IBIK ASTER SOUNDBLASTER Z SOFTWARE
IBIK ASTER SOUNDBLASTER Z BLUETOOTH

When I plug in the device to a usb port on the Mac, I think it should auto-start that app, or at least have a preference option to do so. It seems unaware for a long time if the micro-usb cable is disturbed, and once it is, the app informs me that since the E5 is no longer connected the app will stop, and then it auto-quits! This is so very un-Mac like. On my Macs, both at work and home, the App for the device seems very 1.0 in quality. Maybe placing the Lightning and the Micro-USB connectors on the side of the device could help here? I do like the separation of the functions of the connectors, and it works nicely. Connecting the wired headphones, and the iPhone lightning connector causes one connector to take the brunt of the weight of the device, since the E5 fits better the 'long way', or the longer dimension as the upright orientation seems to fit a jacket pocket better.

IBIK ASTER SOUNDBLASTER Z SOFTWARE

It seems to take eons for the software to know that it is connected, and semi-frequently the app will close without warning.

IBIK ASTER SOUNDBLASTER Z BLUETOOTH

Connecting the E5 through bluetooth to the phone is always problematic. When I carry the device to and from work, I use it with an iPhone 6 and Etymotic in-ear headphones. With the stand attached on my desk, the E5 slides around too much. It would be good if the included stand had one side that was coated with the same rubber as the back side of the E5. There are a few 'gotcha's', tho mainly in the software provided. This is an excellent product, and I am glad I bought it. The E5 have filled my needs/hopes and then some!! I was a little hesitant due to the price, but the features and flexibility of this small DAC have proven to be well worth the investment. I've also used the E5 while camping to watch movies at night in the tent and the internal battery has provided more than enough power to watch a few movies over a weekend. No more BT speaker and my wife and I can talk or listen to our own audio in the car. I've also used my E5 on road trips with the kids to allow them to share the audio from a tablet and watch movies.

I'm now cord-free and have all the great sound the E5 is capable of producing. I recently added a TaoTronics TT-BA12 to my setup and it works great. This was counterproductive, as they are BT headphones. I've been using it with my Bluetooth headphones, with the cord attached.

Daily I use the E5 at work with my CAD laptop that has a terrible sound card. I've had my SB E5 for a little over a month and put it to work in several different situations and can honestly say this is an amazing device.

Ibik aster soundblaster z