Preface: The Sound Blaster X7 is an innovative high-end external USB sound card. The name of the sound card is innovative, but the X7 is an external USB sound card. It is still lacking, and it is difficult to locate what kind of audio product the X7 is because X7 Too many features, X7's biggest feature is to cover the DAC, sound card, decoding amp, power amplifier and other functions, X7 built-in 100W high power amplifier, and their own E-MU XM7 is a combination package, and X7 can also be independent Used as a home integrated audio solution, the simplest is to connect the TV, with the E-MU XM7 form a small home audio system, can also be used alone, through the PC as an external sound card, you can also connect other digital players to form a decoding The amp-one machine can also be used as an independent DAC. It can be said to be a machine in hand and travels all over the world. This article from a variety of aspects of experience, analysis of this hybrid audio product and its set of passive speakers XM7.
Sound Blaster X7 out of the box
Sound Blaster package X7 is kind of deja vu, and original Sound Blaster E5 amp package in the hands of a very similar estimate Sound Blaster series of products are up this style. But the packaging and weight of the X7 is much larger than that of the E5. Is it a big man with great wisdom? The X7 can be set in addition to the software of the traditional PC platform, and can also be set by the mobile terminal's APP. This is a design that has evolved with the time. The front cover of the X7 is printed with a physical display and various parameters, functions, and awards of the X7. On the back is a detailed text description of the X7, which actually lists 14 features, and the side is the front and rear interface buttons of the Sound Blaster X7. And detailed description of the corresponding software. The X7's packaging is printed on the top of the specification. The advantage of this type of packaging design is that it can intuitively tell you all the information of the X7, such as Bluetooth, NFC and other functions, it is clear at a glance. The disadvantage is that people with intensive phobia can't stand it, and they also lack some sense of beauty. Of course, this is not important. Comparative packaging is only an accessory.
Sound Blaster exactly the same shell material X7 and the E5, with a full plastic body, the shape is similar to the triangle shape, and the shape of the traditional external USB sound card significantly different, this triangular shape looks good Compared with rectangular products, it is also very artistic.
The left and right sides of the X7 are printed with the Sound Blaster X7 logo. There is a USB HOST connector on the lower left side, which can be connected to various terminal devices, used as a USB DAC device, and has the function of charging various digital products. NFC is located on the right panel and devices with NFC sensors can be connected to it.
Blaster X7 front at the top there is a large volume knob, but no design limit, the indicator shows the maximum, minimum volume, you can press the knob to mute or unmute. The dense holes in the middle are microphone pickup holes that can be used for talking, chatting, and recording. Below are two buttons, the leftmost power button and the rightmost SBX button, with the Dolby logo printed in the middle instead of the button. At the bottom, there is a row of interfaces. From left to right, there is a 3.5mm microphone input, a 6.35m jack, and a 3.5m jack.
Sound Blaster X7 rich back interface, comprising a passive four speaker terminal, Line out, Line in, optical input and output, connected PC MicroUSB interface, the impedance switches (on the left passive speaker output column line, There are 4 ohm and 8 ohm impedance output knobs) and power input.
X7 accessories are very rich, when I opened the time after the lottery, there is a kind of instant noodles to send a lot of spices feeling, please forgive me this reeling it, in fact, X7 accessories have always been so many, will let you have The feeling of being highly prized includes manuals, power adapters, USB cables, and audio patch cords. Of course, these are not the focus. The most common are the power cords of various plugs. There are seven in total, summoning the rhythm of dragons and hoists. Ah, Earthman can't stop the seven gourds of X7 from playing power. The point highlighted here is that this time, an independent high-power adapter was delivered. This made me wonder for a long time. I already had a power adapter. Why did I send one? The original power adapter was a standard 70W power supply. With the X7 is not in the best working condition, high-power power adapter with 144W of power, can play a 100W (4 ohm impedance) output power. So with a passive speaker high power adapter is the best choice.
At the bottom of the X7, there are four rubber mats. Open the cover can also replace the X7's four op-amp chips. The op amp chip uses 8-pin straight-type. The X7's design is a pleasant surprise for a friend who likes to toss an op amp. The X7 op amp contains two dual operational amplifiers New Japan Radio NJM114D and two single operational amplifiers Texas Instruments LME49710
Sound Blaster X7 Multiple Play Experiences
The audition system is as follows:
Digital Turntable: Soundaware A100
Amp: Voice of the East ES1000, provigny, VINCENT KHV-3
Headphones: HIFIMAN HE6, Beyerdynamic DT880, Denon D7100, D600, AKG K240S
The innovative X7 is used as a stand-alone DAC: front-end Soundaware A100 → DAC Sound Blaster X7 → amp provigny
HE6
In the innovation of headphones X7 LO port can not fully play out its strength, the main thrust and control lacking, so this part of the innovation X7 connect the digital audio player to enjoy the A100 and innovation X7 as DAC, output to The amp provigny connects high-impedance headphones. It is difficult for HE6 to directly use the innovative X7's LO port to exert its strength, and it is easy to make stuffy sounds and insufficient low-frequency dive. Adding the provigny earpiece will make HE6's sound full, sense of strength, and sense of depth enhanced. In the large-scale repertoire, the level of sound is much better than the sound of the innovative X7 direct connection HE6. Tri-band and resolving power have also been strengthened. From the point of view of change, the innovative X7 as a DAC has performed well in terms of quality.
