The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio is a sound card designed for music and gaming enthusiasts who want to experience high-quality audio output. This sound card is an upgrade from the standard onboard audio system found in most computers, laptops and gaming consoles. It provides better sound quality, surround sound and a more immersive audio experience. This article will review the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio and highlight its features, benefits, and drawbacks.
Design and Build Quality
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio comes in a compact design that fits into any desktop or laptop computer. The card is durable and well-built, with a black PCB and a silver shroud that adds a touch of elegance to its design. The card has gold-plated connectors that ensure a stable connection to your audio devices.
Audio Quality
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio provides high-quality audio output with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 109 decibels (dB). This means that the sound produced by the card is clear, crisp, and devoid of any unwanted background noise. The card also supports 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution, which provides more accurate sound reproduction.
Surround Sound
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio supports multi-channel surround sound, which provides a more immersive audio experience. The card supports up to 7.1 surround sound, which means you can connect up to eight speakers or headphones to the card. The card also supports Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect, which allows you to encode your audio signal into a digital format for playback on other devices.
Connectivity
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio has a variety of connectivity options, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone jack, and optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. The card also has line-in and line-out connectors for connecting other audio devices.
Software
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio comes with a suite of software that allows you to customize your audio settings. The software includes the Creative Alchemy, which enhances older games that do not support hardware audio acceleration. The software also includes the Creative MediaSource, which allows you to manage your music library and create playlists.
Compatibility
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio is compatible with most Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. The card is also compatible with Mac OS X, but some features may not be available on the Mac platform.
Installation
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio is easy to install and set up. Simply plug the card into an available PCI slot on your computer’s motherboard, install the drivers and software, and you’re ready to go.
Benefits
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio provides high-quality audio output, surround sound, and a more immersive audio experience. The card is easy to install and set up, and it comes with a suite of software that allows you to customize your audio settings. The card is compatible with most Windows operating systems and Mac OS X.
Drawbacks
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio may not be suitable for audiophiles who demand the highest quality audio output. The card may also be expensive for some users who are on a tight budget. Additionally, some users have reported compatibility issues with certain operating systems and games.
Conclusion
The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio is a great sound card for music and gaming enthusiasts who want to experience high-quality audio output. The card provides surround sound, a more immersive audio experience, and a suite of software that allows you to customize your audio settings. While the card may not be suitable for audiophiles who demand the highest quality audio output, it is a great upgrade from the standard onboard audio system found in most computers.
