Creative Labs Sound Blaster X3 7.1 channels USB by Creative

Raising the bar for your desktop movie experience, X3 comes packed full of features that promises the best cinematic experience at home, regardless of your preference for speakers or headphones. It is the world's first external multi-channel USB DAC and Amp to feature our award-winning Super X-Fi technology, as well as 7.1 discrete surround on speakers, 7.1 virtual surround on headphones, and Dolby Digital Live1. Coupled with high-quality audio components that power hi-res 32-bit / 192 kHz playback at 115 dB DNR / SNR, you can be sure that audio is delivered with studio-level precision and clarity.
And when it comes to versatility, the X3 is unmatched. Featuring a myriad of connectivity options including a USB-C port, Optical-out, and Line-in that makes it compatible with most audio devices, X3 is set to redefine your movie experience at the comfort of your home.

SUPER X-FI

What's Super X-Fi?
Introducing the world's first external USB DAC and Amp sound card to house the Super X-Fi technology, Sound Blaster X3 redefines your movie experience on PC, Mac and even PlayStation 4.
Critically-acclaimed by respected journalists all over the world and garnering 23 CES “Best-of” awards in 2019 and 2020, the Super X-Fi technology captures the listening experience of a high-end multi-speaker system set up, and recreates the same expansive experience — with the same original depth, detail, realism, and immersiveness — in your headphones. Not simply a 3D surround technology, the power of Super X-Fi lies in its capability to recreate natural, realistic audio holography that matches your hearing profile, to deliver to you a full theatrical experience.

Redefine Your Movie Experience
Imagine watching a film at home, putting on a pair of headphones, and feeling the audio move around you like the movie experience you get out of a real cinema. What's more, it works even on streamed content! Whether you're streaming the latest 4K movie off iTunes, or watching compressed clips off YouTube, the Super X-Fi processor in the X3 automatically transform videos into full-fledged, cinematic audio experience.

Concerts and Music Festivals
We can't physically bring you back to that last concert you've attended, but we can definitely help you relive the ambience and energy of that performance! When switched on, Super X-Fi brings you to the heart of a live concert with the same expanded soundstage as if you were there in person. Hear the crowd, feel the passion of your favorite band, and get absolutely pumped for the next concert.

Great for Others
Headphone fatigue? Thing of the past. With Super X-Fi, the expansive audio allows for extended sessions of podcast enjoyment without being too heavy on your ears.
For the casual gamer, Super X-Fi transforms all your headphone gaming content into a full-blown, immersive cinematic audio experience, especially suitable for role-playing games. Be transported into the thick of the action, and hear every gunfire and explosion all around you.

GEN2 IS HERE!
Super X-Fi Gen2 is a result of our continuous research effort. With our improved AI engine and tweaks along the way, you can expect Super X-Fi Gen2 to work better across a broader range of content, especially for movies and games.

Specifically, there are 4 main areas of improvements:

IMPROVED SURROUND SOUND CONFIGURATION
Hear more details in your surround sound configuration and enjoy more precise audio cue positioning when watching movies or playing games

CLEARER DIALOGUES IN MOVIES
With Super X-Fi Gen2, dialogues are clearer than ever so you can pay full attention to what's happening on the screen

STUDIO-LIKE MUSIC LISTENING EXPERIENCE
Enhanced audio fidelity in Gen2 coupled with the Super X-Fi holographic audio effect gives you a listening experience as though you're at the recording studio

MORE EFFICIENT POWER CONSUMPTION
Improved AI engine also brings about more efficient power usage. This translates to approximately 10% lower battery consumption for SXFI AIR and SXFI AMP!
Gen2 is available for all SXFI customers! Once your setup is done, your device will automatically upgrade to the latest firmware version available. Check if your device has the latest firmware here.
Setting up Super X-Fi profile is easy! Simply follow the steps below and be well on your way to Super X-Fi audio holography!

MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND
7.1 Virtual Surround
If you prefer the usual 7.1 virtual surround without headphone holography, X3 also supports up to 7.1 virtual surround for headphones.

7.1 Discrete Surround
That's not all — Sound Blaster X3 works beyond just headphones. With support for multi-channel audio output of up to 7.1 discrete surround in speakers for sound delivery that's distinctly positioned for that spatialized effect, you can instantly transform your room into a cinema theater — perfect for when you have friends over, or to impress that special someone during movie nights.
For Window users, there's also Dolby Digital Live for convenience of encoding any audio sources to multi-channel surround sound in real-time, all while transmitting data using only a single optical cable solution for decoding on a home theater system.

Customize Your EQ Modes
Right out of the box, there are three specially-tuned EQ modes that are designed to enhance audio for different usages. Simply press the “Mode” button on X3 to cycle through the different modes — Music, Movies, and Footsteps Enhancer.
These EQ modes are also customizable so you can further tweak them to your liking, and save your preferred settings to each mode via the Sound Blaster Command software or mobile app.

The Perfect Chat and Game Mix
Find the perfect harmony between two audio sources with X3's Audio Balance feature — perfect for use during conference calls while listening to music or podcasts at the same time. X3's Volume Control Knob allows you to toggle your audio control between the SPDIF interface and speaker sources simply by turning the knob left to right, and vice versa.
You can also control the volume mix between your gaming audio and voice audio of your teammates to hear them better.

CONNECTIVITY
The X3 is highly versatile and compatible with many devices! Featuring a myriad of connectivity options, X3 is specially designed to be used with many platforms — you'll be spoilt for choice.Hover over the devices to see how to connect it with the X3.

AUDIO
Powerful Audio Performance
The Sound Blaster X3 features a 600Ω headphone amplifier that's capable of driving studio-grade headphones with ease. Coupled with 32-bit / 192 kHz playback, enjoy detailed audio with clarity and accuracy. Thanks to the extra power from the amp, you'll get a load more volume!

AUDIO PROCESSING
Industry-Leading Audio Processing
To further boost your audio experience with the X3, we've also included our industry-leading audio processing technologies — featuring Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine's full suite of audio enhancements and delivered through the redesigned Sound Blaster Command software.
Streamlined and optimized, it's now easier than ever to customize your audio quickly for your specific needs. When it comes to changing audio settings between movies, music, or even games, you can save and switch to your different profiles with just a simple click. The best part of the software? You can control every bit of it.

Mobile Remote Control
For more convenience, you can also manage Sound Blaster X3 from your mobile devices using wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) via the Sound Blaster Command app. Without the hassle of switching between PC and console, you can customize and save EQ settings, switch between EQ and SXFI, or switch between Headphone and Speaker output — all the necessary controls on your mobile phone.