Description
Sound Blaster X4—1 Device. 3 Surround Sound Technologies. 7 I/O Connectors.
Hi-res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card with Super X-Fi and SmartComms Kit
Your all-in-one audio upgrade starts here with Sound Blaster X4. In a quick overview fashion, let’s take a look at what the Sound Blaster X4 has to offer:
Multi-channel
Up to 7.1 discrete for multi-channel speakers, Up to 7.1 virtual for headphones
Surround and Gaming
[SURROUND] Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, Sound Blaster’s renowned Surround Virtualization, Dolby Digital Live; [GAMING] SXFI BATTLE Mode, Scout Mode
I/O connectors
Line-out and Line-in, Optical-out and Optical-in, USB-C for power and audio, Mic-in, Headset-in
Communication
SmartComms Kit with auto mute and two-way noise cancellation features, CrystalVoice for clear recordings and in-game communications
Controls
Volume control knob, Direct mic mute button, 3 EQ modes and Direct mode, Super X-Fi and SXFI BATTLE Mode on / off, Speakers (Line-out) and headphones switch, Audio Balance feature
Software (Creative app)
Full audio customization on Windows PC or Intel-based Mac system via USB, Quick EQ and audio tweaks on Android and iOS via Bluetooth
Audio Quality and Headphone Amplifier
114 dB, 24-bit / 192 kHz, supports headphone impedance of 32–600Ω
MULTI-CHANNEL SURROUND
#TeamSpeakers or #TeamHeadphones? Why not both? The Sound Blaster X4 supports up to 7.1 discrete and virtual audio channels, so you won’t have to compromise on the way you enjoy your audio. It is also capable of incredible sound performance—acoustics depth and detail—giving a new lease of life to your headphones and speakers.
Also, it offers not just one, but three different surround sound delivery options. Feel free to discover the unique characteristics of each surround option, try them out on different types of media content, and maybe—relive that favorite piece of yours in a whole new light.
Sound Blaster’s Surround Virtualization and Dolby Digital Live Encoding
We’ve been in this space for a long time—more than 30 years to boot. With our renowned Surround Virtualization technology, expect top-tier surround processing made possible through our highly optimized algorithms.
To put it simply, these algorithms intelligently identify and enhance the spatial information of the incoming audio, and optimize it for the chosen output format, drawing you to where the action is for a complete and immersive auditory experience.
For Windows users, the Sound Blaster X4 also features Dolby Digital Live for convenient encoding of any audio sources to multi-channel surround sound in real-time, all while transmitting data using only a single optical cable solution for decoding in a home theater system.
Super X-Fi Headphone Holography
More than just surround technology, Super X-Fi is our award-winning audio technology that captures the listening experience of a high-end multi-speaker system in a professional studio to recreates the same expansive experience in headphones. Without missing out on audio cues and immersive ambient effects, you’ll be able to hear the details effortlessly from your headphones—especially spoken dialogs in shows—with natural and lifelike soundstage that’s deeply immersive and highly realistic, akin to the movie theaters.
Once set up, simply toggle Super X-Fi on and off using the SXFI button located on the device itself.
Setting Up Super X-Fi Profile
Setting up your Super X-Fi profile is simpler than it looks! Follow these steps to create your profile and upload it onto your Sound Blaster X4:
1. Download the SXFI App on your mobile device and register for a Super X-Fi account, and create your Super X-Fi profile via the SXFI App. Select ‘Personalize’ via the menu tab, and follow the guided Head and Ear-Mapping process.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your mobile device, then, launch the SXFI App once more, and head to the ‘Manage My Devices’ tab. Select the discovered Sound Blaster X4 from the ‘Available Wireless SXFI Devices’ list. The LED ring of Volume Knob on the Sound Blaster X4 will blink in white.
3. Press and hold the Volume Knob to establish the connection. Once connected, your Super X-Fi profile will begin its upload onto the Sound Blaster X4 automatically.
And you are done. You can toggle the Super X-Fi effects on and off directly on the Sound Blaster X4, or control the feature from the Creative app.
Multi-channel Surround
Sound Blaster’s Surround Virtualization and DDL
Super X-Fi Headphone Holography
Setting up Super X-Fi profile
Gaming—Glory and Conquest
Hear where they are
Raise your KDR even further in FPS games with an unfair advantage over your opponents! The Sound Blaster X4 is equipped with both SXFI BATTLE Mode and Scout Mode, so you can choose* the best weapon for your victory.
*SXFI BATTLE Mode and Scout Mode utilize different processing technologies and cannot be used simultaneously.
