Creative Announces Sound Blaster X3 with Super X-Fi; Upgrade Promotion for Existing Users

[Raevenlord]

Creative Technology today announced the release of Sound Blaster X3, its latest addition to the illustrious Sound Blaster line-up of sound cards which ignited the PC audio revolution 30 years ago. A high-resolution USB DAC with multi-channel audio playback, it combines Creative's multiple award-winning technological breakthroughs - the famed Sound Blaster digital processing technology and game-changing Super X-Fi headphone holography - for a compelling solution which audio enthusiasts simply cannot ignore.





Sound Blaster Enters New Dimension with Super X-Fi
Sound Blaster's audio revolution began with the creation of the first Sound Blaster 1.0 sound card in 1989, when it transformed PC audio forever. Since then, over 400 million Sound Blasters have been sold, with the brand etching several milestones in sound card development. Sound Blaster users have been fascinated over the past 30 years with innovation and technology benefits.

That ethos continues today with the latest Sound Blaster X3, with the new breakthrough being its Super X-Fi technology, a first for Sound Blasters. Super X-Fi recreates the soundstage of a surround speaker system in headphones, and personalizes it for a natural listening experience. Users will be able to experience this award-winning technology (15 best-of awards at CES 2019) through its headphone output, and enjoy audio like in a real cinema.

Sound Blaster Signature Like No Other
Sound Blaster X3 personifies the latest and best of Sound Blaster's renowned digital processing technologies, refined with 30 years of experience. It is a high-resolution, 7.1 multi-channel USB DAC, offering up to 32-bit / 192 kHz playback, and features a headphone amplifier capable of driving studio-grade headphones.

Users will be able to experience superior performance in depth, immersion, and ambient effects with improved, realistic surround coverage in their favorite movies in the comfort of home. Besides offering 7.1 discrete channel output, this external sound card also offers 7.1 virtualization on just 2 speakers. It also features Dolby Digital Live encoding for connecting optically to external receivers for multi-channel speakers.

Furthermore, users are able to take advantage of Sound Blaster's surround virtualization technology that can be fully customized towards their needs, as personalized EQ presets to enhance their audio experience. All in all, Sound Blaster X3 is an excellent audio accessory for the ultimate movie experience.

Sound Blaster X3 Hits the Sweet Spot in Functionality
With the new Audio Balance feature on Sound Blaster X3, the volume feed can be toggled between two audio sources with a simple turn of the knob. This is a nifty function for PC and Mac users who like to chat while watching movies or playing games, or prefer listening to their favorite songs while gaming.

Sound Blaster X3 shows its versatility further in terms of its connectivity, offering cross-platform compatibility for PC, Mac, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. It is supported by the new Sound Blaster Command software for desktops, and a corresponding mobile app to save console users the hassle of switching to desktops for control and customization.



Upgrade Promo for Sound Blaster Users
As a gesture of appreciation for their support over the last 30 years, Creative is offering an exclusive promotion to its fans - the opportunity to upgrade from their old sound cards with an attractive 15% discount off the latest Sound Blaster products. This promotion will be valid for all upcoming Sound Blaster products launched until the end of the year. For more information, visit creative.com/upgrade.

Pricing and Availability
Sound Blaster X3 is priced at $119.99 and is available on Creative.com.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[ZoneDymo]

yeah! move over X-Fi, this is SUPER X-Fi !

 

[Tartaros]

Huh. I still have an xfi express card and an usb xfi hd, will they give 30% for both?

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

yeah! move over X-Fi, this is SUPER X-Fi !

Xfi already means xtreme fidelity. So now it means super xtreme fidelity sound? That sure is alot of s7per in a word.

The look of this dac reminds me of element dac. I think creative should have just license their ip out to motherboard makers like realtek. I wish Creative is around longer they have been in the red for quite awhile. The super xfi is an attempt by Ceo founder to recover the falling business. It was from a local interview I read here.

 

[er557]

I think they do pretty well, have a good product portfolio , their website is sales oriented, I support them and really love their products. No issues whatsoever here with sb-Z pcie, with robust stable albeit old drivers, not a single glitch.

 

[robot zombie]

Nothing says "good sound" like a big fat knob plopped down on your desk.

 

[er557]

Still their products always had the wow factor, quite ahead of the competition. Btw, the software side of things has been quite clean and non intrusive for some time, plus any audiophile knows on-board sound is not enough.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I should dig up my dying or dead X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro and send it to them. Though 15% is hardly anything after tax. I'll be looking forward to seeing some reviews of this. Maybe @Frederik S and @Inle can ask for review samples?

(though I think Inle has been swamped with stuff for a looooooong time)

::EDIT::

Also take into account that Creative usually price their hardware on the extreme upper end of the scale compared to proper e-tailers such as Amazon and other such websites. so that's another reason why 15% seems a little shoddy celebrating a 30th anniversary should be big thing but no "we'll give you 15% off howbow dah?"

I mean VAT here in the UK is 20% (YMMV)

Currently Creative(UK) is retailing the AE-5 for £130 -15% = £110.50 (P&P is free)
Currently on Amazon(UK) AE-5 = £105 (also free shipping)

If they made 30th anniversary edition cards and paired them with 30th anniversary headphones or 30th anniversary bumper pack of accessories - Like really celebrate the f**k out of it for a slightly marked up price then hell yeah.

