CREATIVE SXFI GAMER REVIEW: SUPER X-FI TECHNOLOGY FOR GAMERS

After using Super X-Fi technology (which aims to make the listening experience more "immersive" through what is called "7.1 holographic audio") in the world of headsets to listen to music, now Creative raises the bar and aims to bring its intriguing peculiar feature also in the gaming field. The product that embodies this vision are the Creative SXFI Gamer, headphones sold at a price of 129.99 euros on the official website . This is a wired headset, primarily aimed at PC and console gamers, but can actually be used on mobile devices as well. On paper it seems to be a very interesting product: will the Singapore company be able to make good headphones?

Design, sales pack and connectivity

The sales pack contains, in addition to the headset, a jack cable, a Kevlar-reinforced USB Type-C / USB Type-C cable for use via mobile devices, a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter for the connection to PC and console and the removable microphone. Already from the equipment it is clear that we are talking about a headset that aims to be versatile, since it can be used on multiple platforms. At first glance the design may appear similar to that of normal headphones. But it is when you connect the Creative SXFI Gamer to the USB port of your PC or console that you can sense the gaming soul of the product. In fact, the two pavilions are surrounded, by default, by a green light that creates a particularly pleasant effect.

These are not the classic LEDs that we have seen in many other configurations: the pavilions light up both outside and inside and recreate a sort of alien spacecraft (among other things, the color matches well with that of the Motion Tracker of Alien: Isolation, the mind brings us back to that imaginary). We really appreciated this stylistic choice.

The design has no other particular flashes: the main material used is plastic and the headband, which is adjustable and has the word "Creative" at the top, is not exactly the most padded. In any case, the Creative SXFI Gamer are immediately noticed for the left pavilion, since the latter houses the button to activate the Super X-Fi technology, the wheel for the volume, the button to activate / deactivate the microphone, the USB Type-C port, the input for the removable microphone and the button to change the LED effects (fixed, RGB color flow or off). In short, through the physical keys it is possible to take advantage of various possibilities. Overall, the "alien" look of the SXFI Gamer convinced us all in all.

Audio quality and user experience

Design is certainly an important element in the choice of gaming headphones, but it is comfort and audio quality that really make the difference. In this sense, the SXFI Gamer can be used well, but perhaps they are not the most comfortable headset on the market, since we had the feeling that they are going to press more than necessary on the head.

Don't get us wrong: we managed to finish very long gaming sessions without any particular problems, but we found more comfortable headphones even in this price range. Added to this is the presence of the cable, which some users consider essential for high audio quality and others see it as a "limit" for convenience. In this case, the needs and preferences of the individual user come into play.

The one area where you can't really criticize Creative is the audio quality. In fact, keeping in mind the price at which they are sold, the Creative SXFI Gamer perform very well when gaming. The sound spectrum is calibrated on the bass, which are reproduced in an optimal way and allow the user to perceive without any kind of problem the footsteps of the enemies, as well as environmental noises. As for the mids, in reality they are more full-bodied and enveloping than usual, since from a gaming headset usually not the best results are expected. The same goes for the highs, as they are louder than many other headphones we've tried.

Beyond the overall quality, which is excellent, the moment in which the SXFI Gamers managed to amaze us is when we activated the Super X-Fi mode while we were playing Rainbow Six Siege. More precisely, among the available possibilities, the so-called "Battle Mode" is able to make the context in which the gamer is falling much more immersive. It is a feeling that must be experienced firsthand and can be explained up to a certain point, but it is good to give concrete examples to understand better.

During a game of a strategy that requires a lot of strategy like Rainbow Six Siege, you may find yourself behind a wall while an enemy is on the other side. We happened to hear an opponent take a few steps and kill him by shooting through a pre-fire. That slightest movement would have been less audible without Creative's technology.

We then chose a title that bases a lot of its appeal on the atmosphere, or Dead by Daylight, in which a team of players must try to activate generators without being discovered by the killer. Here the audio is of fundamental importance , since you have to move calmly, avoid letting the crows escape and pay attention to the slightest noise, including the beating of the heart. In short, it's a perfect game to test Creative's immersive technology.

In this case we preferred the "classic" Super X-Fi mode over the "Battle Mode", which is more useful in shooters. In fact, by activating this audio mode in Dead by Daylight, the sounds of the active generators, of the fire, of the footsteps of teammates become much more immersive and are able to better bring the user into the game world.

In short, in terms of audio quality Creative did a great job. However, it must be said that to configure the Super X-Fi mode on a computer it is necessary to use two software . In fact, it is not enough to install the SXFI Control program for PC, downloadable from the official Creative website (it is also used to manage the LEDs), but it is also necessary to download the SXFI app on your mobile device. This is because a mapping of the head must be carried out to personalize the audio experience. It can be inconvenient, as it's virtually impossible to take pictures of your ears and face yourself, so you'll have to get someone to help you finish the initial setup.

In case you are wondering, yes: you need to register with an account, from which you will then need to log in from your PC. In any case, as we said earlier, it is worth it, given the results in certain contexts. As for the removable microphone, which also lights up in its upper part, we have never had any kind of problem with platforms like Discord or TeamSpeak: our teammates have always heard our voice clearly and cleanly. It also has a built-in pop filters, so you don't have to worry about the unpleasant effect the consonants "B" and "P" might have.

There is no lack of SXFI inPerson technology, which aims to distinguish the human voice from background noises, in order to suppress the latter. You have to get used to the key to mute the voice (which among other things makes the microphone light flash), since it is located on the back of the left pavilion at the bottom, perhaps not the most comfortable of placements.

 

 

The technical data sheet of the headphones is completed with 50mm drivers and a frequency response of 20-20.000 Hz. It is interesting the possibility of easily replacing the earpads, as well as the possibility of using the headphones also on consoles. More precisely, Creative refers specifically to support for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch . In this case, as you have probably already guessed, it is not possible to configure from here, since there is no dedicated software.

However, Super X-Fi technology can also be used on consoles. The headset must be connected via the USB port (and not via the audio jack). In doing so, the lighting also works. In any case, the overall audio quality is also great here and the microphone works fine. On mobile devices you can download the appropriate app and configure everything. In short, it is a very versatile headset.