CONFIDENTIAL

PDSB046005100500____________________________________________________________________________

TM

Sound Blaster

X-Fi

Audio Card
Model SB0460
Datasheet
Revision 1.1
October 2005

This document is for informational purposes only.

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Creative Technology
Ltd. Creative logo and the Sound Blaster banner are registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd.
Products furnished by Creative are believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Creative reserves the right to make
changes in its sole discretion, at any time to the products. CREATIVE DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES FOR THE PRODUCTS PROVIDED HEREUNDER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILIT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NOR DOES IT
MAKE ANY WARRANTY FOR ANY INFRINGEMENT OF PATENTS OR OTHER RIGHTS OF THIRD
PARTIES WHICH MAY RESULT FORM THE PRODUCTS. Creative assumes no obligation to correct any errors
contained in the products provided hereunder or to advise users of the products of any correction if such be made.
Customers are advised to obtain the latest version of product specification, and Creative makes no assurance that
Creatives products are appropriate for any application by any customer. Creative products provided hereunder are
subject to the restrictions set forth in the accompanying NDA. Creative products are not intended for use in life support
appliances, devices, or systems. Use of Creative products for purposes other than those set forth in the accompanying
NDA without the written consent of an appropriate Creative officer is prohibited.
Released by Product Marketing Audio/VLSI Products Group, Creative Technology Ltd.

Copyright Creative Technology Ltd, 2005. All rights reserved.

Information is subject to change without prior notice

October 2005
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Confidential

Sound BlasterTM X-Fi

Model SB0460
Revision 1.1

Figure 1: SB X-Fi SB0460 Card

It has been reported that people hearing the first

gramophone recordings described the resulting sound
as indistinguishable from the live original. Over the
ensuing century of audio technology development, a
similar phenomenon has been repeatedly observed:
people are almost universally satisfied with whatever
audio reproduction technology theyve grown
accustomed to... until they are offered something
better. Almost overnight, the old technology then
becomes unacceptable, and the new technology
becomes the standard that everyone aspires to.

Such a history naturally invites speculation: what will

be the next quantum improvement in audio
reproduction, and what heretofore unrecognized
problem will it solve? Two observations may point the
way.
First, improved audio rendering is sometimes purely
about fidelity, and it is sometimes purely about
convenience. Most often, though, improved audio
rendering results from a judicious combination of these
two benefits.

This information is Confidential and Proprietary to Creative Technology Ltd. This information is subjected to changes without prior notice.
Released by Product Marketing. Patent pending.
PDSB046005100500
October 2005
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Confidential

Sound BlasterTM X-Fi

Model SB0460
Revision 1.1
Second, the explosive growth of digital audio content
and processing over the past two decades has brought
without it both new opportunities and new challenges.
Among the latter, albeit little commented upon, has
been the increasing diversification of digital audio
content formats.
Audio content today exists in an almost bewildering
variety of formats: compressed, matrixed, multichannel, high-definition, etc.. Since most playback
systems are designed to be backward compatible, and
since PC-based playback systems are somewhat field
upgradeable, it may not be immediately obvious that
this presents a problem.
What is happening more and more, though, is that
content that has been optimized during production for
one playback system is being played back by the
consumer on a significantly different playback system.
This results in an inferior listening experience that,
while adequate in terms of yesterdays expectations,
falls significantly short of what 21st Century listeners
should demand.
These inferior listening experiences were conveniently
addressed by Creatives X-Fi technology.
Creatives philosophy is to examine the audio stream
in real-time in order to identify these mismatches and
therefore enhance the audio in order to deliver an
experience that is as true as possible to the presumed
intent of the recording engineer who would ideally
have delivered that quality and clarity in the first place,
given the opportunity. Creative is uniquely able to do
this because of our proprietary frequency-domain
processing and X-Fi architecture.
Today, there is a widespread expectation that an audio
playback system will simply cope with whatever
content it receives: the systems responsibility is
merely to make the content audible. Creative believes
that a 21st Century audio playback system should do
much more: a 21st Century systems responsibility is
to make the listening experience as fulfilling as
possible no matter what content it receives. In the
future, it may be difficult to imagine why any audio
playback system would do less.

