PC & Console Peripherals

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 review: USB DAC and amplifier for gamers

With the Creative Sound Blaster GC7, the well-known audio manufacturer claims to have created an all-in-one control center for outstanding sound quality that is aimed primarily at streamers and gamers. As a USB DAC and amplifier in one, combined with surround and Super X-Fi sound. What the chic black box actually has up its sleeve, clarifies our Creative Sound Blaster GC7 test.

Specifications

Compatibility PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Max. Playback Quality
  • Loudspeaker: 16/24bit, 48kHz/96kHz/192kHz
  • Headset: 16/24bit, 48kHz
  • Console mode: 48kHz
Max. Recording quality
  • Mic: 16/24bit, 48kHz/96kHz/192kHz
  • Line: 16/24bit, 48kHz/96kHz/192kHz
  • Optical In: 16/24bit, 48kHz/96kHz/192kHz
Power supply USB type C
Audio quality 120 dB SNR
Audio Technologies CrystalVoice, Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, Super X-Fi, SXFI Battle Mode, Scout Mode
Headphone amplifier 2 ohm output impedance; 32 – 300 ohm headphone impedance
Inputs
  • USB Type-C Connector
  • 1 x On/Off Switch
  • 1 x 3.5mm (4-pin)
  • 1 x 3.5mm (3-pin)
  • 1 x 3.5mm Mobile Mix input (4-pin)
  • 1 x 3.5mm stream out/line out
  • 1 x Toslink (optical) In
  • 1 x Toslink (optical) Out
Wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Dynamic range (DNR) 125 dB; DAC type AKM AK4377AECB
Dimensions 174 x 116.3 x 44.5 mm
Weight 280 g
Price € 119.99 *

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 review: what’s included

Let’s start first with the overall package, which raises hopes for the called price of around 150 euros. The Creative Sound Blaster GC7 comes in a blue cardboard box littered with text and logos, in which the manufacturer presents the USB DAC on a pedestal.

In addition to the comprehensive manual and safety instructions, Creative includes three cables in the packaging: A USB-C to USB-A cable with a length of 1.8 meters, a 1.5-meter optical cable, and a 3.5-mm jack cable that is also 1.5 meters long, all of which are of course intended for different purposes. An instruction sheet including a QR code for downloading the companion app for iOS and Android rounds out the package.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 review: scope of delivery

Design and finish

From a purely visual point of view, the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 cuts quite a good figure. The main component of the package is, of course, the game DAC itself in the form of a matte-black box that, with dimensions of 175 mm x 112 mm x 45 mm (length x depth x height), doesn’t turn out too big and thus can fit on smaller desks.

The stand is slightly raised at the back, which means that the GC7 does not lie flat on the table. This noticeably benefits the handling. But back to the design: The front naturally serves as the all-in-one audio control center.

Besides the two large Super X-Fi and Type logos, the front is dominated by two knobs that feature orange accents. The left knob is used to increase or decrease the volume, while the right one is responsible for mixing playing and speech volume.

In the center of the DAC is an LC display with five buttons arranged in a circle around it, as well as a rotary control above it. This can be used to activate surround sound, for example, as well as to fine-tune bass, treble and microphone separately. The manufacturer has placed the button for the SXFI mode at the bottom.

The front is rounded off by four programmable C-buttons, as well as a mute button for quickly muting the microphone. The front, on the other hand, informs about the current operating mode (PC, console or mobile) with a white LED, while on the right there are two 3.5mm connectors for connecting headphones and microphone.

What’s most exciting, however, is the back of the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 and the connections installed there. Line Out, Line In (Mobile), Optical Out, Optical In, as well as the USB-C port for connecting to the PC (as a power source) are available here. There is also a switch to switch between high and low gain, as well as another for switching between PC, console and mobile. Rounding out the rear panel is an on/off button on the left edge.

Construction of the Creative Sound Blaster GC7

The build quality of the matte-black Creative Sound Blaster GC7 is on a good level throughout, though it does make a few slip-ups. On the one hand, there is the finish, which magically attracts fingerprints and dust and appears quite scratch-prone. Already after the first unpacking, the GC7 didn’t look as new as it should.

Otherwise, the feel and look are quite pleasing; the edges and connectors are cleanly made and offer a pleasant pressure point. However, the entire USB DAC yields a bit under pressure, especially the two rotary controls don’t seem particularly robust. I would have expected a bit more for the high price. The plastic housing does not really look noble, although this results in a comparatively low weight.

Operation and app connection

Moving on, we come to the operation. This works excellently and intuitively on the DAC itself. However, we would have liked to see a grid on the rotary controls for volume and mixing, in order to be able to adjust the acoustics with pinpoint accuracy. Similar to the central knob, which oddly enough has a grid.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 Test: Operation
The operation in PC mode is almost completely convincing.

It quickly becomes clear that the GC7 is aimed at PC or console users, as the range of functions in mobile mode is relatively limited. The compulsory registration of the mobile app is also annoying, because nothing works without creating an account.

The connection between the DAC and smartphone is then made via Bluetooth, which is also quick and straightforward. However, we wonder what advantage the GC7 is supposed to offer in connection with a smartphone. Although various headphones and in-ear models can be selected and the music can be played along with a rudimentary equalizer, the game DAC box itself remains functionless.

