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Creative Sound BlasterX Katana
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Creative Sound BlasterX Katana
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Product Description
Since introducing the popular Sound Blaster series of sound cards, Creative has earned a reputation for its high-quality audio products spanning headsets, speakers, amplifiers, and DACs. The Katana is the latest in the Sound BlasterX series Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downRochambeaux
348
Mar 13, 2017
After making the big mistake of the Razer Leviathan, I tried over a dozen soundbars (including high end ones). In the end I went with a small desktop DAC/Amp and a pair of Kanto YU3's and a separate powered sub.
Make no mistake: Soundbars are for situations where you are willing to make big sacrifices in sound quality for size/convenience. For TV watching, they are great. Gaming/music? Awful
Make no mistake: Soundbars are for situations where you are willing to make big sacrifices in sound quality for size/convenience. For TV watching, they are great. Gaming/music? Awful
Evshrug
3775
Community
Dec 14, 2018
ThehalfghostThis was designed for a near-field effect. Meaning the optimal spot to listen from is a couple feet from the Katana, whereas a TV soundbar is designed to “throw” the treble further and the optimal listening spot is a couple yards away (couch distance).
Personally, I think the Katana is plenty loud to hear from a distance, so it will work ok in a small room, but it won’t “fill the room” the way larger speakers will. The stereo separation is better up close, too.
I’ve now had my Katana long enough that I need to change the battery in my remote. Looks easy enough to do, but I’ve been lazy so far (because I sit in front of it anyway). I need more “chill” in my life and the Katana fills that role, fitting under my screens and connecting to my PS4 (Optical with Dolby Bitstreaming), PC (USB as a 7.1 device), and iMac (Bluetooth). It’s nice that I can switch inputs without having to unplug anything, and it does sound way better than my iMac speakers and is great for chilling out. When I want to game with a little more competitive audio, I’m still pleasantly surprised with how well the Katana powers my 150 Ω and 120 Ω headphones, with the headphone surround processing.
Jcarry
13
Mar 13, 2017
What a crock of shit, this thing sounds like GARBAGE compared to a YAS-203. Why do people/businesses still think it's ok to overcharge for glorified bullshit, oh yeah becuase we still buy their shit.
Jcarry
13
Mar 15, 2017
I was wrong about how your audio processor handles the Input, I was not wrong about it being upscaled as an end result. Unless you are saying your processor can magically turn a 16khz sample into a 24khz sample without any upscaling of any form(numbers are for an example not an actual reference). This , from how you explained it, does exactly what the Yas-203 does but with Your audio processor instead of thiers. Chew on this for a bit--
Head related transfer function (HRTF) enhancement for improved vertical-polar localization in spatial audio systems US 8428269 B1 Abstract A spatial audio system for implementing a head-related transfer function (HRTF). A first stage implements a lateral HRTF that reproduces the median frequency response for a sound source located at a particular lateral distance from a listener, and second stage implements a vertical HRTF that reproduces the spectral changes when the vertical distance of a sound source changes relative to the listener. The system improves the vertical localization accuracy provided by an arbitrary measured HRTF by introducing an enhancement factor into the second processing stage. The enhancement factor increases the spectral differentiation between simulated sound sources located at different positions within the same “cone of confusion.”
by definition you are upscaling part of the HRTF to replicate/enhance(this is the upscaling part buddy) . Unless you guys have completely redesigned how HRTF is being implimented.
Like I said before, you can paint a duck to look like a goose but it's still a duck man.
Head related transfer function (HRTF) enhancement for improved vertical-polar localization in spatial audio systems US 8428269 B1 Abstract A spatial audio system for implementing a head-related transfer function (HRTF). A first stage implements a lateral HRTF that reproduces the median frequency response for a sound source located at a particular lateral distance from a listener, and second stage implements a vertical HRTF that reproduces the spectral changes when the vertical distance of a sound source changes relative to the listener. The system improves the vertical localization accuracy provided by an arbitrary measured HRTF by introducing an enhancement factor into the second processing stage. The enhancement factor increases the spectral differentiation between simulated sound sources located at different positions within the same “cone of confusion.”
by definition you are upscaling part of the HRTF to replicate/enhance(this is the upscaling part buddy) . Unless you guys have completely redesigned how HRTF is being implimented.
Like I said before, you can paint a duck to look like a goose but it's still a duck man.
Xries
21
Aug 13, 2017
If anybody is interested then the soundbar can be easily Jerry rigged to be mounted under the monitor with a VESA mount using the included wall mounts. It doesn't have any native mounting holes in the back though. Here it is under my Samsung S34E790C Curved Ultrawide.
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
Oct 10, 2017
Xries, fire me a mail at socialmedia@creativelabs.com....I'd like to send you a token of appreciation for taking the time to show how you did this mod. Awesome job!
Soko
224
May 17, 2017
Beware of massdrop shopping! Customer service doesn't respond and you will end up with customs fees. This will mean you can pay the posted price but end up with a punitive customs charge thats more than the goods you buy! Do not buy from Mass drop. Just go on Amazon and get this for less, a warranty and no hassles!
MurderDogg
73
Nov 19, 2017
SokoThank you for the public service announcement. Some country's (protective) import fees can make or break the Massdrop deals. The Swiss customs office billed me $35 for a $75 Super-Retro-Trio. However, It was still way cheaper than here.
That same Super-Retro-Trio game console came with one of the controllers defekt. I Emailed Massdrop and the manufacturer. Massdrop gave me a full refund before the manufacturer even had a chance. I am pleased with their customer support.