D7100
The D7100 differs from the HE6 in that it is of the easy-to-push type. However, there is a high requirement for low-frequency control of the equipment. The purpose of connecting the amp is also to strengthen the control force. The innovative X7 is equipped with a provigny amp to make it low-frequency sensitive. Thinned a lot, became clean and agile. The vocals have become full, delicate, and soft. They have changed a lot when they are connected directly. In terms of resolving power, they are not as good as those of the Baia headphones, but they are much better than direct pushes.
DT880
Innovation DT880 when X7 direct push is relatively dry, although the quality is very good, but the sound is cold, innovative X7 with provigny ear amp slightly touch up, both to maintain a clean and clear style, while the vocal aspects have more Shuirun feeling, DT880's The mid-high frequencies are slimmer, and the innovative X7 with provigny amps adds thickness and sounds less dry.
In summary: When the innovative X7 direct push high-resistance headphones and some headphones that require strong control, can not fully play its strength, if you use the innovative X7 as a DAC, the innovative X7's high-resolution advantages will be played out. However, the innovative X7 DAC is limited to quality, and it is still slightly lacking in terms of musicality.
Innovative X7 Direct Push Low Resistance, Portable Headphones:
Tianlong D600
Tianlong D600 is a portable headset, but the disadvantage is too much low-frequency, the advantage is that the sound is mellow, texture is very good. Innovation X7 with D600 is a good combination, X7's low frequency D600 low-frequency thickness has been thinned. Of course, the thickness of the overall sound is also reduced a lot, but in terms of quality, especially in terms of resolving power has a good upgrade, the sense of sense of hierarchy has a corresponding increase, so X7 with D600 is a complementary type, is a worthy of recommendation with.
AKG K240S
The K240S's sound has a retro taste, soothing sound, low-frequency bouncing, and the taste of IF is very unique, much like the feeling of old Shanghai. Innovation X7 with K240S, the taste of the sound to the quality of the transfer, the low frequency has become more compact and powerful, the brightness of high-frequency have been strengthened, so that this combination is not necessarily so people like it, because the innovation X7 destroyed the K240S Personality, but also enhance the quality, innovation in the K240S X7 is a double-edged sword, preferences vary from person to person.
Sound Blaster X7 and E-MU XM7 Combination Listening and Comparison
power adapter options:
X7 and XM7 package has a dedicated 144 watt high-power power adapter, this power adapter can better play the XM7 speaker's strength, standard power supply power of 70W, in fact, voice and 144W also have a difference, 144W sound It feels more powerful and stretched, and the sound field is more open. It is suitable for large-scale music. So personal advice when listening to music recommended 144W high power adapter If you just use to connect the TV, 70W standard power is enough. XM7's sound quality is obviously higher than other speakers, of course, the price of these speakers are mainly below 2000 yuan, located in the Bluetooth speaker, personally feel that if only as a home audio solution choice, then X7 and XM7 combination is very suitable, but XM7 Can not be used independently, need to use with the X7, overspending on the budget, this is where the XM7 is awkward, and if you consider going out to carry these factors, then the choice of other speakers will be more appropriate.
Sound style settings:
The E-MU XM7 passive speaker belongs to the monitoring sound, which is also very similar to many innovative machine styles. The sound is straightforward and lacks taste. Of course, this is not unchangeable. There are three sound options in the APP user interface. This sound style: full of energy, neutrality and warmth, you can also adjust the XM7 sound through SBX sound and EQ. By adjusting the low volume, the resolving power is greatly improved.
Energetic: Resolving power, dynamics better, vocals are dry, lack of polish.
Neutral: Energetic and warm in the middle.
Warm: The vocals are warm and soft, with high frequencies supple and natural. However, the analytical power and dynamics have declined.
SBX sound effects: After you turn on, the bass feel increases, and the Bass option adjusts how much the bass is.
In addition to composing music, the personal choice is warmer mode. At this time, the voices are polished in many ways. At the same time they are bright and full, the high frequency is exquisitely excelent, the brightness and hardness of the violin are properly controlled, and no wire tone is produced. Dry feeling. In terms of low frequencies, the sense of volume is appropriate, but it is somewhat tight. You can increase the amount of low-frequency feeling through the SBX sound effect. In terms of quality, the details and level performance are acceptable, and it is a perfect counterpart to the female voice and the string type. If you do not want to toss SBX sound effects, you can directly use the 144-watt high-power adapter, the sound of the low frequency is significantly better than the standard power supply.
contrast to other
XM7 sound performance in the same passive
The strength of XM7 lies in its quality. No matter if it is sound resolving power, layering or dynamic, these aspects are all very good. The low frequencies are clean and clear, and the high frequency is clear. However, the disadvantage of XM7 is the lack of polish, musical taste, and giving people a cold feeling. Resolving power in the instrument is good, but too lean in the human voice, making the voice less than full, it does not sound very tolerant. Therefore, XM7 is very suitable for the performance of the instrument, whether it is the bright of the violin, the crispness of the triangle iron, and the grainy feeling of the piano. However, vocals lack fullness and a sense of dryness may be more, perhaps due to considerations in these areas. The sound aspect is designed for innovation and sound adjustment can be made according to preferences.
At last:
The innovative X7 takes the external sound card to a new height and combines multiple functions to form a Big Mac hybrid audio solution, whether it is the playback of pure music, or the demand of home theater, game entertainment, and X7. The XM7 suite can meet the requirements well, and the APP interface that keeps pace with the times makes the traditional user interface readily available. The X7 adds more features to the traditional audio solution, whether it is Entertainment, audio, video, games, and music can all provide integrated solutions that save time and effort. For people who like simplicity but not simple ideas, the X7 and XM7 suites are the first choice for home audio and video solutions. Coupled with the package price, it is still very tempting.