Creative Sound Blaster X5 Review: Best Value USB Headphones Speaker Amp

9.6K

Creative Technology has been designing discreet audio interfaces for computers since 1989, and there is simply no doubt about their influence in the digital audio world. I produced most of my music on my home studio PC using Sound Blaster sound cards since 1990s, and currently still using the E-MU 1820M on my desktop PC (bought in 2004).

For years, Creative have positioned their sound cards and DACs on gamers, like the Sound BlasterX G-series DAC amps. Their premium AE-series PCIe sound cards still lack the audio versatility to replace my aged E-MU audio system (like MIDI, XLR, four analog input/output channels). The flagship Sound Blaster X7 comes with surround outputs and power passive speaker amp which I have no use for.

I enjoy using the Creative Sound Blaster K3+, a USB-powered recording mixer interface with Cirrus Logic CS4245 DAC and supports two XLR inputs with 48V Phantom power, one guitar input, two headphone outputs, both digital USB and analog RCA audio. Marketed as a product for live streamers, it was my life-saver during the pandemic as it easily connects to my restrictive office laptop and achieves multiple input-output hardware audio mix recording without the need to install proprietary software or drivers. It can even connect to a smartphone to let you do recording mix on-the-go. I didn’t do a review on this product, but it has been officially discontinued.

When I heard that Creative launched the Sound Blaster X5, I immediately requested for a review unit. The X5 was launched only in Japan in mid-December 2022 and was very well-received. It was launched globally in end-January 2023, and retails in Singapore for S$369.

For the first time, Creative X5 comes with a fully-balanced headphone bi-amp and finally dedicates a product for serious audio headphone owners. If you have been on the lookout for a multi-purpose headphone amplifier, you will find that a product like the Sound Blaster X5 is hard to find at this price point. Let me list down all the possible inputs and outputs available.

Inputs

• RCA analog Line-In for devices with line-out, e.g. turntable, BluRay/DVD/VCD/CD players
• TOSLINK Optical-In sources, e.g. TV, DAC
• 3.5mm headset mic port
• 3.5mm analog microphone
• Bluetooth 5.0 receiver (SBC audio codec)
• USB microphone via USB-A host, e.g. Creative Live! Mic M3
• USB-C ASIO 2.2 playback

Outputs

• 4.4mm balanced headphone
• 3.5mm unbalanced headphone/headset
• RCA analog Line-out for speakers, amplifiers
• TOSLINK Optical-out devices, e.g. speakers, AV receiver
• USB-C ASIO 2.2 recording
• USB-A host audio output, e.g. USB speakers, USB headphones, Bluetooth transmitter like BT-W3

To put it simply, you can use the Sound Blaster X5 for analog in/out, digital USB in/out, optical in/out, Bluetooth in/out, mic-in and balanced headphone out, basically all available types of connectivity for audio lovers. You can play all the input sources simultaneously (in “DSP” mode) and record all inputs (“What U Hear” source) or one of them. And you can operate the X5 settings entirely from the Creative App PC software. It even has a USB-A audio host port, which aims to expand the versatility of the X5 by enabling other low-powered USB peripherals (up to 100mA).

Here are more specs that will impress a discerning audiophile.

Audiophile-Grade Specs

• 2x Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC driven by Xamp Headphone Bi-amplifier
• DAC: 130 dB Dynamic Range (DNR), -115 dB (0.00018%) Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N)
• ADC: 114 dB DNR, -105 dB THD+N
• Support up to 32-bit 384 kHz PCM playback
• Decode up to DoP128, DSD256 audio formats
• ASIO 2.2 playback and recording over USB and SPDIF
• Unbalanced headphone up to 4.15 Vrms (29 mW) @ 600Ω
• Balanced headphone up to 8.28 Vrms (114 mW) @ 600Ω

The convenient thing about the X5 is that it is powered by USB, so you simply plug it to any audio source without a separate power source. The USB connector doubles as power and data, so yes, you can connect the Sound Blaster X5 to a smartphone and enjoy improved audio quality.

