On Wednesday, Creative Technology launched the Sound Blaster E Series, which includes the Sound Blaster E3 and the Sound Blaster E1. Both are external solutions that can be used with PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.
"With the Sound Blaster E Series, we are not only able to enhance the PC audio experience, but have gone beyond it. These devices capitalize on our high-end audio expertise, and give smartphone and tablet users the opportunity to experience uncompressed audio quality while on the go," said Long Chye Low, general manager for Sound Blaster Audio at Creative.
According to the company, the Sound Blaster E3 is a USB-based external sound card solution that packs Sound Blaster audio processing in a small form factor device. Customers merely plug the device into a USB port and then download the Control Panel software, which includes SBX Pro Studio audio enhancement technologies.
This device includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing customers to pair it with a smartphone or tablet for up to eight hours of audio playback. The device can also serve as a USB-based Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for uncompressed digital audio streaming from select smartphones or tablets. Two headphone jacks allow the user to share audio with another listener.
As for the Sound Blaster E1, this version is similar in specs, although it doesn't feature Bluetooth, and it's a bit more compact. This version also has a max recording quality of 16-bit / 44.1 kHz whereas the E3 model has a max recording quality of 24-bit / 48 kHz. However, its battery promises up to 25 hours of play on a single charge.
The cheaper model has a Signal-to-Noise Ratio of 106 dB while the Sound Blaster E3 has an SNR of 110 dB. However, both models sport a headphone amp capable of up to 600 Ohms, are compatible with Windows Vista and newer, and Mac OS X v10.6.8. and newer. Both support Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) for high fidelity and low latency playback.
For more information about these two new products, head here. The E3 model will be made available in July for $129 USD, and the E1 is available now for $49 USD.