Key Features:
PCI Bus Mastering

PCI Specification up to Version 2.3 compliant

Bus mastering reduces latency and speeds up
system performance

Sound Blaster X-Fi Audio Processor

Advanced hardware accelerated digital effects

processing
All new dedicated DSP capable of both time
and frequency domain audio processing
128 3D voices with advanced 3D positional
audio rendering algorithms
Professional quality digital mixing and
equalization maintaining 24-bit accuracy
User-selectable Master Sampling Rate for bitmatched professional audio applications
Ultra-high quality sample rate conversion for
gaming and professional audio applications

Professional Digital Audio Processing

24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog

inputs at 96 kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital
sources at 96 kHz to analog 7.1 speaker
output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo
digital sources at 192 kHz to stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8,
11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96
kHz
ASIO 2.0 support at 16-bit/44.1kHz, 16bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.1kHz 24-bit/48kHz and
24-bit/96kHz
Supports Sony/Philips Digital Interface
(SPDIF) format of up to 24-bit/96 kHz quality
SPDIF output at selectable sampling rate of
44.1, 48 or 96 kHz
SPDIF output not available during playback
of protected digital audio content authored
with DRM (Digital Rights Management)
technology
ASIO 2.0 with direct monitoring

This information is Confidential and Proprietary to Creative Technology Ltd. This information is subjected to changes without prior notice.
Released by Product Marketing. Patent pending.
PDSB046005100500
October 2005
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Confidential

Sound BlasterTM X-Fi

Model SB0460
Revision 1.1

Accelerated ASIO for ultra low latency

Enhanced SoundFont support of up to 24-bit
resolution

Dolby Digital and Digital Surround EX Decoding

Flexible Mixer Control

Selectable input source or mixing of various

audio sources for recording
Adjustable master volume control
Separate bass and treble control
Front and rear balance control
Muting, soloing and panning control for
mixer sources

Mode Selector Control

Three exclusive working modes

(Entertainment Mode, Audio Creation Mode
and Game Mode), optimized to perform key
tasks within each category of usage

DTS-ES

CMSS-3DSurround: Upmixes mono or stereo

sources to 4, 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 channels
CMSS-3DHeadphone: Provides a
multichannel playback experience over
headphones for all types of content
CMSS-3DVirtual: Provides a multichannel
playback experience over two loudspeakers
for all types of content
CMSS-3DInteractive: Delivers multichannel
3D audio positioning for 3D games and
3DMIDI. Works in conjunction with CMSS3DHeadphone and CMSS-3DVirtual to
provide advanced 3D positional audio over
headphones and two or four loudspeakers

Support DTS decoding for 5.1 audio

Support DTS-CD playback and decoding for
5.1 audio
Support DTS-ES for 7.1/6.1 audio

Creative MultiSpeaker Surround (CMSS)

Decodes Dolby Digital Surround EX to 7.1 or

6.1 channels, or will pass through a
compressed SPDIF bitstream to an external
decoder
Bass redirection: enhances bass output to
subwoofer for small satellite speaker systems
Crossover bass frequency (10-200 Hz):
adjustable to standalone subwoofer units for
desired bass level
Adjustable Center, Rear Center and LFE level
control

DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 for decoding

5.1-channel soundtracks with a back
surround channel matrix encoded
into the left and right surround
channel
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 for 6.1
soundtracks mastered with a discrete
back surround channel

Support DTS Neo:6 for upmixing twochannel matrix-encoded sources

THX Certification

Sound Blaster X-Fi has received the

prestigious THX Multimedia Certification
award, making it the perfect choice for PC
audiophiles seeking the very best music and
movie experiences.

This information is Confidential and Proprietary to Creative Technology Ltd. This information is subjected to changes without prior notice.
Released by Product Marketing. Patent pending.
PDSB046005100500
October 2005
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Confidential

Sound BlasterTM X-Fi

Model SB0460
Revision 1.1

Connectivity

4 Line Out 1
jack

Connect the Front Left and

Front Right inputs on powered
analog speakers or a home
theater receiver to this jack.
You can also connect your
stereo headphones with a 3.50
mm (1/8-inch) plug to this
jack.

5 FlexiJack

Performs a 3-in-1 function,

supporting Microphone-in,
Line-in and Digital I/O
connections.
Connect one of the following
to this jack:

Jack or
Description
Connector
1 AD_Link
connector

2 Line Out 3
jack

Connect one end of the

AD_Link cable to this
connector. Connect the other
end to the AD_Link (26 pin)
connector on the X-Fi I/O
Console*.

