Creative Sound Blaster X5

[Inle]

The Creative Sound Blaster X5 is, in many ways, the company's most ambitious external sound card to date. It's aimed at demanding audio enthusiasts who want excellent sound performance and rich software features in a single unit.

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[Jomale]

Mysteriously lacks Super X-Fi technology, Bluetooth tech from 2015 [no aptx or LDAC], no XLR-48V Mic Input : that is not enough for 310 Euro.
Do we have an alternative, EQ is a must for me? I have the asus essence stx, but there is no WIN11 support anymore.

 

[thewan]

This is really disappointing and misleading at the same time. Nowhere on the website product page, the spec sheet on the website or the manual says that it only supports SBC on its bluetooth. What's worse is this quote from their product page:

Go wireless with Sound Blaster X5? Not a problem. The USB DAC sports a Bluetooth receiver so you can stream high-quality audio from your mobile devices, Windows PC, or Mac to Sound Blaster X5 directly.
At the back of the Sound Blaster X5, there is a dedicated USB-A host audio port, for you to connect to a wireless audio transmitter such as the Creative BT-W4 or Creative BT-W3 - so you can play high-definition audio such as aptX Adaptive (BT-W4), aptX HD(BT-W3) wirelessly to your Bluetooth headset

The fact they use the sentence "stream high-quality audio" combined with a following sentence saying that high (definition) quality audio = aptx when using their usb bluetooth audio transmitters imply that their receiver supports aptx, because maths! High quality audio = High definition audio = aptx.
Since there is no other indication of what codec their bluetooth receiver supports, most people might believe the above actually.

The only way potential customers would find out that SBC is the only codec is by reading this review.

Also I have a feeling that the current hardware that Creative uses for processing Super X-Fi is limited to 192Khz, and in order for them to support 384Khz output requires a different solution that is not compatible with their Super X-Fi.

 

[Juventas]

I can't think of any other hardware company sticking to a brand for 34 years (the Sound Blaster 1.0 was 1989). "Pentium" was close at 29 years, but Intel killed the brand this year.

I was never a fan of Creative, but I admit that the Sound Blaster 16 was a big deal in the 90s.

 

[Jomale]

das 34 Jahre lang an einer Marke festgehalten hat

VW Golf: since 1974 /in cars we trust

 

[THU31]

I can't think of any other hardware company sticking to a brand for 34 years (the Sound Blaster 1.0 was 1989). "Pentium" was close at 29 years, but Intel killed the brand this year.

I was never a fan of Creative, but I admit that the Sound Blaster 16 was a big deal in the 90s.

I worshiped my Audigy 2 ZS until the day I stopped using Windows XP.

I also really liked the X-Fi HD USB sound card, but the drivers were bad and I was getting random clicks and pops on some configurations. The generic Microsoft drivers were fine.

I doubt I will ever go back to Creative, though. I think the company has lost its way a long time ago.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

VW Golf: since 1974 /in cars we trust

F-150 since 1975 and mustang since 1964.

 

[Xebec]

What is the alternative for someone who wants a high-ish quality external sound card like this, but also with the ability to output to 5.1 surround (via RCA/analog)?

I'd like to replace my older internal Soundblaster with something like this, but need the RCA jacks..

 

[Ravenmaster]

This seems kinda redundant since it doesn't even have an eARC socket so it won't power an atmos surround sound system or atmos soundbar. Most you'll get out of it is 5.1 channels through the SPDIF. No 5.1.2 for upfiring speakers or ceiling speakers. I'd be great for stereo audio but that's about all.

 

[maxli86]

Here in SG the Sound Blaster X5 is priced at SGD$369.
The main issue is not only the cheap build but at that price I can get a proper sound interface or mixer.
The only issue I had is since it is price so expensive, is it doesn't offer any XLR balanced or unbalanced output
which most sound interface at that price will offer.

Even though Sound Blaster products sound good but the driver are lackluster especially on Windows 10.
Who knows when the driver will start to bug out compare with Realtek audio codec which are more
stable on Win 10.

Creative have not developed any speaker in recent years, probably they should consider developing a speaker with build in DAC
than this. Shockingly they still mention the crappy Creative inspire speaker in the connection layout, either they don't have
plans for new speaker or they still think Inspire speakers are the best.

Creative inspire speakers feel like a cheap toy and there's a issue that the subwoofer will distort if you max out the bass knob.
What is lacking in current PC market is for someone to come out with a decent speaker that has build in DAC.
If Creative were to do a 2.1 speaker or any speaker with subwoofer, please don't cheap out on the subwoofer.

