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Today, we’re taking a look at the Creative Sound Blaster G8, it is a compact DAC/amp that’s generating plenty of buzz for its dual USB-C inputs and ability to handle multiple audio sources at once. It’s priced at 239 SGD, or around 150 USD, and aims to offer high-res audio playback with some thoughtful design elements. But there's one notable omission—a key button is missing, which might catch you off guard. Let’s take a closer look at the G8, see how it performs, and find out what this missing piece means for the overall experience.
One of the first things you’ll notice is how small the G8 is. Creative has managed to pack in quite a few features without making it feel overly cluttered. The dual USB-C ports are a standout - it’s handy if you want to connect, say, a console and your phone at the same time for mixing in-game audio with music or chat. It’s especially appealing to streamers or anyone juggling multiple devices.
The layout itself is fairly minimalistic: a large volume knob, a GameVoice Mix dial, and a few buttons for toggling sound modes and outputs. While it won’t blow you away with premium looks, it gets the job done without feeling flimsy.
The front panel features an SBX button to cycle through effects like surround sound and bass boost, a Mode button to switch between Direct and DSP modes, and an HP/SPK button to toggle between headphones and speakers. There's also a small slider to select between optical and HDMI ARC inputs, plus a Headphone Gain switch on the backside for different impedance levels.
One minor design quirk is the angle of the front connectors—this slight tilt might cause plugged-in converters to hit the table, but for most users, it won’t be an issue.
Under the hood, the G8 supports up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback and includes Creative’s Xamp discrete bi-amplifier, which means each ear cup on your headphones has its own dedicated amp channel. In practice, it should help having a cleaner stereo image and decent instrument separation.
Connector wise, it offers a comprehensive range, making it a flexible tool for various audio setups. On the back, you’ll find two USB-C ports which both are data and power, if you want to use it with something like an Xbox without PC then you would need to plug in USB 1 for power. There is also an HDMI ARC port, TOSLINK optical in and out, 3.5 mm line-in and line-out jacks, plus 3.5 mm mic-in and a 4-pole CTIA headset jack on the front.
These will allow you to route everything from PCs and gaming consoles to smartphones and even home entertainment setups that use HDMI ARC. For example, one possible scenario is plugging your PC into the USB-1 port for game audio, and simultaneously connecting your smartphone via USB-2 to blend in music or chat; another might involve using the optical input from a TV or older console while using line-in for a secondary audio source, all controllable via the GameVoice Mix dial.
You can also run separate line outputs to powered speakers and keep a headset plugged in for quick switching using the HP/SPK button—ideal for both single-PC streaming rigs and more elaborate multi-device configurations.
Setting it up is pretty straightforward: use the first USB-C port for power, then plug in whichever devices you want to mix. In my case, I hooked up my PC and laptop simultaneously, blending game audio on the PC with music from the laptop. Having that dedicated Mix knob really streamlines volume balancing—something I’m sure will come in handy during intense gaming sessions or while streaming.
In addition to its mixing capabilities, the G8 integrates with the Creative app, which offers a wide range of features such as EQ adjustments, CrystalVoice enhancement, Direct mode for unaltered sound, and Scout mode for gaming. I won't dive deep into these functions here — they could fill an entire video on their own — but suffice it to say, there's something in the app for everyone. To simplify matters, the app also includes sound modes that act like presets, quickly adjusting multiple settings at once for various listening scenarios.
Via the software the G8 also features an integrated mixer that works across different inputs and outputs, allowing you to adjust the left and right channels for each connected device individually. That’s an impressive array of features packed into such a small box, though its compact size does come with a few caveats.
This unit does not have a power button so its just always on. It’s not going to be much of a problem for PC users but for those using it on a laptop on the go it is going to slowly drain the battery.
Also there is no dedicated mute button and that for me is a massive oversight. Since this device is squarely targeted at gamers and streamers, I am not sure why Creative would not include what might be the most used button possible. What do you guys think about this omission? Is it a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, or does it fundamentally impact how you’d use the G8 for streaming and gaming?
Finally, one last quirk may catch some off guard: there is a distinct relay click when switching between headphone and speaker mode. This transition produces a sharp click followed by a popping sound in the headphones. While this effect might be subtle for some users, I found it rather unpleasant.
In summary, the Sound Blaster G8 may be tiny, but it’s certainly mighty. Its versatility allows for a wide range of creative setups—how you use it is only limited by your imagination. While I would have appreciated the addition of power and mute buttons, these omissions don’t overshadow its strong performance. Despite these minor drawbacks, I believe the G8 is a solid device.
What do you think? Does the G8 pique your interest, or are there any specific deal breakers for you? Let us know in the comments.
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