Creative App: Full Controls

The Creative App offers you full control on the Sound Blaster X5. Upon startup, it takes several seconds for the software to communicate to the X5 hardware and sync-up all the available functions and settings. All the buttons on the X5 trigger a setting or mode which you can also modify from the software, including the volume level, and any changes on either device will be synced (though I found occasional lags). There are just 3 hardware controls: power, headphone gain, and PC/console switch. I really appreciate the hardware power button, so that I can switch off the X5 if I wanted to, instead of removing the USB port to cut the power.

The volume control is worth a mention, as it’s a hybrid controller. So for instance if the physical volume knob is at 9 o’clock which corresponds to -29dB and 16% level on the software, when you adjust the volume from the software, the 9 o’clock mark becomes the new value and the volume knob will re-calibrate the level. I definitely prefer this hybrid volume knob than an infinite knob.

As you can see below, you can adjust the playback and recording levels to four sources, and a master mix (“What U Hear”). On your digital audio workstation or recorder like Audacity, you can choose from one of the sources.

You can also adjust the numerous input sources from the native Windows Sound settings and properties.

I found that my X5 Line-In signal is not as loud after setting to 100%. I can get higher input level on the K3+ with the on-board knob to amplify the signal.

Direct vs. DSP Modes

The Sound Blaster X5 allows user to choose between “Direct” and “DSP” modes, a concept that will delight headphone purists. In Direct mode, the USB-C digital audio will stream to the headphone output directly without applying any audio effects like EQ or Creative Acoustic Engine. In “Direct” mode, all other inputs will not work, like Bluetooth audio, Line-In, microphone. This is because all these inputs require the DSP to process the audio. All the audio effects that you apply on the Creative App will also be disabled. Just remember that if you cannot hear any audio from other sources, just toggle the DIRECT/DSP button to check.

There are hardly any audible difference between Direct and DSP mode, but you will get a purer audio signal. I won’t discuss much about the numerous audio effects available on the X5, but I have covered them in many previous Creative products like the Sound Blaster X1.

Headphone vs. Speaker Output

This switch will let you output the audio to either the analog headphone output or the Line-Out. The X5 will automatically switch from headphone to speaker if the headphone ports are not connected.

Regardless of selecting Speaker or Headphone modes, the Optical-Out will be unaffected and always stream all audio signals unless you choose the option to only allow SPDIF passthrough under the Mixer-Device setting. And if you need more headphone port, you can actually connect another headphones to the USB-A audio port via a USB-to-audio adapter or your headphone with USB audio, like the Focal Bathys.

Microphone – Analog and USB

There are three ways to connect the microphone: the dedicated 3.5mm microphone port, the 3.5mm headphone/headset port, and the USB-A port. The microphone recording level for all these inputs are adjusted with the dedicated input knob and a mute button. When you turn the knob dial to the minimum, the mute button will light up. When the mic is muted and you turn the knob, it will unmute automatically. To adjust the mic monitoring level to your headphones or speaker, you need to adjust from the Creative App.

Remember to switch to “DSP” for the mic inputs to work. There is an option under the Mixer-Volume-Recording-Microphone option to select your preferred priority if you connect multiple mics. I’ve tested with the Creative Live! M3 USB mic and it works with the SBX5, including the headphone jack on the mic itself.

Bluetooth Receiver

It is very uncommon for an audio amplifier to support Bluetooth audio input. And it is because of the built-in Bluetooth radio that Creative has to encase the X5 in plastic instead of metal housing. Once you pair your smartphone or other audio player to the X5, you can stream audio to the X5 where it can output the smartphone audio to the speaker or the headphones. Although it only supports SBC codec, there is no audible compression artifacts. To pair the first time, press-hold the Bluetooth button. Once paired, you just turn on Bluetooth by pressing the button and it will light up and connect to your last paired device. The device name will also appear on the LCD display.

You can also transmit Bluetooth audio from the X5 to other Bluetooth headphones or speakers, but you need to get a Bluetooth USB dongle like the Creative BT-W3 or BT-W4. There is a very slight lag, naturally, since it’s via Bluetooth.

