Disclaimer:
Hello readers, Today I bring a review of the Creative SoundBlaster X5, a truly complete sound card.
It is not strictly developed for mobile use, which is the main mission of this site but it will be a valid tool to bring you more detailed reviews. This upgrade allows me to further raise the quality of my tests and, above all, given its power, it also pushes me on IEMs and headphones that are a little difficult to drive.
I don’t have any Dac/Amp of its level to compare it to, but I do have cheaper products. The Creative X5, even from its dimensions, is practically a full-size sound card.
I will try to do a review as in-depth as possible, also comparing it to mobile products.
The review, as always, will be completely unbiased, uninfluenced and free of affiliate links
I would like to remind you that I am just a person who enjoys trying out new items and listening to a lot of music; I am not an expert.
My opinions are obviously subjective.
Tech Specs:
System Requirements:
Packaging:
The significant dimension of the Creative SoundBlaster X5 is already clear from the packaging. The packaging is as careful as you would expect from a Creative product, as is its price. Inside, we find all the cables necessary to test every type of audio input.
The content is as follows:
- Sound Blaster X5
- USB-C to USB-A Cable (1.5m / 4.9 ft)
- Optical Cable (1.5m / 4.9 ft)
- 3.5 mm to RCA Stereo Cable (2m / 6.6 ft)
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty and Compliance Leaflet
If I really had to criticize the accessories, I would have also liked to see a remote control. It’s true that it can be controlled from a smartphone but the good old remote control is always the quickest and most immediate thing.
First Impressions:
For those who have been following us for some time, you will already be wondering why a DAC/AMP of this size ended up on a site that mostly deals with portable audio products. Basically, my point of view is that sooner or later, even the enthusiast or mobile audiophile sooner or later ends up sitting at a desk. Since I have it in my hands and no external power supplies are needed to make it work, it could also be used via the smartphone’s type C port alone.
Build Quality:
However, it remains a non-portable product given the generous dimensions of a full-size sound card. At first glance, it might seem that it is in a metal shell but it is made of excellent plastic. You will notice if you buy it that the metal details are much colder to the touch. The large volume knob is made of metal for example. We have a ton of buttons on the front, starting with the volume knob.
- PC/Console selector
- EQ button
- Direct/DSP button
- Headphones/Speakers
- Gain selector
- Microphone volume
- Display button
- Microphone on mute
- Bluetooth (which I’ll say something about later)
- On and off button
As you will see from the following photo, they opted only for a few buttons with LED backlighting.
While in the rear, we do not find any input or balanced output, but there are RCA and Toslink inputs and outputs to which active speakers, amplifiers, or DACs can be connected.
But as you may have noticed, it also has a USB port to which you can connect audio devices capable of both playing and recording audio. I was particularly surprised by this feature, and I will explain what i noticed during the review.
Still excellent build quality, the product appears solid, although I don’t deny that I would have preferred a completely metal chassis, a nice large and bright display, and a volume knob with absolutely premium feedback. Headphone inputs are a little harsh, especially the balanced output, which creates resistance but should improve with use.
Introduction and Configuration:
Since my iMac is an 2008, it doesn’t meet the system requirements to use the Creative app for OSX. Although it is not the best way to test its functionality at 100%, my prehistoric computer still manages to make it work perfectly. To manage the extra features, I use my smartphone with the Creative app. The features that I will not be able to adjust are the Acoustic Engine, Crystal Voice, and Scout Mode. All the others are totally accessible via smartphone, and for someone like me who uses it mainly to listen to music, these are all functions that I wouldn’t have used. These features are specific to gamers but for those who listen to music, the only interesting features remain the DSP and the customizable equalizer. Basically, it works as if it were connected to a PlayStation, with the possibility of being set up from a smartphone.
As soon as I have the opportunity, I will create a new setup with a new PC or Mac capable of also managing the software and testing the other functions. I think a Mac mini from a few years ago is an excellent compromise.
