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
The price of October 2012: 9999 rubles
In the fall of this year, Creative introduced several interesting products – a top sound fee, a game headset and unusual acoustics. We will definitely talk about the first two in the nearest rooms, but we’ll talk about the latter today. Indeed, despite the fact that before us, the mobile system is primarily before us, Creative managed to fit three devices in it at once: speakers, headset and adult audio card. In total, the SB AXX series includes three models – SBX 8/10/20 – differing in size and power. In the main part of the text, we will talk about the senior version, read the younger ones in the insert.
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.
Despite the fact that the column is alone, Creative assures that she gives out sound in honest stereo. How it turns out, we will not undertake to say – it did not work to look under the grid without damage to the structure, 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 – it 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, which is an adult Core 3D chip, installed on modern sound cards of Sound Blaster. 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, then 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, but neither the first nor the second included – what is called, look for yourself.
Subtleting Settings
After the column is connected, there are two ways of developments. 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, 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/expands the area of work, cutting off all the "extra". 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 https://coral-gb-casino.co.uk/ 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/off Voice Focus, Noise Reduction, SBX, Sound, Microphone, and also allows you to run siri in case of work with iOS.
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 add bass to tempt and hide all the little things under them, he did not go. SBX 20 really sounds. She perfectly conveys vocals, acoustic/electric guitar and plays out the bass of the party. Of course, there is a lack of average frequencies, the lack of a detail at high, and they put it brazenly with stereo, but I don’t want to pay attention to it – the sound turned out 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.
We liked the headset mode. 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.
A new column will cost expensive. Some indecent 9999 rubles are asked for the top version. Honestly, this is too much. A quality format system 2 is easily taken for that kind of money.0 and separate microphone. But if you look at this matter through the prism of uniqueness, add a high level of assembly and forgive the absence of adapters for power, then for the original device with unusual functions could be requested more. Still, SBX 20 is an excellent solution for the role of not the main acoustics, which will perfectly accommodate anywhere in the apartment and will provide high-quality sound without trouble with installation and wires.
Pros:
Original appearance
takes up little space on the table
Convenient management
Many unusual functions
high -quality sound
It works without wires
Cons:
High price
There is no sound positioning
Medium -frequency failures
In Bluetooth mode, it sounds good only at high volume
The younger ones
After the SBX 20 test, we, to complete the picture, decided to check what younger representatives are capable of, so two more columns came to our laboratory: SBX 10 (7499 rubles) and SBX 8 (4499 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.