Creative Technology's Sound Blaster X7 is designed to be a powerful
amplifier in a compact box. The device is slated to cost $400.
The Sound Blaster X7 is a powerful amplifier in a compact design.
Sometimes things are made to be extreme. Case in point: the Sound Blaster X7 amplifier from Creative Technology.
Created
to be the "biggest, baddest, boldest Sound Blaster ever," the new
device is an ultra-high-end external Sound Blaster with a 24-bit/192kHz
high-resolution 127dB digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and 100W-capable
audio amplifier combined in a compact box that's not bigger than most
computer desk speakers.
The amplifier can take audio from virtually any the popular sources, including:
Digital High-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity to a computer.
Digital USB Host connectivity to select iOS/Android models for direct high-quality, lossless audio streaming.
Optical S/PDIF-Input connectivity to televisions and gaming consoles.
Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology with one-touch Bluetooth pairing.
It
also features an RCA Line-In (Right and Left) option for analog
connectivity to other various audio sources and a 3.5mm Mic-in.
This basically mean you can use the X7 with any device, be it a computer, smartphone, tablet
(including an iDevice with a Lightinng connector) or even an HDTV, via a
wire or wireless connection. After that, when coupled with capable
speakers, the amplifier promises to deliver extremely clear and powerful
high-resolution audio for games, music and movies.
For outputs,
the X7 has gold-plated two-way binding post terminal connectors for
passive bookshelf and tower speakers, 5.1 analog connectivity
for surround sound, optical S/PDIF-Output connectivity, a 1/4-inch
(6.3mm) headphone out and an 1/8-inch (3.5mm) headphone out.
The X7 supports all popular audio inputs and outputs and has an a built-in advanced amplifier.
Among
the X7's other features, you can control it via multiple platforms,
including PC, Mac, iOS or Android, using the Sound Blaster X7 Control
Panel software (for computers) and the Sound Blaster Central mobile app
(for mobile devices). Both desktop and mobile applicaitons give full
access to customizing the X7's settings.
The Sound Blaster X7 is
not cheap, unfortunately, costing $400. But if you're an audiophile who
wants to get the best out of your sound system or just want to impress
your friends, it's time to save up since the X7 will be available for
purchase in December.
The iTunes Store raked in more revenue overall in fiscal 2014 than in
the previous year, but digital music sales have declined, according to
Apple's annual report filed with the SEC.
iTunes music sales took a dip over the past 12 months, according to Apple's latest regulatory filing.
In an 88-page annual report, filed Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said the iTunes
Store overall raked in more revenue in fiscal year 2014 -- which ended
September 27 -- than in fiscal year 2013, but noted that music sales
have fallen.
"The iTunes Store generated a total of $10.2 billion
in net sales during 2014 compared to $9.3 billion during 2013," Apple
said. "Growth in net sales from the iTunes Store was driven by increases
in revenue from app sales reflecting continued growth in the installed
base of iOS devices and the expanded offerings of iOS Apps and related
in-App purchases. This was partially offset by a decline in sales of
digital music."
Apple didn't reveal specifics on how much digital
music sales have declined. But on Friday, the Wall Street Journal cited
"people familiar with the matter" who said that music sales at the iTunes Store have dropped 13 to 14 percent
since January 1. The Journal pinned the blame on growing competition
from cheap music, such as free videos and $10-per-month unlimited
subscription plans.
In its regulatory filing, Apple also acknowledged competition from such rival services.
"The Company's digital content services have faced
significant competition from other companies promoting their own digital
music and content products and services, including those offering free
peer-to-peer music and video services," Apple said in its filing.
In
other words, why pay for digital albums and songs when you can listen
to them for free or on the cheap through such services as Pandora and
Spotify?
In its favor, Apple touted the integration of its various products and services, "including the hardware (iPhone, iPad,
Mac and iPod), software (iOS, OS X and iTunes), online services and
distribution of digital content and applications (iTunes Store, App
Store, iBooks Store and Mac
App Store)." But the company said its competitors "have substantial
resources and may be able to provide such products and services at
little or no profit or even at a loss to compete with the Company's
offerings."
Apple is far from alone.
A drop in digital music
sales is hitting the industry as a whole. On Monday, The Guardian cited
one example of mobile app Shazam, which has witnessed the number of songs purchased drop from 1 million in March 2013 to 400,000 this past September. The Guardian also cited an August report from Midia Research, which found in a nutshell that streaming users are buying fewer digital albums.
One weapon that Apple is likely to use to try to beat back the competition is Beats. Some industry watchers wondered why Apple would pay $3 billion for Beats when the deal was announced in May.
But the Journal suggests that Apple plans to rebuild Beats Music and
integrate it with iTunes next year to offer a stronger streaming
service. Apple took its first stab at a streaming music service last
year with the debut of iTunes Radio.