Obviously, in my setup, it becomes the flagship desktop DAC/AMP. Given its versatility, it lends itself to multiple uses and is not afraid of headphones. In fact, high gain is given for headphones over 150 ohms, or planar. In Minimum Gain, it easily manages my entire collection. Excluding HIFIMAN full-size planars, which, if fed correctly, give extra satisfaction.
Special Features:
The feature that intrigued me the most was the USB port on the back. It doesn’t have much power, but it’s actually really interesting. Only devices that require little power can be connected, including speakers (for example, Creative Pebble), wireless headphones to which you connect the transmitter, microphones, and even Bluetooth adapters.
Initially, I was a little confused to think of connecting a Bluetooth adapter to a device that already has built-in Bluetooth. Browsing Creative products, I realized that you could connect their BT-W5 adapter to it in order to transmit high-res audio wirelessly from the Creative X5 to, for example, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 that I own. I’m sorry that they didn’t think of including the chip in question directly in the product but that it has to be purchased separately. To test this functionality (the one that interested me the most), I bought the cheapest BT dongle on Aliexpress that supported as many codecs as possible.
Product Link:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIGm5QJ
Although it is a bad copy, when it works well, the quality is really high; perhaps the volume is slightly less than what I have directly on my smartphone, but still very good. Obviously, you can connect any speaker, system, or wireless headphones.
Being an extremely cheap product, it’s just to make you understand how the USB port on the back could be used. Considering that you could also record audio via wireless headphones, you might think about using a similar setup for gaming or video recording. This $6/$10 solution is by no means perfect but it works. If you want something more stable, buy something branded.
I casually noticed that if you connect the smartphone to manage it and at the same time we are playing music from the PC, it also takes the sound of the smartphone, so you can be isolated from the world with your own playlists on the PC but also have the audio coming from your smartphone at the same time. Honestly, it’s a strange feature, but I will tell you that I have found it extremely useful because I can at the same time isolate myself but be able to receive important notifications and phone calls.
Creative App (smartphone version):
Of all the smartphone apps I have seen, it is certainly the best, managing the equalizer is simple and fluid. Updating the firmware is the same as for the Aurvana Ace 2, so it is very simple. Obviously, to have all the other functions, you need the app on the PC or Mac, which I will test as soon as the new setup arrives. I will update the review by adding that information as well.
Sound Signature & EQ:
I was not sure what to expect in terms of sound signature, but the dual-chip dongle with CS43198 has recently proven to be extremely analytical, with one of the best sound signatures on the market. Even though I own the Creative SXFI AMP, I imagined something that would vaguely resemble it. Indeed, the sound signature is nostalgic while also reminiscent of the Aurvana Ace 2.
The sound has a lukewarm tendency, aiming for a more silky sound and oriented towards the average consumer but is still extremely refined. In direct mode, it is more noticeable but by activating the DSP, the doors are opened to personalized EQ with a myriad of presets available. Basically, you can make it sound as you like by correcting what you don’t like.
Unfortunately, they did not opt for parametric EQ, which for enthusiasts and more geeks, would be a very welcome function. However, I believe that if they wanted, they could easily implement it.
The microphone is disabled if the DSP is activated, which is a shame but I think it is a hardware limitation that cannot be resolved with future updates.
Power:
In terms of power, I was amazed. I don’t know how they managed to find so much power from a USB power supply but even with the unbalanced output, the volume is very high.
Even though the output is so powerful, the background noise is practically absent; sometimes it is slightly audible but considering the output, it handles even the most sensitive IEMs very well.
I conducted several tests with both headphones and IEMs.
- Hidizs MP145
- Hidizs MS5
- Letshuoer S15
- Letshuoer Cadenza 4
- Simgot EA1000
- Simgot EA500LM
- Simgot EW200
- Hifiman HE400SE
- Hifiman HE-R9
- Hifiman Deva Pro
- Celest Plutus Beast (8 ohm)
- EPZ x Tipsy Star One (64 OHM)
And many others…
It goes without saying that unless you connect something from 150 ohm upwards, you won’t find any problems in terms of power. If I really have to find some smallness, when you turn up the volume sharply, you can hear some very light hiss only on very sensitive IEMs.
