Creative Labs Sound Blaster X1

General Information

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Weight​

Main Unit: 15 g / 0.5 oz

Dimensions​

Main Unit : 9.7 x 175 x 67 mm / 0.4 x 0.7 x 2.6 inches, USB C to USB C Cable : 80 mm / 3.1 inches

Headphone Amp​

Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω

Audio Technology​

X-Fi, SmartComms Kit, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Super X-Fi

Max. Recording Quality

Mic-in:
16/24-bit / 48.0, 96.0 kHz

Playback Resolution​

PCM 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 96.0 kHz, PCM 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 96.0 kHz

Recording Resolution​

Mic-in: 16 / 24-bit / 48.0, 96.0 kHz

Platform​

USB

Connectivity Options (Main)​

1 x ⅛″ Headphone-out Jack (4-pole, CTIA)

Headphone Amp​

Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–600Ω

Audio Technologies​

SBX Pro Studio
CrystalVoice
Scout Mode
Audio Technology

Supported Operating Systems​

Windows® 10 Ver 1703, macOS X® 10.15 and above, Windows® 11

DAC​

AKM AK4377, THD+N: Up to -105 dB or 0.00056%, SNR: Up to 115 dB, Frequency Response: 10 – 20,000 Hz, Max Sampling Rate: 24-bit / 96 kHz

Power​

USB Bus Powered, USB-C

Latest reviews

o0genesis0o

Headphoneus Supremus
Soundstage mojo in your pocket
Pros: - Strong single-ended power output
- Wide compatibility
- Onboard DSP that works well with movies and games
- Smoother and slightly warmer sound
Cons: - Low but not completely devoid of hissing noise
- Complete lack of balanced output
- DSP feature does not work well with music
Creative-X1_4.jpeg


Once in a while, I see or receive questions from others about "audiophile-level" or "audiophile-approved" headphones, IEMs or even dongles. But what makes something "audiophile-level"?

Obscurity? Maybe. When I was wet behind the ears, I thought Audio Technica M50x was top "audiophile" stuff because it has a fancy and unfamiliar brand name.

Price? Perhaps. Something like Hifiman Arya or Audeze LCD-2C feels "audiophile" because they are shockingly expensive for audio gears. But then, are the legendary VE Monk+ earbuds not "audiophile" because they are cheap?

Today, I want to share my impressions of a product that makes the line between "consumer-grade" and "audiophile-grade" even blurrier: Creative Sound Blaster X1

Preambles:


  • The unit was a sample sent by Creative for review purposes (Thank you, @LucasCL). I have no financial interest in this product and treat review samples as loaned units even if I am not required to send them back.
  • I use the term "source" to denote a DAC + Amp combo.
  • I found that sources do not sound the same due to the difference in their output power or tuning, should the manufacturer decide to deviate from the flat frequency response.
  • - Making loud noises does not mean that a pair of IEMs or earphones are driven to their full potential. When fed more power, underpowered IEMs or earphones would sound crisper and more separated (thus making the soundstage feel larger).
  • I consider the Apple dongle a benchmark (3/5 - adequate) because it is good enough and familiar to almost everyone.
  • A source is rated based on A/B tests using Andromeda (very sensitive IEM) and E5000 (very insensitive IEM). If one source sounds not as good as the other, I would bump up the volume and give it another try before concluding. This practice aims to mitigate the "louder is better" problem without getting into the issue of "DB vs perceived loudness."
  • Despite my textual descriptions, improvements from sources are minor and nuanced. If you are beginning your head-fi journey, getting different IEMs or earphones would yield more benefits. If you know your gears very well, improvements from sources can be delightful.
  • You can find more reviews and ranking at my In-ear Gems blog.


Specs:


- DAC Chips: AKM AK4377 (Max sampling rate: 24-bit / 96kHz)
- Amp: Ti/Burr-Brown INA1620
- Output ports: 3.5mm single-ended output
- Input ports: USB-C
- Single-ended output power: 121mW@32ohm, 19mW@300ohm (based on the measurements of SXFI AMP unit by Amirm at ASR)
- DSP feature: Super X-Fi (SXFI), Creative App for EQ and virtual 7.1

Handling and Usability:


Creative Sound Blaster X1 (I'll call it X1 in this article) comes in a tiny box that screams "consumer product". I will not bat an eye if I see this product in JB HiFi or EBGames (Aussie store chains selling electronics and video games).

