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

I honestly give it a 4.5 rather a 5 for a few problems that I faced but will be mentioned below. Overall this is one hell of an amp I bought as an upgrade from my e1 I had a while back but wanted to take my audio further. I use this amp for evweything, phone (lg g5) hand held gaming, hand held audio device (i basso dx90) my headphone (hifiman 400I cans) home sound bar system (jbl) and gaming laptop (sager custom gaming pc). And yea I know that's a few things but I wanted to test out as much as I can on this product with what I currently own. I'm no high level audiophile but I would like to think I'm starting to become one. So with all that said lets talk about pros cons other thoughts Pros: easy to use to turn on or off just hold the buttons, pleasantly aesthetic, two headphone slots, built in mic, audio boost, sbx option (for more listening experience) bluetooth for those who prefer wireless functionality, usb slot to charge devices (currently I own pc and Android devices) line in\out for more audio options and a micro usb slot to charge the device. Basically the features are all cool Cons: not sure why but the amp gets hot. And I'm not saying a slight warm during use I mean hot and sometimes uncomfortable I am hoping its not a defect. Finger print magnet, does NOT come with AUX cable. The mic tends to be quite at certain angles and can cause horrible feedback when testing on a pc, no indicators on the amp to know which side increase volume or decrease volume, bulky Other thoughts: for the price the cons doesn't really affect much besides how it heats up I don't like it at all. The crystal voice feature that can be set up via the software for the product (can be downloaded online for free) isn't all that great but it does help further customize how specific you want your audio experience to be. The fact how loud it can get really helps me to play my hand held consoles in the sound range I would like (something the sound blaster e1 could not do). The audio sounds rich in all my devices and the optic cable did help and works like a charm when listening to my music over my sound bar, though personally I feel my cans just sound better than that. Overall do I recommend it yes. This was a mixed buy at first because I didn't feel that I needed an amp since I already had another one but I wanted to try it out. The bluetooth or nfc wasn't a big thing for me but if you are one of those people who uses their smart phone as their main music source then you will be pleased. The connectio is simple and strong but does drain the battery faster than the claimed 8 hours. Overall I am happy with my purchase and you will be too.

Sounds incredible compared to Audioengine D1 and Schiit Audio fulla. More than loud enough to drive my q701, DT880, DT990's. NFC pairing was too easy, just laid my phone on it and it asked to pair. Bluetooth quality is excellent like aptx lossless. You can take calls while wearing your audiophile cans and it uses the mic built into the DAC. No noises (did not test with IED's) and best stereo seperation I've heard. Very analog sound like pristine record player. Sound is superb direct USB to Galaxy S4, Bluetooth to S4, and USB to a pc. Bonus, you can listen to it as a pc dac via USB AND stream bluetooth to it at the same time, no switching of inputs. This makes it easy to play a game with it on pc, while playing music at the same time from my phone instead of tabbing out to control spotify on the pc or something and adjust volume on phone, adjusts music level in game. Brilliant. Best soundblaser product in a long time and first I'd ever call audiophile. The cirruslogic DAC is exceptional. It makes my audioengine D1 sound like on board audio by comparison. I even ditched my FIIO E10k 1 watt amp since this thing is so loud and clean. However, in 24 hours i've already encountered several hiccups that make me rememeber how bad creative labs can be. The first time I installed on pc the rate/bit is locked at 24/48,000 with no option to change. Installed their driver, now I get all bit/sample rates. Their software has crystalizer and direct mode. While auditioning back and forth, the audio started getting stuck in a loop looping the last milisecond of whatever you played .It got worse and turned into a feedback loop and I had to unplug it to clear it. I also have had trouble turning it off and on. You have to hold the power button like 5 seconds to turn it off or on. Tonight while pc connected it would not turn on at all. No button presses did anything. I had to unplug the usb port to get it to respond and now it's working fine again. Occasional noise while streaming USB, pops and clicks, sporaddic but rare. Not a deal breaker if it stays rare. The stand is clunky as hell. It will tip over constantly when you try to touch it. Better to run it flat without the stand. I will post more if I encounter any more weirdness.

