Creative Sound Blaster E5 High-Resolution USB DAC 600 ohm Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth

Evaluation of the Creativelabs Sound Blaster E1 For several years I have bought many devices manufactured by Creativelabs. As a musician and computer tech guy I have also helped to set up several of their products for family, friends, and coworkers. The Sound Blaster E1 is a must have device for several groups of users. The designers and support staff are to be commended for its versatility. My intention was to use it as a headphone amplifier to boost the volume of my volume hungry, low sensitivity AKG headphones. Initially I had my doubts but I WAS WRONG. This device offers many things for many different target groups. And the sound clarity of both the output and internal mic are exceptional. So read on! Since I’m not a sales person I thought I would first tell you about what its minor issues have been for me and the work-arounds. Don’t be afraid of this device because there are 2 small issues. It’s actually a cool device with several features. No sense both of use dealing with the same problems when one of us already has (that would be me). I will provide you with the solutions. Issue One: Following the “In Box” Instructions The included “In Box” Sound Blaster E1 Guide can be confusing for some. (It doesn’t say “Quick Guide” but that’s really what it is.) There is a far better detailed guide online which I will direct you to a little later. Frequently a newly manufactured device requires drivers that are not yet available and require the included software to be installed first. The software that the included guide directs you to download and install will not install unless you first install the device. The guide does not specifically tell the user what the correct steps are to install this device so read on. Solution One: This is the correct way to install the E1 device: 1. Out of box the device is turned off. Orient yourself to the power switch and where the power “On” position is located (forward towards the tiny LED light.) You are advised to plug the E1 into a USB port in order to charge the internal battery and its first full charge may take as long as 8 hours. I found it took far less than that. 2. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet because Windows will need to remotely find and install the updated driver. 3. Plug the E1 into your computers USB port (probably better that you avoid plugging the cable into a USB hub since problems can occur.) 4. Slide the power switch to the “On” position. 5. In Windows OS the driver will be found online and installed. Be patient, for me this took a couple of minutes. 6. Go to www.Creative.com/support , find the E1 under the Sound Blaster category. Then download to your hard drive the “Sound Blaster E1 Software Pack” for your OS. 7. I suggest you also scroll up to the top of the page and to the right of the picture of the E1, click on and download the “Quick Start User Guide.” With 49 pages this guide is very helpful and a lot more than a “Quick Start” User Guide. Remember once it loads to your browser you must then manually save it to your hard drive. 8. With the E1 connected and on, install the software. When completed you will need to restart your computer. So there you go! Issue Two: No separate volume control for each of the two headphone inputs Solution for Problem Two: Make sure that the two sets of headphones you use have the same input sensitivity which is a fancy word for use the same earbud type headphones or the same brand and model of headphones. In other words hook them up and test to see if they are both outputting the same volume. Important observation # 1: The software is pretty cool with several adjustments that can be made. Of course the only way you can benefit from the settings found in the E1 SBX Control Panel (the software you installed) is to connect the device to a USB port in your computer. The manual that I suggested you download explains all the features quite well. I listened to both a DVD of an action scene from the Hobbit and a live recording of a band I made with an HD camera at 24bit 96kHz audio. Under the SBX Studio Pro I liked the “Bass” boost and “Crystalizer” enhancements but not certain I like the “Surround” enhancement. Individual differences I guess. Also when you first install the software I noticed no sound and found that the volume was turned all the way down in the “Advanced Setting” section. It took me a few moments to troubleshoot that problem. Important observation # 2: Phone differences I’m not certain that the E1 meets the criteria for “hands free” and the manual does not state as such. This is probably because you can receive “hands free” calls but you cannot send “hands free” calls. The “Multifunction” button works differently on different phones. I have a Droid 4 while my wife has an iPhone. The Four-pole analog cable (included) works seamlessly with the iPhone. A call comes in; you press the “multi-function” button to answer the call and again to end the call. But with my Droid the input accommodates a three-pole cable. However something wonderful happens with the Droid and the E1. Inserting the 4-pole cable in my 3-pole Droid jack (remember cable will not go in all the way so don’t force it) and pressing the “multifunction” button briefly will put the Droid in and out of mic “mute” mode and slightly longer (like one second) answers and ends calls like the IPhone. Winner...Droid! Important observation # 3: When connecting the E1 to your computer via the supplied USB cable. While watching a video AND simultaneously tweaking with the settings of the SBX panel there is a slight stuttering of the sound. This may be specific to your computer’s processor once you make you adjustment the stuttering goes away. So what can you do with this device...really and practically? Actually it has several uses and I tried all of the below except the “gamer” features. • Let’s say you’re on a plane and you and that special person are sitting close to each other (Is there any other way to sit when you ride coach?) You want to use your tablet or laptop to watch a movie together. You could get a stereo 1/8" splitter to listen to the sound but chances are the volume won’t be loud enough. The E1 will be able to boost the audio signal and you will both hear every word of that movie. • If you’re like me and have a studio quality set of headphones you will need a headphone amp like this. • You are doing an aerobic workout at the gym and use your iPhone to listen to tunes. You also need to answer whenever phone calls come in. With the push of the multifunction button, the music stops and the phone call begins until you push it again to end the call and the music resumes. Pretty nifty huh? Well it would be better if you could permit yourself to work out and get your calls afterwards but I guess next life. • You are outside at Starbuck’s and talking to you mom on Skype (like that will happen.) You don’t want everyone to hear you or listen in on you and your mother’s conversion. Don’t worry, the E1 has you covered. The clarity is impressive even using the internal mic on the device. • You are a musician laying a keyboard track and another musician has plugged in a different instrument so they can lay a second track on your multi track software like Cubase, Acid Pro, or several others. Both of you need a set of headphones. This will do it for you. Remember the headphones need to have the same sensitivity value. • I’m not a “gamer,” but from what I can tell this device will work great if you are a “gamer.” You can hook up your mic/phones headset with some pretty cool settings for added sound enhancements. • You want to be hands free to receive phone calls. The E1 can handle this too. • Finally there are several other recording features that can be done but that’s someone else’s turn. So, if any of the above features interest you, I would recommend this device.