Amazon does offer an equal or lower price sometimes, but they don't offer delivery to Switzerland.
fin170
129
Mar 13, 2017
"$140.00 shipping to:"
Really?
This site is becoming increasingly redundant to a European customer such as myself, both in terms of pricing & the waiting period.
fin170
129
Apr 17, 2017
Suggest you 'look up' what (leaving the vulgarity aside) a troll is as I assure you I've better things to be doing than trolling & indeed researching shipping rates on a site whose foundation is built upon offering deals. My point stands; "... Obviously ridicules, in regards this product at this price point."
direland
5
Apr 17, 2017
fin170Hey bud you started it. Don't accuse people of shit when you don't know what you are talking about. Having an opinion that counts means you've done your research instead of shitting on a sale or someone else's comment because you don't like the shipping rate. Hence the trolling comment.
I thought the shipping was expensive too but after going to creative site and getting the size and weight of the product and doing some shipping price comparisons I discovered the shipping to Poland is actually half price to what Joe Blow gets walking in off the street. FACT. I spent over an hour looking and checking prices before I made my post... you simply wiped your ass on the keyboard.
Further research I discovered my local retailers sell this for the price + shipping combined so actually it wasn't a horrible price point all things considered. So for people who don't have direct access to this particular item its a great deal. People still gotta make a profit however small right?
9 times outta 10 a commercial outlet will have a very similar price because they have already paid the shipping. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck bud... i do my research.
I thought the shipping was expensive too but after going to creative site and getting the size and weight of the product and doing some shipping price comparisons I discovered the shipping to Poland is actually half price to what Joe Blow gets walking in off the street. FACT. I spent over an hour looking and checking prices before I made my post... you simply wiped your ass on the keyboard.
Further research I discovered my local retailers sell this for the price + shipping combined so actually it wasn't a horrible price point all things considered. So for people who don't have direct access to this particular item its a great deal. People still gotta make a profit however small right?
9 times outta 10 a commercial outlet will have a very similar price because they have already paid the shipping. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck bud... i do my research.
jhowell1030
102
Mar 19, 2017
To everyone picking this up:
Please post your review in here after it arrives. All of these sponsored reviews say one thing but everything I found from folks that actually went out and bought it didn't feel it was worth the money. For that reason, I backed out of the drop.
Please post your review in here after it arrives. All of these sponsored reviews say one thing but everything I found from folks that actually went out and bought it didn't feel it was worth the money. For that reason, I backed out of the drop.
jhowell1030
102
Jun 27, 2017
Keep us posted. Hard to find real user reviews for this vs sponsored ones.
Romas
0
Jun 28, 2017
jhowell1030My Sizzling sounds was too high, but since i turn off sound bar every time, i got everything just perfect
SnowRa1n45
10
Dec 9, 2016
Thank you massdrop and creative for the solution to my issue. I did receive the katana from creative france, it's a beautiful product and sound very nice
brolly
23
Dec 10, 2016
SnowRa1n45Looks awesome, glad they worked it out for you and got it to you so damn fast!
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
Dec 10, 2016
SnowRa1n45Ok this is one slick setup! Glad you're enjoying it SnowRa1n4s. Don't hesitate to ping us at socialmedia@creativelabs.com if you have any questions.
Vipre
9
Jan 19, 2018
The last drop this was $199, and all of December this was $199 at Microcenter, free shipping. Any idea why we have to pay $30 more? This is my first drop, is there a chance if more people buy it that the price will lower further than $239?
Evshrug
3775
Community
Jan 23, 2018
Cardioid mics (IIRC) are directional... they are supposed to have a much quieter pickup than in the main direction. The modmic is not cardioid, but it’s low sensitivity helps it mostly pick up sounds that are close to the mic, though it’s a “mod mic” because it’s meant to be an easy way to mod a headphone into a headset with something like an integrated mic. I’ll tell you what though, there will always going to be some bleed, also echoes off the wall behind you, and using speakers and a microphone is always going to be obnoxious with anyone you game with.
I did see some emerging tech though, where a DSP uses the sound from the game and tries to cancel out that from the mic input. Not perfect.
I did see some emerging tech though, where a DSP uses the sound from the game and tries to cancel out that from the mic input. Not perfect.
Evshrug
3775
Community
Jan 23, 2018
EvshrugAlso, the Yeti and the Snowball are two different microphone models. The regular snowball (not the cheaper ICE model) can change between being an Omni-directional mic, cardioid, and low-input cardioid modes.
Bunniescanfly2
12
Nov 27, 2017
Hey guys!!
For those who have the popping problem and don't know how to fix it, found a solution!!
If your motherboard has a USB Type C , just buy a Type C to USB adapter from Amazon or whatever, doesn't matter if it's USB 3.0 ( it will work) and just plug it in vie the adapter into the Type C!! The popping stopped and now i can enjoy the soundbar even more!! Sucks to have it pop but USB audio interface sucks sometimes. Hope I helped some of you. I live how the system sounds and i recommend this product!
( Bought mine from Amazon, not here, but a lot of people here have been saying they have problems so I registered to help you out! Hope it helps!!)
TszChunAnson
0
Jan 9, 2019
retroboyI upgraded the windows 10 from revision 1709 to 1809. I am having intermittent pops and clicks with both of them...
DADDYDC650
17
Dec 6, 2016
Creative.com has the BlasterX Katana available on December 19th. We've been had people!
hung
5
Dec 27, 2016
also, don't reply. just take the support. and have an awesome holiday.
p.s. i still haven't gotten it yet so stop crying, snow. bro. bruh. dawg. homie. brobro. homeboy. homegirl. it.
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