Tag: #creative

Tech Review – Creative Zen Air earbuds

The Creative Zen Air earbuds are the latest on offer from the brand and pack more than expected for the price which is great for the consumer and this is now becoming a common trend in the the earbuds and headphones department and of course welcome news and we have been testing these for a while now and it is time to take a look and see what you get for your money.

First up these come in a neat case that comes with wireless charging not seen at this price and you get around 18 hours in total with the case which is decent considering their size, they fit well too giving a good seal leaving a great audio experience all round and you have access to the SXFI app to which changes the game here if you have not already experienced what this app can provide which we have discussed any times here.

The earbuds come with 10 mm Neodymium drivers, which packs a punch and we go through the app in the video review below and all the features on board and how to control the earbuds which is a simple process and they work really well as a whole and nothing complicated here. You do get ANC on board which is decent and of course for those who want to hear their surroundings you get ambient mode.

You also get Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating here so these are for everyone be in the indoor person or sports and certainly those who commute on a daily basis, there is no sound leakage or lag latency either and make quite the pair of earbuds that are cost effective and certainly should be on your list if you are hunting for a new pair.

Creative Zen Air will support upcoming SXFI READY devices (e.g. smart TVs, PCs and mobile devices) that come built-in with the award-winning Super X-Fi Spatial Holography technology that allows users to enjoy SXFI Spatial Holography that recreates a multi-speaker system soundstage within the headphones. Users can download the SXFI App to preview this technology on local content on their phones.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air is priced at £39.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenAir

Video review

 

Creative launches its latest amplifier! The Sound Blaster X5

Creative Technology today launches the Sound Blaster X5, its latest USB DAC and amplifier sound card that ticks all the boxes on a discerning audiophile’s gear wish list. Decked with class-leading components, breakthrough audio technologies, a comprehensive connectivity profile and sporting a premium look and feel in a sleek build, the X5 simply pulls out all the stops as a compelling audio solution like no other.

Sound Blaster X5 means the business in both looks and performance. 

This is It for Pristine Audio

Sound Blaster X5 personifies the best of Creative’s audio engineering and design expertise, equipped with audiophile-grade components to achieve exceptional audio quality. It is the first Sound Blaster to feature a dual-DAC design – 2 Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs deliver high-resolution lossless playback in 32-bit / 384 kHz over PCM with ultra-high dynamic range of up to 130 dB DNR. These DACs can also decode audio formats in DoP128 and DSD256 for high-fidelity audio streaming. Audio distortion is practically non-existent with an oversampled multi-bit modulator for an incredibly low Total Harmonic Distortion rating of 0.00018%.

From studio-grade headphones with impedance of up to 600 ohms, including the most demanding planar-magnetic headphones, to sensitive in-ear monitors with 1 ohm output impedance, Sound Blaster X5 drives them all effortlessly. The award-winning Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplification technology, which is found in the high-end Sound Blaster AE series and Sound BlasterX G6, receives a design upgrade that, coupled with a dual-DAC and dual-Xamp configuration, delivers a fully-balanced headphone output and experience on the X5. A next-level design for audio fidelity makes its debut, using 2 dedicated Xamp circuits that amplify the left and right channels separately in isolation throughout the entire chain of amplification, effectively eliminating in-circuit interference, noise and cross-talk. What makes the X5 stand out even more is the fact that this type of audio design is a rare find in its price category (sub-US$300).

Audiophiles with a lean to customize their own audio signatures can do just that with the Sound Blaster X5. When connected to the Creative app, they can make adjustments with a 10-band equalization frequency graph, add on Acoustic Engine effects like Surround, Crystalizer, Bass or Dialog+, or use CrystalVoice to improve communication quality. When in the mood for gaming, Scout Mode enhances in-game audio cues to highlight details for a competitive edge.

Sound Blaster X5 also supports ASIO 2.2 for low-latency playback and recording, as well as easy access to multiple audio inputs and outputs.

Full Marks for Connectivity

Sound Blaster X5 is a competent audio hub in its own right; its versatility means it is also compatible with various devices, including gaming consoles, DVD players and other living room entertainment systems. There are two-way RCA and TOSLINK Optical connectors, a convenient USB-C audio and power port, as well as a 3.5 mm microphone-in port with an easy-to-access mic gain knob. There is also a 4.4 mm port for studio-grade balanced headphones, and a 3.5 mm port for regular headphones. All 3 ports use premium gold-plated connectors for better performance. It features a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver and a dedicated USB-A host audio port for connection to wireless audio transmitters, as well as external USB speakers, headsets and microphones.

