Creative Super X-Fi Amp

[alamakazim]

That's for the S-XFI Air headphones.

Then is confusing people to buy rather than convincing people to buy

Singapore style haha

 

[MGeaR356]

I also hoot liao

Those who want 20 dollars off can use my referral code.. Win win for all
FRIEND-W64PDSZ

 

[VoodooKing]

waiting ur reviews. hahaa

 

[wwenze]

For Windows: By default, Windows will use it for stereo playback. For advanced users who wish to playback in multichannel audio, you have to go to the Control Panel / Sound / Manage Audio Devices. Click on “Super X-Fi AMP” Speakers, and click ‘Configure’, to set to 7.1 channels. You can also go into the "Properties" tab / Advanced, to change it to 24 bit 96KHz Studio Quality.

Any screenshot to show this is true?

I don't remember any driverless USB interface i.e. using standard USB audio driver, no need install custom driver, having support for 7.1 channel.

 

[VoodooKing]

Any screenshot to show this is true?

I don't remember any driverless USB interface i.e. using standard USB audio driver, no need install custom driver, having support for 7.1 channel.

I dunno. Im just quoting from the FAQs section on the website.

 

[wwenze]

I dunno. Im just quoting from the FAQs section on the website.

Sounds interesting. A sound card that accepts 7.1 stream and outputs in stereo is a new addition to the market. Certainly takes the monopoly away from soundbars.

EDIT: Need to correct myself, Windows Sonic can do that already.

 

[Dr.Vijay]

I've tried it out and here's a summary of my first experience.

In short, this is better than any other 3D sound tech you may or may not have tried before. And I've had my fair share of personal 3D audio mumbo-jumbo over the years and those that aren't available here, like in CES, Kickstarter projects and the likes.

The bottom line is, don't expect miracles and it may not work to what you anticipate all the time, but the option is there, and it's able to give you a more realistic listening experience as if you hear it with speakers or if you're personally there at event venue (i.e. @ the concert, @ the cinemas, etc.).

Would I pay that amount just for this technology? Probably not as I'm personally a speakers-first person and I try not to use headphones if I can. But my preference aside, from what I've heard, yes and I explain why below.

But it is worth it? Yes, because the portable amp and the headphones alone cost as much as equivalent options in the market without the Super Xi-Fi technology. So Creative's solution is a bonus - even if somehow you don't like the experience.

Will it work well on all sources? Probably not. High-quality sources work best - Blu-ray, CD, etc.. YouTube - it's a hit and miss affair, and I blame the source type, to be honest. How about Spotify music and other similar sources with its level of audio quality? In my trial, it works quite nicely, and I'm inclined to feel it will spoil me if I continue to listen to it in this manner

The killer example is you must experience what a multi-channel speaker setup would deliver with your source material and then try it out using the Super X-Fi - only then you'll appreciate what this technology is capable and what it's trying to achieve. You need a reference point.

However, I understand not many can have the same level of opportunities as we get and that can be frustrating to many as you really can't be sure before you buy one or be sure if that's what you're supposed to be expecting. The saving grace is the cost and it's clearly reasonable if you consider that you're primarily getting a portable amp with a Super X-Fi option you can quickly toggle. At the very least, I believe it should be able to impress some of the time if your profiling is done right even if it doesn't suit all occasions - granted that you use your headphones for varied listening

Note: I've tried this at Creative's HQ and using their high-end headphones. Your mileage could vary using different headsets - and that too is a variable factor to the listening experience.

If you want to know more of how it works, read this from my writer:-
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/fea...ew-super-x-fi-headphone-holography-technology

 

[Dr.Vijay]

Well, it's a solution for headphones

Sounds interesting. A sound card that accepts 7.1 stream and outputs in stereo is a new addition to the market. Certainly takes the monopoly away from soundbars.

 

[Yellowfin]

I just wonder, do this device work in the car audio system when you can plug it into the car usb port.