Audio Quality

The most important aspect of the Sound Blaster X5 must be the audio performance. With so much features packed in it and a technical spec that looks very promising, the X5 is exceedingly value for money. Contrast this with the Astell&Kern HC2 USB-C Dual DAC Dongle that uses the same CS43198 dual DAC but only comes with a single 4.4mm connection and retails at S$269.

So what is the characteristic sound of the Sound Blaster X5? I would say that it delivers clean, precise sound with impressions of emphasized airy treble staging while maintaining sonic integrity without sounding too pushy or harsh. In other words, the treble sounds a little more articulated, comfortably sparkling and not too fatiguing. It definitely sounds more refined, more open, treble is less brittle than the SXFI Amp.

When you plug a high-power headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800S and turn up the volume, the X5 will perform confidently without a hint of driver struggle. I also enjoy listening with the Hifiman HE400se planar headphones that while it is cheaper than the X5, translates the audio details very well.

Burson Playmate is a Class A headphone amp that supports opamp rolling (or swapping). Different opamps will deliver different sound character. It is powered by two pairs of opamps, and can cost more than S$500 with all the upgrades. It supports USB audio input, Optical In, Mic-in, RCA Line-Out and 6.35mm headphone out. When compared to the Sound Blaster X5, the Playmate using V6 Classic + Vivid opamps combo sounds more laid back in the sound staging, generally more cohesive sound while keeping to good instrumental separation. With the ability to swap opamps, I will not compare too critically, but the Playmate remains an upgradeable headphone amps for demanding listeners.

With the Astell&Kern SP3000 review unit still under my possession, I ran a comparison. While the price tag is over 15 times higher, the SP3000 is obviously not 15 times better. It has a more cosy sound, the midrange has a little more warmth without loss of clarity, and the treble sounds less bright than the X5 yet I can hear more details due to the closer staging. The SP3000 sounds more engaging, the instruments are more expressive, more musical. The X5 delivers more clarity and simply put, more digital sounding.

After enjoying some of the best DACs, switching to the Sony ZX300 suddenly feels underwhelmed, but it’s because it lacks the power to drive the headphones. Still, the ZX300 delivers a better sub-bass response, stronger midrange and a blended treble sound compared to the X5. I can certainly appreciate the overall warm timbre of the ZX300.

In the audio world, the DAC-Amp and the headphones are integral to the listening experience, and one cannot be good without the other. The Sound Blaster X5 will bring out the treble details very well, with clean bass and disciplined midrange. Then again, you can easily apply equalizer with the Creative App software to spice up the music, and you can access three of your saved EQ presets from the X5 directly.

Verdict

The Creative Sound Blaster X5 is an extremely versatile USB amplifier with an overload of features and capabilities at an unbelievable price. It is my hi-res audio player, my work-from-home headset tele-conversation enhancer (CrystalVoice), a recording mixer, an occasional gaming audio booster (Scout Mode). I connect the Sound Blaster X5 to my Audio-Technica turntable (RCA Line-In), KEF LSX speakers (Optical-Out), my choice of balanced and single-ended headphones, my smartphone (Bluetooth receiver), and of course, my laptop via USB-C, which also acts as my audio output for my music collection.

I am always amazed at how Creative is able to pack so many functions in a product powered by USB without breaking the bank. There are some operation hiccups, for instance, sometimes the Bluetooth receiver or mic input did not play any audio unless I cycle through the DIRECT and DSP modes. Frankly, with the number of use cases possible on the X5, I am not surprised to find bugs which could potentially be addressed with firmware updates. Should I expect a more operationally perfect product but at a higher cost? My answer is that with this current product iteration, I am already getting more value than the price. The audio quality and the multiple input-output options more than make up for the occasional hiccups.

If you don’t need so many features and just need a portable headphone amp, there are certainly many options out there below S$400. If you want an all-in-one amp with many of the connectivity capabilities found in the Sound Blaster X5, buy it! It is by far the best-sounding, most versatile, USB audio interface and balanced headphone amplifier at S$369. Find out more at https://sg.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-x5