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Sound blaster x3 officially released! Cheaper than sound blasterx g6?

J

josiah

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Apr 16, 2019
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I purchased one blindly today. Going to return the K5 Pro for if it sounds as good or better. I miss the fake 7.1 of my GSX 1000 for gaming.

Here are the specs:
  • Dynamic Range (DNR): 115 dB
  • Direct Mode:
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Dolby Digital Live: 16-bit, 48.0 kHz

Recording Resolution

  • Mic-in: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Mic-in: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • What-U-Hear: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • What-U-Hear: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Line-in: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Line-in: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Connections
  • Connectivity Options (Main): 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x 1/8″ Rear Out, 1 x 1/8″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x 1/8″ Headphone / Headset Jack, 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Mic-in Jack, 1 x ⅛″ Front-out, 1 x ⅛″ Side Out Jack, 1 x USB Type-C port for PC / Mac, 1 x ⅛″ Line-in Jack
AMP Specs:
  • Headphone Amp: Supported Headphone Impedance: 32Ω - 600Ω, Low Gain: 32 - 149Ω (1.2V RMS @ 32Ω, 1.5V RMS @ 150Ω), High Gain: 150 - 600Ω (2.3V RMS @ 150Ω, 2.9V RMS @ 600Ω)
Other:
  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
  • DAC: Dynamic Range (Stereo): 115 dB, THD+N (Stereo): 0.0004%
  • ADC: Dynamic Range: 104 dB, THD+N: 0.0017%
  • Power: USB Bus Powered, USB Type-C
 
OP
D

deadchip12

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Joined
Aug 1, 2019
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josiah said:
I purchased one blindly today. Going to return the K5 Pro for if it sounds as good or better. I miss the fake 7.1 of my GSX 1000 for gaming.

Here are the specs:
  • Dynamic Range (DNR): 115 dB
  • Direct Mode:
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Stereo): PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Playback Resolution (Optical Out): PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Surround 7.1: PCM 32-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Dolby Digital Live: 16-bit, 48.0 kHz

Recording Resolution

  • Mic-in: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Mic-in: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • What-U-Hear: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • What-U-Hear: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Line-in: 16-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
  • Line-in: 24-bit, 48.0, 96.0, 192.0 kHz
Connections
  • Connectivity Options (Main): 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x 1/8″ Rear Out, 1 x 1/8″ Center / Sub Out, 1 x 1/8″ Headphone / Headset Jack, 1 x 1/8″ Ext. Mic-in Jack, 1 x ⅛″ Front-out, 1 x ⅛″ Side Out Jack, 1 x USB Type-C port for PC / Mac, 1 x ⅛″ Line-in Jack
AMP Specs:
  • Headphone Amp: Supported Headphone Impedance: 32Ω - 600Ω, Low Gain: 32 - 149Ω (1.2V RMS @ 32Ω, 1.5V RMS @ 150Ω), High Gain: 150 - 600Ω (2.3V RMS @ 150Ω, 2.9V RMS @ 600Ω)
Other:
  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
  • DAC: Dynamic Range (Stereo): 115 dB, THD+N (Stereo): 0.0004%
  • ADC: Dynamic Range: 104 dB, THD+N: 0.0017%
  • Power: USB Bus Powered, USB Type-C
Click to expand...
I wonder what is the output impedance. The specs says it only supports >= 32 ohm headphone. My fidelio x2hr is 30 ohm only.
 
J

josiah

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2019
Messages
47
Likes
25
deadchip12 said:
Quite surprising considering the x3 has super x-fi. What’s the catch?

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...laster-with-super-x-fi-is-here-300924609.html
Click to expand...

We will not have all the answers until it has been reviewed/measured. Here are the downsides we know on paper (G6 | X3)

Dynamic Range: 130dB | 115dB
Max Playback Rate: 384kHz | 192kHz
Specified rang of output impedance: 16-600 | 32-600

What does this mean? We don't know. I won't notice the lower max playback rate...

What we do know, this is based on the SXFI. That has settings specifically for the Philips X2. I would be surprised if the mobile version supports the X2 but the desktop version does not.

I did order one, and will compare it to the Fiio K5 Pro when it comes in. Assuming I don't cancel it and just get the D50s/Atom combo.

Note: I have a X2HR.

Update: I decided to cancel my order for the X3. I decided to go with the safe bet JDS Atom + Topping D50s.
 
Last edited:
M

Mauro

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Joined
Nov 23, 2019
Messages
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87
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is listed among the compatible/calibrated? headphones
From the PC app ver.3.4.56:
sxfi.png
 
S

supremo

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2020
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0
Mauro said:
Me. What you would like to know about it?
Click to expand...

Hi!
Now i have a fidelio x2 and rokit rp4 g3 with an asus xonar essence stx for gaming and music listening, but now i need an external sound card. Is this card a good choice for replace mine? Is good for music listening with flac?

Thank you
 
Last edited:
M

Mauro

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2019
Messages
95
Likes
87
supremo said:
Hi!
Now i have a fidelio x2 and rokit rp4 g3 with an asus xonar essence stx for gaming and music listening, but now i need an external sound card. Is this card a good choice for replace mine? Is good for music listening with flac?

Thank you
Click to expand...
I am not into gaming so I can’t say..I do have Philips X2 and it can drive them without problems. Even if its output 10 ohm impedence might not be the best fit. The super x fi thing might add some spatial awareness for gaming but produces terrible effects on tonal balance.
it doesn’t seem to have the proper power to drive higher impedence headphones too if we take into consideration Amir preferences.
It won’t have problems with flac up to 48kHz if I properly remember.
For music listening alone isn’t worth the price. But if you like using the nice pc app to eq it, mic in or line outs for powered speakers might worth it.
 
S

supremo

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2020
Messages
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0
Mauro said:
I am not into gaming so I can’t say..I do have Philips X2 and it can drive them without problems. Even if its output 10 ohm impedence might not be the best fit. The super x fi thing might add some spatial awareness for gaming but produces terrible effects on tonal balance.
it doesn’t seem to have the proper power to drive higher impedence headphones too if we take into consideration Amir preferences.
It won’t have problems with flac up to 48kHz if I properly remember.
For music listening alone isn’t worth the price. But if you like using the nice pc app to eq it, mic in or line outs for powered speakers might worth it.
Click to expand...
can you tell me if i can buy something better for my headphone/speakers with 150€?
 
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