Creative Sound Blaster X3 Hi-Res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card

OVERVIEW

Raising the bar for your desktop movie experience, X3 comes packed full of functions 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 provide 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. Providing 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.

1Dolby Digital Live is only available on Windows.

What's Super X-Fi?

Introducing the world's first external USB DAC and Amp sound card to support the Super X-Fi technology, Sound Blaster X3 improves your movie experience on PC, Mac and even PlayStation 4.

Critically-acclaimed by respected journalists all over the world and garnering 15 CES “Best-of” awards in 2019, the Super X-Fi technology delivers 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 offer to you a full theatrical experience.

MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND

7.1 Virtual Surround

If you prefer the usual 7.1 virtual surround without headphone holography, X3 also empowers 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 Live1 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.

1Dolby Digital Live is only available on Windows.

CONTROLS: Customize Your EQ Modes

Right out of the box, there are three specially-tuned EQ modes that are designed to improve 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 function — 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! Providing a myriad of connectivity options, X3 is specially designed to be used with many platforms — you'll be spoilt for choice.

AUDIO: Powerful Audio Performance

The Sound Blaster X3 offers 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 improve 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 provided through the redesigned Sound Blaster Command software.

Streamlined and optimized, it's now easier than ever to customize your audio quickly for your personal 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.

COMPATIBILITY: Platform Compatibility

We have also summarized the functions of X3 and their offer compatibility across platforms in this table.