If it wasn't clear by now, the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 offers a ton of useful features. That leaves us with one important question—how does this thing actually sound? Creative has entrusted the job of converting digital signals to analog to the AKM AK4377 DAC, which can work with up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM audio files. Dolby Digital decoding is also supported provided an optical input is used. The maximum supported audio file resolution on the optical interface is 24-bit/48 kHz, signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio is 125 dB, and total harmonic distortion (THD) is 0.0005%. The Sound Blaster GC7 uses the Maxim MAX97220A headphone amplifier, which has two gain settings, Low and High. Creative doesn't reveal the exact specifications of the amplifier or the exact power output at any gain setting, but a quick Google search does give us slightly more insight into its capabilities.

Let's not get discouraged by the lack of technical specifications, though. I've gathered some of my headphones, speakers, and DAC/amps and thoroughly tested the Sound Blaster GC7 in all scenarios you might want to use it for: games, music, movies, podcasts, and everything in between. Here's a list of the gear I used in my tests and comparisons.

Headphones and Gaming Headsets

Sennheiser HD 660 S
Philips Fidelio X2
Oppo PM-3
Sony WH-1000XM2
Shure SRH840
Drop + Sennheiser PC38X Gaming Headset
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Cooler Master MH630

Speakers

Adam A7X
Edifier S2000 Pro

DAC/amps and sound cards

Audiolab M-DAC
Astell&Kern Acro L1000
iFi Audio Zen DAC
FiiO E10K
Creative Sound BlasterX G6
Creative Sound Blaster X3
EVGA NU Audio Pro
Integrated sound card (Asus ROG SupremeFX S1220)

After over 100 hours of using the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 and comparing it to the various other DAC/amps and sound cards from my collection listed above, I can only conclude that it sounds great, far better than you'd expect after a cursory glance at the plastic exterior of the device, or the colorful, almost cartoonish buttons.

Despite the unknown power output of the headphone amplifier at either gain level, my testing has shown that it has sufficient supply of power to meet the requirements of all analog headsets on the market, but also a number of more serious hi-fi headphones. Combined with such headphones as the Philips Fidelio X2, Sennheiser HD 660 S, Oppo PM-3, and Shure SRH840, the Sound Blaster GC7 delivers an energetic and clean sound with great dynamics, fast and meaty bass, plenty of detail in the middle and higher frequencies, but also a wide volume range. The lively tonality of the GC7 is virtually identical to that of Creative's other recent successful sound cards, such as the Sound Blaster X3 (reviewed here) or the Sound BlasterX G6. Some standalone DAC/headphone amps, such as the iFi Audio Zen DAC, deliver an even snappier sound with more attack and bite, but it's relatively pointless to compare them to the Sound Blaster GC7 as they don't offer any additional features, or even a microphone input, compared to a full-fledged sound card.


With none of my headphones did I ever have to turn the volume knob on the Sound Blaster GC7 past the three-quarter mark to get the loudness I'd be completely satisfied with, and that's with the amplifier gain set to Low, which means there's some additional wiggle room for more demanding headphones with the gain set to High. On more efficient headphones, such as the Shure SRH840 studio monitors or most analog gaming headsets on the market, you'll rarely feel the need to go past 50% volume, as the sound becomes painfully loud past that point.

Overall, I wouldn't have any issues using the Sound Blaster GC7 as my daily driver and powering all of my headphones and headsets with it. The only thing I find missing is a "Direct" feature, a button that would instantly turn off any signal processing and offer a quick way to get the purest sound possible without having to manually check if the DSP effects have been turned off, and whether the equalizer is flat. Creative created this sound card for users who are unlikely to care about the absence of such a feature, but why not simply add it for those who do?

Super X-Fi and Super X-Fi Battle Mode

One of the more pronounced features of the Sound Blaster GC7 is the Super X-Fi technology. In essence, it's a combination of hardware, the built-in Super X-Fi ULTRA DSP, and software, the head/ear mapping mobile app, working together to create the listening experience of a multi-speaker system. To experience it to the fullest, you need a Super X-Fi-capable sound card, such as the Sound Blaster GC7, and a pair of officially supported headphones.

To use it, you have to create a custom SXFI profile, which is done by scanning your face and ears in the SXFI App. After uploading your personal profile to the Sound Blaster GC7, which is done via Bluetooth, all you have to do is set the headphones to 7.1 Surround in the Playback section of the Creative App, and press the SXFI button on the sound card or within the Creative App. There's regular Super X-Fi and Super X-Fi Battle mode.

Let me start by saying that if you're not at all into virtual surround, Super X-Fi probably won't change your mind and turn you into a believer. However, as far as virtual surround sound technologies go, Super X-Fi is one of the better ones on the market. It dramatically widens the soundstage without destroying the bass in the process or making everything sound extremely artificial. Depending on the content, some artificiality and reverb can be heard, especially in the vocal range. Despite that, I at times really thought I was hearing sounds which originated outside of my head rather than a pair of speaker drivers close to my ears. I can't say Super X-Fi helped me pinpoint my targets in multiplayer shooters with extreme accuracy—that's where Battle Mode kicks in—but it did create some interesting experiences. When Super X-Fi is paired with a game that has a high-quality multi-channel sound engine, such as Battlefield V, the results are great. The roar of tanks, screaming of planes, relentless gunfire, massive explosions—the whole chaos of the battlefield comes to life and hits you from all sides with an impressive effect of sound traveling "around the head." Multi-channel movies also sound great, but I've regularly resorted to traditional stereo mode for my music-listening sessions. I also preferred using stereo in games with a more basic sound engine.

Super X-Fi Battle mode is just as interesting. It's there to help you win your multiplayer first-person shooter matches, as it helps in the early detection of in-game targets. Unlike "ordinary" SXFI, the emphasis is not so much on the surround sound experience, but the best-possible assessment of the position and distance from which the sound is coming from. "Ordinary" SXFI therefore focuses more on improving the atmosphere and immersing you into whatever you're playing, while SXFI Battle Mode tends to give a competitive edge over opponents in multiplayer shooters. It is especially suitable when playing alone because you then will not be confused by the amplified sounds coming from other members of your team.

For users who don't like Super X-Fi for some reason, the Sound Blaster GC7 also offers classic 7.1 virtual surround, which in direct comparison sounds noticeably more artificial and "flatter." If you don't use SXFI, you can activate so-called Scout Mode, a mode that wants to achieve the same thing as SXFI Battle Mode in a more primitive way. Scout Mode simply amplifies quiet ambient sounds for an easier time of hearing something you might otherwise miss. You'll also hear everything earlier than you normally would, which regularly made me paranoid. While SXFI Battle Mode at times struck me as borderline cheating, I found Scout Mode distracting more than helpful.