Connect the following inputs

on powered analog speakers or
a home theater receiver to this
jack:

3 Line Out 2
jack

On 5.1 systems: Front

Center and Subwoofer
On 6.1 systems: Front
Center, Subwoofer
and Rear Center
On 7.1 systems: Front
Center, Subwoofer
and Side Left

Connect the following inputs

on powered analog speakers or
a home theater receiver to this
jack:

On 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1

systems: Rear Left
and Rear Right
On 7.1 systems: Rear
Left, Rear Right and
Side Right

analog devices like

cassette players and
other line-level
sources
a microphone
the Digital I/O
Module*
external digital audio
devices that accept
stereo PCM or
compressed Dolby
Digital/DTS Bitstream
from the S/PDIF
output

6 Creative
Provides a proprietary
Proprietary connection for Creative
connector devices. Do not use this
connector unless instructed to
do so.
7 Aux In
connector

Connect an Analog CD cable

from the analog output of a TV
Tuner to this connector.

8 Power

Powers the X-Fi I/O Console*

This information is Confidential and Proprietary to Creative Technology Ltd. This information is subjected to changes without prior notice.
Released by Product Marketing. Patent pending.
PDSB046005100500
October 2005
Pg 5 of 6

Confidential

Sound BlasterTM X-Fi

Model SB0460
Revision 1.1
connector

9 AD_EXT
connector

via the AD_Link connector.

Connect a power cable from
your computer's power supply
to this connector.
Connect one end of the
AD_EXT cable to this
connector. Connect the other
end to the AD_EXT connector
on the X-Fi I/O Drive*.

Note: * Available with some models of your audio

device, or as an upgrade accessory in some regions.
.

Signal To Noise Ratio (SNR)

Total Harmonic Distortion +
Noise (THD+N)

109
0.004

dB.
%

Power Consumption
Vcc, nominal current
+12V, nominal current
-12V, nominal current

1000
150
40

mA
mA
mA

Resolution
ADC & DAC

24

Temperature Range
Operating
Non-Operating

10 C to 50 C
-40 C to 70 C

bits

Audio Performance (Typical Values)

Reference signal is set at 1kHz
Record & Playback Sampling Rates
8.0
Recording:
11.025

Playback:

Line_In Full Scale Input

Line_Out Full Scale Output
Microphone Input Impedance
Line_In Impedance

kHz
kHz

16.0
kHz
22.05
kHz
24.0
kHz
32.0
kHz
44.1
kHz
48.0
kHz
96.0
kHz
Any arbitrary
sampling rate <=
192kHz
2.0
Vrms
2.0
Vrms
> 4.0K
ohms
10K
ohms

WAVE - LINE_OUT @ 2Vrms, 1kHz

(Measured with bandlimited filter from 22Hz to
22kHz, A-Wtg Filter; 20kHz lowpass filter)

DISCLAIMER
Products furnished by Creative are believed to be accurate and reliable. However,
Creative reserves the right to make changes in its sole discretion, at any time to the
products. CREATIVE DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR
THE PRODUCTS PROVIDED HEREUNDER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, NOR DOES IT MAKE ANY WARRANTY FOR ANY INFRINGEMENT OF
PATENTS OR OTHER RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM
THE PRODUCTS. Creative assumes no obligation to correct any errors contained in
the products provided hereunder or to advise users of the products of any correction
if such be made. Customers are advised to obtain the latest version of product
specification, and Creative makes no assurance that Creatives products are
appropriate for any application by any particular customer. Creative products are not
intended for use in life support applicances, devices, or systems.

International inquiries:
Creative Technology Ltd.
31, International Business Park
Creative Resource
Singapore 609921
Tel: +65 895 4000
Fax: +65 895 4050

Americas inquiries:
Creative Labs, Inc.
1901 McCarthy Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035
Tel: +1 (408) 428 6600
Fax: +1 (408) 428 2394

Creative Media K.K.

Kanda Eight Bldg. 3F
4-6-7 Soto-Kanda Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 101
Japan
Tel: +81 3 3256 5577
Fax: +81 3 3256 5547

European inquiries:
Creative Labs, UK
Unit 2, The Pavilions
Ruscombe Business Park
Ruscombe, Berkshire
RG10 9NN
ENGLAND
Tel: +44 118 934 4332
Fax:+44 118 982 8270

This information is Confidential and Proprietary to Creative Technology Ltd. This information is subjected to changes without prior notice.
Released by Product Marketing. Patent pending.
PDSB046005100500
October 2005
Pg 6 of 6