Creative Announces Audio Gadgets

SINGAPORE - Creative introduces several gadgets - Sound Blaster Recon3D audio platform and sound cards, Sound Blaster Recon3D (USB audio device), ZEN X-Fi3 music, photo and video player, and Sound Blaster gaming headsets for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC and Mac.

Sound Blaster Recon3D - A New Audio Platform Powered by Sound Core3D

Creative announces its Sound Blaster Recon3D audio platform and sound cards, powered by the groundbreaking new Creative Sound Core3D quad-core sound and voice processor. Designed to deliver hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro and CrystalVoice audio technologies for games, music and movies, the new series of Sound Blaster Recon3D sound cards will be previewed from 2-7 September at the 2011 IFA Berlin,at the Creative stand 111, Hall 17, Messe Berlin.

Leveraging the Power of Sound Core3D

The stunning audio and voice performance of the Sound Blaster Recon3D sound cards is powered by Creative’s new Sound Core3D, the world’s first quad-core sound and voice processor. Designed by Creative’s in-house team of audio scientists and engineers, Sound Core3D is engineered for low power consumption and high performance. It incorporates Creative’s innovative patented Quartet digital signal processor (DSP) with four independent processor cores, and is the first processor to integrate an array of DSP cores with high-quality HD audio codecs of over 100dB on a single chip, giving it tremendous versatility for PC and embedded configurations.

Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion

Immediately recognizable by its stunning design and glowing red Creative Sound Core3D processor, the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion sound card provides hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies for unparalleled audio playback quality. The Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion includes a convenient and cool-looking I/O drive with headset mini-jacks, volume control and audio input connectivity options. The card also includes a high-quality beam-forming microphone, which leverages CrystalVoice Echo Cancellation, CrystalVoice Focus and CrystalVoice Active Noise Reduction to enable gamers for the first time ever to use speakers and a desktop microphone while gaming without any sound other than the gamer’s voice being transmitted through the microphone. Designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing, CrystalVoice technologies also provide a compelling voice communications option for VOIP solutions such as Skype. The Sound Blaster Recon3D Fata1ity Champion software enables quick and easy switching between multi-channel speaker settings and headsets or headphones. The card is slated for availability in Q1 of 2012.

Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional

Designed with the same powerful THX TruStudio Pro and CrystalVoice audio technologies of the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion, the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional sound card features I/O connectivity on the sound card itself, for users who don’t wish to use an I/O drive. This card also includes the high-quality beam-forming microphone, allowing advanced voice communication without the need for the headset by leveraging CrystalVoice Echo Cancellation, CrystalVoice Focus and CrystalVoice Active Noise Reduction.

Sound Blaster Recon3D

Providing phenomenally accurate positional 3D audio over headsets or speakers, the Sound Blaster Recon3D sound card is also powered by the new SoundCore3D quadcore audio and video processor. It provides hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro and select Crystal Voice audio technologies. The Sound Blaster Recon3D sound card is slated for availability later this year.

The Sound Blaster Recon3D PCI Express sound cards feature 6-channel 24-bit 102dB DACs, 4-channel 24-bit 101dB analog-to-digital (ADC) converters, integrated headphone amplifier-out, digital microphone interface, S/PDIF inputs and outputs and general purpose inputs and outputs (GPIO).

The Ultimate Sound Processor for the PC, Mac, Xbox 360 and PS3

The Sound Blaster Recon3D comes in a compact size similar to a gaming mouse and easily connects to an Xbox 360, PS3, PC or Mac via USB. It dramatically improves the audio playback quality and experience with THX TruStudio Pro, a suite of audio enhancements developed by the collaborative expertise of Creative and THX audio engineers. The Sound Blaster Recon3D features Dolby Digital enabled via the optical input to provide full 5.1 surround decoding, which combines with THX TruStudio Pro Surround to deliver stunning accuracy and positional audio playback over a gaming headset and an amazing virtual multi-speaker movie listening experience over headphones. In addition, for voice communications, the Sound Blaster Recon3D improves voice quality with CrystalVoice processing, which implements innovative technologies that are specially designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing.

The outstanding audio and voice performance of the Sound Blaster Recon3D is made possible by the power of the integrated Sound Core3D processor, Creative’s recently introduced Quartet DSP with four independent processor cores. Engineered for low power consumption and high performance, Sound Core3D is Creative’s first sound and voice processor to integrate a four-core high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) and high-quality HD audio digital to-analog converters (DACs) and analog-to digital converters (ADCs) on one chip.

The Sound Blaster Recon3D features dedicated controls for instant access to Volume, Mic Boost, and THX TruStudio Pro audio enhancement settings. It also introduces Scout Mode, which enables users to accurately pinpoint targets in FPS games, allowing them to hear their enemies before their enemies hear them, similar to sending out a “Recon-naissance” team to “Recon” on the enemies in the military.

To bring out the best audio performance in any gaming headset, the Sound Blaster Recon3D includes a premium Headphone/Mic preamp. Connectivity options include Micro USB, Stereo Mic In/Headphone/Line out, plus Aux In or Optical In with Dolby Digital Decoding for headphone surround sound.

The Sound Blaster Recon3D works with a Xbox 360, PS3, PC or Mac without requiring the user to install drivers, so it’s ideal for portable use in a gaming tournament or LAN party or at a friend’s house. As an added feature, users can install the included software on their PC or Mac and set up their own audio profile using THX TruStudio Pro settings. These can then be saved on the Sound Blaster Recon3D for use with an Xbox 360 or PS3. The included software also enables an additional advanced audio toolbox of algorithms, such as a 10-band graphic EQ, bass management, and speaker configuration for use on the PC or Mac.

