Creative Sound Blaster X5

[Fergutor]

What other bit depths and frequencies this supports? (especially 16/44.1 or 16/88.2 I wan't to know as lately they left that out...)

 

[GRaFkiyv]

CS43198 ? €310? This is a joke ?

 

[Zibri]

$300 and no 5+1 analog output? The sum of the components inside this does not even add up to a fourth of that price...

 

[erocker]

This product only seems to apply to the PC enthusiast with zero knowledge on sound hardware. It would maybe make some sense to me if it had surround output. But, it's just a cheap DAC way overpriced.

 

[mab1376]

Am I missing something? They say this unit "offers impressive headphone driving power" with 109mW into 33 ohms (balanced output); meanwhile, the unit direct compared (A90D) can do 6700mW into 32 ohms or 2000mW from a single-ended source.

"Sound Blaster X5 is able to effortlessly drive just about any pair of headphones you could possibly own, even the higher-end hi-fi ones, including those with planar magnetic drivers."

My HE-500 needs at least 1000mW from experience and the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[Skylinestar]

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..

Creative X4

 

[Initialised]

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..

An AV Receiver, you'll be able to pick up something on the used market that does what you need, is fully functional but lacks some newish feature set like Atmos or HDMI 2.1 support that's fully capable of driving 5-12 speakers at 120W per channel for half the asking price of this. I'd only consider an external sound card over a decent AVR if my workstation was extremely space limited.

 

[regs]

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.

You don't get it. It 's a Creative work - retro sound card.

 

[Scrizz]

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.

I'm still rocking my Titanium HD

 

[TheDeeGee]

I'm still rocking my Titanium HD

I had the Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro before upgrading to the ZxR.

 

[regs]

I have some Sound Blaster ISA card and X-Fi XtremeMusic PCI card. But now integrated Realtek ALC1220-VB is pretty much sufficient.

 

[firejohn]

When i want to have my headphones play the full range of requency, have i to look for „frequency response“? Why isn‘t this shown at the most products? At GSX 1000 i know 0 or 1,5 Hz to 48 kHz.

 

[Scrizz]

I had the Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro before upgrading to the ZxR.

The Titanium HD is more like the ZxR than any other X-Fi product(the specs, socketed op-amps, etc).
I didn't have a need for the built in headphone amplifier; I mainly use speakers. Therefore, I decided to stay on the HD.

 

[Fergutor]

@Inle
So...does it support 44.1/16 and/or 88.2/16 ?

 

[jaszy]

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.

I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would need over 300mW at lower settings.

X5 seems to be able to do unbalanced 300ohm at 5VRMS 83mw..(5W USB spec) should be loud enough no?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another thing.. Most 2.0 ports are 2.5w with gen 1 3.0 ports being 4.5W.. Considering this is a 5W device.. is there any documentation that tells you to use a 3.2 gen 2x2 Type A port? @ OP

Seems like thats a big oversight.

The quick start guide says DC adapter min 5v1A.

I'm personally not sure if this DAC is worth its asking price, but it should be solid at or around the $200 mark.

The DSP effects aren't even native to chip without downloading the audio driver according to creative documentation.. Was hoping acoustic engine would replace the native onboard S-XFI that other products have. Creative stuff after SC3D has been mostly SW sided with drivers.

It's sorta the reason they licensed off their "suite" for use with Realtek HW like 5-10 years back.

My 2c.

 

[trsttte]

I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would need over 300mW at lower settings.

Planar magnetic headphones need well above that

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Planar magnetic headphones need well above that

This. What sort of shit headphones are people using around here?

 

[trsttte]

This. What sort of shit headphones are people using around here?

There there now, not everyone has 500$ to give for a pair of cans. Loads of great stuff much cheaper that doesn't use planar magnetics

 

[jaszy]

Planar magnetic headphones need well above that

That would be something that arbitrarily changes the dynamic range per design and more relevant at high SPL. I wouldn't say need. Helps? Sure.

Not all Planar designs are going to react the same either. If you're getting into Planars, chances are you're also aware of many options that work well with "X" headphone.

Example.. Topping DX3 PRO+ is a solid $200 AIO option with 15W brick.

Anyway.. I already mentioned it, but this is a 5W USB design that will cover the higher OHM range fine for a large majority of options.

The typical 32 Ohm dynamic headphone with an average sensitivity wont get anywhere close to being underpowered unless you're aiming for a ridiculously high dB SPL (130+)

 

[trsttte]

That would be something that arbitrarily changes the dynamic range per design and more relevant at high SPL. I wouldn't say need. Helps? Sure.

Not all Planar designs are going to react the same either. If you're getting into Planars, chances are you're also aware of many options that work well with "X" headphone.

Example.. Topping DX3 PRO+ is a solid $200 AIO option with 15W brick.

Anyway.. I already mentioned it, but this is a 5W USB design that will cover the higher OHM range fine for a large majority of options.

The typical 32 Ohm dynamic headphone with an average sensitivity wont get anywhere close to being underpowered unless you're aiming for a ridiculously high dB SPL (130+)

Yes, even weird 600ohm low sensitivity cans like the DT880 are fine with that. But if you're advertising something as "high end can drive anything", which they are, and at this price range I think it's fair to expect them to go at step more solidly into planar territory which this doesn't seem to do.

This external sound card works with a wide range of headphones, with the capability to drive studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including the most demanding high-end, open-back planar-magnetic headphones, as well as sensitive IEMs, with an ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance.

from creative's product page

 

[jaszy]

Yes, even weird 600ohm low sensitivity cans like the DT880 are fine with that. But if you're advertising something as "high end can drive anything", which they are, and at this price range I think it's fair to expect them to go at step more solidly into planar territory which this doesn't seem to do.


from creative's product page

I agree on that, but I think the creative spec is misleading. Prob capable of 5W max output unless HP ohm detection artificially limits power.

I guess we someone to actually test measurements. 5W based on 32 ohms should be able to push 781mW per channel.

 

[Haloharry]

Looks like ill be sticking with my X7 for another few more years.
it almost 9 years old, still going strong.

 

[Inle]

@Inle
So...does it support 44.1/16 and/or 88.2/16 ?

Yeah. Here's the complete list:

 

[Fergutor]

Yeah. Here's the complete list:

View attachment 283891

Great, thanks.

 

[jaszy]

I agree on that, but I think the creative spec is misleading. Prob capable of 5W max output unless HP ohm detection artificially limits power.

I guess we someone to actually test measurements. 5W based on 32 ohms should be able to push 781mW per channel.

I also just realized that Creative didn't indicate power output with both low/high gain (Product has a physical switch).. Chances are, there is no problem, even for demanding low ohm Planar magnetics.

They're clearly targeting the high end PC community, but theres no definitive specs. (Creative website and marketing material for reviews give two sets of numbers.)

Nor is there indication of proper USB source given USB2.0 (2.5w), USB3.0 (4.5w) and USB3.2 gen2x2/USB brick (5W) are all different limitations for port power

Marketing for this product is horrendous..