Reinforced the subwoofer so it can handle stronger bass output, if anyone open up a Creative inspire subwoofer like I did.
You be shock that despite the outside looks solid but the inside has a very thin plywood.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

What is the alternative for someone who wants a high-ish quality external sound card like this, but also with the ability to output to 5.1 surround (via RCA/analog)?

I'd like to replace my older internal Soundblaster with something like this, but need the RCA jacks..

You have optical or SPIDIF right? Buy a reciever problem solved.

This seems kinda redundant since it doesn't even have an eARC socket so it won't power an atmos surround sound system or atmos soundbar. Most you'll get out of it is 5.1 channels through the SPDIF. No 5.1.2 for upfiring speakers or ceiling speakers. I'd be great for stereo audio but that's about all.

This is an odd comment to make. If you have a true atmos system you already have a reciever to run the bloody mess. If it's a soundbar that sucker is going straight through it's own ports.

 

[Camm]

Mysteriously lacks Super X-Fi technology, Bluetooth tech from 2015 [no aptx or LDAC], no XLR-48V Mic Input : that is not enough for 310 Euro.
Do we have an alternative, EQ is a must for me? I have the asus essence stx, but there is no WIN11 support anymore.

The Creative Website wants you to buy their Bluetooth dongle & plug it into the USB port on the DAC (USB Host) port for Modern Bluetooth, its a bit weird.

Its also weird that it has no SuperXfi. Whilst I don't use it for music on my X4, I do use the Battlemode which is pretty good for gaming. If the X5 had SXfi, I would have upgraded my X4.

 

[Veseleil]

Dear Lord, they must have been sleeping for the last 10+ years, have mercy on them. $300, what a joke.

 

[Avet]

What a waste of resources... Audient iD14 MKII will run circles around this for $250. And it can drive SM7-B. If you want good audio go with entry-level professional audio interfaces.

 

[mechtech]

I miss my claro +

If only my mobo had a pci slot..............

 

[Xebec]

You have optical or SPIDIF right? Buy a reciever problem solved.

I do but I always avoided TOSLINK because it was fairly limited in bandwidth compared to analog.. at least on the previous sound blasters I've owned. Plus the DAC on these products are probably better than that of my Onkyo receivers.

In the case of X5 I can't tell if it supports the full 32-bit / 384 khz PCM over analog and optical or just one of the two..

I'm open to learning more on this though..

 

[..0]

creative trying to stay relevant and fails, for cheaper options just get a USB headphone, with mic if you need that. then you use the free EQ apo for proper equalisation or dsp.
if you want better then got straight to a normal integrated amplifier, those have dac, amp and volume control built in. you can add any type of speaker to that.

 

[Chomiq]

No XLR input?

 

[Jomale]

Audient iD14 MKII

looks decent, has someone test this on Android ? Are there other suggestions?

 

[TheDeeGee]

Still waiting for them to release a new internal soundcard.

I'm still using the Sound Blaster ZxR from 2013, which was their flagship at the time. While the AE-9 would be an upgrade it sadly comes with a ACM for the desk, which is something i don't want.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

I do but I always avoided TOSLINK because it was fairly limited in bandwidth compared to analog.. at least on the previous sound blasters I've owned. Plus the DAC on these products are probably better than that of my Onkyo receivers.

In the case of X5 I can't tell if it supports the full 32-bit / 384 khz PCM over analog and optical or just one of the two..

I'm open to learning more on this though..

TOSLINK is just going to be limited thats why we got USB, HDMI, and OPTICAL to work with. Any reciever halfway worth the cash should have all of these. Checks notes on mine has multiple of all.

This device though probably is not what you are looking for and really surround on PC never took off and should be left in it's grave. You're at a desk, you don't need it. You're probably going to be using headphones or stereo monitors. And anybody who gives two shits about audio for their TV is not using a damn PC for movies, games, or anything. It's just an odd whackball edge case. PC DACs aren't better. They are generally worse than a true audio product which is why real audio costs more.

I doubt the DAC is better from Creative. Sure, Creative is one of the few remaining companies that makes their own DACs and DSPs and that's one of the reasons they are still around despite their antics but they aren't better than say AKM, ESS, Cirus Logic, Ti, or any of the slew of the companies that shit out high end DACs that one can get in phone dongles of all things now. This is leaving out FPGA solutions or straight R2R ladder solutions, which tend to clobber straight DACs. Driverless audio DACs is the new thing.

Still waiting for them to release a new internal soundcard.