Creative-X1_1.jpeg


Inside the box, you find the dongle itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable, user manuals, and candies (just kidding, don't eat those silicas).

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The unit itself is clad in a thin metal shell. If you tap on the unit with your nail, you can hear a slightly hollow "tonk" sound. However, the unit is rigid and does not exhibit any flexing or deformation when I apply pressure on it. I like the shiny bevels connecting the side panels to the top and bottom of X1.

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Size-wise, X1 is a thin, small, and light unit. It is as long as my BTR5 but narrower than everything else in my collection. Holding X1 is like carrying a Wrigley's double mint chewing gum stick or a Bic lighter.

Creative-X1_3.jpeg


The front of X1 has four buttons for controlling the volume, pausing music, and toggling the SXFI feature. It's good that there is a big button to control the SXFI feature because it does not work well with every type of content.

The back of X1 is where it gets controversial. It's evident that a large sticker is covering the entire back of the unit.

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After peeling off the sticker, you are greeted with the alter ego of X1: Creative Super X-FI Amp.

Creative-X1_7.jpeg


This situation has ruffled some feathers, so I reached out to LucasCL at Creative, and this is the answer. I hope that it clears up the confusion.

The difference between the Sound Blaster X1 and the SXFI Amp is that the X1 is now powered by the Sound Blaster suite of audio processing technologies (which includes our Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, CrystalVoice, Scout Mode) via the Creative App for Windows® 11 and macOS®. This was one of the most requested features from our customers.

We have also included support for auto mic mute/unmute function in our SmartComms kit for people using the X1 for work calls via Zoom/Teams etc.

Compatibility and Software


The compatibility of X1 is superb. It works with everything I have: Windows laptop, Macbook, iPad Pro, Android phone, iPhone, and Nintendo Switch. Yes, the Switch! I was stoked when I saw the USB icon in my Switch's volume bar since none of my existing dongles work. Finally, I can use any IEM with Switch, including the sensitive ones like Andromeda 2020.

Another great feature of X1 is that it can work with headsets and microphones. This feature is similar to the Apple dongle yet rare among audiophile dongles. It means if your IEM cable has a built-in mic, you can use it for phone calls. However, you CANNOT use the mic of X1 with an IEC-711 coupler because the microphone seems to significantly roll off the bass. You will see what I mean when I discuss the sound quality below.

Creative-X1_5.jpeg


X1 does not require any software. However, you can install and use the SXFI app on Android to customise the SXFI feature of X1. As far as I understand, the app uses your phone's camera to scan your face and ears to estimate your Head-related Transfer Function (HRTF). The calculation is then uploaded to X1 to customise the soundstage virtualisation feature for you. This customisation is saved in X1, so it is always available regardless of your audio source.


Sound Performance


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X1 is a surprisingly potent DAC+AMP dongle. Its power output matches my Fiio KA3 in measurement (Courtesy of Amir from ASR) and real-world performance. It means that X1 can drive most portable gears to a satisfying level with crisp transients and dynamic contrasts. The overall presentation of X1 is warmer and less edgy than the Apple dongle and my other sources with ESS chips.

Despite the high power output, X1 creates a decently dark background without any significant hiss. However, I still hear a bit more hissing than expected when using X1 with sensitive IEMs such as Andromeda.

The sound signature of X1 changes when you activate its Super X-Fi (SXFI) feature. Let's discuss SXFI in detail before discussing the usual "audiophile" stuff.

Super X-Fi


What does SXFI do?

Creative-X1_6.jpg


Essentially, it is digital signal processing (DSP) for mimicking the illusion of sitting in a (home) theatre with a surround sound system even though you are wearing headphones or IEMs. All of the DSP happens within the dongle itself.

Since the statement seems like marketing bluffs, let me explain further. When you listen to head-fi gears, because the drivers are very close, everything sounds sharp and crisp, but at the same time small and closed in. Some IEMs, such as MACH 10 and MACH 20 that I reviewed recently, push this phenomenon to the point of making you feel like a tiny concert hall is in your head.

On the other hand, speakers in a good room sound *large*. Everything is further away. Instruments and vocals sound life-size, even larger than life. However, the stereo image does not have that pinpoint, tack-sharp feeling of headphones and IEMs.

