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Your cart is empty.4.5 out of 5 stars
- #3 in External Sound Cards
Product Description
Instantly Upgrade to High Resolution Audio
Once you upgrade from motherboard audio, you'll never go back to it again. The Sound Blaster PLAY! 3 provides such an upgrade, by giving you high resolution 24-bit 96kHz audio for your music, movies, and games.
Studio-Grade Listening
The Sound Blaster PLAY! 3 drives a wide range of headphones — from mobile phone earbuds and gaming headsets all the way to more expensive studio-grade headphones. The downloadable Control Panel software also includes optimized profiles for selected earphone brands.
Crisp Voice Communications and Recording
USB Connectivity greatly improves mic recording capabilities, giving you clean 24-bit 48kHZ quality for podcasts or in-game communications.
Great Connectivity
Simple, Fuss-Free, Plug-and-Play
Headphone Connectivity without Y-Splitter
Comes with Control Panel software for PC and Mac
Inlet Sound
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
I'm very impressed with this product as the sound is so much better than I expected!I had a customer with a high end streaming PC that failed and was changed out with a replacement PC but the new PC had no on board audio out so I decided to try this unit based on price, reviews and the fact I could get it quick with Amazon Prime and get my customer back online ASAP! And the fact I have had good luck with this brand over the years with PC speakers and such so I tried it.I'm blown away how much better the sound is vs me using the old built in 3.5mm PC's audio out! Its a huge better sound improvement! I only need the audio out so I have not tried the microphone input but is nice to have if I ever need it.I'm a pro sound tech on my day job and a audiophile at night so I know great sound! this is GREAT SOUND! Was plug -n-play no drivers or software needed and even though I did not buy this unit looking for great sound that is exactly what I now have ! Fantastic Great Sounding product thats priced right!
Jason Strothman
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
I got this video card to enhance my pc's sound quality temporarily until I could afford a high end internal card and it works great. First of all it makes my speakers louder, I don't have to turn up the volume as high. The sound quality is better, more deeper base and much more clear. Bottom line, this product works, but perhaps not as well as a high end sound card.
Herb
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
Your product not only provides great audio for a laptop with a dead sound card, but also provides a material increase in the sound output level.
Cliente
Reviewed in Italy on August 17, 2024
Nulla da dire, preso al posto del Play! 4 poiché avevo un problema di signal bleeding dovuto ad una messa a terra penosa di casa mia e avevo necessità di un DAC con jack input e output separati.(Volendo il Play! 3 supporta il jack singolo combinato connettendo solo il jack TRRS nella porta di output cuffie)
Steven Ochoa
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
I have this connected to a USB port on my Samsung G8 monitor. It automatically switches for any input and outputs to the same 2.1 speakers. The DAC is very high quality and has literally no distortion. It was plug and play and immediately worked, it's very small and sleek.
Chris R
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
This is a simple and amazing improvement! I was using the headphone out jack on my laptop to my AudioEngine 5 speakers (and sub). The sound was okay, and mostly good enough for the background tunes in my office. However, after awhile, I knew this simple system was capable of way better sound. I didn't want to mess around with a lot of gear, so gave this a try. What an improvement. No drivers or anything trickier than plugging it in. I had to turn down my sub as there was way more bass... and there was also more top end that just sounded great. Even if you aren't an audiophile (I'm not), you'll enjoy this. It's a massive improvement and easy to make happen.
Ed
Reviewed in India on October 25, 2024
The Creative Sound Blaster Play! 3 is a compact and versatile USB audio interface that significantly enhances sound quality for gaming and music. With its easy plug-and-play setup, it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced users. The built-in headphone amplifier provides rich, clear audio, while customizable audio profiles allow for a tailored listening experience. The durable design makes it a reliable companion for on-the-go use. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their audio experience without breaking the bank.
PittGuy_Katz78
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
While doing some recording in Audacity on my Dell Laptop, I notice some popping on the audio track every now and then. Someone told me a higher sample rate might help that. This product (Creative Labs Sound Blaster Play! 3 External USB Sound Adapter) looked great and Creative Sound Blaster products have always served me well.Plugged into the laptop and it worked perfectly.I loved the price and the 192khz sample rate BUT if you are planning to use a studio quality microphone (I'm using the Heil Sound PR40) that uses an unbalanced XLR adapter...you have the choice of using the mike for input OR headphones for output...but the two jacks won't fit into this Sound Blaster product at the same time.This is NOT a Sound Blaster problem, but rather the adapter's 3.5mm jack is too big. Unfortunately, that's not an option for me. All the other adapters I saw look like they use the same size connector.I've ordered a more expensive Creative Product (OK, it was only $10.00 more) that came with a dongle. Gave up some sample rate (96 khz versus 192khz) but at least it came with the dongle adapter so I can use it.Hopefully.Fingers crossed.