With a set of controls designed for an intuitive user experience, Sound Blaster X5’s front-mounted buttons and switches are easy to access and right at the fingertips for the audiophile’s convenience.

Pricing and Availability

Sound Blaster X5 is priced at US$300, £269.99 and is available at the Creative online store.

For more information on Sound Blaster X5, visit creative.com/SBX5.

First Look – Creative Zen Air wireless earbuds

Creative recently announced their newest earbuds to the world called the Zen Air wireless earbuds and these look impressive for the price your pay with all the features given and access to their app which is not seen often at this price point which only mirrors what I have been saying for some time now with the cost to performance ratio, but how will these sound is what the big question will be so stick around for a full hands on review soon as usual. These are small and light and come in a glossy white case on our review unit and come with ANC and wireless charging so out of the box they tick all the boxes for me and we look forward to testing these out.

Today we take a first look at the new earbuds and as always if you have any questions drop them in the usual places and we will have the answers and we will have our full review soon.

Tune Out the World

Creative Zen Air offers users a better listening experience with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can help filter out unwanted background noises so users can stay focused – be it at the office during an important conference call or listening to their favorite beats on the go without any interruptions.

With a simple tap of the earbuds, users can easily switch to the Ambient Mode to let just the right amount of surrounding sound in, which works perfectly when running errands or while hiking on a busy trail.

Small but Mighty

The Creative Zen Air weighs next to nothing at merely 46g, but it can deliver a hefty audio punch with 10 mm Neodymium drivers that boast clear high and well-balanced mids to produce high-quality audio performance that greatly exceeds its price point.

It is also fitted with 4 microphones that offer better voice pick-up to ensure clearer communication so users can experience hassle-free and uninterrupted calls anytime, anywhere.

On top of that, the latest true wireless earbuds can offer up to 18 hours of battery life with up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge to meet the user’s every audio need – whether for commuting, exercising or just out for a short errand. For a fuss-free and quick charge, users can simply place the charging case on a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. Together with Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating, the Creative Zen Air ticks all the right boxes to make it the perfect everyday audio companion.

Creative Zen Air is priced at £39.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenAir

Unboxing

Creative launches Zen Air wireless earbuds

Creative Technology today announced the launch of the Creative Zen Air, sporting a new stick-shaped earbud design with a pocket-friendly charging case that is both stylish and lightweight. These true wireless earbuds can also do more than just rack up style points, it comes with nifty noise control features such as Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode for a seamless listening experience. Despite its compact form factor, the Creative Zen Air can deliver a total playtime of up to 18 hours and up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge to keep the music pumping all day long. Coupled with 10 mm Neodymium drivers, Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating, the Creative Zen Air truly stands out as the ideal true wireless earbuds fit for every pocket.

Creative Zen Air is a treat for the ears, easy on the pockets, and a great way to amp up the true wireless listening experience.

Tune Out the World

Creative Zen Air offers users a better listening experience with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can help filter out unwanted background noises so users can stay focused – be it at the office during an important conference call or listening to their favorite beats on the go without any interruptions.

With a simple tap of the earbuds, users can easily switch to the Ambient Mode to let just the right amount of surrounding sound in, which works perfectly when running errands or while hiking on a busy trail.

Small but Mighty

The Creative Zen Air weighs next to nothing at merely 46g, but it can deliver a hefty audio punch with 10 mm Neodymium drivers that boast clear high and well-balanced mids to produce high-quality audio performance that greatly exceeds its price point.

It is also fitted with 4 microphones that offer better voice pick-up to ensure clearer communication so users can experience hassle-free and uninterrupted calls anytime, anywhere.

On top of that, the latest true wireless earbuds can offer up to 18 hours of battery life with up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge to meet the user’s every audio need – whether for commuting, exercising or just out for a short errand. For a fuss-free and quick charge, users can simply place the charging case on a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. Together with Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating, the Creative Zen Air ticks all the right boxes to make it the perfect everyday audio companion.

