CREATIVE Sound Blaster Play! 4, high resolution audio adapter, USB-C External Stereo Sound Card DAC compatible with Windows, MAC, PS4, PS5, PC, Headphones, Laptops, Smartphones, Tablets

Every computer must have a Digital Analogue Coverter (DAC) to convert digital audio signals into waveforms you can hear. Also, the tiny signal must be amplified. A sound card or equivalant chips will be fitted by the manufacturer to do this but are typically poor quality, a neglected component set.This little miracle from Creative plugs into USB and will transform the sound from your computer. Speakers or headphones then connect to the Play4 using your 3.5 mini jack. The whole thing is barely bigger than a USB flash drive.If you have never considered trying to improve your computer's sound, you will be amazed at the difference. It is worth reading the FAQ on the Creative website, the instructions on the product page of Amazon and some of the tips in other reviews here to make sure you understand the available settings. But the overall process is straight forward, there are only 2 buttons. It is also well worth downloading the free software which will provide additional enhancements. If your machine came with standard Realtek processing, this Play4 will knock spots off it.For the price this little device from Creative is an astonishing bargain and represents a quick and easy means of dramatically improving the sound from a computer, especially from a lap top in which the installed components are most likely to be poor quality to start with.

After trying a few external DACs for the PS5 to get stereo analog, all suffered from the USB sound output from the PS5 being capped at 50% volume or lower. Thankfully the Sound blaster Play 4 (with the latest firmware 2.2.0.0 installed from their creative App on PC) allows for the volume level to be increased using the button on the unit. As a result analog output seems to match the volume level of taking a pure digital audio out from the console (such as from the PS4 optical out). The Play 4 also retains the higher volume settings when powered off and on again.The unit needs to be put into mode 1 for consoles, but it also has a mode 2 for PC (which it defaults to out of the box) with the higher fidelity option up to 24 bit/192 kHz if needed. I've only connected it to my loudspeakers, so can't say how it performs with headphones, but so far no issues found and sound quality seems excellent. (Also thank you to an earlier reviewer for mentioning the compatibility and improved volume option with the PS4/PS5). Also tested on the Nintendo Switch and the Sound Blaster Play 4 works fine.

Don't know this was a present

Build is quite sturdy. It appears to improve the sound of my music on my pixel phone- adding a bass boost or overall improvement in the music. Sadly it won't link with the creative software on my pixel phone which is annoying so I can't make any specific modifications to the sound. It will link to the app on my computer though with the usb adapter, and it will probably work better through my laptop. I seem to get better quality sound with it by using the Hiby music player you can download from the Google play store.Hoping that a new updated version of the creative app will recognise it and I will be able to customise the sound to a degree.

Difference between this and the headphone out on my laptop is night and day. Get one now!!

This little gadget is just incredible! I had anticipated it to be 2x its size, so when I took it out of the box, I actually was ever so slightly doubtful if it could deliver. All I have to compare it to, on the other hand is a much older device from M-Audio. This little thing has punched way above its weight. If you have concerns from "new" brands from "new" sellers, this could be the solution. I am more than happy and might just buy one more as a spare. And may be a few more as stocking stuffing too. Bravo, Creative Labs! Thank you and well done.

Good when it worked. But Randomly stopped being recognised by windows, somewhat annoying. Possibly resolvable but not super keen on spending hours on it, these things should 'just work' shouldn't they?

On my IEMs, this Sound Blaster Play!4 delivers clean audio with no hisses, no crackling, no noise or popping. Bass is tighter and more punchy. Vocals are clear and full of depth. And most importantly, volume is consistent without stuff being too loud or too quiet.Bear in mind the dongle has 2 USB modes. USB Mode 1 intended for simpler devices but limited to 96KHz. And USB Mode 2 (default) intended for PC/Mac with 192KHz support.If your device isn't being recognised, you'll need to switch between modes. Just hold the EQ button for 3 secs and the LED will flash 5x to indicate it's changed modes. It flashes blue for Mode 1 and white for Mode 2.Personally, I found that I had to use Mode 2 for my PC to recognise it. Strange because my smartphone works with both modes. It must be a Windows thing :/Also, make sure to download the Creative app for Windows from their website. This will let you update the firmware + drivers. Another reviewer mentioned the "hardware volume control" tip with the new firmware. It's basically maxing out the hardware volume on both modes when plugged into a smartphone (not PC because Windows hijacks volume control). This will boost the power output and save it onto the device memory for better sound quality.Hope this helps!