Creative Sound Blaster X5
Creative Sound Blaster X5
The Creative Sound Blaster X5 external sound card is designed for connection to computers, games consoles and home audio equipment. The dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs support PCM playback up to 32-bit / 384kHz, DoP128 and DSD256, and offer a dynamic range of up to 130dB. The fully balanced Xamp headphone bi-amplifier independently amplifies the left and right channels and supports headphones with an impedance of 16–600Ω. It features a 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm unbalanced headphone output, RCA, optical inputs and outputs, USB-C, USB-A Host Audio and Bluetooth 5.0.
Key features of the Creative Sound Blaster X5 sound card
- 2× Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs
- PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz, DoP128 and DSD256
- DAC dynamic range up to 130dB
- Fully balanced Xamp headphone bi-amplifier
- Supports headphones with 16–600Ω impedance
- 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm unbalanced headphone output
- Bluetooth 5.0 with a range of up to 10m
- USB-C, USB-A Host Audio, RCA and TOSLINK
- 10-band equaliser and Creative Acoustic Engine
- Direct Mode, CrystalVoice, Scout Mode and Mixer
- ASIO 2.2 for playback and recording
- On-device controls for volume, microphone, outputs and sound modes
Powerful converter
Two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs in the Creative Sound Blaster X5 sound card ensure high-quality digital signal conversion. They support PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz, DoP128 and DSD256, including native DSD playback. The DAC dynamic range reaches up to 130dB and THD+N is up to -115dB. The fully balanced Xamp bi-amplifier uses a separate amplification circuit for the left and right channels, which reduces interference, noise and crosstalk. You can also switch between Normal Gain and High Gain depending on the connected headphones.
For balanced and standard headphones
The Creative Sound Blaster X5 sound card provides both a 4.4mm balanced output and a standard 3.5mm unbalanced output. Its 16–600Ω impedance support lets you connect sensitive headphones as well as models that require more amplification. The output impedance is 1Ω. For gaming and listening through headphones, you can use the virtual surround sound based on HRTF algorithms. You can also connect a headset and use the 3.5mm microphone input with its own gain control.
Rich connectivity options
The Creative Sound Blaster X5 sound card's wide range of connectors includes USB-C for data connection and power, USB-A Host Audio, RCA Line-in and Line-out, and optical TOSLINK inputs and outputs. This lets you connect a PC, Mac, PS5 or PS4, active speakers, an AV receiver, a TV, a set-top box or a Blu-ray player. Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, AVRCP and HFP profiles enables wireless connection of compatible devices up to 10m away with a direct line of sight.
Customise your sound
Using the Creative app, you can adjust the sound of the Sound Blaster X5 sound card with the 10-band equaliser and features like Acoustic Engine, CrystalVoice or Scout Mode. The Acoustic Engine offers settings for Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume and Dialog+. Direct Mode enables playback without any active sound enhancements. A Mixer and settings for both playback and recording are also available. ASIO 2.2 support provides low-latency playback and recording.
Controls directly on the front panel
The Creative Sound Blaster X5 sound card offers physical controls for quick changes to volume, microphone gain, microphone mute, Normal/High Gain switching, headphones and speakers, Direct/DSP mode, EQ, and PC/Console. There is also a dedicated button for Bluetooth pairing. The display shows information about volume, playback format, active output, DSP mode, EQ and Bluetooth status. The sound card can be controlled remotely via Bluetooth Low Energy using compatible Android and iOS devices.
Technical parameters
- Type: external USB sound card
- DAC: 2× Cirrus Logic CS43198
- DAC DNR: 130dB
- DAC THD+N: -115dB
- ADC DNR: 114dB
- ADC THD+N: -105dB
- Maximum playback resolution: PCM 32-bit / 384kHz
- DSD support: DSD256, native playback
- DoP support: DoP128
- Maximum microphone recording resolution: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz
- Maximum Line-in recording resolution: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz
- Maximum Optical-in recording resolution: PCM 24-bit / 96kHz
- ASIO: 2.2
- Headphone amplifier: Xamp, fully balanced bi-amplifier
- Headphone impedance: 16–600Ω
- Output impedance: 1Ω
- Front connectors: 3.5mm microphone input, 3.5mm headphone output, 4.4mm balanced headphone output
- Rear connectors: TOSLINK Optical-in, TOSLINK Optical-out, RCA Line-in, RCA Line-out
- USB: USB-C, USB-A Host Audio
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
- Bluetooth codec: SBC
- Bluetooth range: up to 10m
- Bluetooth frequency: 2402–2480MHz
- Power supply: USB-C, 5V/1A
- USB-A Host Audio output: 5V/100mA
- App: Creative for PC, Mac, Android and iOS
- App features: 10-band EQ, Acoustic Engine, CrystalVoice, Direct Mode, Scout Mode, Mixer
- Dimensions: 216×170×72mm
- Weight: 879g
Package contents
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- USB-C cable
- Documentation
Specifications
Type
Analog inputs
Digital inputs
Analog outputs
Digital outputs
Features and functions
Dimensions and weight
Packaging
Characteristics
Functions
Dimensions
Colour
| Code: | HC143t5 |
| Warranty: | 24 months |
| Links: | Producer's Website: |
| Manufacturer information |
Action Europe SRL, 251 Avenue Louise, Boîte 5, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 502 17 17, [email protected] 
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