The Swiss army knife of headphone amplifiers

The Swiss army knife of headphone amplifiers

Creative Sound Blaster E5 High-resolution USB DAC portable headphone amplifier (3.5mm microphone, Bluetooth, NFC, USB) black (accessories)

Customer Review

If you stay on the page for this product, then I need but actually no longer to explain what a headphone amplifier (abbreviated KHV) is, right? Perhaps very briefly summarized in a nutshell: If you buy yourself a powerful, wired over-ear or on-ear headphones, then you will notice that this play on the sound card or on the stereo outstanding sound, but in the smartphone or tablet significantly less dynamic and perhaps even sound very quietly. Now, even passive headphones need energy and get it from the output of the player. There is power limited, then it echoes just poorly made expensive ear warmers and exactly come headphone amplifier into play. These are connected between player and headphones and grind improved and strengthened to music lovers the sound.

Although the E5 is quite portable and fits in your pocket, but the sound box is not a miniature device as some other pure headphone amplifier. Stately 11cm x 7cm x 2.4cm, the device measures and exceeds especially in the depth of each available smartphone. However, the E5 is not a vulgar KHV, but a sophisticated and very diverse multi solution for headphone fans.

Taking a close look at the E5, then one sees immediately the massive technology that is used here. So the black unit has a USB input, another micro USB input, a full-fledged optical line-in input and similarly an output, two illuminated function keys, a large volume knob and not just one, but two headphone jacks for the listening pleasure for two. In addition, support of Bluetooth and NFC E5 and thanks to powerful battery cells provide up to eight hours of steam on the eardrums. And of course tinkers in the premium KHV also one of the famous Creative SBX-sound processors, in this case, the SB AXX1.
The core function, namely the strengthening of the leaked sounds, he has mastered with flying colors. Even without connecting any special settings amplifies the device not only the fine on the volume control dial adjustable volume by a multiple. Even the pure listening experience is noticeably improved. Treble, mid and bass get a wonderful clarity and dynamics. Especially good is this the direct connection of the smartphone to the USB access to fruition. The possible more volume is also very welcome. Was tested using a Samsung Galaxy S6 as a player and a AKG K 702 headphones.
Bluetooth and NFC coupling function the way absolutely perfect. After the initial pairing simply an NFC-enabled player briefly hold together with the E5 and're connected. Interesting at this point: The KHV flagship of Creative support not only the current quality Bluetooth Hi-Fi audio codecs, but several methods. Besides aptX Low Latency also AAC and SBC are encoded files in crystal-clear audio quality reproduced wirelessly. However, only a BT connection between the video source and E5 is possible Bluetooth headset can not connect to the KHV via Bluetooth. However, it thereby makes virtually any headphones to wireless headphones. Tablet or mobile phone can thus remain in the usual BT-distance, while you help yourself move relatively freely with KHV and headphones.

Tip: If you own a media player with Bluetooth technology, such as the Amazon Fire TV, which can also connect the E5 so and thus enjoy movies, series, music etc on his headphones on the couch.

What we already talking about the next feature would be: The E5 as an external sound card. The KHV can be operated not only to mobile phones or tablets, but also directly via USB to the PC / laptop. He can then be used as an external sound card. And here you have then access to the many settings of the sound chip that can handle a lot more than just music. By SBX-technology, highly compressed sound can be improved by the Crystalizer, it can be a bass boost besides equalizer hinzuschalten and there is the same successful virtual surround sound, offering the Creative in its gaming headsets and internal sound card. With this you can enhance the sound of movies and games through surround sound effects clear what can be really fun.
On the PC, this sound programs are controlled by a software which you can download free of charge on the Creative website. For phones and tablets, there are a corresponding app for Android and iOS in the respective stores (also free). Who is not afraid of sound improvement programs, comes here fully at its expense.
As announced at the beginning you get to the E5 is not only a KHV, but a complete and independently operating an external sound card that meets many needs at once and contemporary covers many device types.
What can the little box yet?

There is still a complete microphone for true stereo (!) - Recordings installed, which also works very well and can be used both as a hands-free as well as an audio recording device.

