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unbornchicken
37
Feb 26, 2016
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How does this compares with the Asus Xonar U7? I know the latter is 7.1 but I mean just in the stereo aspect. Any idea?
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
Feb 26, 2016
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unbornchickenHey there this is Ryan from the Sound Blaster team.
There are some pretty immediate spec differences in the E5 vs the U7. This is mainly because the E5 was designed primarily as a stereo device with portability in mind vs the U7 being more of a desktop output device.
We added 7.1 to the E5 as it was a highly requested feature from our users and we were able to leverage our engineers hard work on our G5 gaming amp and apply it to the E5 as a bonus feature to the product (another advantage of having an actual processor on board is we can add features via firmware)
E5 - 120dB SnR U7 - 114 dB SnR
E5 - Hardware processing - SBAxx-1 Chipset (the same chipset as used in our high-end internal sound cards - audio processing is handled by the SBAxx-1 Chipset U7 - C-Media 6632A Processor (effects and processing are handled by your CPU)
E5 - AptX Low-Latency Bluetooth allows you to interface with mobile devices or use your mobile device as a means to control the device without leaving your current PC / Mac screen U7 - No Bluetooth
E5 Connectivity Options
Line / Mic / Optical In: 1 x 3.5mm jack (1/8") Headphone Out : 2 x 3.5mm jacks Line / Optical Out : 1 x 3.5mm jack USB Host Streaming: 1 x Type-A USB Port AptX Low-Latency high-quality Bluetooth
U7 Connectivity Options
Analog Output 4 x 3.5 mm jack (1/8") (Headphone out /Side out/Center-Subwoofer out/Rear out) 2 x RCA (Un-Balanced) Analog Input 1 x 3.5 mm jack (1/8") (Line-in/ Mic-in combo) Digital 1 x S/PDIF out (1 x Coaxial)
E5 - No Dolby decoding U7 - Dolby® Home Theater v4 (Multi-Channel out to speakers)
For stereo (and now surround) I can very confidently say that the product performs very well at the price point. There's a ton of reviews out there to back that claim up. Hope this helps!
There are some pretty immediate spec differences in the E5 vs the U7. This is mainly because the E5 was designed primarily as a stereo device with portability in mind vs the U7 being more of a desktop output device.
We added 7.1 to the E5 as it was a highly requested feature from our users and we were able to leverage our engineers hard work on our G5 gaming amp and apply it to the E5 as a bonus feature to the product (another advantage of having an actual processor on board is we can add features via firmware)
E5 - 120dB SnR U7 - 114 dB SnR
E5 - Hardware processing - SBAxx-1 Chipset (the same chipset as used in our high-end internal sound cards - audio processing is handled by the SBAxx-1 Chipset U7 - C-Media 6632A Processor (effects and processing are handled by your CPU)
E5 - AptX Low-Latency Bluetooth allows you to interface with mobile devices or use your mobile device as a means to control the device without leaving your current PC / Mac screen U7 - No Bluetooth
E5 Connectivity Options
Line / Mic / Optical In: 1 x 3.5mm jack (1/8") Headphone Out : 2 x 3.5mm jacks Line / Optical Out : 1 x 3.5mm jack USB Host Streaming: 1 x Type-A USB Port AptX Low-Latency high-quality Bluetooth
U7 Connectivity Options
Analog Output 4 x 3.5 mm jack (1/8") (Headphone out /Side out/Center-Subwoofer out/Rear out) 2 x RCA (Un-Balanced) Analog Input 1 x 3.5 mm jack (1/8") (Line-in/ Mic-in combo) Digital 1 x S/PDIF out (1 x Coaxial)
E5 - No Dolby decoding U7 - Dolby® Home Theater v4 (Multi-Channel out to speakers)
For stereo (and now surround) I can very confidently say that the product performs very well at the price point. There's a ton of reviews out there to back that claim up. Hope this helps!
EpicFlyman
179
Feb 27, 2016
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unbornchickenI would recommend the E5 over the U7. Comes with a stand for desktop use, plus it can be used as a portable amp. Better quality and functionality, imo.
denizc
5
Feb 27, 2016
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DigitalRonynHey Ryan, is it possible for you to answer the question I previously asked since you are from theb Sound Blaster team. The question was:
I'd like to know if there are any other differences between the G5 and the E5 aside from the mobile usage (E5's batteries and compatibility with mobile devices) and bluetooth capability. More specifically, are there any differences between the DAC, Amp and processing chipset of the E5 and G5. If I only intend to use the devices for desktop use, will there be any differences in terms of sound quality?
I'd like to know if there are any other differences between the G5 and the E5 aside from the mobile usage (E5's batteries and compatibility with mobile devices) and bluetooth capability. More specifically, are there any differences between the DAC, Amp and processing chipset of the E5 and G5. If I only intend to use the devices for desktop use, will there be any differences in terms of sound quality?
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
Feb 28, 2016
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denizcHey denizc,
The DAC / AMP and processing chipset of the G5 and E5 are similar but different in some component areas. They both share the same SB-AXX1 chipset, DAC and Amps. There ARE modifications internally on the G5 such as the G5 only has a singular headphone jack versus the dual powered split headphone jack of the E5 (for content sharing). For the G5 the two ports on the front are used as dedicated headphone and mic inputs.
Sound quality between the two units is going to be essentially identical.
Here's a link to a compare from our website...
http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster?compare=22019
When you got there you will see a box in the lower right corner that says compare and it will compare the two products side by side with each other.
Hope this answers your question!
The DAC / AMP and processing chipset of the G5 and E5 are similar but different in some component areas. They both share the same SB-AXX1 chipset, DAC and Amps. There ARE modifications internally on the G5 such as the G5 only has a singular headphone jack versus the dual powered split headphone jack of the E5 (for content sharing). For the G5 the two ports on the front are used as dedicated headphone and mic inputs.
Sound quality between the two units is going to be essentially identical.
Here's a link to a compare from our website...
http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster?compare=22019
When you got there you will see a box in the lower right corner that says compare and it will compare the two products side by side with each other.
Hope this answers your question!
BetaWolf
13
Feb 28, 2016
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DigitalRonynSo basically, it's just some different jacks, a built in mic, and bluetooth support? Guess I'll take the one without the loud LEDs, then.
Evshrug
3772
Community
Feb 29, 2016
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DigitalRonynGratz on adding PC/Mac 7.1 surround support!
I read on the iOS App Store that updating the E5 firmware allows the Sound Blaster Central app to "see" the E5 after an iPhone/iPad is upgraded to iOS 9, is this true? I've been holding off on updating my iPad specifically because of this!
Thank you!
Thank you!
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