Introduction

Creative advertises their $170/€150 Sound Blaster GC7 as a "game streaming USB DAC and amp." Don't be confused by this clumsy description—the Sound Blaster GC7 is a feature-packed external stereo USB sound card equipped with a headphone amplifier and full set of onboard controls that can be used to adjust many of its features without touching the software. This is where the "game streaming" part of the sound card's description comes into play. Creative obviously wants to emphasize that the built-in controls are especially suited for streamers, who generally strive to keep most of their controls under their fingertips rather than scattered across various software menus.



While the Sound Blaster GC7 won't replace your Stream Deck, it does give you more control than you'd get from any other USB sound card on the market. It's important to look beyond its built-in buttons and knobs, though. The Sound Blaster GC7 also offers a number of media and gaming-oriented features, such as the Super X-Fi and Super X-Fi Battle Mode surround sound tech and versatile connectivity. It officially supports Windows and macOS computers, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Thanks to the integrated Bluetooth connectivity, it can be controlled through a mobile app, making its features available and usable on platforms other than PC, which usually isn't the case with external USB sound cards. This is one of the more interesting sound cards to hit the market, with a lot to unpack, so let's get on with the good stuff!

Specifications

The Package

The Creative Sound Blaster GC7 is neatly packed inside a box that depicts the sound card from three angles and goes over its key features, supported platforms, technical specifications, and contents. The box has a pull-tab at the bottom, so you can tear it open that way or simply cut the stickers on its sides and pull out the inner cardboard box, which holds the sound card, cables, and everything else.


If you open the box by removing the pull tab, you'll discover that the entire quick-start guide is printed on its inner side. Browsing through this piece of cardboard is probably the fastest way to find out how to connect the Sound Blaster GC7 to different platforms and use its controls, and which port does what. This is a clever touch that turns the box into more than just something the product is shipped in.


Inside, you'll find the Sound Blaster GC7 sound card, a read-me-first pamphlet warning you about the importance of downloading the SXFI App, some additional paperwork, and a grand total of three cables: a 1.5-meter USB-C to USB Type-A cable, 1.5-meter optical cable, and 1.5-meter 4-pole (TRRS) 3.5-mm audio cable.