SXFI BATTLE Mode
SXFI BATTLE Mode is the first and only sound mode that allows you to hear realistic audio cues that not only highlights the direction of bullets, but distance as well–so you can accurately pinpoint your enemies’ location to the millimeter.
Scout Mode
Scout Mode focuses on detection through enhanced audio cues, highlighting each and every in-game detail that could make or break the game. Whether it’s the sound of your enemies’ gun reload or the slightest sound of someone throwing a molotov, Scout Mode is sure to bring the cues right to your ears.
At Your Convenience
Communicate
Simplify how you communicate online with our SmartComms Kit, a suite of smart communication features designed for Windows 10 (ver 1703 and later) users. VoiceDetect automatically unmutes your mic when you start speaking, and mutes you when you stop. NoiseClean removes unwanted background noise from both ends of the conversation, and works best with static noises like vacuum cleaner, lawn mowers, and desktop fan.
Control
Pick between three EQ modes for movies, music, and footsteps enhancer, or customize them further and save those settings to your device. Easily access the Direct Mic Mute and Super X-Fi on / off buttons, as well as a speaker (Line-out) and headphones switch directly on the device.
You can also adjust the volume levels between two audio sources (SPDIF and Optical) instantly with the Audio Balance feature via the volume knob.
Customize
Take full command of your audio setup and customize them to your preference!
Configure every element of your audio settings or switch them off completely on the Creative app on your Windows PC.
For tweaks to only the necessary sound settings and on your gaming consoles, do it quickly via your iOS or Android mobile devices via the same-named Creative app.
7 I/0 Connectors
Mic-in and Headset-in
Located on the front of the Sound Blaster X4, simply plug in your preferred choice—external microphone or headset / headphones with mic—and get started right away.
The Sound Blaster X4 is also a headphone amplifier that’s capable of driving studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω with ease.
USB-C and Optical-out
The USB-C port makes it easy for you to power up the device right on your desktop. When connected to PC and Mac, the same USB-C connection is used for both power and high-quality digital audio.
Using the optical-out port, connect the Sound Blaster X4 to your AV receiver and your prized surround sound system for an enhanced listening experience!
Optical-in and Line-in
Chat in-game with your teammates on PS4 via the optical-in port, or connect it to your PS5 via a HDMI to optical converter (not included) for enhanced audio playback. It is also compatible with your Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and even TV.
It also doubles up as a line-in port and works with your mobile devices or audio players for high-quality audio without fuss.
Line-out
Breathe new life into your surround speaker system! The line-out ports consisting of Front, Side, Rear, and Center / Sub ports allow you to connect your 2.1, 5.1, and even 7.1 speakers for outstanding audio clarity.
Coupled with 7.1 discrete and virtual support, refresh your same old speakers with a new sound identity.
Features Compatibility
7.1 DISCRETE SURROUND WITH SUPER X-FI AND DOLBY DIGITAL LIVE – Supports up to 7.1 discrete for multi-channel speakers and virtual for headphones
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH SMARTCOMMS KIT AND CRYSTALVOICE – Features our SmartComms Kit, a suite of smart communication features that simplify the way you take work calls on Windows 10 platform. Turn on VoiceDetect to auto mute and unmute your mic, or get rid of static background noise in your own environment as well as the other parties’ via our two-way noise cancellation feature NoiseClean. In tandem, CrystalVoice technology enhances voice for clear recordings and in-game communications
CONNECT WITH EVERYTHING – With a newly added optical-in port, it is now much easier to connect multiple audio devices, from external microphones and headsets, to platforms like your PC, Mac, gaming consoles, and even your multi-channel speaker systems. Just power up the Sound Blaster X4 via the USB-C port, and enjoy high-quality audio with everything. The Sound Blaster X4 is also a headphone amplifier that is capable of driving studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω
EASY ACCESS TO ALL CONTROLS – Pick between three EQ modes or re-program them, and save your settings on the device. There are also the Direct Mic Mute, Direct Mode, Super X-Fi and SXFI BATTLE Mode on/off buttons, as well as a speaker (Line-out) and headphones switch button. After a one-time setup, instantly adjust the volume levels between two audio sources (SPDIF / Optical / USB) with the Audio Balance feature via the volume knob, perfect for communicating with music on
GAME AND HEAR YOUR WAY – Choose between SXFI BATTLE Mode or Scout and get to winning your FPS game. Configure each element of your audio settings or switch them off completely via the Creative app. Access the full range of audio adjustments via the PC app, or make quick adjustments to your EQ settings from your phone. All these are powered by our Sound Blaster’s audio promise with 114 dB audio clarity and hi-res 192 kHz/24-bit playback
RAff –
First a little about my setup. Im trying to run audio and comms from my Xbox Series X. If thats not what youre doing then this review probably wont pertain to you. I have an Epos wired headset that works fine plugged into my wireless controller, but wanted to get a little more out of it. Unfortunately the series x did away with the optical audio out port. So my plan was to run optical audio from my TV to the DAC and to the headset. That worked just fine for audio, but meant I would have to run comms separately through the xbox somehow. Although the DAC added a bit of volume and bass, and the eq adjustments were nice, overall it just wasnt enough to justify the cost and the added headache of running an external mic and all the wires running across my living room.