Another thing I noticed is that it doesn’t have a particular synergy with any of them; it makes them all sound excellent but none of them is stunning. I believe this is due to a less than analytical orientation and a slightly warm signature.
Considerations after more than a month of use:
Having not tried other similar sound cards from Creative or others that could be considered equal or superior, it is difficult to be objective. As far as I’m concerned, some features were forgotten; if we have 5.1 and 7.1 options on even cheaper products in the Soundblaster line, they should have been integrated into this product too. On the connectivity side, they should have integrated a BT that is at least capable of receiving and transmitting with an APTX codec or higher in order to avoid an extra accessory.
The product is not specifically aimed at either gamers or audiophiles. I consider it a product that tries to do just about everything well, trying to gain a share of the market here and there. But if one is looking for something specific, one might opt for something else. Its greatest strength is certainly having a DSP and an app (smartphone and PC) capable of managing it more than excellently. Creative support and the possibility of updates and improvements are real. I hope to see it often on offer because, at 299 USD, it is a bit of a price limit. For my needs, however, it is an all-round product capable of satisfying even higher needs than my current ones.
If anyone was wondering if the difference between a similar desktop Dac and a dongle like the Simgot DEW4X or the EPZ TP50 has that much of a difference, the answer is no!
Fast Comparison:
I don’t have models particularly suitable for comparisons with a similar product but I will still try to make some with what I have.
The FX Audio DR07 is no match for the Creative SoundBlaster X5. The noise floor here with sensitive IEMs is a real problem. In terms of convenience, however, it has in its favor a remote control, which is very useful With the RCA output in the speaker volume adjustment, the integrated BT manages to receive in superior quality up to LDAC (X5 is limited to SBC). For the rest, Creative completely demolishes FX-AUDIO. Between the two, without a doubt, the Creative has balanced output.
There is a completely different amount of care and attention put into the product, and if we see the difference in price and quality, I would say that the DR07 is proportionately more expensive.
vs Fosi SK02
A product that we can still consider both desktop and mobile with generous dimensions but is powered by only a USB or type C. The power here too is well beyond my real needs (but who know in the future), bright and analytical sound, solid construction and a negligible price. Fosi Audio is enjoying great success among enthusiasts. The products are well-finished and well-built, but the prices remain low and affordable for most people. The Fosi SK02 is what one needs to have if you listen to music on headphones. I recommend you read my full-review.
vs SIMGOT DEW4X & EPZ TP50
In my opinion, some dongles now outperform some desktop DAC/AMPs. They have a more analytical sound signature and do not limit detail in any way, and they sound sometimes more immersive than the Creative X5. Obviously, these are minor differences, but dongles struggle to drive full-size planar drivers or more demanding Headphones. This is to say that you no longer need huge sound cards to enjoy quality sound. Based on your economic possibilities and needs, you can find alternatives without regrets.
Conclusions:
Creative has certainly taken a good step towards high fidelity. My good old Creative SXFi AMP was and still is one of my favorite SE output dongles. In terms of sound despite its warmth, it has always been one of a kind. The Creative Sound Blaster X5 is a product that vaguely reminds me of it. On my desk, I needed something even more powerful than a Fosi SK02, This currently completes my setup, although there will undoubtedly be other upgrades in the future.
I hope the criticisms made during the review can lead to improvements in future products.
8.2/10
Pros:
- Build Quality
- Creative sound signature
- Big volume knob with LED built in
- L & H Gain
- DSP & EQ
- Remote APP control and PC/MAC app for more features
- Big screen
- Interesting USB input
- Dependent volume
- Balanced outputs
- Energy friendly
Cons:
- No physical remote
- Chunky big boy
- Integrated BT just use SBC
- Not analytical
- No balanced inputs & outputs in the back
- It is not clear who the target consumers are
- I wish all the buttons were backlit.