Creative Sound Blaster X3 sound card (70SB181000000)

Sound Blaster X3

Raising the bar for the PC movie viewing experience, the X3 is packed with features to ensure you get the best movie experience at home, no matter your speaker or headphone preference. It’s the world’s first multi-channel external USB DAC with amplifier that features award-winning Super X-Fi technology, as well as discrete 7.1 surround sound on speakers, virtual 7.1 surround sound on headphones and Dolby Digital Live1. Combined with high-quality audio components that provide high-resolution 32-bit/192 kHz playback at 115 dB DNR/SNR, you can be sure that the sound delivered is precise and studio-quality.

And when it comes to versatility, the X3 has no equal. Equipped with countless connection options, including a USB-C port, optical output and line-in, making it compatible with most audio devices, the X3 will redefine your experience when watching movies and listening to music in the comfort of your home.

What is Super X-Fi?

With the world’s first external amplified USB DAC sound card and Super X-Fi technology, Sound Blaster X3 redefines the movie watching experience on PC, Mac and even PlayStation 4.

Recognized by respected journalists around the world and awarded 15 CES „Best-of” awards in 2019, Super realism and purity of sound. It’s not just 3D surround sound technology. The power of Super X-Fi is its ability to reproduce natural, realistic sound holography that matches your hearing profile to provide a full soundstage experience.

Redefine your movie watching experience

Imagine watching a movie at home, putting on your headphones and feeling the sound move around you, just like watching a movie in the cinema. What’s more, it even works for streaming content! Whether you’re streaming the latest 4K movies from iTunes or viewing compressed clips on YouTube, the X3’s Super X-Fi processor automatically transforms your movies into a full-fledged, cinematic audio experience.

Concerts and music festivals

We can’t physically transport you back to that last concert you attended, but we can definitely help you experience the atmosphere and energy of that show! When you turn on Super X-Fi, you will be transported to the very center of the concert hall with the same expanded sound space, you will feel as if you were there. You’ll hear the crowd, feel the passion of your favorite band and get pumped up for the next concert.

Great for gaming

Tired of headphones? It’s a past. Super Xi-Fi technology recreates natural sound in the headphones and gives you a true sense of space and distance. Thanks to the Super X-Fi effect, game audio will sound natural instead of sounding like audio being sent directly into your ear canals like with typical headphones, so you can extend your gaming sessions without getting tired!

Escape to another reality with Super X-Fi’s hyper-realistic sound effects! Super X-Fi opens up the soundstage in your headphones and delivers incredibly immersive audio enhancements! Now with Super X-Fi Gen2 you can enjoy a whole new level of surround sound in open world games.

Multi-channel surround sound

If you prefer typical 7.1 virtual surround sound without audio holography in headphones, the X3 also supports 7.1 virtual surround sound for headphones.

That’s not all – Sound Blaster X3 works not only with headphones. With support for multi-channel audio output up to 7.1 discrete surround sound on the speakers, you can enjoy watching the latest series effortlessly with the delivery of surround sound that is clearly tuned to the audio environment.

You no longer have to sacrifice physical space in your room for a true 7.1 sound system! Simply connect the Sound Blaster X3 to your computer to experience realistic surround sound that’s perfect for gaming sessions with friends or impressing that special someone during movie nights.

Windows users also have Dolby Digital Live1, which provides the convenience of encoding any audio source into multi-channel surround sound in real time, while transmitting data using only one optical cable for decoding in a home theater system.

Customize your equalizer modes

Right from the first connection, you are preset with specially tailored equalizer modes, designed to enhance your sound for a variety of applications. Simply press the „Mode” button on the X3 to switch between different modes – music, movie and Footstep Enhancer mode.

These equalizer modes are configurable, so you can further customize them to your preferences and save your settings for each mode via the Creative App software or mobile application.

The perfect combination of chat and gaming

Find the perfect harmony between audio sources with the X3’s audio balance feature – perfect for conference calls while listening to music or podcasts. The X3 volume control knob allows you to switch audio control between SPDIF interface and line-level sources by simply turning the knob from left to right and vice versa. You can also control the mixing volume between game audio and your teammates’ voices to hear them better.

Several operating modes

The X3 is extremely versatile and compatible with multiple devices! Featuring countless connectivity options and designed specifically for use with multiple platforms, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Hover over devices to see how to connect them to the X3.

Powerful audio performance

The Sound Blaster X3 is equipped with a 600 Ω headphone amplifier that can easily handle studio-quality headphones. Combined with 32-bit / 192 kHz playback, it ensures clear and precise sound. The extra amplifier power gives you more volume!

Industry-leading audio processing technology

To further enhance the X3 audio experience, we’ve also introduced our industry-leading audio processing technologies, leveraging the full suite of Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine audio enhancements and delivered through modernized Creative App software.

Thanks to simplification and optimization, it’s now easier than ever to tailor your audio to your specific needs. We have updated Sound Blaster X3 from Sound Blaster Command to the latest Creative app! Existing users can download and update the Creative app here.

Personalize all settings

Take full control of your audio settings and adjust them to your preferences!! PC users have plenty of Sound Blaster X3 settings available in the Creative app. The best part is that you can customize each element or turn it off completely.

Mobile remote control

For even greater convenience, you can also manage Sound Blaster X3 from your mobile device using Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) wireless via the Creative App. Without the hassle of switching between PC and console, you can adjust and save EQ settings, switch between EQ and SXFI, or switch between headphone or speaker input – all the necessary controls are on your mobile phone.