UPDATE 5/10 - having various issues which may or may not be the devices fault...and some issues that are the softwares fault...but the biggest issue is with customer service not replying to emails, or trouble tickets or anything else AT ALL - till i get some questions answered this will stay at 1 star UPDATE 5/11 - they replied - and the emails have been forwarded to their tech department..well see if the issues can be fixed the plethora of features this thing has are AMAZING, it makes listening to some TV shows and other things a night and day difference - hearing things you never did before..plus not having to fidget with the volume nob during commercials or during loud scenes...in FPS's it lets you hear where your enemies are, even on plain old stereo headsets...the bass boost again AMAZING...it also lets you listen to your bluetooth device+optical/line in audio+USB from PC or phone (tablet,phone,tv playing music or anything else) while your entertaining yourself with whatever you want from any of the other inputs...and you can pan each of those inputs to the left or right ear - and control each of the volumes and the master volume of the device(although the mixer feature is sadly lacking over the android application (possibly iOS as well) - hopefully theyll fix this) - this device also boasts an awesome recording setup, 3 mics with autosensing of orientation, filtering of background noise and various other 'fun' things that are just there for exactly that, fun...like making your voice sound like a deranged psychotic alien, but when these are properly tweaked i can be listening to my TV(on speakers) and doing voice chat with a friend and they cant hear it..but can hear me crystal clear. the device can also record from line in and microphone or 'what you hear' (stereo mix of sorts) and various other things...for the price and the fact this thing is USB and works with practically every device in every possible use scenario...you cant go wrong - now the only issue ive noticed is some distortion with the bass on some tracks/tv shows..but im pretty sure thats my v-moda headset - if you want a demo of some of the tech that this device offers go to Creatives youtube channel and load the 'Sound Blaster SBX Pro Studio Technologies' playlist and play them through your favorite headset - it wont be EXACTLY as good as the actual device but they try to show what the different features do and what you can expect

This is a good all rounder. Creative has definitely worked hard to get a all these features crammed into this device and the price is very appealing. I have a couple amps and dacs but the creative is a bit too much on the bright side in terms of audio representation. While it sounds clean and crisp, it is no way a true representation of the source material. You can eq all you want, won't make a difference. Volume has to stay on the low side in order to protect your hearing. Can't turn it up a bit to bring out the soft background instruments in complex performances. Love the hardware and software implementation for gaming and movies, gives the theatre experience when needed. I can't use this on my high end cans without taking a break every half hour or so. I really tried hard to appreciate the sound signature but my ears are well trained over the years. Thanks, and I hope I've helped out someone!

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

Just received it today and I am loving it already. I am not an audiophile in anyway. I owned a few headphones: Beyerdynamic T1, HD650, ATH M50, UE TF10, Super 5 Pro, Harmon Kardon CL, BT, NC and Aony MDR-NC60, and a Sony earbud came with my notebook. I also own various kinds of headphone amps: Little Dot II with upgraded tubes, Fiio E17, E12 and E6. I hated UE TF10, Sony MDR-NC60 and the Sony earbud. The first thing I tried after receiving CSB E5 is to create a profile for my hated headphones. I can use EQ to adjust these headphones to my likings. The big surprise is my Sony Earbud(no model # on it at all), immediately after plugged in to E5, it bombarded my ears. It was very uninspiring when used with Z1190x, almost like WHAT a $5 earbud would produce. With E5 it is like a completely different league of headphone! I then used EQ to adjust Frequency Response and it is now sounds wonderful! I then EQ MDR-NC60 and UE TF10. Now they all sounded about the same although the analytic ability depends on the design of the headphone but they are now sounded as close to each other as possible. CSB E5 cannot do magic to the headphones but it can makeover the sounds headphones make! Now I have not hated headphones! I am now listening to Hill Song's Ocean. The highs are almost as clear as my T1 with Sony NC60 and EQ(to my surprise)! The sound stage is also widely expanded(with SBX turned off of course). For how much? When amped with Fiio, it sounds like sitting in my study room. When amped with CSB E5, it sounds like I am sitting in a big auditorium without echos. Like I told you before, I am not an audiophile, this is as close to my listening experience as possible. I have not tried my high end(high Impedance) headphones yet since I probably will not use E5 with these headphones anyway and I just received it for 4 hours. These headphones are too large to be portable but I believe they will sound as good. However, CSB E5 has its limitations. It amped too much to most of sensitive headphones. The above mentioned headphones all sound too loud when plugged in. I have to level -6B to be able to bear the volume. Now I am listing to 2 out of 100 on Windows 8.1's volume! And I am using low gain! I found the CSB E5 boosts bass a few db too much when compared with my Little Dot II, otherwise it is balanced. The highs are not harsh(but not as smooth) and the mids are a little recess. Other than these, it is perfect considering it is a "portable" headphone amp/bluetooth receiver. I cannot take Little Dot II to school but I can take E5 to school. When compared with Fiio amps. I would say E5 is better in anyway than Fiio's amps(all I have at this moment anyway, E17 is coarse when compared with CSB E5). Suggestions to Creative: 1. Add a LED display like Fiio E17 and allow users to change EQ profiles on the fly. Otherwise I have to plugin to a computer to change EQ, it is very annoying. 2. It is too loud for sensitive headphones! 3. Come on, we paid $200 and there is no carrying/protecting case in the box? It is a portable amp right? 4. I do not like the touch of E5 case, I like E17's case better. It feels like cheap plastic even though it is not plastic. Now you know what I mean. 5. Make it smaller. It is unnecessarily large. If it comes with a bigger battery then it is understandable. However, the battery is only 3200mah and drains with my android tablets why such a big body? 6. Make it round instead of hexagon. I understand the design for raising up with the included stand, but why? I can record when it is laying flat. I'll purchase again if all current features are kept with the ability to change EQ on the fly in the next release.

