Like most of you PC and along with it my office is almost like a living being, slowly evolving. Every year or two I’m changing out my video cards, my motherboard, even keyboards and mice. It’s weird though, looking back there are only a few things that seem to be very consistent, my desk and for the most part my speakers. Well when I was replacing my desk last fall I decided that I wanted to move from the Corsair SP2500’s to something new. Now keep in mind, the Corsairs sounded good as did the Klipsch’s that I have before that. So to continue to evolve I wanted to go a new direction. Well the timing was good as Creative Labs had just recently introduced their X7 and more recently their E-MU XM7 bookshelf speakers. I loved the X5 when I covered it and for a long time I even used it over the onboard on my PC but the X7 looked to be a much more fitting permanent option. Well I’ve been testing both the X7 and the XM7 speakers for a while now and we can finally sit down and go over what they are and how well they performed.
Product Name: Creative Labs X7 and E-MU XM7 bookshelf speakers
Review Samples Provided by: Creative Labs
Written by: Wes
Pictures by: Wes
Amazon Links: X7 HERE and E-MU XM7 HERE
| X7 Specifications | |
| Audio Processor | SB-Axx1 |
| SBX Pro Studio | Yes |
| Amplifier Power Output |
Maximum Power Output 38W + 38W (4 ohm, 1kHz, 10% THD)2 27W + 27W (8 ohm, 1kHz, 10% THD)2 Rated Power Output 35W + 35W (4 ohm, 1kHz, 1% THD)2 20W + 20W (8 ohm, 1kHz, 1% THD)2 Headphone Amp Output Impedance 2.2 ohm Total Harmonic Distortion 0.05% (1kHz, 4 ohm, 30W)2 2 Using bundled AC-DC adapter (24V 2.91A) |
| Max. Playback Quality |
Stereo Direct playback sampling rates: 24-bit / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz Surround playback sampling rates: 24-bit / 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz Optical: 16/24-bit / 44.1, 48, 96kHz |
| USB Audio Streaming from Mobile Devices |
iOS Playback/recording: 24-bit / 44.1, 48 kHz Android Playback: 16-bit / 44.1 kHz |
| Max. Recording Quality | 24-bit / 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz |
| Output |
5.1 Channels Stereo Amplified |
| Max. Headphone Output | 600Ω |
| Included Accessories | Headphone Stand |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | 127dB (DAC) |
| Connectivity Options (Main) |
microUSB Microphone: Built-in Stereo Mic 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Mic In Line / Optical: 1 x RCA Aux/Line In 1 x TOSLINK Optical In 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out Speaker: 2 x Binding Post Passive Speaker Out (L/R) 1 x RCA Line/Front Speaker Out 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Rear Speaker Out 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Center/Sub Speaker Out Headphone: 1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone Out 1 x 1/4" (6.3mm) Headphone Out USB HOST: 1 x Type A USB Host Port - Device Audio Stream & Charging |
| Frequency Response |
Frequency Response @ 192KHz (Stereo-Direct): 20 Hz – 90 kHz |
| Audio Fidelity | Up to 24-bit / 192kHz |
| Audio Codec |
AAC SBC aptX Low Latency |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.1 (Low Energy) |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Two Devices |
| Bluetooth Profiles |
A2DP (Wireless stereo Bluetooth) AVRCP (Bluetooth remote control) HFP (Handsfree Profile) |
| Operating Range | Up to 10m/33ft |
| Near Field Communication (NFC) | Yes |
| Included / Downloadable Software |
Sound Blaster X7 Control software Sound Blaster X7 Control App |
| Supported Operating Systems |
Mac OS X v10.6.8 and above Windows® 10 Windows® 8.1 Windows® 8 Windows® 7 Windows Vista® |
| Supported Smart Devices |
iOS: iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for Bluetooth^ iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for USB Host Audio streaming via Lightning Port ^ Devices must support Bluetooth 4.1 (Low Energy) or higher Android: Phones/Tablets running Android 2.3 or higher for Bluetooth Phones/Tablets running Android 4.1 or higher for USB Host Streaming* *Devices must support AOA2 protocol for USB Host Streaming |
| Compatible Platform |
USB 1.1 USB 2.0 USB 3.0 Bluetooth Line-In |
| Supported Gaming Consoles |
PlayStation® 3 PlayStation® 4 Xbox360® Xbox One |
| Microphone Type | Dual-array Noise Canceling Condenser |
| Dimensions | 147.0 x 150.0 x 130.0 mm (5.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches) |
| System Requirements |
Windows Intel® Core™2 Duo or AMD® equivalent processor (2.8 GHz or faster recommended) Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard Microsoft® Windows® 10 32/64-bit, Windows® 8.1/8.0 32/64-bit, Windows 7 32/64-bit, Windows Vista® 32/64-bit SP1 or higher 1GB RAM >600 MB of free hard disk space Available USB 2.0/3.0 port (High Speed recommended with driver) Macintosh Macintosh running Mac® OS X® 10.6.8 or higher 1GB RAM >600 MB of free hard disk space Available USB 2.0/3.0 port (High Speed recommended with software) iOS iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for Bluetooth^ iPhones/iPads running iOS 6.0 or higher for USB Host Audio streaming via Lightning Connector ^ Devices must support Bluetooth 4.1 (Low Energy) or higher Android Phones/Tablets running Android 2.3 or higher for Bluetooth Phones/Tablets running Android 4.1 or higher for USB Host Streaming* * Devices must support AOA2 USB Streaming |
| Package Contents |
Sound Blaster X7 Device Quick Start Leaflet WW Warranty Leaflets 24V/2.91A AC-DC Power Adaptor and cable RCA to 3.5mm Stereo Cable for Front Out RCA to 3.5mm Stereo Cable (Female) for Line-In microUSB Cable 1.5m Headphone Stand |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| E-MU XM7 Specifications | |
| System Configuration | 2-way |
| Power Output | Max 60W per channel |
| Drivers |
Woofer: 5” (132 mm) special combination diaphragm with oversized magnetic structure and shielding Tweeter: 1” (25 mm) silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | Each Speaker: 298 x 174 x 232 mm (11.7 x 6.85 x 9.14 inches) |
| Weight | Each: Approx 4.35kg |
| Included Accessories | 2 x Soft Grilles, 2 x Speaker Cable 2.4m, User Manual |
| Movies / Music | Yes |
| Connector Type | Gold-plated binding posts |
| Color | Brown wood grain with metallic grey finish / Black wood grain finish |
| Design | Passive |
| Package Contents |
2 x E-MU XM7 Passive Speakers 2 x Soft Grilles User Manual 2 x Speaker Cable 2.5m |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
