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| Specification | Sound Blaster X5 | Sound Blaster X4 | Sound Blaster G8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | ||||
| Recommended Usage | Movies and Music | Movies and Music | Gaming | |
| Platform | Platform | USB-C | USB 2.0, USB 3.0 | USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Power | USB-C | USB Bus Powered, USB-C | USB 2.0 / 3.0, USB Bus Powered | |
| Supported Operating Systems | Mac OS X v10.5 and above, Windows 10 Ver 1703, Windows 11 | Windows 10 Ver 1703, macOS 10.15 and above, Windows 11 | Windows 10, macOS 10.15 and above, Windows 11 | |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||||
| Dimensions | 216 × 170 × 72 mm | 130.5 × 130.5 × 40.6 mm | 125.7 × 90.7 × 52.4 mm | |
| Weight | 879g | 384g | Not specified | |
| Audio Performance | ||||
| Audio Technology | Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine | X-Fi, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Super X-Fi, GameVoice Mix | CrystalVoice, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, GameVoice Mix, Discrete Xamp Bi-amplifier, Dolby Audio | |
| Dynamic Range | 130dB | 114dB | DAC: 130dB, ADC: 114dB | |
| DAC | 2 × Cirrus Logic CS43198 high-resolution DAC, PCM 32-bit / 384kHz playback, DoP 64 / 128, DSD 64 / 128 / 256, THD: -115dB, DNR: 130dB | Dynamic Range: 114dB, THD+N: 0.001% | Dynamic Range: 130dB, THD+N: 0.00018% | |
| ADC | DNR: 114dB, THD+N: -105dB | Dynamic Range: 104dB, THD+N: 0.0017% | Dynamic Range: 114dB, THD+N: 0.00056% | |
| Max Channel Output | Stereo | 7.1 Channels | Stereo | |
| Playback & Recording | |||
| Max Playback Quality | Line Out / Headphone Out: Stereo, up to PCM 32-bit / 384kHz, DoP 128, DSD 256 Optical Out: Stereo, up to PCM 24-bit / 192kHz |
Direct Mode: up to PCM 24-bit / 192kHz Stereo: up to PCM 24-bit / 192kHz Surround 7.1: up to PCM 24-bit / 96kHz Dolby Digital Live: 16-bit / 48kHz |
Direct Mode Stereo: up to 32-bit / 384kHz Direct Mode 5.1 / 7.1: up to 32-bit / 96kHz DSP Mode Stereo: up to 32-bit / 384kHz DSP Mode 5.1 / 7.1: up to 32-bit / 96kHz |
| Recording Resolution | Mic-in: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz Optical In: PCM 24-bit / 96kHz Line-in: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz |
Mic-in, Optical In, Line-in: 16 / 24-bit, 48kHz / 96kHz | Mic-in, What-U-Hear, Line-in: up to 32-bit / 192kHz Optical In: up to 192kHz |
| Headphone Amplifier | |||
| Headphone Amp | 16–600Ω | 32–600Ω Low Gain: 32–149Ω High Gain: 150–600Ω Output Impedance: 10Ω |
Output Impedance: 1Ω |
| Headphone Output Power | Unbalanced: up to 4.15Vrms Balanced: up to 8.28Vrms |
Low Gain: 1.2Vrms @ 32Ω High Gain: 2.3Vrms @ 150Ω, 2.9Vrms @ 600Ω |
Not specified |
| Connectivity | |||
| Main Connectivity | TOSLINK Optical In / Out, RCA Line-in / Line-out, 3.5mm Headphones-out, 4.4mm Balanced Headphones-out, 3.5mm Mic-in, USB-C for PC / Mac / PS4 / PS5, USB-A Host Audio-out | TOSLINK Optical Out, Rear Out, Center / Sub Out, Headphone / Headset Jack, Ext. Mic-in, Front-out, Side Out, USB-C for PC / Mac, Optical / Line-in Combo Jack | TOSLINK Optical In / Out, 3.5mm Line-in / Line-out, 3.5mm Mic-in, USB-C USB-1 for PC / Mac / Consoles, USB-C USB-2 for consoles and mobile, 4-pole Headset Jack, HDMI ARC |
| Controls & Features | |||
| Controls | Remote Control via BLE on Android and iOS devices | Not specified | Master volume dial, GameVoice Mix dial, headphone gain switch, SBX button, Mode button, HP / SPK button, Opt-In / HDMI ARC mode switch |
| GameVoice Mix | Not specified | Supported | Supported on PS4 and PS5. PS5 requires optional HDMI to SPDIF converter. |
| System Requirements | |||
| Windows | Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent processor; Windows 11 / 10 32-bit or 64-bit Ver 1703 or later; more than 4GB RAM; more than 4GB free hard disk space; USB 2.0 / 3.0 port | Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent processor; Windows 11 / 10 32-bit or 64-bit Ver 1703 or higher; more than 4GB RAM; more than 4GB free hard disk space; USB 2.0 / 3.0 port | Intel i3 or AMD equivalent processor; Windows 11 / 10 32-bit or 64-bit Ver 21H1 or later; more than 4GB RAM; more than 4GB free hard disk space; USB-C port |
