If you watch the broadcast from any e-sports tournament, be it World Of Tanks, Counter Strike, or StarCraft, you will notice that none of the players does not use in-ear headphones. Professionalnye gamers choose closed headphones with sound insulation. And if you look at what the market offers, with all the variety of earbud headsets or even overhead models, among them very little.
Creative Sound BlasterX P5
Many people play games on laptops, almost all toys are smartphones, I’m not talking about portable consoles like PSP, Nintendo 3DS or NVIDIA Shield. Agree, it is inconvenient to carry the headset, which is larger and heavier than the console itself. The module is available in the new line from Creative Sound BlasterX – it is just a small headset with in-ear headphones. I don’t think Sound BlasterX P5 will interest professional cyberathletes, but as a universal headset for gamers it will look appropriate.
What’s what?
- Type: wired headset with in-ear headphones
- Drivers: Full Spectrum, 7 mm
- Frequency range: 10 Hz – 23 KHz
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 114 dB/mW
- Cable: 1.3 m, straight connector
- Connector: 3.5 mm
- Weight: 12 g
- Price: 6 000 rubles
In the US the announced price is 69 dollars. About the same you have to pay for the average non-gaming headset. In my opinion, the price tag is quite adequate.
The set comes in hard case with zipper, adaptor dual audio (need to where the microphone plugs separately) and two pairs of interchangeable silicone inserts. The default “gum” medium size. But the case was too large, in addition to the headset in it will easily fit other small things: flash drives, SIM cards and even replacement headphones.
Design and construction
Even with the small speakers (7 mm), the headphones are very compact. Even after AKG N20 (review), they seemed weightless. Because of this, headphones almost not felt in the ear and not tiring during prolonged use. In addition, the headphones are practically not protrude above the ear, so they can be comfortably worn under a cap.
General view of the Creative Sound BlasterX P5
Headphone Creative Sound BlasterX P5 side view
Three small holes on the external casing of each earphone throw dust in the eyes and mimic diagram with fazoinvertor. No fazoinvertor in Sound BlasterX P5 is not, and mentioned the holes perform more decorative function. If you plug them with your fingers, the sound is only slightly suppressed. It is noticeable in music, but game sounds (footsteps, gunshots and all that) practically do not change.
Silicone ear tips medium size
Predecorated ducts on the headset Creative Sound BlasterX P5
Cable in a fabric braid may seem not too many to the touch, however they do not cling to items of clothing and maintains its flexibility in the cold. However, during testing the temperature in Moscow dropped below 5 degrees Celsius.
The unit with remote control and MIC on the cord Sound BlasterX P5
Block with remote and MIC is shaped like a helicopter joystick. Below it is a little thinner than the top – you can easily find the items without looking. In General, the console does not stand out, but there’s one useful function you can quickly enable and disable the microphone. And if all will do as well in a multiplayer game, team chat will be completely free of extraneous sounds.
Headphones and a connector to connect a Creative Sound BlasterX P5
In my opinion, a connector with a direct connection wires – not the most reliable option. Connecting to a PC or laptop is no problem. But if we talk about working with mobile consoles and smartphones, the l-shaped plug is in tight rubber isolation would be preferable.
Listening experience
Headset without active noise cancellation in Creative Sound BlasterX P5 is not provided. But, due to the dense planting, external sounds are almost inaudible during use. I was able quite comfortably to play Heroes of Might and Magic III HD on the iPad while riding the subway, announcements of stations were not heard in-game sounds and musical compositions. But at home I have a few days to several remembering his youth, playing Unreal Tournament 2004.
Creative Sound BlasterX P5
Despite the small speaker, the sound was extremely pleasant. In games headphones work on five with plus, but if we talk about music, there will be a lot of “but”. The bass is too neat – it is obvious the manufacturer did not want the hearing suffered from gunshots in shooters. And he does not suffer, even if you play all day. But when listening to breakbeat or drum n bass the bass is very lacking and the songs sound exactly as they should. Easy electronic music, rock, pop and even jazz played as it should be.
Conclusions
I guess I slightly overreacted in the beginning, calling Sound BlasterX P5 universal headset. In games this manifests itself the headset is great, there is no complaints. But the listening experience of music will vary significantly depending on genres.
Gaming headset with in-ear earphones for $ 100 and above, raises a natural question “but is it not better to buy Sony or Sennheiser for the same money?”. But the novelty gets Creative in a cheaper band and it looks very confident. However, if you want to enjoy music in between games, be sure to listen to the songs of your favorite genres before you buy, with some of the genres P5 is “not friendly”.