Introduction – Creative SoundBlasterX G6
Creative has been a force in the PC industry for a long time now but the company has had sporadic releases in recent years with their mainstream line-up getting more attention and their gaming counterparts. But Creative products are an example of when its not broken don’t fix it and many of their products have stood the test of time, proving that they have a sense of what they do. Given they are one of the most focused company in audio, there’s no arguing that. From speakers to sound cards, Creative has had great success in making some of the most timeless pieces of technology.
With Creative now coming back to our local market, I finally got my hands on some of their products meant for gaming namely the SoundblasterX G6. A product released in 2018, it still remains as one of the most revered USB DAC for gaming not only for its sheer audio performance, but high compatibility with existing and even newer devices has been one of the strong points of this DAC.
Features & Specification
- UPGRADE YOUR GAMES ON PS4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, AND PC | Get immediate increased enjoyment over basic motherboard and controller audio! Apart from incredible audio quality, the Sound BlasterX G6 boasts gaming-centric features such as Sidetone volume control and easy-to-reach profile buttons
- INDUSTRY-LEADING AUDIO PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY Enjoy full audio customization and enhanced audio realism with immersive 7.1 surround virtualization, accurate cues, bass boost and in-game voice communication enhancements. It also has Scout Mode than enhances in-game audio cues, letting you hear your enemies before they hear you
- 7.1 VIRTUAL SURROUND SOUND AND DOLBY DIGITAL Enjoy the latest in immersion technology with Dolby Digital decoding or Sound Blaster’s proprietary surround sound perfect for games and movies
- DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP Custom-designed Xamp headphone amplifier features discrete components through all stages of amplification in a bi-amp design. Each audio channel is individually amplified to deliver a whole new level of pristine audio fidelity in an authentic, unaltered lossless model. The ultra-low 1 Ohm output impedance perfectly drives performance-grade sensitive 8W in-ear monitors all the way to studio-grade 600W headphones
- 130dB DNR, 32-bit 384kHz DAC Advanced 32-bit oversampled multi-bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology eliminates distortion, ensuring audio is streamed with the highest level of detail and fidelity
Closer Look – Creative SoundBlasterX G6
The Creative SoundBlasterX G6 is packaged in a small cardboard box with a full-color print of the product. There’s a lot of marketing icons here for the features of the product. Inside we have the SoundBlasterX G6 with a couple of inclusions:
In the box comes the SoundBlasterX G6 itself, a microUSB cable and an optical cable. Some documenatation is included as well.
Taking out the G6 off the box and we have this palm-sized device. One of the most noteworthy aesthetic features of the G6 is the knob at the front. This is illuminated once powered-on via USB and it offers volume control as well as mix control of the audio.
From this angle as well we a split headset and mic port and take note, that the headset port is TRRS so you use it directly with a unified jack for your headset without the need for a Y-cable splitter.
The side of the SoundBlasterX G6 has some quick function buttons for activating features without needing the software. We have scouting mode which amplifies footsteps, then SBX to activate your preset profile on the DSP engine and lastly the gain toggle. The indicator light under the Dolby Audio logo indicates the highlighted function of the front knob.
At the back we have input and output jacks supporting both 3.5mm and optical Toslink on both ports. Lastly we have the microUSB port.
For size comparison, the Creative SoundBlasterX G6 is right around half the size of a large modern smartphone and weighs around the same. The bottom is lined with rubber to prevent slippage during usage.
Software
The Creative Sound Blaster Command is the software companion for the SoundBlasterX G6. It allows the users to control the various knobs of functions of the G6 including DSP processing, volume, playback, mic volume, etc. Users can also change the LED lights on the top of the G6.
If you’re outputting straight to a sound system with its own volume control and effects, you can enable direct mode as well for unprocessed output.
User Experience & Conclusion
As a 2018 product, its impressive that the Creative SoundblasterX G6 is still regarded highly half-a-decade past its release. Not only is it the the loudest gaming DAC from its time but even to this day, it is simply ahead of its time.
And that’s one of the highlights of this DAC. Even on low gains, I am personally listening to music on a pair of Creative T100 on 80% while my Windows volume is only at 10% and it is already very audible in a very active room. Cranking it up past that really shows what this thing can do especially if you’re on cans that are harder to drive.
But aside from raw power, it also offers great flexibility offering mic-game mixing plus advance processing with SBX. The software offers great tuning option for the G6 and while I do feel it feels laggy on rapid input, it is still a rich interface that offers everything one needs to access in one screen.
Having the option to go from my PC, to PS5, to Xbox One to Switch is a great functionality and while it should be a given for any device by this time, its nice to see that the SoundBlasterX G6 to not have any problems working with devices unreleased in its time.
Coming off a SoundBlaster Audigy RX, I already have a good impression of the DSP capabilities of SoundBlaster devices and as much as I would prefer sticking with a PCIe solution on PC, giving the SoundBlasterX G6 a try was an eye opener in what can be achieved from my consoles especially since I run a premium audio setup for my console gaming area as well.
The biggest question here is should one get a Creative SoundBlasterX G6 or any DAC amp for that matter? And the honest answer is not really since most gaming motherboard even the entry level ones would already have very capable DACs. The big IF here is that since most are built on Realtek chips complimented by most ESS Sabre, and while that may be enough in most cases, they don’t offer the same level of features unless the brand actually invests in their audio experience which leads to mix opinions purely from a PC usage, especially if you’re mid-upgrade and about to swap your motherboard.
If you game in a mixed platform environment but want a more consistent audio experience, then the decision should be easier, albeit you’d still be needing a PC for EQ settings but moving it around is a matter of just plugging in the USB cable.
For those looking for a more powerful audio solution for their gaming platforms and need a more consistent experience across all devices, the Creative SoundBlasterX G6 is one of the most reliable option out now and its proven its excellence over the years as it still sits as one of Creative’s most powerful DAC amps despite new models coming out.
Creative products are now available in the Philippines. Check with your favorite dealers for pricing and availability. You can also visit Creative Philippines at their Lazada and Shopee stores.