The Sound Blaster X series is not new to audio folks, but with the cheapest option starting at S$199, it might appeal more to audio enthusiast. Enter the Sound Blaster X1. At a price of just S$99, getting better sound and microphone performance for various uses is now more affordable.
Unboxing
In the small box, you’ll find the following:
- Sound Blaster X1 USB DAC
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- User manual
Build quality and design
The Sound Blaster X1 is an incredibly portable device designed to be taken on the go. Sound Blaster X1 is made out of aluminum and has a silver chamfered edges on the top and bottom to give it a premium look. The size of the Sound Blaster X1 is slightly below 7cm long, and will fit in any pocket just fine.
When it comes to the buttons, they are tactile with good feedback though the volume buttons could be a little tighter. There is slight rattling of plastic heard when you shake the Sound Blaster X1, coming from the volume buttons. But apart from that, the overall build of the Sound Blaster X1 is pretty solid.
Connectivity
The 3.5mm audio input is located on the top of the Sound Blaster X1, where the Super X-Fi logo is at. I found that it would have been better if it was placed at the bottom instead, since the input of the 3.5mm wire would come from below. Having it in its current design means that the volume rocker is upside down when in use.
The Sound Blaster X1 will work on largely anything that has a USB-C port, so that list includes Windows, Mac, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch, and even Android phones. If you’re using an Xbox, sorry it doesn’t work. As long as the output device supports USB audio, the Sound Blaster X1 should work as intended.
Sound quality
If you have been a keen follower of Creative’s products, you’ll realize that the Sound Blaster X1 looks almost identical to the SXFI Amp. Both of which even uses the same AKM AK4377 DAC, which allows up to 24-bit / 96 kHz of audio output, up to 5.1 / 7.1 channel. Both the Sound Blaster X1 and SXFI Amp are priced close to S$99, so if you’d deciding on which one to get, I’d recommend going for the Sound Blaster X1 because of the additional software features which I’ll cover later below.
But let’s talk sound first. For starters, if you have been using your headphones directly from your laptop, the Sound Blaster X1 will provide an instant upgrade to the sound that you’re hearing. This is especially so if you’re using cheaper laptops where the onboard sound card isn’t the best. When using the Sound Blaster X1, the audio output sounds more detailed, and offers slightly more warmth for a fuller sound. Volume output is also louder than plugging your headphones directly to your laptop’s 3.5mm jack. I did not notice any hiss in the background when no music is playing so that is good.
Creative App software
The support for the Creative App software is the main feature that separates the Sound Blaster X1 from the SXFI Amp. Having the Creative App support puts the Sound Blaster X1 in the same category as the Sound Blaster X4, compared to the X3 which runs on the older software.
There are many features offered by the Creative App. Long story short, if you do many calls then you might the SmartComms Kit and CrystalVoice useful. Either way, let’s do a quick run down of the app’s main features.
Right off the bat, you are able to customise the EQ of your audio output. If you find the default tuning of your headphones/earphones not your liking, you can customise a sound profile that saves onboard the Sound Blaster X1. There are other sound modes such as Acoustic Engine which offers quick switches you can turn on and adjust the intensity to get quick adjustments. Dialog+ is quite good at bringing out vocals especially in videos where there are a lot of background noise going on.
SmartsComm Kit and CrystalVoice are pretty useful for levelling up your call quality especially if your setting isn’t ideal for having a call, such as if kids playing in the background, or the TV is playing. The microphone equalizer in CrystalVoice allows you to tune your mic output with different presets. VoiceDetect in the SmartsComms kit can be useful to auto-mute, though I found it to be most reliable in a controlled setting with less background noise. Oh, not to forget – the Voice Morph feature is actually quite fun to use when on a call with friends.
Super X-Fi experience
Super X-Fi is available with just a click of the button on the Sound Blaster X1. If you’re not acquainted with Creative’s Super X-Fi technology yet, it essentially recreates your audio as though you are listening with a surround sound system. Imaging is generally improved, as different elements of the audio are spaced further from one another.
Whether it is a good experience really depends on the type of content you are listening to. Music is a hit-or-miss for me. Some songs can sound weird with an odd tone to it, but I do find that it works well with instrumental tracks, and particularly live music recordings.
Where the Super X-Fi starts to pay dividends is for watching movies. The openness of the audio makes the content that I’m watching feel more immersive, and it does sound similar to watching it in the cinema. Loud action scenes with crashing and gunshots don’t blast in your ears and are instead mixed well together with the overall voice-lines and background music of the scene.
Gaming with Super X-Fi is also a fun experience, but like music, it depends on the type of game that you are playing. Open world games such as GTA and Genshin Impact works well as you get the expansive feel of the world. Games where audio cues are important such as Valorant may not feel as accurate as the volume of the cues is usually softer than without Super X-Fi.
Conclusion
Having tried both the Sound Blaster X1 and X4, I understand where the Sound Blaster X1 sits in the value chain of Creative’s Sound Blaster product line. If you’re looking for a quick plug-and-play device to level up your audio, then the Sound Blaster X1 is the one you should get. It’s small, portable, and supports a variety of devices. Sound Blaster X1 is designed to be taken everywhere you go, and even supports the latest Creative App like the X4 to offer additional functionality for both work and play.