Sharing is displaying curiosity!

The Inventive Sound Blaster X1 was introduced in the previous couple of weeks and is mainly a smaller, extra inexpensive model of the favored Sound Blaster X4 I reviewed final yr (and the X3 earlier than it).

Once I first noticed this I assumed it was geared in direction of the cell market and will compete with the premium THX Onyx. Nevertheless, Inventive markets it as the identical merchandise because the Sound Blaster X4. It’s designed for PC and consoles however will work on cell units.

If something, the Inventive DAC lineup is getting a bit complicated. There are actually mainly 5 dongles accessible plus varied desktop and gaming DACs.

Specification

• Dimensions: 9.7 x 175 x 67mm
• Supported headphone impedance: 16–600Ω
• Audio Know-how: Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Tremendous X-Fi, X-Fi, SmartComms Package
• Recording high quality Microphone enter: 16/24 bit / 48.0, 96.0 kHz
• Playback decision: 16-bit PCM 44.1, 48.0, 96.0 kHz, 24-bit PCM 44.1, 48.0, 96.0 kHz
• Recording decision: Microphone enter: 16/24 bit/48.0, 96.0 kHz
• Connectivity Choices (Main): 1 x ⅛″ headphone-out jack (4-pole, CTIA)
• Audio applied sciences:
• DAC: AKM AK4377, THD+N: As much as -105dB or 0.00056%, SNR: As much as 115dB, Frequency Response: 10 – 20,000Hz, Max Pattern Fee: 24bit / 96kHz

Inventive Sound Blaster X1 vs. SXFi AMP

The Inventive Sound Blaster X1 is, by all accounts, nearly an identical to the SXFI AMP.

It looks like an analogous scenario to the Inventive Sound Blaster X4 launch, the place the {hardware} hasn’t modified a lot, however they’ve launched new software program options which can be accessible by the Inventive app.

The SXFI AMP solely has entry to the Tremendous X-Fi utility, which is used for ear mapping and utility of Tremendous X-Fi sound processing and equalization choices.

Inventive Sound Blaster X1 will get entry to the Inventive app, which has:

• acoustic engine
• Equalizer
• sound mode
• crystalvoice
• explorer mode
• Mixer

Sound Blaster X1, X3 and X4 Options

Inventive is advertising and marketing this as a extra inexpensive model of the X3 and X4, they usually even have their very own helpful comparability desk, which I’ve replicated under:

sound blaster	x1	x3	X4
audio high quality	115dB DNR	115dB DNR	114dB DNR
Tremendous XFi	Sure	Sure	Sure
Discreet 7.1 / 5.1	Nope	Sure	Sure
digital 7.1 / 5.1	Sure	Sure	Sure
Supported headphone impedance	16-600Ω	32-600Ω	32-600Ω
DAC Specs	24bit/96kHz	32bit/192kHz	24bit/192kHz
explorer mode	Sure	Sure	Sure
SXFI BATTLE mode	Nope	Nope	Sure
Audio steadiness operate	Nope	Sure	Sure
Good Communications Package	Sure	Nope	Sure
artistic app	Sure	Sure	Sure
connectivity	1 USB-C port for PC 1 x 1/8″ headphone/headphone jack	1 x optical TOSLINK output 1 x ⅛″ rear exit 1 heart/sub ⅛″ output 1 x 1/8″ headphone/headphone jack 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Microphone enter jack 1 x ⅛″ entrance out 1 ⅛″ facet connector 1 USB-C port for PC/Mac 1 ⅛″ line-in jack	1 x optical TOSLINK output 1 x ⅛″ rear exit 1 heart/sub ⅛″ output 1 x 1/8″ headphone/headphone jack 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Microphone enter jack 1 x ⅛″ entrance out 1 ⅛″ facet connector 1 USB-C port for PC/Mac 1 x ⅛″ line-in/optical combo jack

Setting

Though you should use this plug-and-play, the configuration consists of two elements. The common Inventive app is accessible on PC and Mac and offers entry to the Smartcomms package and different options. The SXFI app is then required to do head and ear mapping.

