For all it's boasts of innovation, Apple still has a tin ear when it comes to audio technology. Its own AirPods can’t play high–quality "lossless" audio, so music fans who want the best sound quality still need to use ye olde wired headphones and a DAC — digital/analogue converter — that can boost the sound quality.
There are several portable DACs available for iPhone/iPad, and Creative’s new Sound Blaster X1 is one of the most affordable DACs we've seen recently. But, somewhat oddly, it’s primarily designed for use with Macs, PCs and gaming consoles rather than mobile devices.
The X1 has a USB–C interface for connecting to your Mac and a 3.5mm connector for headphones, and there are handy buttons for controlling volume and voice calls as well. I noticed the difference in sound quality from my MacBook Air as soon as I started playing the Hounds Of Love album by Kate Bush. The hypnotic drum loop on Running Up That Hill has much greater impact, and the enhanced clarity of the sound reveals a rather weird left/right panning effect that I'd not noticed before. The didgeridoo on The Big Sky has a really rich, woody texture to it, and the excellent slap–bass really lands with a sharp snap.
There’s also a Creative app available for macOS 10.15 or later — although this is where things get a bit messy. The app includes some useful EQ controls, but its Super X–Fi feature for surround–sound effects requires you to download two additional apps — for both Mac and iOS — and the whole process turns into a bit of a struggle. Thankfully that’s non–essential, and the X1 works fine on its own as a compact and affordable option for boosting the sound quality on your Mac and other devices.
Features: USB–C DAC and amplifier, up to 115 dB SNR at 24–bit/96kHz playback resolution, plug–and–play USB–C interface. Dimensions: 175 x 67 x 9.7mm, 15g
Price: $69.99
The software is a bit messy, but the Sound Blaster X1 provides strong sound quality at a competitive price.
Comments
Post a Comment