I'm still using the Sound Blaster ZxR from 2013, which was their flagship at the time. While the AE-9 would be an upgrade it sadly comes with a ACM for the desk, which is something i don't want.

Those are sort of dead. Tons of reasons (too large GPUs, Windows, PCI-E, and on and on) things are just external now and it's better for it. I do miss them, but that's dead.

 

[Xebec]

TOSLINK is just going to be limited thats why we got USB, HDMI, and OPTICAL to work with. Any reciever halfway worth the cash should have all of these. Checks notes on mine has multiple of all.

This device though probably is not what you are looking for and really surround on PC never took off and should be left in it's grave. You're at a desk, you don't need it. You're probably going to be using headphones or stereo monitors. And anybody who gives two shits about audio for their TV is not using a damn PC for movies, games, or anything. It's just an odd whackball edge case. PC DACs aren't better. They are generally worse than a true audio product which is why real audio costs more.

I doubt the DAC is better from Creative. Sure, Creative is one of the few remaining companies that makes their own DACs and DSPs and that's one of the reasons they are still around despite their antics but they aren't better than say AKM, ESS, Cirus Logic, Ti, or any of the slew of the companies that shit out high end DACs that one can get in phone dongles of all things now. This is leaving out FPGA solutions or straight R2R ladder solutions, which tend to clobber straight DACs. Driverless audio DACs is the new thing.

This PC is pretty multipurpose - and "is our TV" - so we do watch occasional movies on it. I also play a variety of games where the surround sound comes in quite helpful for figuring out where things are. I've never been particularly great at that with stereo speakers or even really good headphones, especially for 'above and below' data, which 5 channel seems to at least give me some chance of figuring out. (FWIW - The PC monitor is 38" 3840x1600 - so same viewing space for 2.35:1 movies that a ~ 50" 16:9 screen would provide).

I do have an older receiver at this point, so it's TOSLINK/Optical that may not support even full 24-bit/192 KHz, and no USB or HDMI. (I do have another receiver in the house that *might* have HDMI, I need to check.. )

I'm not necessarily looking for the highest end audio but I don't mind spending some money to get something pretty good. I'm sure some will laugh - but my headphone of choice is an old Sennheiser HD 600 for when I am unable to use the surround setup (occasional multiplayer gaming). I am casually looking at external stuff now as I may need to free up a slot in this PC for 10g Ethernet down the road.

That said I've been a Creative user since the late 80s, and there was quite a long time into the 2000s that other options had serious drawbacks. Mid-2000s I liked the benchmarks that showed creative labs cards reduced CPU usage by a few % during games which kinda kept me on that train a bit longer. I have a Z/Zx SB card now - and it's working well, but as usual with Creative, there is driver wonkiness in Windows 11 I've never been able to solve. There was also a long time that USB audio solutions had serious drawbacks (not to mention USB's massive overhead compared to PCI/PCI Express - at least relatively speaking, always put me off).

Re: DACs - that is interesting re: Creative and the other companies.

I do appreciate your perspective.

 

[THU31]

This device though probably is not what you are looking for and really surround on PC never took off and should be left in it's grave. You're at a desk, you don't need it. You're probably going to be using headphones or stereo monitors. And anybody who gives two shits about audio for their TV is not using a damn PC for movies, games, or anything. It's just an odd whackball edge case. PC DACs aren't better. They are generally worse than a true audio product which is why real audio costs more.

This may be true for the majority, but it is a generalization.

I've been using TVs as a monitor since 2008. Sitting on a couch, with a self-built table on wheels for my keyboard, mouse and other stuff. I've also been using A/V receivers since 2008.
Surround sound has always been fine on PC. But in the past you needed a sound card with analog outputs and speakers with equivalent inputs. Dolby Digital Live encoding was not common, and it degraded sound quality.
But these days you get PCM 7.1 audio over HDMI, which makes connecting a PC to your home theater very convenient.

I still use a DAC for headphones, though. Very happy with my FiiO.

 

[Veseleil]

looks decent, has someone test this on Android ? Are there other suggestions?

People have different hearing abilities, that's why it's difficult to recommend anything. Even from the pure technical approach, there's a lot to be desired in the perception sense. But it's a good start:
Julian Krause's audio interface review playlist

 

[kiakk]

Dear Lord, they must have been sleeping for the last 10+ years, have mercy on them. $300, what a joke.

300USD for a DAC and 300mW amplifier + software.... Creative is lost their market for years, and I do not see what is their plan... I whould buy a good internal/USB soundcard that better than on-board solutions, but they are selling them for a price of MOBO. fckN insane.