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Square black external DAC with large volume knob and multiple ports on front and back

Creative Labs

Creative Labs Sound Blaster X4 70SB181500000 sound card

SKU CH-17YM-Y65QK MPN 70SB181500000

External USB DAC and amp delivers 7.1 discrete and virtual surround with Super X-Fi and Dolby Digital Live

  • Audio ChipsetSound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Super X-Fi
  • Channels7.1
  • SNR114dB
  • InterfaceUSB-C, USB Bus Powered
  • Operating Systems SupportedWindows® 10 Ver 1703, macOS 10.15 and above, Windows® 11
  • System RequirementsWindows® OS Intel® Core™i3 or AMD® equivalent processor Inte
  • Hi-res 24-bit/192 kHz DAC for detailed playback
  • 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio for clean audio
  • 1 discrete and virtual surround with Super X-Fi
  • SmartComms Kit with two-way noise cancellation for calls
  • Headphone amp drives 32–600 Ω loads

External USB DAC and Amp

The Creative Sound Blaster X4 is a USB-C powered external sound card that delivers 7.1 discrete and virtual surround audio for Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS 10.15 or later. It targets gamers and content creators who want hi-res 24-bit 192 kHz playback and a built-in headphone amplifier without installing an internal card. Buyers needing an internal PCIe solution or more than 7.1 channels should look elsewhere.

Thermals, noise and power

The unit draws all power from the host USB port, so it adds no separate power supply and generates no audible fan noise. Its aluminium chassis passively dissipates the modest heat produced by the DAC and amplifier stages during normal listening or gaming sessions. No active cooling is present, so thermal throttling is not a concern under typical desktop workloads.

Bundled accessories and software

A 2 m USB-A to USB-C cable and a 1 m optical cable are included for immediate connection to PCs, Macs, PS5, PS4 or Nintendo Switch. The SmartComms Kit leaflet unlocks auto-mute and two-way noise-cancellation features in the Creative app, while the Creative app on Android and iOS via Bluetooth provides remote EQ and Super X-Fi toggles. Three hardware EQ presets and Direct Mode can be stored on the device for driver-free use.

Highlights

  • Hi-res 24-bit/192 kHz DAC for detailed playback
  • 114 dB signal-to-noise ratio for clean audio
  • 1 discrete and virtual surround with Super X-Fi
  • SmartComms Kit with two-way noise cancellation for calls
  • Headphone amp drives 32–600 Ω loads

Specifications

BrandCreative
ModelSound Blaster X4
Part Number70SB181500000
Audio ChipsetSound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Super X-Fi
Channels7.1
SNR114dB
InterfaceUSB-C, USB Bus Powered
Operating Systems SupportedWindows® 10 Ver 1703, macOS 10.15 and above, Windows® 11
System RequirementsWindows® OS
Intel® Core™i3 or AMD® equivalent processor
Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
Microsoft® Windows 11, Windows 10 32 / 64-bit Ver 1703 or higher
> 4 GB RAM
> 4 GB of free hard disk space
USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
macOS
macOS X® 10.15 or higher
Supports Intel-based and Apple CPU chipsets
> 4 GB RAM
USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port
PS5
Firmware Version 20.02-2.26.00.00-00.00.00.0.1 or later
Available USB port
Audio Balance feature requires a HDMI to Optical converter (not included)
PS4
Firmware Version 5.0 or later
Available USB port
Available Optical-out port (for Audio Balance)
Features7.1 DISCRETE SURROUND WITH SUPER X-FI AND DOLBY DIGITAL LIVE - Supports up to 7.1 discrete and virtual surround with three types of surround sound delivery: 1. Super X-Fi technology that recreates the listening experience of a multi-speaker system in headphone, 2. Sound Blaster Surround Virtualization’s famed surround processing that is driven by algorithms that are capable of optimizing spatial information of incoming audio for a complete and immersive auditory experience, 3. Dolby Digital Live
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH SMARTCOMMS KIT AND CRYSTALVOICE - Features our SmartComms Kit
Dimensions130.5 mm x 130.5 mm x 40.6 mm (5.14 x 5.14 x 1.60 inches)
Weight384g / 13.55 oz
Package ContentsSound Blaster X4
USB-A to USB-C Cable (2m / 6.56 ft)
Optical Cable (1m / 3.28 ft)
SmartComms Kit Leaflet
Quick Start Guide and Leaflets
Warranty Leaflets
Shipping weight0.29 kg
Package size237 × 167 × 60 mm

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Questions about this item

How do I install the Sound Blaster X4 on my Windows 10 PC, and what step is often missed?

Connect the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable to a USB 2.0 port, then install the Creative app to enable Super X-Fi and Dolby Digital Live; the step often missed is running the app setup after Windows detects the device.

What maintenance or replacement will the Sound Blaster X4 need over time?

No user-serviceable parts are inside; keep the USB-C port and optical connectors clean, and replace the 2 m USB cable or 1 m optical cable only if they become damaged.

What limit appears first during long gaming sessions with the Sound Blaster X4?

The headphone amplifier is rated for 32–600 Ω loads; driving very low-impedance headphones continuously can trigger thermal protection before the 114 dB SNR spec is reached.

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