SXFI READY Spatial Holographic Audio

Creative Zen Air will support upcoming SXFI READY devices (e.g. smart TVs, PCs and mobile devices) that come built-in with the award-winning Super X-Fi Spatial Holography technology that allows users to enjoy SXFI Spatial Holography that recreates a multi-speaker system soundstage within the headphones. Users can download the SXFI App to preview this technology on local content on their phones.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air is priced at £39.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenAir

Tech Review – Creative Pebble Pro speakers

The Creative Pebble Pro speakers are certainly something to look at if you are one to spend all day at your pc and more, they would also make an ideal gift for a tech fan in your life or even something just for you, The design is familiar and the colour in which we have to review is quite nice and neutral with the controls on one side which is handy and you can also pop in wired headphones if you wish but then again we have got Bluetooth 5.3 on board here which is the latest. The 45 degree angle delivers the sound where it should be going and unlike your TV which is mostly downward firing and your laptop up ward firing this sends the audio the right direction to make it more immersive and give you a better audio experience no matter if it is gaming music or even movies you might be doing on your PC.

Small and portable these can be moved into any room in the house which I like and the colour too as it is simple to keep clean, the build and design is robust and will last and overall looks well with simple controls on one side which allows you to change the volume the RGB lights and pair a new device so simplicity is another key factor here.

With the longer cable provided this can be used for almost any set up unlike mine which is on the small side but I do have two areas at home where I work. When it comes to the sound they sound great and better than before with more bass more volume and better direction but check the video below for more.

Features 

  • A wide array of connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology, 3.5mm AUX-in port, USB-C port for audio streaming and power

  • Headphone and microphone ports to transform the Pebble Pro as a convenient communications tool, or for late-night private listening

  • Series signature 45-degree elevated angle for optimal audio projection to users’ ears

  • Long wire (1.8m / 5.9 ft) connecting both speakers; offers more flexibility in placement

  • Long USB-C cable (1.5m / 4.92 ft) for connection to the computer

The Creative Pebble Pro is priced at € 79.99, £ 65.99, US$59.99 and is available at Creative.com.

Buy – www.creative.com/PebblePro.

Video Review

Tech Review – Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X soundbar

Creative over the years have had many soundbars which we have tried and tested and recently I have a private viewing of what other soundbars they have and they keep upping their game, A soundbar for me is essential as the speakers in your TV are in general rubbish and downward firing which still today is funny knowing it will not give the user the full effect unless hung on a wall, most have their TV sat on a unit and the sound goes nowhere nor gives you a real experience, now some TVs are good and do give you a decent audio experience but for the most it is rubbish and I have always had a soundbar regardless and mostly for Creative.

This bad boy is targeted for the gamer but lets not forget audio is important no matter be it a movie or a game session and this covers them all, not only that as a general speaker you can connect your phone and blow the floorboards out of it and enjoy superb sound too. So in short this latest package is not just restricted to the gamer but for the whole audio experience in general after my testing and audio has been a key feature for me many years now investing in home cinema packages before I got into the tech review scene and so on and most people will note this involves wires all over the place which is annoying.

Not the case today though with how tech has moved on, you do not need huge speakers or subwoofers and cables all over the place along with satellite speakers in all corners followed by wires things have advanced and there is also wireless options at hand for those who want them.

There are various connectivity options to choose from, including HDMI ARC and optical ports, wireless Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C port for USB audio support, 3.5mm AUX-in and SXFI-out for certified Super X-Fi products. This versatile soundbar is compatible with desktops and consoles alike, including PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

This soundbar retains the familiar sound signature of a high-end Sound Blaster, delivering hi-fidelity multichannel audio via the acclaimed tri-amplified Xamp technology, where Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP controller powers the tweeters, mid-range and subwoofer drivers individually. Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, an award-winning technology which recreates the soundstage of a high-end multi-speaker system in headphones, is perfect for late-night game binges without disturbing the neighbors. If you do get your hands on one you should try it with headphones too as it is immersive and you have access to the app as mentioned

Overall this is a must have for the home be it for gaming movies music and more and check the video below on how it operates and sounds, go get one if you want superb sound with the RGB factor thrown in for good measure.

BUY 

Video

Creative announces Black Friday deals

Creative Labs will be giving audio fans lots to cheer about this upcoming Black Friday season, with an abundance of mind-altering discounts across its product range. Here is the early word out on the most attractive deals happening from 17 – 28 November 2022.