SXFI makes the sound a bit blurrier, a bit reverb, and perhaps adding a bit cross-feed to turn the IEM sound into speaker sound: distant and large.

Now, let's be clear. SXFI does not work all the time, especially with music. I did not have good experience with any vocal music. Yes, X1 manages to push the sound further away, but it pushes the sound so far that it feels like I am listening from a different room. Instrumental and orchestral music fare better, but not always.

Where SXFI shines are movies and video games. I tried X1 with some YouTube clips from the Top Gun Maverick movie, and I was blown away by the effect. The goodness of SXFI is highlighted when you turn off and hear your equipment's real soundstage again. I was using flat head earbuds, which have a way larger soundstage than IEMs, but X1 with SXFI manages to shame them. SXFI works exceptionally well with Diablo 3, Saint Rows 3, and Skyrim on Switch. Pinpointing the direction of gunshots becomes more manageable when the sound forms a dome around you.

Based on the experience, I can confidently say that SXFI is not a poorly implemented gimmick. Just don't expect a miracle when it comes to music.


Handling sensitive IEM


Test track: Polonaise de concert, Op. 4 (local FLAC)

Pairing:
  • iPhone (Hiby Music App) + Apple Dongle + Andromeda 2020
  • Android phone (Hiby Music App) + X1 + Andromeda 2020
  • Android phone (Hiby Music App) + KA3 + Andromeda 2020

I can never shake the feeling of disbelief when any DAC/AMP can squeeze more performance out of the Andromeda than the humble Apple dongle, simply because Andromeda is too sensitive to benefit from extra output power. Still, I have to report that X1 manages to do just that. The size of the music notes feels a bit smaller, so busy sections in the music are a bit more well separated on X1. The violin also sounds a bit less edgy on X1. You can say X1 is "warmer" or "darker" than the Apple dongle because X1's higher frequency is slightly less forward. The only advantage of the Apple dongle is having less hissing noise than X1.

The hissing noise becomes a significant issue when comparing X1 to KA3. Despite having the same output power, KA3 has a noticeably darker background than X1. There are also differences in the sound presentation between X1 and KA3. In summary, X1 gives Andromeda a slightly softer, less edgy sound than KA3. However, KA3 makes the whole stereo image a touch clearer and more separated. I think both do a good job. However, KA3 wins this round thanks to the cleaner sound.

Handling demanding IEM


Pairing:
  • iPhone (Hiby Music App) + Apple Dongle + E5000
  • Android phone (Hiby Music App) + X1 + E5000
  • Android phone (Hiby Music App) + KA3 + E5000

Final Audio E5000 is a nightmare for most portable gear due to how demanding it is in terms of power output. The Apple dongle is undoubtedly out of its league when handling E5000. The lack of power manifests in a haze or "veil" covering the entire stereo image. All of the details in the lower frequencies, such as the sound of the cello section in the background of the test track, are all mushed together into a boomy sound.

Switching to X1 improves the sound quality of E5000 noticeably. The veil is lifted. I can hear the texture of the cello section clearly, meaning there is a "brrrm" sound when the bow is drawn instead of a blob of low-pitched noise. The violin of Bomsori Kim is slightly warmer and darker with X1 compared to the Apple dongle.

Switching from X1 to KA3 yield yet another level of refinement over the sound of E5000. The whole stereo image is a bit more separated and brighter, if not edgier. I think both X1 and KA3 drive E5000 to the same level. However, they shift the tonality of the IEM slightly. I find the brighter signature of KA3 works with E5000 better than the warmer and darker X1.

Conclusion


What makes something "audiophile-level"? Perhaps it does not matter whether something has the "audiophile street cred", as long as it pays utmost attention and provides the sound quality you can sit back and enjoy.

Creative might no longer be (or have ever been) an "audiophile" brand. Still, I believe that their Sound Blaster X1 DAC/AMP dongle is absolutely "audiophile-level". Based on sound quality alone, I rate X1 3.5/5 because it slots neatly between the Apple dongle (3/5 - Adequate) and Fiio KA3 (4/5 - Good). Considering the compatibility with gaming consoles, the SXFI feature, and the current pricing, my final rating for X1 is 4/5 - Good. Suppose you need a versatile dongle and don't rely on highly sensitive IEMs. In that case, the Creative Sound Blaster X1 receives a recommendation with reservation from this reviewer.