The only way i can describe this is when a family member promises you a gaming console for your birthday or christmas only for a single console game or controller pad for the promised game console to be inside the big box when you finish destroying the wrapping paper. Like. Bit**please....

 

[eidairaman1]

On a zxr, if and when i upgrade will keep this card

 

[timta2]

I should dig up my dying or dead X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro and send it to them. Though 15% is hardly anything after tax. I'll be looking forward to seeing some reviews of this. Maybe @Frederik S and @Inle can ask for review samples?

(though I think Inle has been swamped with stuff for a looooooong time)

This isn't a trade-in deal and you don't have to send them anything but your email address or proof of purchase.

"
All Upgraders must provide the following:

(A) Email address previously used to purchase any Sound Blaster Internal Sound Card, External Sound Card, DAC, or Amplifier through creative.com

OR

(B) A legitimate proof of purchase or document showing your Sound Blaster product purchase, for example:

• (i) Amazon.com Purchase: Order ID of past purchase
• (ii) Retail Purchase: Serial number of Sound Blaster product or receipt of purchase"

 

[ZoneDymo]

I think they do pretty well, have a good product portfolio , their website is sales oriented, I support them and really love their products. No issues whatsoever here with sb-Z pcie, with robust stable albeit old drivers, not a single glitch.

hmmm wish they would support their older products a bit better though, like the E-MU line.
There are drivers sure but its not fantastic imo.

 

[TheLostSwede]

hmmm wish they would support their older products a bit better though, like the E-MU line.
There are drivers sure but its not fantastic imo.

For whatever reason, Creative has always had mediocre drivers.
Their Windows 7 drivers for the old X-Fi Elite cards (I had the Pro version many years ago) were simply crap and afaik never made it beyond a beta release.
Amazingly it seems like there's a Windows 10 driver that should support it, but I gave it away a few years ago.

 

[rtwjunkie]

For whatever reason, Creative has always had mediocre drivers.
Their Windows 7 drivers for the old X-Fi Elite cards (I had the Pro version many years ago) were simply crap and afaik never made it beyond a beta release.
Amazingly it seems like there's a Windows 10 driver that should support it, but I gave it away a few years ago.

Their drivers really picked up phenomenally after that. They’ve become lighter and stayed current. Many cards have been supported right through W10.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

For whatever reason, Creative has always had mediocre drivers.
Their Windows 7 drivers for the old X-Fi Elite cards (I had the Pro version many years ago) were simply crap and afaik never made it beyond a beta release.
Amazingly it seems like there's a Windows 10 driver that should support it, but I gave it away a few years ago.

If you want to speak to someone.... <---- He is the dude who does all of Creatives drivers and hes been working on drivers for older XFi cards since W10 is so f**key with it.

 

[Camm]

I wonder if this means we'll see a new version of the X7.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I wonder if this means we'll see a new version of the X7.

And i wonder if the same people who put down £330-400 for an X7 are willing to put down another £300-400 for a newer X7

 

[bug]

$120 seems decent, considering I paid $199 for my Dragonfly Red (Dragonfly Black can be had $100). It's not easy to compare them against each other, but the price seems fair.

 

[Camm]

And i wonder if the same people who put down £330-400 for an X7 are willing to put down another £300-400 for a newer X7

Maybe, maybe not - although I reckon the X7 sold more poorly than it should have due to them fucking peoplea round with the limited edition version.

 

[svan71]

will a Windows update ruin it 6 months from now ?

 

[er557]

when that happened, it was with an outdated product and a very rare occurence, and yet was resolved soon after by MS and creative, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Antykain]

Still sportin a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro (good god mouthful) in one of my other rigs.. I did and still do love this audio card tho. And still sounds pretty @#$% good today, tbh. Also have a Creative SB Live! 5.1 and Audigy 2 ZS. Good times..

 

[robot zombie]

Still their products always had the wow factor, quite ahead of the competition. Btw, the software side of things has been quite clean and non intrusive for some time, plus any audiophile knows on-board sound is not enough.

Oh I'm not knocking it. A few years ago, when I needed a new passive preamp I stumbled upon one that was literally just a big, fat knob with some leads for a stereo RCA in and out. There was no real 'base' it... it was just all knob. I'm talkin meaty... like 2 or 3 inches wide and 3 or 4 tall. Thought about getting a couple of em but just as I did they vanished, so I got a Schiit SYS instead. So many terrible joke opportunities I will never have... and far fewer times when people will ask me about my knob :/

 

[Inle]

I should dig up my dying or dead X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro and send it to them. Though 15% is hardly anything after tax. I'll be looking forward to seeing some reviews of this. Maybe @Frederik S and @Inle can ask for review samples?

(though I think Inle has been swamped with stuff for a looooooong time)

You noticed, eh? It's been a... challenging period for me, with some health and personal issues stacking on top of each other, but I'm finally getting back on track! With that in mind, I'll see what can be done in terms of obtaining a sample. There are actually several new(ish) products from Creative I'd love to test and review!

 

[Sam85]

Did the sound blaster x3 support x box one x??

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Did the sound blaster x3 support x box one x??

no it didnt.