®
katana
EXPERIENCE GUIDE
Customizable 24-bit Hi-Res
Gaming Under-Monitor Audio System (UMAS)
Sound BlasterX Katana
CONTENTS
Key Features
Discover the core elements that make Sound BlasterX Katana the
perfect desktop audio solution for professional gamers.
page 7
Sound BlasterX Katana: An Overview
Get acquainted with the Sound BlasterX Katana’s architecture,
controls and connectivity options.
page 3
Experiencing the Sound BlasterX Katana
Discover bit-perfect audio using the Sound BlasterX Katana with your
smartphone, tablet, PC and Mac.
page 10
Enhancing Audio Playback
Learn how to easily enhance gaming audio and elevate your
gaming experience with visual displays of light via the fully
customizable Sound Blaster Connect.
page 11
Designed to fit perfectly under wide-screens and multi-monitor
displays, the sleek Sound BlasterX Katana is the world’s
first Under-Monitor Audio System (UMAS) that combines
Creative’s award-winning proprietary audio technologies with a
sophisticated tri-amplified 5-driver design and a programmable
Aurora Reactive Lighting System to deliver room-filling,
immersive audio and illuminate your space with spectacular
displays of color inspired by earth’s natural phenomenon.
katana
Sound BlasterX Katana: An Overview
Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide 3
Power/Bluetooth Button
& Indicator
•PressoncetoswitchON/OFF
(ON:whiteindicator)
•Pressandhold3secsto
perform Bluetooth pairing
(Connected:blueindicator)
ARCHITECTURE, CONTROLS & CONNECTORS
Volume Control
•Adjuststhevolumelevel
Source Button
•Presstoselectanaudiosource
(Computer,Bluetooth,AUX,
Optical,USB)
Audio/Lighting Preset
Button
•Cyclethroughdifferentaudio
and lighting presets
Up-Firing Midbass Drivers
•Up-ringtoreducemainunit’s
height
•High-powered2.5”conesdriven
bypowerfulNeodymiummotor
systems
•Highoutputwithgreatsonic
clarity for precise detailed mids
High-Excursion Tweeters
•Special1.34”invertedaluminumdome
diaphragms with wide polymer surround
with outstanding excursion capability
•Separatelychamberedwithverylow
resonant frequency
•Optimizedforlowcrossoverfrequency
providing seamless driver integration with
midbass drivers
•Locatedonbothendstoproduceasuperior
intrinsic soundstage – unobstructed even
when placed behind a laptop
Aurora Reactive
Lighting
•Fullyprogrammable
LED lighting with up to
16.8millioncolors
Display
•Showsthesourceand
current status
4Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
ARCHITECTURE, CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (cont.)
Sound BlasterX Katana: An Overview (cont.)
Headset Jack
•Connecttoheadset/headphones
witha3.5mm4-pole/3-polecable
Line In Jack
•Connecttoamobiledevice
or portable media player via
stereo cable
Optical Jack
•ConnecttoagameconsoleorTV
via optical cable
Mic In Jack
•Connecttoheadsetmicconnector
or a microphone with a
3.5mmplugforvoice
transmission or recording
Subwoofer Out Jack
•ConnecttotheSoundBlasterX
Katana subwoofer unit
Power Supply
•PoweruptheSoundBlasterX
Katana using the supplied
power adapter
USB Flash Drive Port
•Playmusicdirectlyfrom
aUSBashdrive
USB Port for Computer
•Listentohigh-res24-bit/96kHz
digital audio playback from
PC/Mac
Removable Feet
•Removethefeettotthe
Sound BlasterX Katana into
a console or wall shelf
5Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
(cont.)
ARCHITECTURE, CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (cont.)
Power Button
•PresstoswitchON/OFF
Audio Preset Button
•Cyclethroughaudiopresets.