Ari Kline
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2023
The Play! X3 is exactly what I wanted it to be so I am happy but I acknowledge my use case is probably different than the average user so this might not be helpful.I recently moved over to a proper audio stack from my Sound Blaster X4, as I used none of the gaming features that it provided, and lost the microphone input I was using. I tried using the microphone input on my motherboard but I had to use an extension cable to get it where I wanted it to be which acted like an antenna and picked up too much electromagnetic interference which manifested in a hum / hissing noise. I needed a usb microphone input that could be plugged in on my desk circumventing the need for an extension. I looked at all the usb options to add a microphone input and this was the only one that said it supports 24 bit 48khz and I know all my Sound Blasters in the past have supported stereo microphone input so I bought this in hopes that this one did as well.Well, this was exactly what I wanted and at $25 it was only slightly more expensive than the other options which didn't seem as good. I plugged this into my keyboard and plugged my microphone into it and without the need for extra software it supports my microphone at stereo 24 bit 48khz - it is everything I want it to be. Just to note why I didn't go for the Play! X4 is because it only has one input which means I'd have to get an adapter that splits trrs into two trs ports which just adds another layer of complexity to something that I want to be as simple as possible. Also, I don't ever see myself using this as a DAC as I have much better ones so I won't be using all the fancy features of the X4.TL;DR It is a good plug and play usb microphone port supporting stereo 24 bit 48khz input so I am happy with it.
Alexandroid
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2022
This card helped me to solve microphone issues on the motherboard, so it works well as an external sound card. I am still on the fence about the sound effects (Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart volume, Dialog plus). Crystalizer and Bass seem to be the most useful to quickly compensate for headphone's weak spots, but they appear to do similar stuff what Equalizer does otherwise.However, this card seems to lack power compared to a computer's usual analog output - everything sounds quieter through it (my headphones are 32 Ohms), lacking that last bit of volume at the max level which makes a difference in some voice calls and music scenarios. Maybe that's by design, due to the limited power supplied via USB...The software is a bit glitchy, because Smart Volume seem to mess with regular volume settings, resulting in quieter than usual sound when the sound card is unplugged.Overall, I don't regret that I bought it ($22), the lower volume is a bit of a bummer but you are getting a great quality sound for a low price.
Marcus Vinícius Salomé Mângia
Reviewed in Brazil on December 20, 2021
Produto funcional.
Cliente de
Reviewed in Mexico on October 1, 2020
Compre está tarjeta para sutituir la integrada en una motherboard gamer, que si bien no era mala en cuanto a especificaciones, se quedaba corta para unos audífonos sencillos de 32 ohms que compre (el volúmen era bajo, tanto de los audífonos como del microfono incorporado, por lo que tenía que subir a tope el volumen y al máximo la ganacia del microfono introduciendo mucha estatica en el proceso).Estando a media clase recibo la notificación de entrega y salgo a recibirla lo más rapido posible. Al regresar la saque del empaque, revise que todo estuviera bien y la enchufe de una vez para estrenarla en clase. Tras unos pequeños ajustes de la salida de audio y entrada del microfono, me encontre con un volumen mucho más fuerte, tanto en el microfono como en los audífonos mismos. Tanto así que tuve que silenciarme y bajar la ganacia a niveles más razonables para evitar ensordecer a mis compañeros. Con esto el micrófono se escucha bastante más limpio, aunque aún permanece un muy pequeño sonido de estática que puede ser perjudicial para grabaciones profesionales y semiprofesionales ( aunque para eso están tarjetas usb con prestaciones más avanzadas y/o software para remover el ruido). Ya una vez acabada la clase procedí a descargar los dirvers y el software incluido. Aunque dicho sowtware resulta muy simple en interfaz y opciones, para el día a día queda muy bien, y no creo que ocupes más.En resumen, la recomiendo bastante si cuentas con audífonos gamer y/o tú tarjeta de audio imterna ya no da más de sí, si escuchas con un volumen muy bajo, tienes problemas de estatica por el micrófono o si simplemente quieres mejorar el audio de tú equipo con este pequeño DAC/amplificador (que por cierto, aguanta audífonos de hasta 300 ohms, y minimos recomendables de 32 ohms) USB por un precio relativamente bajo, está es una excelente opción.PDNo puedo decir nada de durabilidad porque recien me a llegado, pero si algo sucede, los mantendre actualizados y si no, pues es que todo va bien.
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