Bold New Designs and Compelling Audio Technologies for PC, Mac and Console

Creative will unveil the next generation of Sound Blaster gaming headsets for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC and Mac at 2011 IFA Berlin, at the Creative stand 111, Hall 17, Messe Berlin.

Sound Blaster Tactic360 Sigma Gaming Headset – Designed for Xbox 360

Designed around the award-winning Sound Blaster Tactic3D Sigma gaming headset, the Sound Blaster Tactic360 Sigma features a sturdy steel core headband design with massively powerful 50 mm audio drivers. Its powered headset amplifier with separate voice and game audio controls deliver an exhilarating gaming experience on the Xbox 360.

Sound Blaster Tactic360 ION Gaming Headset – Designed for Xbox 360

With its durable, lightweight design and powerful 40 mm audio drivers, the Sound Blaster Tactic360 ION Gaming Headset includes a powered headset amplifier with separate voice and game audio controls to ensure pulse-racing gaming audio at the great price of only S$79.00.

Sound Blaster Tactic3D Wrath Wireless Special Edition Gaming Headset – Designed for PC and Mac

The Sound Blaster Tactic3D Wrath Wireless Gaming Headset delivers a powerful PC and Mac gaming audio experience with massive 50mm drivers and a killer design featuring red illuminated ear cups. The included software enables users to dramatically improve their audio playback quality and experience with THX TruStudio Pro, a suite of audio enhancements developed by the collaborative expertise of Creative and THX audio engineers. Engineered for professional-grade gaming, the Sound Blaster Tactic3D Wrath features a steel-core headband, plush ear cups, rechargeable lithium battery, and a detachable microphone.

Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega Wireless Gaming Headset – Designed for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC and Mac

The Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega wireless gaming headset connects wirelessly to an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC or Mac, and delivers phenomenal audio quality via massively powerful FullSpectrum 50mm drivers for a completely immersive gaming experience. The Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega also features a detachable noisecanceling microphone for crystal-clear voice communications. With the included software, PC and Mac gamers can experience THX TruStudio Pro audio technology to customize their own gaming audio settings and profile. The wireless transmitter connects easily via standard USB or Aux-In.

More information about the new Sound Blaster gaming headsets will be posted in coming weeks to soundblaster.com.

The Latest Incarnation of the ZEN X-Fi Delivers Premium Wireless Audio On-the-Go Through X-Fi Restoration, Lossless Music Support, the apt-X Codec and Bluetooth -- All at an Incredibly Affordable Price

Creative announces the launch of the Creative ZEN X-Fi3 music, photo and video player with X-Fi audio technology-enabled Bluetooth wireless audio playback and support for lossless audio and a wide range of other music formats. Just 65 x 45.5 x 12.5 mm in size, the Creative ZEN X-Fi3 is packed with features including a microSD card slot, video-out, and 2” TFT screen with touch-buttons, and it is priced from only S$149. The Creative ZEN X-Fi3 will debut at IFA 2011 in Berlin from 2 – 7 September 2011.

Key Features of the Creative ZEN X-Fi3

• Superior Wireless Connectivity with Bluetooth 2.1 and apt-X
  
  The built-in apt-X codec allows users to enjoy superior wireless Bluetooth music transmission (that sounds as good as a wired connection) when Creative ZEN X-Fi3 is used with all compatible stereo Bluetooth devices such as Creative’s comprehensive line-up of Bluetooth headphones and speakers.
• X-Fi Quality Audio
  
  Creative ZEN X-Fi3 lets users re-experience their music in pristine crystal clear quality and detail through the revolutionary power of X-Fi. With X-Fi Crystalizer, users will experience their digital music the way it was meant to be heard, with lost details restored. With X-Fi Expand, users will enjoy the most natural sound staging available in headphone audio today.
  
  
  X-Fi Crystalizer
  
  Digital Music today pales in comparison to the real thing. That’s because important details disappear in the high and low ranges when users rip their CDs into digital music. X-Fi Crystalizer intelligently restores lost details instantly to amazing clarity
  X-Fi Expand
  
  X-Fi Expand intelligently moves a conventional left/right earphone stereo source away from a user’s ears, virtually expanding it for an audio experience with a breathtakingly realistic depth of field. Users will feel as if they were listening to their music from a pair of high-end speakers
• Support for a Wide Range of Audio Formats that Include Lossless Audio
  
  Creative ZEN X-Fi3 allows users to enjoy their music even in lossless audio formats (FLAC files) besides accessing all their content and music in various formats such as MP3, WMA and Audible 4. In addition, the player also supports iTunes Plus – also known as unprotected AAC (.m4a)
• Additional Space for Music with microSD card slot
  
  Users can add up to 32GB of music on top of the player’s built-in memory
• Video-out
  
  Users can enjoy movies or share images with family and friends on a larger screen, when they connect Creative ZEN X-Fi3 to a TV via the player’s videoout connector (A/V cable available separately)

Pricing and Availability

The Creative ZEN X-Fi3 portable media players will be available at the Creative online store at sg.store.creative.com from end Oct 2011 onwards. They will also be available at The CREATIVE Stores outlets at International Business Park, Marina Square and authorised dealers in Singapore from end Oct 2011 onwards at the following suggested retail prices:

Creative ZEN X-Fi3 8GB: S$149.00

Creative ZEN X-Fi3 16GB: S$189.00

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