Let me start with what I did the minute I opened the packaging (which was really nice BTW)! I started off with charging the device with a 5v dc 1a charging adapter as stated in their site (about 8-hours), when I wanted to use it today to experience the so-called "heavenly sound" the device just wont start !! >> it seems like it didnt charge at all, that is why I re-put it on the charger to see what is wrong, but it seems like it didn't charge at all .. I tried several chargers even tried charging it with my PC and my laptop but nothing seems to work ! I am pretty frustrated as I paid around 200$ for this device (along a 30$ for my aramex shipping), after all the waiting it seems like I cant use it, I searched everywhere for a solution but there seems to be none at all ! I will mail them and see if we can get any solution 'cause I am really looking forward to using this little beast >< will get it updates soon ^^ -------------------------------------------- 16th/April Sorry for the late update. Anyways, after I posted the review by 1-2 days, the device started running without issues. It is working like I expected it to be when I first bought it. the sound quality is MUCH MUCH better right now. This little beast carries so much functions, so anyone looking for a portable Amp/Dac, give this device a shot, or at least read about it. I bought this device originally to use as an amplifier for my awesome AKG K712, with time I started using the Bluetooth feature for my phone when watching videos on it, so I have the sound come out of my Bose speakers instead of Note5's rubbish speakers, I have been using the Bluetooth feature a lot when I am on my disk as it is better this way. The E5 has a dual 3.5mm stereo jacks, so now I can use 2-headphones at a time when watching a movie with my friend on my computer. The internal mic of this device is so bad, and if you really need to use the mic, it has to be like 7 centimeters away from your mouth or else it won't record clearly (I don't suggest buying this with expectations of a good mic). When it comes to this device's software application on Windows (it's the same on mac as I read), it is really functional, you can control everything from it. You can create personal profiles for your gaming, or different kinds of musics you often listen to. You can even change the voice output from the Microphone through Crystal Voice, It was pretty nice to change my voice (male) to a female sound when chatting with my friends ^^. The software has control over everything, and it is as user-friendly as it gets. So even amateurs like me can mess up with it and try everything possible out of it. So, you really can think of this as a multi-purpose device as it can do much stuff, but there is a single problem with it that really pissed me off at first. This device is a High-res "USB" amp/Dac. Which means that it has to work better, or at least to its full potential through USB. No, it MUST work as anticipated through USB. But with me that wasn't the case at all. when using the USB, the sound quality wasn't that much better than my motherboard's sound quality. Then I used the mini Toslink cable, and then I noticed a major difference, positively of course. But that in a way disappointed me, since I expected a USB instead of.... this.... situation!!. Well, Overall if you were looking for an amplifier without a high expectation for sound quality, this device is absolutely worth ever penny for the various functions it has. But if you were an Audiophile (not me), then I think that you should look out for other alternatives with this price tag. Overall, for me this device has what it takes to sit on my desk. If you wanted the E5 you may find it on Massdrop with a much less price of 150$, if you are lucky the drop might be available there. So, let me list the pros and cons for you. Pros :- *Amazing amplifier for my AKG K712 *Better sound quality (using the Mini-toslink) *Multi 3.5mm stereo jacks *Top-notch Bluetooth functionality (it has NFC too) *An insanely functional software for this device Cons:- *The sound quality using the USB wasn't as good as expected, you have to use the mini-toslink to use to its full potential *It didn't start when I first charged it, and that was a nightmare at first. but after it started working, everything seems to go well with it I give the E5 a rating of 4/5, since it is a supposedly USB device, but the sound quality over the USB wasn't that good for a Dac of this price tag. Everything else is perfect. I am extremely sorry for my bad english, from the name you should not have expected it to be any better folks ^^ Regards

