Mobile. Testing Creative Soundblaster Axx SBX 20

Technical characteristics

Material: plastic * Color: black * Interface: USB 2.0, Bluetooth (A2DP, AVRCP, HFP) * Range: up to 10 m * Connectors: 2x 3.5 mm jack (line-in, headphones), micro-USB * Dimensions: 10.9×9.7×40 cm * Weight: 1.9 kg * Price for February 2013: 7000 rubles

All tablets, phones and laptops are united by one big problem – volume and sound quality. Music, films, games – on built -in speakers, all this sounds too dull and flat. Of course, you can always tighten the wire from home acoustics, but this is not very convenient, and it deprives you of the main plus – freedom of movement. The company undertook to solve this problem Creative , introducing the sound system SoundBlaster Axx SBX 20 with an original design, built -in audio card and the capabilities of the headset.

Appearance

From ordinary acoustics SBX 20 is distinguished by the appearance. The usual set from a pair of cubes was hidden into the stele of the hexagonal section, fixed on the disk-stand. The main material here is plastic – matte on the “pillar”, glossy from above and at the base. The entire facial part is closed with a black vacuum grid. On the back wall, at the very bottom, there is an entrance to Micro-USB and two connectors: “headphones” and line-in. The main control has settled on the roof-along the white sensory button in each corner and a strip-ghromicity in the middle.

Although the column is one, Creative assures that she gives out the sound in honest stereo. How it turns out, we will not undertake to say – to look under the grid without damaging the structure, it did not work, and on the official website about the speakers and their characteristics not a word. However, at the presentation, a slide was presented to us, indicating that the stele received two emitters located at different angles. Given the small size, as well as the presence of a phase inverter on the back, it can be assumed that SBX 20 should be especially well given high and low frequencies, but with average, most likely there will be problems.

But what we managed to admire enough is on domestic boards. The filling fit on three pieces of textolite. The four-core Creative SB-AXX1 processor is the first to catch the eye, in fact-an adult Core 3D chip, installed on modern Sound Blaster sound cards. The DAC VIA VT1728A is responsible for converting the numbers into an analogue – an eight -bank with a support of 192 kHz/24 bit. There are also a number of amplifiers that extend the signal to the level required by the loudspeakers.

With connecting sources, everything is at the same time simple and difficult. You can connect via Bluetooth (main mode), according to the usual cable with a 3.5 mm jack or via Micro-USB in the case of a computer. Difficulties begin with a diet. Works SBX 20 by USB. If you connect directly to the PC – no questions, one wire and sound goes, and energy comes. But if there is no computer at hand or it does not appear in the diagram at all, you need to look for alternative options. Creative itself (in the instructions) offers to stick into a 220 V network through the corresponding USB-converse or use a separate battery. Oddly enough, neither the first nor the second included – what is called, look for yourself.

Subtleting Settings

After the column is connected, there are two development paths. First: We define acoustics in the system as a headset and directly use it to play and capture sound. Second: put software and pick up in the settings. Software is available for any platforms – desktop Windows with Mac OS and Mobile Android with iOS. The most complete version is proposed for stationary systems, so we will dwell on it.

Outwardly, strongly resembles offers for adult audio cards. The window is divided into two parts: in the list on the left side, select a function, in the main part on the right, get access to subparagraphs. Meets the program for SBX regulators. Under the abbreviation, "improveders" are hidden to help adjust the sound with the help of branded technologies. There are many options, and they suggest both the use of presets and manual management. Playing parameters such as the virtualization of the “sound around”, the level of data recovery from compressed files (Crystalizer), enhancement of the bass and the frequency of the section, you can achieve a variety of effects. For example, https://sister-site.org/big-wins/ muffle vocals, explosions or background music in the scene.

The following microphones settings are the following in the table. There are two of them here. One is responsible for the capture, the other for cutting off the noise. All features are built on their interaction. The Noise Reduction function can remove extraneous grunts or highlight your voice from a host of speakers nearby. Voice Focus narrows or expands the area of work, cutting off all the "superfluous". There are options with the inclusion of adjusted volume (lovers will like to walk around the room during negotiations) or turning their speech into a womb growl of orcs or a cooing of an elf.

The last paragraph is a point adjustment of all elements, starting with the speakers and ending with each receiver separately. Note that all options are translated into normal Russian and received clear pop -up tips. It is also nice that you do not have to climb into the settings every time to change something. Management on the column itself allows you to turn on and off Voice Focus, Noise Reduction, SBX, Sound, Microphone, and also allows you to run siri in case of work with iOS.

The younger ones

In addition to the SBX 20 in the Creative series there are two more models: SBX 10 (5000 rubles) and SBX 8 (3000 rubles). Outwardly-accurate copies of the fellow, but only smaller and without discs. The average version has all the functions of the older. But the initial one is deprived of the possibility of working on Bluetooth and two keys on the control panel: Voice Focus and Call.

Amazing, but everything related to the sound applies to the whole series. With a decrease in size in the sound, only low frequencies began to be lost, otherwise the speakers managed to please us with a very flat frequency response. And only the "eight" at high volume began to distort the compositions a little, giving out too much noise.

And now – sound

Honestly, we are always cautious about devices similar to SBX 20. As practice shows, it is possible to make a normal combine units, usually neither fish nor meat comes out. Senior representative of Sound Blaster Axx – just the same unique case. We do not know what endurance the developer of this system had, but the temptation to add bass and hide all the little things under them, he did not succumb to. SBX 20 really sounds. She perfectly conveys vocals, acoustic and electric guitar and plays back bass parties. Of course, there is a lack of average frequencies, the lack of detail at high, and the declared “stereo” is not felt, but I don’t want to pay attention to this – the sound turned out to be too beautiful. Interestingly, with many games, SBX 20 copes with a bang; Of course, it is not suitable for shooters (positioning zero), but with everything else – no problems.

No complaints and to the headset regime. Microphones are of high quality. And although the effect of the conversation on the loud connection is present, the voice stands out perfectly against the general background, and external sounds do not fall into the line.

* * *

At the start, for the initial development of Creative, it was indecently asked for a lot – 9999 rubles. Now acoustics are significantly cheaper, about 7,000 rubles. Of course, the price is still impressive – for that kind of money a high -quality format system 2 is easily taken.0 and a separate microphone – but SBX 20 is unique, both in design and sound quality. This model has been living with us for three months and during this time approved itself as one of the best decisions for the role of not the main acoustics. It does not take up a lot of space, looks stylish, plays high quality and allows you to almost instantly connect any device with A2DP support (the stereo sound protocol via Bluetooth), whether it is a tablet, laptop or a phone of friends. In general, if you need a second column for home, SBX 20 must definitely pay attention.

Pros