Creative Sound Blaster X3 External USB DAC Review

The Sound Blaster X3 is a Hi-Res external USB DAC and AMP sound card with Super X-FI Technology built-in and designed for use with both PC and Mac. However, we’re going to see what other uses the X3 may have in this review. We’re also going to see how well the Super X-FI technology was integrated into an external sound card. So, let’s get into it.

Three years running now, my favorite stop at CES was the Creative suite. Aside from the great people that work for Creative, they have had my pick for best in show each of these three years. Each year, they have had some iteration of their Super X-FI technology on display. Super X-FI technology uses computational audio to recreate the experience of a high-end surround sound set-up and delivers it to any headset and it sounds incredible.

Our first experience with Super X-FI was in 2017. We had met with Creative for the first time when they allowed us to experience the demo what would eventually be the first Super X-FI dongle. At this point, it was very much a prototype in the form of a small, clear plastic box with several wires and switches.  A year later, it had been shrunken down to a small USB dongle, smaller than a Bic lighter designed to plug into your cell phone.

This past CES, Creative had taken their Super X-FI technology to the next level. No longer was it just a simple USB dongle designed to simulate surround sound. Now, Creative has integrated its Super X-FI Technology into other products such as soundbars and external sound cards. Which brings us to the focus of this review, The Sound Blaster X3 external DAC and amplifier with Super X-FI Technology.

Specifications