Creative Sound Blaster X3 Surround 7.1 USB

Weight: 330g

Dimensions: 129 mm x 129 mm x 40.6 mm

Dynamic Range (DNR): 115 dB

Max. Playback Quality

Sampling Rate (Playback) :
Direct Mode:
Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16/24/32-bit / 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 16/24-bit / 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Surround 7.1: PCM 16/24/32-bit / 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Dolby Digital Live: 16-bit, 48.0 kHz

Max. Recording Quality

Line-in: 16/24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Mic-in: 16/24-bit / 48.0, 96.0, 192,0 kHz
What-U-Hear: 16/24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz

Connectivity Options (Main)

1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x ⅛″ Rear Out, 1 x ⅛″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x 1/8″ Headphone / Headset Jack, 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Mic-in Jack, 1 x ⅛″ Front-out, 1 x ⅛″ Side Out Jack, 1 x USB Type-C port for PC / Mac, 1 x ⅛″ Line-in Jack

Headphone Amp

Supported Headphone Impedance: 32–600Ω, Low Gain: 32–149Ω (1.2V RMS @ 32Ω, 1.5V RMS @ 150Ω), High Gain: 150–600Ω (2.3V RMS @ 150Ω, 2.9V RMS @ 600Ω)

Audio Technologies: CrystalVoice

DAC: Dynamic Range (Stereo): 115 dB, THD+N (Stereo): 0.0004%

ADC: Dynamic Range: 104 dB, THD+N: 0.0017%

Power: USB Bus Powered, USB-C

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 Live. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.