Tech Geek –
I have had the Creative Z, Zx, ZxR and AE-9. I have the Logitech Z906 5.1 system and Sony MDR1AM2 headphones and the X4 sounds great with it. It may not be the BEST specs like the AE-9 but the AE-9’s breakout box for XLR input is HORRIFYINGLY bad for XLR mics. I bought a Scarlet 4i4 and then moved on to the Wave XLR because I wanted to stream and the Wave XLR has amazing software that replaced Equalizer APO and Voicemeter because the Wave XLR supports VSTs and audio routing. I really wanted this to remove the sound card from my system so all my fans would hit my massive 3090ti and the X4 allowed me to do just that. The X4 has all the features I need, optical out and a great headphone DAC at a way cheaper price than the AE-9. SXFi is a gimmick but it has its uses, just not really for me. To get 5.1 with the Z906, you need to click Playback then click Speakers (line out) and SPDIF Out you need to click “Set Default”, then go to Device click Encoder and select Dolby Digital Live. To use heaphones go to Playback and click Headphones and under audio quality click “Set Default” for Speakers, then go to Device, Encoder and turn OFF Dolby Digital Live. I dislike having to click 3 things in different menus to accomplish this when on my AE-9 I literally just had to press one button of push the volume nob on the breakout box for 3 second. The software is also not as intuitive as the Sound Blaster Command Center but this very new so maybe they will fix a few things in the future. What I want to see is when I click the three dots for Speakers (Line Out) give an option to set to toggle the DD encoder and the same for Set Default for SPDIF Out, there should be an option to click use the DD encoder or not. When I click headphones or Set Default on Speakers, I should be given the same DD toggle. If they make those changes I would say this is literally perfect.
Ram Customer –
A good, high-quality sound card, substantial in feel and exuding a premium vibe.
The form factor is definitely better than the G6. It stays perfectly stable on the table, unlike the G6. The volume control wheel is convenient, and the scrolling is pleasant. Its external appearance is excellent and looks fantastic on the desk with beautiful lighting.
In terms of sound quality, I couldn’t notice any significant difference compared to the built-in Realtek sound and the sound from the Cloud Alpha S remote, no matter how hard I tried.
Jeff –
For music, sound quality is OK. I have a Yamaha AS-801 which has an integrated DAC and the yamaha’s integrated DAC delivers better sound quality for a variety of music. This Creative Soundblaster is probably 90% as good using the creative DAC to the Yamaha’s Line1 input instead of using the Yamaha DAC direct. (I’m adding this because I’ll be switching to a pair of Bose 901s where I need the DAC -> Bose Equalizer -> AMP -> Speakers and the yamaha doesn’t have a tape loop circuit to do this, so I need the DAC to be separate from the amp.)
I tried the various sound effects, but the best sound is holding the Mode button down for a few seconds until mode light changes to orange to signal direct mode. Putting it in “music” mode sounds too brassy for my liking.
Will play with it more and update review if I get it sounding great.
Also I knocked off one star because I expected the creative would include the USB-C cable, but even though the creative is a usb-c connection on the device, the cable included is a USB-C to USB-A cable. So I have to order a separate USB-C to USB-C cable.
J. Powell –
I didn’t specifically seek this model out for any other reason than having a wonderful, big, backlit volume knob to sit on my desk under my monitor. Sure, the sound quality seems excellent through my 20 year old Sony monitor speakers and an unrelated dumpster-find Sony powered home theater 8″ sub, however I’m not enough of an audiophile to tell you HOW good the quality truly is.
I actually had to fiddle around a bit to find out how to turn off all the other wacky enhancements which I don’t care for, like the Crystallizer and the overly-peaky (the typical exaggerated U-shape) default EQ setting. Other than those two minor niggles, it’s exactly what I wanted.