Tiene muchas funciones las cuales no creo utilizar. El sonido por Bluetooth es excelente y se puede utilizar como batería externa.

If you are looking for one extra device to improve your music experience or to power all you in-ear-monitors and overhead headphones, this is the exact device you are looking for. It can drive your smallest impedance earphone, or 600 Ohm headphone very well. The sound is rich and detailed. In fact, we don't see lots of reviews online for this item. That is because Creative Sound is not paying those people to write those biased review. Device tested: Shure SE425 IEM and Beyerdynamic DT 990 600 Ohm, on Windows PC, iPhone Bluetooth and iPhone wired.

Easy to use & LOUD

Antes que nada, ya tengo más de un año con el producto y se me ha caído, lo he expuesto a viajes largos, al sol, al frío y en general ha demostrado ser de batalla. sin problemas su funcionamiento. Gracias a su software que te descargas de la pagina oficial de Soundblaster, le saqué aún más jugo pues lo he podido utilizar muy satisfactoriamente como micrófono, como programa de grabación de voz y como puente a otro DAC más pesado para manipularlo en conjunto con el ecualizador y las funciones extra del software. En mi caso, al poseer muchos tipos de audífonos y un excelente receptor de audio, lo puedo puentear para levantar más el sonido de por ejemplo, un NES, un psvita, un gameboy advance y consolas sin entrada digital en general. Obviamente estoy hablando que lo utilizo como un puente a mi verdadero receptor y a mi verdadero DAC, según sea el caso, pero para escuchar música con mi dispositivo portátil o jugar en consola portátil con audífonos, va de maravilla y reitero que no le duele nada. Ya es cuestión de cada quién para que lo quiere, sólo digo que al ser tan pequeño, potente e incluir un software especializado, se convierte en una herramienta muy versátil.

This entry level amp is almost everything a beginner audiophile could want: in-house audio control + EQ software, versatility for your phone, gaming and other audio needs, and most importantly: a damn good battery (a little over a day?). Be careful though, this does pump a lot of juice. The portability and feature list were what separated me from the as-capable Asus Xonar U3, though unlike the U3, this does not have SPDIF support.