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The SoundBlaster X4 measures 12.5x12.5x3cm with a big round volume control knob on the top that increases the height by close to another centimetre.
Also on the top are three indented touch buttons for Audio Balance, Direct Mode and Super X-Fi. The front has 3.5mm input for microphone and 3.5mm output for headphones. Both the left and right sides are clear. The back has four 3.5mm Line out sockets for front, side, rear and Q/Sub, there are also Line in, Optical Out and USB ‘C’. The base has four small round silicon feet to keep the unit stable should any of the cables start to pull.
Like so many things today everything is controlled from an App so the documentation consists of a double sided 12cm square card and a similar sized sheet with bar code links to the iOS and Android Apps.
While the SmartComms kit currently only works with Windows everything else is said to work on Windows, MAC, PS4, PS5 and Nintendo switch but my tests were all conducted on Windows.
This is a Hi-res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card with Super X-Fi and SmartComms Kit.
So the Multi-Channel support is Up to 7.1 discrete for multi-channel speakers or up to 7.1 virtual for headphones.
Surround is Super X-Fi Headphone Holography with Sound Blaster’s renowned Surround Virtualization and Dolby Digital Live.
The Comms Kit has Auto Mute and two way noise cancellation. CrystalVoice for clear recordings and in-game communications.
The Creative app works via USB on Windows and it also works on Android via Bluetooth.
The Headphone Amp supports impedance of 32-600Ω
With this unit your headphones can support everything that top of the range speakers can give with Super X-Fi Headphone Holography; this is explained in the link I give at the end.
Sound Blaster Surround Virtualization identify and enhance the spatial information that is input and work out the best way to output it for your chosen format.
Dolby Digital Live gives convenient encoding of any audio source to multi-channel surround sound in real time and output using only a single optical cable.
This unit is a real quality solution available at a far from high end price.
The SoundBlaster X4 is available both directly from the Creative web site and from Amazon, both for £134.99.
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