Creative Super X-Fi Review
Peter Donnell / 6 years ago
Final Thoughts
How Much Does it Cost?
Amazingly, this technology only costs $150 (US), which in the high-end audio world is pretty much nothing. Even better, those who buy sooner than later can get a free set of Aurvana SE headphones, which are worth another $80 anyway, so you would be mad to miss out on that deal!
Overview
This isn’t the technology of tomorrow or a taste of what’s coming in the future. This is the next generation of audio right here, right now, and it’s available to the mass market. So often we’re treated to amazing products that are too expensive, too rare, or somehow impractical, but the Super X-Fi is none of those things. It’s a tiny dongle that plugs and plays with so much ease, anyone could do it.
Let’s put it this way, a high-end soundcard would cost as much and if not double. A virtual surround gaming headset, good one, not the cheap stuff, will set you back around $150. You would expect to pay as much or more for a cheap AMP/DAC combo, and they would likely be boxy desktop units at that. This thing is a darn USB drive, comes with amazing build quality, has specifications that make most audio hardware at this price range blush, and it does something none of those other items can; audio holography. Plus, with current deals, you get a pretty sweet set of headphones thrown in too.
What’s Next?
Creative didn’t just create one product here, they’ve created a range that’s sure to continue to secure their future as a leading audio brand. Not everyone wants a dongle, even if it is pretty sweet. They’ve created a range of headphones that have Super X-Fi built in, and you can bet they’ll be creating more products. They’ve begun to work with premium headphone brands, helping them certify their products for Super X-Fi. I expect we’ll see more products certified soon, as well as a range of products with their new chipset built-in.
Should I Buy One?
If you love your music, it’s a great investment even if you’re not interested in the holography. It’s a very powerful amp and DAC that thrashes the processing even on my S9+. However, once you have your holography profile, you’ll never go back. Even for the novelty of setting it up for your friends just to demo it, it’s a cool gadget to own. If you want realistic surround on multiple devices, and add more dimensions to your gaming, movies, music and more, it’s a no brainer. Even better if you get the free Aurvana SE headphones with it. $150? It’s an absolute bargain in my mind.