Things look much better when connected to a PC with an installed Creative App, which is convincing in terms of functionality. When connected to a console, however, the control is once again done with the help of the disappointing mobile app. In console mode, the feature set and sound control are fine, but it quickly becomes clear that the external sound card is aimed at PC users, which is why we will focus on it for the rest of the test.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 review: Creative App
The Creative App for the PC is convincing in terms of operation and scope

Creative Sound Blaster GC7: Practice and sound quality

If the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 is connected to the PC via USB cable, the external sound card creates two sound devices under Windows. One for output (speaker or headset or headphones) and one for input in the form of a microphone. We also find it practical that the quality of both sources can be set separately and that in addition to the Windows sound settings also in the Creative app.

We can also confirm the promised low noise floor of -120 dB of the DAC in PC mode. In mobile mode, however, which is only possible via the special line-in port (USB-C or Lightning look down the tube), a slight noise is perceptible.

Otherwise, the GC7 “pimps” the sound quality up to 24-bit/192 kHz, which corresponds to studio quality, and thus upgrades some already dusty headsets or headphones mightily in terms of sound. Again, it should be mentioned that only analog headphones or headsets that have a 3.5 mm jack plug can be connected. Unfortunately, USB devices cannot be connected.

In terms of sound, the GC7 actually gets quite a bit out of dusty headsets, which becomes especially clear when listening to music or watching videos. Here, the acoustics improve significantly, the recordings seem clearer, more spatial and the individual instruments are better separated from each other.

Music enjoyment: better without Super X-Fi

However, it is better to turn off the Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, which simulates a 5.1/7.1 surround sound, when listening to music. Because here the reproduction seems too muffled, bass-heavy and not very differentiated. It is mainly aimed at gamers.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7: Practice and sound quality
The GC7 takes the acoustics of analog headphones to a new level

With the offered maximum sound quality of 192 kHz, the GC7 trumps other gaming DACs such as the Sharkoon Gaming DAC Pro S, which we were able to test in combination with the SKILLER SGH50 headset by far or the Steelseries Game DAC and brings out even more details sonically.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 in gaming mode

In gaming mode, however, the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 feels right at home and can only show its full potential in this area. The sound quality is audibly increased across all genres, while the virtualization of the surround sound enables very good spatial localization in competitive shooters, for example, so that approaching opponents can be heard from a distance.

We also find it pleasant that we can quickly fine-tune the surround sound image, as well as treble, bass and microphone in terms of volume, thanks to the central dial. On the lower SXFI button, we not only activate Super X-Fi, but also switch between two additional application modes: SXFI Battle Mode and SXFI Scout Mode.

The former is once again aimed at shooters, with manufacturer Creative sparing no superlatives. We quote:

“SXFI BATTLE Mode is the first and only sound mode that allows you to hear not only the direction the shots are coming from, but also the distance – so you can pinpoint the location of your enemies down to the millimeter.”

Would not want to sign now in the form fully. Because the difference in terms of audible distance of opponents is not necessarily represented better than with a real or virtual surround sound. However, the Battle Mode is an absolutely nice addition in the shooter genre. The same applies to the SXFI SCOUT mode, which is supposed to emphasize smaller sound details better.

Acoustically, we like the mids, but especially the highs, which are realized with the help of the Creative Sound Blaster GC7. With a bit of fine-tuning, a relatively neutral sound can be created, which is usually far from typical gaming headsets. That pleases.

Super X-Fi: A Matter of Taste

However, how well one ultimately likes the Super X-Fi virtualization is a purely subjective feeling, and even more individual than the pure evaluation of the sound quality. While some appreciate the virtualization, I find the sound rather artificial and unnatural. Unfortunately, the only thing that helps here is trying it out to see if you like what is offered.

Sound Blaster GC7 C-Buttons
Up to four sound profiles can be stored on the C-Buttons (C1 – C4)

What I like, on the other hand, are the four C-Buttons (C1 – C4), which are accented with colorful LEDs and allow you to store different sound settings and recall them at the touch of a button. This allows, for example, creating a setting for music, movies and series, as well as two different gaming genres. Extremely practical and a clever, precisely implemented feature.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 conclusion

For pure PC gamers, the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 has a lot to offer. At least if you still use an analog jack headset. Here, the DAC improves the sound quality significantly and conjures up a well-mixed virtual surround sound on the ears, not least thanks to Super X-Fi.

The PC companion app is clearly structured, well-arranged and offers a variety of options. I also liked the rotary controls for volume and sound mixing, as well as the center wheel for fine-tuning the acoustics. On the other hand, points are deducted for the merely satisfactory, somewhat cheap-looking workmanship, the disappointing mobile app that requires registration, and the almost useless smartphone operating mode.

The GC7 is also only conditionally suitable for use in conjunction with a console. The not really natural sound in Super X-Fi mode also does not appeal to me personally, but that is a matter of taste. For gamers and streamers, the Creative Sound Blaster GC7 marks a recommendable audio control center with strong features, which, however, turns out to be a bit too expensive due to the connection diversity.

Creative Sound Blaster GC7 Review: Award

Creative Sound Blaster GC7

Workmanship
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money

86/100

Convincing external sound card including amplifier for PC users, which combines intuitive operation with high sound quality. However, it can only be used to a limited extent on mobile devices or consoles. The price is too high.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

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With the Creative Sound Blaster GC7, the well-known audio manufacturer claims to have created an all-in-one control center for outstanding sound quality that is aimed primarily at streamers and gamers. As a USB DAC and amplifier in one, combined with surround and Super X-Fi sound. What the chic black box actually has up its sleeve, … (Weiterlesen...)

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