I already did this once I reviewed the Inventive SXFI headset, so fortunately I need not do it once more. Taking selfies of your ear just isn’t the simplest activity, so will probably be useful if in case you have somebody that can assist you.

With the SXFI mapping achieved, you can take full benefit of the Tremendous X-Fi processing.

Software program

The Inventive app is mainly the identical expertise because the X4 I’ve beforehand reviewed. There’s a variety of settings to play with.

SmartComms and CrystalVoice is the primary promoting level and this has:

The principle options provided by the SmartComms Package are:

• VoiceDetect robotically prompts your microphone if you converse and mutes it if you cease.
• NoiseClean helps take away background noise corresponding to fan noise
• NoiseClean does the identical factor, however in reverse, cleansing different individuals’s audio on the decision/stream

The principle factor contained in the CrystalVoice operate is the automated adjustment of the quantity of the microphone.

In use on PC

In case you’re utilizing headphones, this offers roughly the identical total expertise because the costlier X4, and on this state of affairs I truly most well-liked it.

Throughout the time I used to be reviewing it, I wanted to do a Zoom assembly however could not use my foremost PC. I turned to my laptop computer, and the Inventive Sound Blaster X1 with a good pair of headphones offered the proper answer with out having to seek out house to arrange the X4 on the kitchen desk.

Simply earlier than the assembly, I attempted the audio with no enhancement after which with SmartComms Package enabled and CrystalVoice with SmartVolume. With these options enabled, the general audio high quality improved considerably with out worrying concerning the quantity of my voice.

It will after all work with lively audio system, however I really feel just like the X4 is a superior product for that state of affairs, and it is what I take advantage of.

Cell phone

Though Inventive hasn’t marketed it for cell use, it really works completely on each telephone I’ve examined. It additionally appears to work with the SXFI app, which you should have put in for preliminary setup.

It acknowledges the Sound Blaster X1 and customizes the audio based mostly on my foremost map above. Nevertheless, he claims that headphones are unknown within the ear.

Throughout the app, you’ll be able to customise the equalizer to your liking.

Sound high quality

I examined my SIVGA Phoenix and Meze 99 Neo headphones with this and examined it in opposition to the X4 and an affordable USB-C hub with a 3.5mm jack.

In comparison with the hub, the sound high quality was considerably higher, the music went from being a bit flat to being a lot richer and extra detailed.

In comparison with the X4, they sound about the identical to me. Inventive appears eager to level out the built-in AKM 4377 DAC, together with the Ti/Burr-Brown INA1620 twin audio op-amp. Quite the opposite, they don’t point out the DAC and the amplifier on the X4 web page.

Worth and Options

Inventive Sound Blaster X1 launches for £64.99 and is accessible from the Inventive on-line retailer.

The SXFi AMP launched at £139.99, which looks like an insane worth now. It is at the moment closely lowered at £39.99.

The Inventive Sound Blaster X4 is priced at £129.99.

The value appears smart, the options inside the Inventive app are price an additional £25 in my view, and I believe the X4 is price the additional worth for the additional options and further enter and output choices.

Common

The Sound Blaster X1 is a superb little DAC with a variety of compatibility, nice sound high quality, and actually helpful options. You should use it along with your telephone, pc or console.

I discovered it notably helpful utilizing it with my laptop computer, one thing that would not have been sensible with my X4. I believe anybody who works on a laptop computer and has frequent Zooms/Groups conferences would profit drastically from utilizing this with some wired headsets.

The value is honest. Though the {hardware} hasn’t modified, I believe the extra new software program options justify the upper worth than the SXFi AMP.

The massive downside is that when you shelled out £100+ for the SXFi AMP 4 years in the past, you haven’t any alternative however to purchase a brand new gadget if you need the Inventive app. It’s a pity that these customers can not buy the software program license for Inventive App and improve present {hardware}.