Creative is bringing back the famous Sound Blaster brand in an unexpected way with the unveiling of the Re:Imagine modular audio hub. This device comes equipped with a sound card, a screen, and a set of customizable controllers. You can even play simple games on it!
The revival of Sound Blaster began with a Kickstarter campaign. This unusual device will be available starting at $349, with the first deliveries promised in July 2026. The manufacturer needed to raise just over $15,500 to start production, but the campaign exceeded all expectations. At the time of writing, Re: Imagine had already attracted more than $237,000.
According to Creative, the Sound Blaster Re:Imagine is an open, programmable platform. It combines an audio interface (sound card), a USB hub, and an audio device control panel. Externally, it resembles Teenage Engineering products with its sleek metal design, small screen, and interchangeable and switchable modules.
The device can be assembled in two form factors. The frame allows for flexible component mounting, enabling the hub to be assembled as either a horizontal panel or a vertical controller.
The announced module list includes:
These modules are freely programmable. For example, you can turn off the microphone in a software application or during a call, start code compilation, turn on the lights in a smart home using the Matter protocol, or start recording. Users decide what the hub will do. You can assemble a stylish macro remote control for various functions or a work panel for controlling your workstation.
The Sound Blaster Re:Imagine is built around a proprietary amplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The manufacturer promises audio playback with a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz and a bit depth of up to 32 bits. The device can easily drive 300-ohm headphones and is compatible with studio monitors and speakers of any kind.
The hub is powered by an 8-core ARM processor and a separate NPU module, the latter of which is apparently a nod to the current AI trend. The processor is complemented by 8 GB of RAM. For data storage, it has 16 GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot.
The hub can connect to a computer via a USB cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi 6. It is unclear whether the hub can support multiple pairs of headphones simultaneously.
Nevertheless, users were most attracted to the ability to run DOS-era games on the screen, not the wealth of features. Yes, right on the audio hub!
The revival of Sound Blaster Re:Imagine is aimed at the widest possible audience. The device will be useful for:
As part of the crowdfunding campaign, the device is priced at $349, but it will obviously cost more at retail. Shipments to customers are scheduled to begin in July of next year. Visit the crowdfunding campaign page on Kickstarter for more details about the project.
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