Creative-X1_summary.jpg
Last edited:
o0genesis0o
o0genesis0o
Hi, I use Fiio LT-LT1 cable.
S
SlhDub
from that graph does the apple dongle has more subbass extension?
o0genesis0o
o0genesis0o
@SlhDub it’s not the output that causes the difference in the graph. It’s the microphone input side. This dongle and apple dongle are the few ones with audio input interface and output at the same time. However, the input of this dongle rolls off at both ends, making it unusable as a frequency response measurement tool.

jaba

New Head-Fier
Rebranded SXfi amp, at a premium.
Pros: I like the sound. It is convenient, light, and sounds very well.
Cons: I bought it thinking it could be an upgrade on my Creative Super X-Fi amp. It happens to be the same, with a sticker.
As mentioned above, I bought it for 69.99 EUR with a free Creative Aurvana Trio LS thinking it may be an improvement over my Super X-Fi amp, but it ended up being the same amplifier, with a sticker hiding the name:

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J
jaba
Skylit
Skylit
I read what the creative rep said, but it makes little sense why listed specs changed, especially around amplifier and THD rating.

You're saying they reach the same volume with multiple headphones right? I'm just a little confused why theres a discrepancy of RMS voltage and power output.

Identical hardware would only make sense if the firmware changed how the amp interacted with headphones being plugged in. But yeah. I don't exactly trust creative marketing.
sofastreamer
sofastreamer
thats what i call a serious bass roll off or even fail, regarding the measurements posted. omg

Bret Halford

500+ Head-Fier
Capable Dongle with Hardware Controls
Pros: Hardware controls, Sturdy build, AKM DAC
Cons: Limited platform support for Creative App
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Disclaimer: Creative Technology graciously sent me this unit for review free of charge.

The Sound Blaster X1 is a new USB dongle DAC/ headphone released by Creative Technology, a company with much history and pioneering experience in digital audio. It features an AKM 4377 DAC and Burr Brown op amp, quite nice to see both companies featured especially at this affordable price point.

Sampling support tops out at 24/96 kHz which is a bit disappointing on paper for audiophiles, but in practice isn’t such a bad compromise given the rest of the package here.

Creative claims the X1 can drive headphones up to 600 ohms, and indeed I did find they could give a reasonable level of juice to my DT 800 600 ohms, although I did max it out occasionally on some very high dynamic range tracks. Similarly, the X1 provided a nice clean 3.5 mm output for high sensitivity IEMs like the Raptgo HookX or the Westone Mach 80 that I tried on it.

While Android isn’t listed as a supported platform, the DAC worked plug and play without any issues. It was not possible to install the Creative Sound app however, as it is not available in Google Play, so I was not able to play around with the customization aspects, unfortunately.

The DAC itself is nicely packaged, coming with a sturdy USB C to USB C cable to connect the dongle to your device. The unit itself is attractively designed and is small enough to easily take on the go.

The star of the show is the very nice hardware buttons, quite rare in compact dongles <$75. There are hardware controls for volume, a multi-function button to pause/play of mute your mic, as well as a toggle button for the X-Fi virtualization effect. Hardware controls were functional as plug and play, even in Android and Chrome OS which are not supported. Very convenient and something more manufacturers would take note of.

Summary:

For anyone looking for a capable, affordable USB dongle DAC/Amp with hardware controls, the Sound Blaster X1 is a very easy recommendation.

Those looking to dabble in virtualization should also take note of this DAC’s low price of entry, although I as not able to test it, given Creative’s pedigree in the PC Gaming audio space, I have no doubt it would be quite capable - it would be nice to expand support for Android and iOS for the Creative App.
Bret Halford
Bret Halford
The chasis is the same but beyond that you are speculating. I agree not a good look, but also not what you claim.
J
jaba
We are not speculating; they have accepted it:

Testers invited

And I also have had a PM from the guy offering me to refund my purchase. I have agreed but still have to get their offer.
Bret Halford
Bret Halford
They list a bunch of firmware updates in that thread dude lol. They also have new certification on the sticker meaning it had to redo FCC etc...

Regardless, At what point in my review do I claim this is an upgade? I never used the prior version and approached as such...

I encourage you to get your refund and move on already. Life is too short to carry so much salt over something so trivial.

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