Let me begin by stating I purchased this device over other portable amplifiers because of its Bluetooth capabilities. I was very pleased with the improved audio quality I experienced with both the B&O H6 and Oppo PM3 when compared to using the iphone headphone jack. What is a deal-breaker for me is that like many things these days, this item is supposed to be disposable tech like many other small electronics. Here is the response I got from Creative when asking if the battery was replaceable when it inevitably fails after a few years (if not sooner): Dear Customer, Thank you for contacting Creative. We are currently experiencing high volume of emails. Thank you for your patience with us. I'm afraid the battery is not user or service replaceable. You need to purchase a new unit. And by that time the unit require battery replacement, either the unit may cost less (considering the fact that electronic product prices drop down the road) or a model with better features (considering the fact that the technology is fast changing) may be available in the market. For other enquiries, please send us an email via our Support website. Regards, Gary Creative Worldwide Customer Response That said, I leave it everyone to decide if they really feel like shelling out $200 every few years to replace a headphone amp along with their cell phone, etc. While I have little doubt that in the grip of consumerism I would likely do as Gary suggests and replace this amp with a new fancier one before the battery runs out, it should because of a desire to upgrade to a superior product, not because corporate practice/greed necessitates the replacement. In summary, great device Creative, but I will pass and wait until someone else comes out with a similar product which allows battery replacement. I would gladly pay $100 more not to be subjected to being forced to re-buy all my electronics every year.

I'm pleasantly surprised with this. I can honestly say i've been ANTI soundblaster products since the Audigy sound cards. SOOOOO many problems with their products on pc's. Anyhow, I decided to give this a try. I had a FiiO E12 Mont Blanc and returned it for numerous reasons, it's sound signature is less than desirable in my opinion. It was dark and muddy imho. I also had a FiiO X3 and returned that as I had some issues with the playlists and other glitches that were not ok. The sound of the X3 was pretty darn good I do admit. I'm listening on a pair of Senneheiser Momentum's with a Pure Solid upgraded cable by Lavricables. My other listening preference are a pair of the amazing IEM's- Xiaomi Piston Earphone Ii. I'm a picky listener and this E5 has left me in awe of how much performance it's managed to pack into a very very reasonable price. I hate to say I even use the bluetooth in this as it's the best sounding bluetooth connection i've ever heard. I HATE bluetooth as the sound is so degraded in most cases. This E5 has managed to make it bearable. Albeit it's obvious that direct connection is the best. I'm a bit upset that the max output from an Iphone is 24bit/48khz. and worse with an android, something like 16bit/48khz or 44khz, not sure. I don't have an android phone. I use Onkyo's HF player on my iphone 6 64gb... darn, I should of purchased the 128gb. Anyways, i'm likely going to get a real Flac/DSD player soon... looking to get the new X3K from FiiO, or maybe just get the iBasso DX90.. not too sure as there isn't really many players that are what i'm looking for. This E5 is a sure winner in my collection and I use it at work a lot. I carry it in my pocket and plug in my Piston IEM's... I leave my phone at my desk and let it charge while connected to the E5 via bluetooth. Sounds great for bluetooth. I have it direct connected in my car and I can see myself using this daily. I just love the sound stage. It's the same setup as whats on my Asus Black Edition Rampage IV motherboard... the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC (i'm a big fan of this), and the same amazing headphone amp TPA6120A2 and in the E5 they have managed to get it to be only 2.2ohms. That makes this E5 a very practical portable DAC with surpreme sound quality for 200 bucks! Buy this and you'll be happy you did. I'm still going to buy a FiiO E12A IEM edition amp with the Muses02 opamp, I must have... likely will pair that with the X3K... and i'm really wanting to compare side by side with the E5... I have to say one bad thing, the E5 is a little thicker than I would want. I would give it a better rating if it was .5-.6 " thick. it's almost 1inch thick... kinda chunky. However, it's very lightweight. The FiiO is heavy, solid metal. This E5 is plastic yet well made. It's base is rubber and grippy.

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.

It gets one star because I don't know how to do a no-star review. Since it arrived it has failed to power up, just leaving a flashing light indicating that it is charging (which I have tried several times), and has not worked at all. I won't be buying electrical goods via Amazon again.

Peccato, avevo letto molte recensioni positive sulla qualità del prodotto ma purtroppo il mio è arrivato non funzionante. Un problema alla batteria forse, fatto sta che non si accendeva nemmeno. Rispedito ad Amazon che ha prontamente provveduto a rimborsarmi. Ottimo servizio clienti come al solito!

Avoid this thing at all cost. It worked for 2 weeks, and then it wouldn't turn on or charge. Stupidly, it will not work unless the battery is charged. So I now have a $270 paper weight. Creative wouldn't help, Amazon wouldn't help, and neither would the third party seller.