Creative Sound Blaster X7 overview.

El_Watcher · 16 May 2016 at 10:48

Got the X7 at the weekend, partly because of the chance of a better sound with my AKG Q701 headphones than the Z I was using, but also becasue the 7 had an intermittent issue where the sound would suddenly increase in volume and go distorted and only a full reboot would fix (it nearly deafened me on several occasions).

So far, I can't say the sound is much different using the headphones.
The sound from my speakers (T7700) seems to sound clearer, but could be nothing.

The main things I have noticed in comparison to the Z are:

1) switching between headphones and speakers is much easier. With the Z you had to go into the software to switch, whereas the X7 you just unplug the headphones. If this was an option with the Z, it wasn't as easy due to the card being internal and the connector being around the back.

2) NFC/Bluetooth connection. It took less than 5 seconds for me to connect my phone, and be playing music. Also, the BT and USB are not selected as separate inputs, so you can actually have audio playing from the PC whilst music is playing from the phone.

Issues/niggles:

1) When I tried to set up the built-in microphone for use in Teamspeak, it took me ages to play about with the settings to get the volume loud enough for people to hear, but not distorted or with background noise. Apparently, when I rebooted the PC, the sound improved :confused:

but not as simple as it could be.

2) I am not overly keen on the volume dial on the front. With it being software/USB based, it just spins and spins, so you don't know whether you are turning it up in small increments or not, and you can't easily tell when you reach the top.

In conclusion, I don't know whether I would say it is £200 better than the Z, but it is certainly good if you want a one device for all audio purposes.

Ryanr1987 · 16 May 2016 at 12:13

I would love to see a X7 without all the extra features and just for console surround sound at a lower price. I think it is a device (in stock form) That would pair well with headphones like the K712 and it's variants due to there higher bass levels. It definitely lacks bass stock but with the K702 the soundstage is huge.

I actually think the HD700 would be great gaming wise on this also.

Andi-C · 16 May 2016 at 15:44

El_Watcher said:
Got the X7 at the weekend, partly because of the chance of a better sound with my AKG Q701 headphones than the Z I was using, but also becasue the 7 had an intermittent issue where the sound would suddenly increase in volume and go distorted and only a full reboot would fix (it nearly deafened me on several occasions).

So far, I can't say the sound is much different using the headphones.
The sound from my speakers (T7700) seems to sound clearer, but could be nothing..

Have you updated to the latest FW & driver's ? The original FW was plagued with bugs & that random volume was one that everyone was complaining about.

The mic is always a problem when I restore or update the firmware, it won't enable the mic boost & every start up it would be disengaged? It does stick after a few starts.
If you are sounding strange or not clear, check the voice capture /mic tab, the reason I say this is I had an issue where the settings were unticked but it still engaged the last ticked box (like a ghost tick), people would say t
I sound different, only ticking & then unticking would clear the setting! I've not had this with the latest FW though.

rids57 · 16 May 2016 at 16:34

So far, I can't say the sound is much different using the headphones.

Which is why I said...

with low impedance headphones that are affected by damping factor

The AKG Q701 aren't affected by damping factor at low frequencies, so a low impedance amp won't have much effect on them. They are affected at high frequencies however, although not until you go over 10kHz, so the only effect you might hear is that cymbals might sound a little "splashy" with a higher impedance amp.

Noxia · 16 May 2016 at 20:30

Ryanr1987 said:
I would love to see a X7 without all the extra features and just for console surround sound at a lower price. I think it is a device (in stock form) That would pair well with headphones like the K712 and it's variants due to there higher bass levels. It definitely lacks bass stock but with the K702 the soundstage is huge.

I actually think the HD700 would be great gaming wise on this also.

So almost the G5 then which they didn't do console surround on. Missed a trick

Jokester · 16 May 2016 at 20:35

I've had one of these for a few months now and I love it, fantastic sound quality through my Shure headphones.

Ryanr1987 · 17 May 2016 at 11:27

Noxia said:
So almost the G5 then which they didn't do console surround on. Missed a trick

It amazes me how they have not done this. They'd sale so many units.

Has anyone tried rolling ops yet? I think for the music side it certainly needs more bass but man playing a well mastered game is a great with the K702.

Noxia · 17 May 2016 at 12:26

Ryanr1987 said:
It amazes me how they have not done this. They'd sale so many units.

Has anyone tried rolling ops yet? I think for the music side it certainly needs more bass but man playing a well mastered game is a great with the K702.

Rumour on HypeFi was they were going to add this with an update but this was based on somebody allegedly having a convo with a rep at CES so massive pinch of salt.
If it did have it I never would have got the X7.

Re OP Amps, I haven't nor would I likely do it but there are some tested combinations here: http://d287ku8w5owj51.cloudfront.net/inline/products/22189/popup/op-amps.html

Ryanr1987 · 17 May 2016 at 12:48

Yeah the X7 would be pretty redundant if that happens because I don't use it for music. Earphonia has a good review on Hypefi with different Opamp impressions it's quite a good read.

Noxia · 17 May 2016 at 13:03

Well there is always the posh option:

The High End Munich 2016 saw, for the first time, the demonstration of Smyth Research's new Realiser A16, a 3D Audio Headphone Processor for decoding and rendering the latest emerging consumer audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D, over stereo hi-fi headphones.

http://www.smyth-research.com/downloads/Realiser A16 new datasheet.pdf

Think I'll back it just for the experience.