Creative Sound Blaster X7

29 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
design (27)
usability (8)
size (3)
reliability (1)

Negative
price (13)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 29 reviews of Creative Sound Blaster X7. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers really like the reliability and size. The usability and design are also appreciated. Many are less positive about the price.

design, usability, size, reliability

price

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Creative Sound Blaster X7 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 29 reviews)

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User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Showing 18 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 18 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (11)

Expert review by : Ty Pendlebury (cnet.com)

Creative Sound Blaster X7 review

Ever since the dawn of the sound card, the PC has been able to perform the many of the functions of specialized equipment. While audio-specific add-ons themselves have dwindled in popularity due to the prevalence of higher-quality onboard sound,...

The Creative Sound Blaster X7 is a jack-of-all-trades USB amp with that offers unrivaled features and connectivity for the money. Sound quality is up there with dedicated DACs. The volume knob is handy for PC desktop use.

Better hi-fi amplifiers can be had for the price. No remote control beyond the smartphone app. Build quality isn't as good as you'd expect for a $400 component. The headphone detection circuit is poor, and hooking up surround sound is a pain.

The Creative Sound Blaster X7 offers a ridiculous number of features for the money and sound quality is generally very good, but its appeal is limited.

May, 2015

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Expert review by : Tom McNamera (maximumpc.com)

Creative Labs Sound Blaster X7 Review

The gold-plated kitchen sink of soundcards

Jun, 2015

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Expert review by : Michael Brown (techhive.com)

Sound Blaster X7 review: Audiophile performance without the audiophile price

You name it, the X7 can do it: It's a high-end DAC, headphone amp, USB audio device, digital amplifier, recorder, Bluetooth host, and more.

Nearly every digital and analog I/O port you could want ; Audiophile components (DAC, ADC, and headphone amp) ; High-quality USB and Bluetooth audio streaming

No HDMI support ; Can't decode high-res Blu-ray soundtracks ; No support for Apple's AirPlay technology

I evaluated the Sound Blaster X7 with both headphones (Bowers & Wilkins’ P5 and Ultrasone’s HFI-2400) and a pair of loudspeakers that Creative product manager Ryan Schlieper introduced me to. Both experiences were exceptional. None of the headphones I...

Nov, 2014

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Expert review by : Marcus Wong (hardwarezone.com)

All-in-one audio wonder: Creative's Sound Blaster X7

With its high resolution audio-capable DAC and powerful Class D amplifier, the Creative Sound Blaster X7 has certainly made waves in the audio community for its combination of features, quality, and price. And now we've finally been able to put one to...

Small footprint makes it easy to shift around ; Supports full 24bit/192kHz sampling ; Bluetooth support ; Great value given the features

Software audio enhancements can be a little too much

At this point, we think it’s safe to say that the Sound Blaster X7 really does work as advertised, both in terms being able to adequately power your headphones and speakers, and in terms of being able to give you clean audio through its internal DAC....

Mar, 2015

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Expert review by : Marcus Wong (hardwarezone.com)

Exclusive! First looks at the Sound Blaster X7, Creative's new desktop USB DAC and Audio Amplifier

Creative's new Sound Blaster X7 is a desktop USB DAC and audio amplifier that connects to your TV, sound system, and smart devices, bringing high quality sound to your home thanks to the high-end 24-bit /192kHz, 127dB desktop USB DAC and audio...

Sep, 2014

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Expert review by : Stuart_Davidson (hardwareheaven.com)

Sound Blaster X7 Review

A few weeks ago we reviewed an item which completely exceeded our expectations. The Sound Blaster E5 was an external sound card which could be used on PC, Console or smartphone… Bluetooth, NFC, headphone amp, dual outputs it had all that and more…...

The design of the X7 will certainly stand out in any home entertainment or desktop environment and while it is a plastic body used here, the finish is of a high enough standard to fit in with expensive components. The gold and silver highlights help...

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Expert review by : What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

Creative Sound Blaster X7 review

The Sound Blaster promises much but fails to shine. It's a decent performer but is easily bettered by the likes of NAD's D3020

Fully featured Bluetooth connectivity Agile sound Tonally balanced Distinctive appearance Adjustability provided by app

Price puts it up against some tough competition Lack of sonic insight and dynamic thrust

The Creative Sound Blaster X7’s spec sheet promises much, but it doesn’t really deliver sonically. Our money would go elsewhere unless we could get one with a very hefty discount. MORE: Best DACs 2015

Apr, 2015

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Expert review by : Martin Pipe (homecinemachoice.com)

Creative Sound Blaster X7 review

Lots of features and gadgets; a decent overall playback standard; solid headphone amp and audiophile tweaks

No HDMI connectivity; optical input only supports DD and PCM; 5.1 is a faff

Highs: Lots of features and gadgets; a decent overall playback standard; solid headphone amp and audiophile tweaks Lows: No HDMI connectivity; optical input only supports DD and PCM; 5.1 is a faff

Jul, 2015

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Expert review by : Ty Pendlebury (cnet.com.au)

Creative Sound Blaster X77 review: This sound card is like a Swiss Amplifier Knife for desktop

The Creative Sound Blaster X7 offers a ridiculous number of features for the money and sound quality is generally very good, but its appeal is limited.

May, 2015

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Jez Ford (pcauthority.com.au)

Review: Creative X7

T he Creative X7's gaming origins are clear from its styling, its extensive sound tweakery and inclusion of gaming modes, but in hi-fi terms it is a digital amplifier, combining DAC, headphone amplifier, and internal amplification to drive a pair of...

Some dodgy software muddies the music, but with tweaking this is a great solution.

Jun, 2015

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