As if this were not enough, also the phone or tablet the E5 invites with a USB connection on the side. Whether this is by design, but I do not know.

Worth mentioning is also the holder or stand in delivery, with which you can place the E5 beveled on the table. This has on the bottom interestingly, a thread for a microphone stand, which should be quite interesting for musicians you DJs. Quite creative, the developers of Creative
Furthermore you can find in the package still a microUSB cable in red and a Toslink cable and a pair of rubber holders in the event that you want to connect firmly the E5 with his smartphone or the holder.

Bottom line is the E5 panacea among the headphone amplifiers.
The device combines headphone amp and analog / digital converter with a Bluetooth receiver, a headphone-surround decoder and a stereo microphone or a speakerphone. The Sound Blaster E5 is mostly a rausholen a whole lot more value for diehard fans headphones, they come for it but their money and can choose from their favorite headphones (or headphone collection) in particular by its high price.

Excellent 259 50 136 2296 Rank: 5/5
February 24
The illustrations are successful. Rank: 5/5
January 18
instruction leaflet 1 6 January 23 Rank: 2/5
September 15
Resin Refill Rank: 5/5
August 11
Great Howard CD Rank: 5/5
July 11

Related Reviews


The Swiss army knife for RAW developmentAdobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Upgrade WIN & MAC (DVD-ROM) The Swiss Army Knife of smartphonesSamsung Galaxy Note II N7100 Smartphone 16GB (14 cm (5.5 inches) HD Super AMOLED touch screen, quad-core, 1.6GHz, 8-megapixel camera, Android 4.1) titanium-gray The Swiss army knifeVictorinox Huntsman 1.3713 (household goods) Same as the Swiss army knife ...Victorinox knife Military 0.8463.MW3 8 P Black Blade Teeth (Sport) The Swiss Army knife for electronicsCyber ​​29 Pieces Victorinox Swiss Army Knife pocket 1.7605.T Transparent Red (Sports) The Swiss army knife of scissorsFiskars 715 692 multi-purpose scissors "Cuts + More" (household goods) It is the Swiss Army knifeKnife Huntsman Victorinox 1.3713 (Sport) The Swiss army knife of street photographyNikon 35 mm / f 1.8 G AF-S NIKKOR ED Lenses (Electronics) The Swiss Army knife perfect for traveling lightTamron Lens 16-300mm F / 3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO - Mount Canon (Accessory) The Swiss army knife, and betterVictorinox knife Military 0.8463.MW3 8 P Black Blade Teeth (Sport) Very compact and versatile - the Swiss Army knife of people connectedTBS2204 universal adapter, all in One Universal Travel Kit / travel adapter, international travel adapter for European Union / UK / Australia / USA ... (Electronics) Solid, high-capacity, charge indicator, flashlight ... The Swiss army knife of hi-tech travelerEC Technology® Aluminium 12000mAh External Battery with LCD Dual USB Port (Output 2.1A / 1.0A) Integrated Flashlight Portable Emergency Charger for iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Other Smartphones, Android Tablets - Black (Telephone Accessories wireless) The Swiss army knife Bluetooth speakersIconBIT PA PSS990BT 5 in 1 Power Bank - Bluetooth - Speaker - FM tuner, 2 x 3W, 2200 mAh high-capacity lithium battery, microSD card slot for MP3, Handsfree, recharging of mobile devices, NFC (Electronics) The Swiss army knife of backpacksSwissGear Ibex Notebook Case 43.2 cm (17 inches) blue (personal computer) The Swiss army knife of tools internetsServers Ultimate Pro (App) The Swiss Army knife of computerStarTech.com USB 2.0 Docking Station for 2 SATA / IDE hard drives of 2.5 or 3.5 inches - HDD Dock 2.5 "/ 3.5" - Black (Personal Computers) The Swiss army knife of perfect complexionBeautyblender for special makeup sponge (Health and Beauty) The ideal complement to protect your Swiss Army knifeVictorinox 4.0520.3 Case Swiss Army-Belt, black leather (Sport) Swiss army knife of portable travel routerHooToo® trip Matenano portable WLAN Repeater Router with USB flash memory device reader for smartphones, tablets and PCs (Personal Computers)