Media Control
•Play/pausetracks
•Skiptracks
•Adjustvolume/basslevels
Lighting Preset Button
•Cyclethroughlightingpresets
Mute Button
•Mute/unmute
Bass Button
•Adjustbasslevels
Display Button
•Displaythe
current status
Source Buttons
•Selectanaudiosource
Battery Compartment
•Poweroutput:
- Main unit: 45 W RMS (15 W RMS x 2 Mids
+ 7.5 W RMS x 2 Tweeters)
- Subwoofer: 30 W RMS
- Total: 75 W RMS / 150 W Peak
•Frequencyresponse:
- Main unit: 150 ~ 20,000 Hz
- Subwoofer: 20 ~ 150 Hz
Technical Specifications
•Productweight:
- Main unit: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
- Subwoofer: 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs)
•Dimensions(WxHxD):
- Main unit: 600 x 60 x 79 mm
(23.6 x 2.4 x 3.1 in)
- Subwoofer: 130 x 333 x 299 mm
(5.1 x 13.1 x 11.8 in)
6Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
USB Flash Drive
PlayyourfavoritemusicdirectlyfromaUSBashdriveinhighdelity.Eliminate
the need to commit your smart device or computer for playback.
Optical
ConnectagameconsoleorTVviaS/PDIFopticalto
experienceampliedandenhancedaudioforyour
gamesormovies.Theon-boardDolbyDigital5.1
decoder also provides true-to-life movies and games.
Bluetooth
ConnectyourmobiledevicesviaBluetooth4.2andstreamhigh-qualityaudio
wirelessly without latency.
AUX
Connectportablemediaplayersvia3.5mmanalogcableforclear,
powerful audio playback.
Computer
ConnecttoaPC/Macforupto24-bit/96kHzhigh-resolution
digitalaudioplayback.Thebuilt-inSoundBlastersoundcard/
DACdeliverslossless,crystal-clearandimpressiveroom-lling
sound.
Microphone
Connect a microphone for clear voice transmissions, broadcasting or recordings.
You can even enhance your voice using the software.
Headset
Forprivatelisteningorlatenightgamingsessions,simplyconnectyourfavorite
headset.
CONNECTIVITY
Sound BlasterX Katana: An Overview (cont.)
7Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
A
High
Frequency
Mid
Frequency
Low
Frequency
SUB
L
R
A
L
R
A
High
Frequency
Low/Mid
Frequency
A
Key Features
SPEAKER TECHNOLOGY
TheSoundBlasterXKatanaincorporatesspeakertechnologyusuallyfoundonlyinactivestudiomonitors,
butisre-engineerednowintoamuchsleekerone-pieceformfactor(withadedicatedsubwoofer)made
for the desktop.
IncorporatingBlasterXAcousticEngineandaDolby
®
Digital5.1decoder,SoundBlasterXKatana
combinesCreative’srenownedaudioprocessingtechnologieswithasophisticatedsoundsystemdesign.
Theslimandslickaudiosystem,craftedwithabrushedaluminumnish,packsawholeslewoffeatures
inaneatsetupandsmallfootprinttocoverallaspectsofentertainment.Itssimplicity,versatilityand
power are truly best in class.
Tri-Amplified Design: Three Amps are Better Than One
PASSIVE DESIGN TRI-AMPLIFIED DESIGN
Oneamplier drving high, low and mid frequencies
Threeampliers, one dedicated to high frequency,
one to mids and another to low frequency for
improved frequency distribution
Unlikemostconventionalsoundbarsthatutilizeasingleampliertoreproducetheentireaudio
spectrum,SoundBlasterXKatanaemploysthreehigh-performanceampliers–onededicatedto
driving lows, one for mids, and another solely for high frequencies.
ThisallowstheSoundBlasterXKatanatoproducestartlinglyclear,precise,andwell-balancedaudio.
Without any compromise on clarity, details and bass, the Sound BlasterX Katana is able to deliver
massiveroom-llingaudiothatisnonsweet-spotdependant–fullyimmersingusersintheactionofa
game or movie, from the whizz of bullets to the rumble of explosions, and even the softest dialog.
VS
(cont.)
8Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Key Features (cont.)
TheSoundBlasterXboastsasophisticatedfullyactive5-driverdesignof2up-ringmidbassdrivers,
2high-excursiontweetersandalong-throwsubwooferwhereeachdriverisindividuallypoweredby
aDSP-controlledamplier.
AudiosignalsaresplitintoindividualfrequencybandsbytheDSPbeforetherightfrequencies
arefedtotheindividualampsanddriversaccordingly.Thisresultsindistinct,accurateaudio
reproduction at every part of the spectrum with very low distortion.
Sophisticated 5-Driver Design
Comprised of a slim main unit and a compact subwoofer, the Sound BlasterX Katana is the most
powerfulinitsclasswitha150Wpeakpoweroutput.
