chemicals that are known to cause cancer and/or reproductive toxicity. It does not mean that the product is in violation of any product-safety standards or requirements.
Featured Questions
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What is Audio Balance?
Audio Balance allows user to control and attenuate the output volume of 2 separate playback endpoints by turning the volume knob in a clockwise/anti-clockwise direction. The 2 playback endpoints on Sound Blaster X3 are Speakers and SPDIF Out respectively. Applying this concept, user can launch 2 different software with one output/playback its audio to “Speakers” and the other playback its audio to “SPDIF Out”.
User can apply such configuration in various scenarios such as listening to music while chatting with friends on a VoIP software, you will want to listen to the music and reduce the chat volume when the conversation is not of interest to you; or watching a movie while listening to a podcast; or when playing a FPS game with team mates when the game audio over-powers your team mates' chat volume, you will want to reduce the game audio so that you can hear your team mates' chat clearer, or vise-versa.
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Why does the Super X-Fi feature automatically switches off when I turn on EQ?
Super X-Fi is an audio technology that naturally recreates the sound stage of a high-end, multi speaker system. So, users can enjoy the maximum capability of Super X-Fi.
When Super X-Fi is turned on, the EQ modes will be switched off. Similarly, when the EQ mode is switched on, Super X-Fi will be switched off.
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