| Macintosh | Apple Silicon M-series processor; macOS 10.15 or later; more than 4GB RAM; more than 4GB free hard disk space; USB 2.0 / 3.0 port | Apple Silicon M-series processor; macOS 10.15 or higher; supports Intel-based and Apple CPU chipsets; more than 4GB RAM; USB 2.0 / 3.0 port | Apple Silicon M-series processor; macOS 10.15 or higher; more than 4GB RAM; more than 4GB free hard disk space; USB-C port |
| PS4 | Firmware Ver 5.0 or later, available USB port | Firmware Ver 5.0 or later, available USB port, optical-out port required for Audio Balance | Firmware Ver 5.0 or later, available USB-A port |
| PS5 | Firmware Ver 20.02-2.26.00.00-00.00.00.0.1 or later, available USB port | Firmware Ver 20.02-2.26.00.00-00.00.00.0.1 or later, available USB port. Audio Balance requires HDMI to Optical converter, not included. | Firmware Ver 20.02-2.26.00.00-00.00.00.0.1 or later, USB-C port, HDMI ARC port via TV |
| Xbox Series X/S | Not specified | Not specified | System OS 10.0.19041.5496 or later, HDMI ARC port via TV |
| Nintendo Switch | Not specified | Switch OS 5.0 or later, 3.5mm headphone port, USB port in docking mode, external USB power required, voice communication is title-dependent | Switch OS 5.0 or later, available USB-C port |
| Mobile / Remote Control | Android 8.0 or later, iOS 12.0 or later, built-in Bluetooth Low Energy support | Android 8.0 or later, iOS 12.0 or later, built-in Bluetooth Low Energy support. Used as remote controller only, does not support Bluetooth audio streaming. | Android 13.0 or later, iOS 15 or later, USB-C port, device must support audio output through USB-C |
| Package Contents | |||
| Box Contents | Sound Blaster X5 × 1, USB-C to USB-A Cable 1.5m × 1, Optical Cable 1.5m × 1, 3.5mm to RCA Stereo Cable 2m × 1, Quick Start Guide × 1, Warranty and Compliance Leaflet × 1 | Sound Blaster X4 × 1, USB-A to USB-C Cable 2m × 1, Optical Cable 1m × 1, SmartComms Kit Leaflet × 1, Quick Start Guide and Leaflets × 1, Warranty Leaflets × 1 | Sound Blaster G8 × 1, QSG / Warranty / Compliance Leaflet × 1, USB-C to USB-C Cable 1.5m × 2 |
| Warranty | |||
| Warranty | 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty | 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty | 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty |
The Creative Sound Blaster external audio series is designed for users who want to upgrade their audio experience for music, movies, gaming, voice chat, and desktop entertainment. Depending on the selected model, the series offers high-resolution audio playback, built-in DAC, headphone amplification, surround audio processing, voice enhancement, GameVoice Mix, and flexible connectivity for PC, Mac, gaming consoles, headphones, and speakers.
Sound Blaster X5 is suitable for users who want a premium external USB DAC and headphone amplifier for high-quality music, movies, and desktop listening. It features dual high-resolution DACs, balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs, wide headphone impedance support, and multiple input and output options for headphones, speakers, PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, and home audio setups.
Sound Blaster X4 is suitable for users who want a versatile external USB DAC and sound card for PC, Mac, gaming, movies, music, and communication. It supports up to 7.1 channel output, Super X-Fi, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, GameVoice Mix, and SmartComms Kit, making it a practical choice for both entertainment and online communication.
Sound Blaster G8 is suitable for gamers who want a powerful external gaming DAC and amplifier with flexible console and PC connectivity. It features dual USB-C inputs, GameVoice Mix, HDMI ARC, Dolby Audio, CrystalVoice, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, and discrete Xamp headphone bi-amplification for a stronger gaming audio experience.
Comes with 1-year limited hardware warranty.