 

[wwenze]

I just wonder, do this device work in the car audio system when you can plug it into the car usb port.

Car USB port is an input, not output.

 

[Yellowfin]

Car USB port is an input, not output.

Oh, so need a USB output port for this device to work.

 

[jnashville]

I've tried it out and here's a summary of my first experience.

In short, this is better than any other 3D sound tech you may or may not have tried before. And I've had my fair share of personal 3D audio mumbo-jumbo over the years and those that aren't available here, like in CES, Kickstarter projects and the likes.

The bottom line is, don't expect miracles and it may not work to what you anticipate all the time, but the option is there, and it's able to give you a more realistic listening experience as if you hear it with speakers or if you're personally there at event venue (i.e. @ the concert, @ the cinemas, etc.).

Would I pay that amount just for this technology? Probably not as I'm personally a speakers-first person and I try not to use headphones if I can. But my preference aside, from what I've heard, yes and I explain why below.

But it is worth it? Yes, because the portable amp and the headphones alone cost as much as equivalent options in the market without the Super Xi-Fi technology. So Creative's solution is a bonus - even if somehow you don't like the experience.

Will it work well on all sources? Probably not. High-quality sources work best - Blu-ray, CD, etc.. YouTube - it's a hit and miss affair, and I blame the source type, to be honest. How about Spotify music and other similar sources with its level of audio quality? In my trial, it works quite nicely, and I'm inclined to feel it will spoil me if I continue to listen to it in this manner

The killer example is you must experience what a multi-channel speaker setup would deliver with your source material and then try it out using the Super X-Fi - only then you'll appreciate what this technology is capable and what it's trying to achieve. You need a reference point.

However, I understand not many can have the same level of opportunities as we get and that can be frustrating to many as you really can't be sure before you buy one or be sure if that's what you're supposed to be expecting. The saving grace is the cost and it's clearly reasonable if you consider that you're primarily getting a portable amp with a Super X-Fi option you can quickly toggle. At the very least, I believe it should be able to impress some of the time if your profiling is done right even if it doesn't suit all occasions - granted that you use your headphones for varied listening

Note: I've tried this at Creative's HQ and using their high-end headphones. Your mileage could vary using different headsets - and that too is a variable factor to the listening experience.

If you want to know more of how it works, read this from my writer:-
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/fea...ew-super-x-fi-headphone-holography-technology

one question, does it affect the bass response? Because other "3D" type of headsets that have virtual 5.1 or 7.1 always has sucky bass.

 

[Entry Level PC]

Early Adopters are just BETA Testers.
Moi will wait for 2nd or 3rd Gen to become mainstream.

 

[alamakazim]

Early Adopters are just BETA Testers.
Moi will wait for 2nd or 3rd Gen to become mainstream.

exactly ... confuse... tactics and cheap sale ...

they fail... they die

 

[macloaq]

Creative up and coming?

 

[Dr.Vijay]

Good question.
Based on some movie trailers and most notably House of Flying Daggers (this portion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29EeSEXT0iI) - it seems to hold its own with respect to spatializing the audio at the same time.

Same goes for the 2015 Jurrasic World movie Blu-ray edition - it was very satisfying.

I'll need to test more with music tracks before I can comment for it.

one question, does it affect the bass response? Because other "3D" type of headsets that have virtual 5.1 or 7.1 always has sucky bass.

 

[Koenig168]

Good question.
Based on some movie trailers and most notably House of Flying Daggers

You should watch this on Blu-Ray. One of my favorites.

 

[InnocentBlood]

Good question.

Same goes for the 2015 Jurrasic World movie Blu-ray edition - it was very satisfying.

how did you manage to connect the Super X-Fi Amp to the Blu Ray player?

 

[Dr.Vijay]

To be exact, it was a rip :-x
So no, it wasn't connected to an actual player.

how did you manage to connect the Super X-Fi Amp to the Blu Ray player?

 

[kawaii_boy]

How well does it compare to Astro A50 or Steelseries H Wireless?