Standingatjust2.5”tall,theultra-thinmainunitoffersalowtabletobezelheightthattswell
belowanylargemulti-displayspace.Despiteitsslimprole,theSoundBlasterXKatanapumps
powerful,clean,room-llingaudiowithprecisestereoimagingthankstothespeciallydesigned
driver placement.
Sleek yet Powerful and Room-Filling
SPEAKER TECHNOLOGY
Themidbassdriversareplacedatanup-ringangletoreduceheightwhilethetweetersare
placed on both ends of the main unit to produce a superior intrinsic soundstage.
Forfarimproveddriverintegrationwiththemidbassdrivers,thetweeters
are crossed at a very low frequency to produce a well-balanced sound
regardless of sitting and listening environment. With a generous
widthof23.6”,themainunitdeliversanamazinglywidesoundstage
that is unobstructed even when placed behind a laptop.
Thededicatedsubwooferfeaturesalarge5.25”long-throwdriver
housedinaspeciallytunedwoodenenclosure.Toreduceturbulence,
aporttubewithdualaresisbuiltintotheslimsubwoofer,ensuring
deep and dynamic bass despite its compact size.
9Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
TheSoundBlasterXKatanacomeswiththeAuroraReactiveLightingSystemthatfeatures
49programmableRGBLEDs.
Inspiredbyearth’snaturalphenomenon,theAuroraReactiveLightingSystemilluminatesthe
main unit with brilliant displays of color along its entire length with an even coverage from
edge to edge.
Choosefrom6presetsorprogramitwithupto16.8millioncolorsanddifferentrhythmsto
choosefrom.BuildaneatgamingspacebylinkingupotherAuroraReactiveLightingSystem
products.
Aurora Reactive Lighting System
TECHNOLOGY INSIDE
Intelligent Processor for Customizable Enhancements
Abuilt-inproprietarySoundBlastermulti-coreDSPthatispowerful,
exibleandprogrammabletransformstheSoundBlasterXKatanaintoa
full-edgedexternalsoundcard.
Coupled with legendary Sound Blaster technologies, it provides fully customizable hardware-
poweredaudiorestoration,voiceprocessing,7.1virtualsurroundsoundandotheradvancedaudio
enhancements for games, movies and music – giving you unprecedented audio realism in real time.
TheSoundBlasterXKatanaisacertiedDolbyDigital
decoder,providingcrisp,true-to-life5.1channel
playback via optical-in. Experience immersive,
mind-blowing games and movies!
Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder
10Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Experiencing the Sound BlasterX Katana
Game
Strap up and prep yourself for the greatest adventure of your life! With our
immaculatelytunedGameprole,enjoyyourgamewiththemostvisceralaural
performanceyou’veeverheard!OurnewUltraWideImmersionalgorithmenables
the Katana to bring forth a soundscape that is so wide, so natural and so accurate
that plain words cannot describe it completely.
Concert
Relivetheemotionalmemoriesofyourfavoriteartist’sliveperformancewiththe
Concertprole.Hearthepainstakinglyrenderedvocalandbandperformancelikeit
was, back in the arena, with booming basslines and echoes permeating through the
thick atmosphere because we believe that great Concert experiences should never
end.
Cinema
Get transported into analternate realityofincredible cinematography and
breathtakingmovingaudiowiththeCinemaprole.Withthis,weaimtopreservethe
originalrenditionofmasteraudiomixesandthensome.Heareveryspeech,cueand
subtlenuancejustthewayitshouldbe.
Night
Catchingupwithyourlatestixat3AMwillneverbeaproblemeveragain.Startyour
visualfeastandswitchtotheNightproleandbingetillyoucandonomore.With
ourSmartVolumeManagementtechnologyandourdeepunderstandingofhuman
auralperception,wetunedthisprolecarefullytopreserveharmonysothatyoucan
continue eating popcorn and binging on movies all night long.
Every gamer has a personal preference as to how gaming audio should sound like, and we
acknowledgethat.TheSoundBlasterConnectsoftwareprovidesno-holds-barredaccesstoan
arsenaloftoolstocontroleveryaspectofyouraudio.Itsunmatchedversatilityletsyoutweak
individual audio settings to bring out the dynamics unique to each game – the way you want it, to
gain that added advantage. Combining hardware-accelerated processing, top-notch components
andSoundBlaster’sclass-leadingaudioalgorithmtechnologies,theSoundBlasterXKatanaoffers
incomparable audio customization and built-in audio presets professionally tuned for most of your
playback needs.
11Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
AvailableforWindows
®
, the fully customizable Sound Blaster Connect
software gives you complete control over your listening experience with our
professionally tweaked enhancements that intelligently decreases distractions
and enhances game play. You can also tweak the lighting effects of your
BlasterX product to create a fully customized gaming space.
Connected Devices
•Selectthedeviceto
congure
Sound Blaster Connect for PC
Overview
Open/Collapse Menu
•Openorcollapsethe
sidebar menu
Sound
•ModifyEQsettings
•Personalizeaudiosettings
•CustomizeDolbyDigital5.1
Voice
•Improvevoiceclarity
•Havefunwithvoice
morph
2
3
4
5
6
1
7
1 2
Dashboard
•Quickoverviewofaudio
and visual settings
3 4
5
Lighting
•ChooseorcustomizeRGB
lighting presets to match
your mood and space
6
Settings
•Changelanguagesettings
•ModifySBConnectsettings
•Checksoftwareandrmwarestatus
•Restoredefaultsettings
7
Enhancing Audio Playback
12Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Dashboard
Anoverviewofallyouraudioandvisualsettings.Viewyourcurrentandfrequentlyusedsettings,or
quickly personalize them.
Aselectionofpre-congured
audio/lightingprolesoptimized
for most of your playback needs
Currentaudio/lightingpreset
Audiosettings
Enhancing Audio Playback (cont.)
Voicesettings
EQsetting
Lighting setting
13Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
EQsetting
Sound
Eachpresetprolecanbefurthercustomizedaccordingtoyouracousticpreferenceformusic,
games a movies.
1. Equalizer
Select from a plethora of Equalizer presets to match your audio, or enhance the bass or treble to
your liking with our graphic equalizer
Slidetoadjustthe
enhancement of high
notes.
Slidetoadjusttheenhancement
of bass sounds. More harmonic
tones will be added the higher
you go.
Taptoviewa
list of preset
EQs.
Simply draw your
preferredEQwaveacross
the frequency bands or
adjusteachfrequency
lterbyslidingthepoints
14Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Enhancing Audio Playback (cont.)
2. Enhancement
PoweredbyBlasterXAcousticEngine,enhanceandtweakyourauditoryexperiencetoperfection
with intelligent controls.
Immersion:Enjoytrue-to-lifeaudiowithanaturalsenseofaudiodepth,spaciousnessand
surround effects from your content. Move the slider clockwise to widen the soundstage and increase
immersion.
Crystalizer: Experience audio the way the artist intended by restoring audio details that were
lostduetolecompression.Movethesliderclockwisetoincreasetheamountofdetailsrestored.
Smart Vol: Minimize abrupt volume changes. Choose to normalize volume loudness automatically
accordingtoyourplayback(Auto),orintelligentlyreduceloudburstofsoundsforthoselatenight
sessions(Night).
Dialog+:Enhancevoicesinmovies,musicorgamesforclearerdialog.Hearthedialogoverthe
rest of the soundtrack and ambient noise in your listening environment. Move the slider clockwise
to add more focus on vocals.
15Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
3. Dolby
ForamoresatisfyingDolbyDigitalplaybackexperience,adjustthedynamicrangetosuityour
listening preference.
16Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Enhancing Audio Playback (cont.)
Voice
Improveyourvoicequalityandinjectfunintoyourin-gamechats,broadcaststoTwitch,YouTubeand
other social media with voice enhancements.
1. Clarity
PoweredbyCrystalVoice,youcansignicantlyreducenoiseandechoesasyouspeakinreal-time.
Select one of the many
VoiceMorphoptionsto
enhance your tone or create
interesting accents and
sound like a completely
different person.
2. Voice Morph
Havefunchangingyourvoicetodifferentcharactersduringgameplay,gamecastingorrecordings.
17Sound BlasterX Katana Experience Guide
Lighting
ChooseorcustomizeRGBlightingpresetstomatchyourmoodandspace.
Select a lighting preset.
Theyhavebeenspecially
tuned to match the
equivalent audio presets.
Selected
preset
Select your
favorite color
scheme to match
your gaming space.
Select the direction of the
light movement.
Slidetoadjust
the speed of light
movement.
Select a motion sequence
for the lighting effect.
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