 

 

Creative Zen Hybrid – 54% off!

Original Price: £109.99

Black Friday Price: £50.99

The Zen Hybrid is Creative’s latest and most versatile wireless headphones that look and perform the part as a go-to daily favorite for all. Equipped with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation to drive out 95% of ambient noise, up to 37 hours of battery life (5 minutes of charging yields 5 hours of playback), and 40mm Neodymium drivers.

 

Creative Outlier Pro – 35% off!

Original Price: £84.99

Black Friday Price: £59.49

Shut the world out with Outlier Pro, Creative’s flagship true wireless earbuds which feature Hybrid ANC, up to 60 hours of battery life, customizable touch controls and IPX5-certified water resistance.

 

 

Sound BlasterX Katana – 36% off!

Original Price: £279.99

Black Friday Price: £179.99

Regarded by many as the best gaming soundbar when it launched in 2016, the Katana still wields a formidable influence with its audio immersion capabilities, powered by the award-winning Xamp tri-amplification technology. Its successor to the throne, Sound Blaster Katana V2, will be available at 15% discount during Black Friday.

 

Creative Stage V2 – 26% off!

Original Price: £99.99

Black Friday Price: £74.25

Creative’s most affordable living room soundbar delivers price-defying sound quality through custom-tuned mid-range drivers, and deep thumping bass from the accompanying long-throw subwoofer.

 

Creative Stage Air – 31% off!

Original Price: £44.99

Black Friday Price: £30.99

Creative Stage Air is a compact, under-monitor soundbar that features a sleek and minimalistic style that is designed to fit into any desktop settings. It is custom-tuned to deliver impressive audio and also comes with a playtime of up to 6 hours

Sound Blaster X4 – 23% off!

Original Price: £134.99

Black Friday Price: £103.99

Featuring a heady combination of award-winning audio technologies (Sound Blaster audio processing, Super X-Fi headphone holography, Dolby Digital Live), SmartComms Kit for effective online communication, multiple connectivity options and convenient controls at the fingertips, the Sound Blaster X4 is the perfect all-rounder sound card.

 

Sound BlasterX G6 – 35% off!

Original Price: £129.99

Black Friday Price: £84.99

Sound BlasterX G6 works with PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and combines a 130 dB USB DAC with an awesome Xamp discrete headphone amplifier for incredibly detailed audio. It also boasts Dolby Digital decoding, virtual 7.1 surround sound, game-voice volume balancing, Scout Mode, and Sound Blaster’s heralded audio enhancement technologies.

For more information on Creative’s irresistible Black Friday deals, visit creative.com.

Creative Launches Its Newest Earbuds – Sensemore Air

Creative Technology today launched Creative Sensemore Air, its latest high-performance true wireless earbuds which allow users to hear more of their surroundings than ever before, without compromising on audio quality.

The new Sensemore technology helps to address the oft-annoying inconvenience associated with earbuds – because they are in-ear and block out much of the aural environment, users tend to remove their earbuds in various everyday situations, for example when starting a conversation. This changes with the Creative Sensemore Air, as users are given full control on the level of environmental sounds they want to hear. With Sensemore Mode, which is 5 times more sensitive than Ambient Mode, users can hear much more of speech, and other environmental elements, which are amplified with higher clarity. As a bonus, when set to a higher intensity, it could even benefit folks with mild hearing deficiencies.

The Ambient Mode can be used when users would like to hear their music well while still being aware of the environment, for example while jogging along a busy street. Conversely, to shut the world out so as to fully immerse in the music, users can rely on the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Mode. The intensity of all 3 modes is fully adjustable through the handy Creative app.

Featuring a pocket-friendly charging case which is much smaller than the rest of Creative’s true wireless lineup, Creative Sensemore Air is easily the most portable model. Despite the smaller size, it retains the strong battery life that has become the series hallmark – up to 10 hours on a single charge, and 35 hours in total with the charging case. Upping the convenience factor, users get up to 2 hours of battery life with just 10 minutes of charging, and the charging case can be juiced back up with Qi-compatible wireless charging pads.

Creative Sensemore Air packs in these great features which make it comparable with high-end models several times its price:

  • Powered by high-performance 6 mm bio-cellulose drivers and expertly tuned for aural pleasure of clean highs, well-balanced mids and immersive bass. Equalizer tuning and preset profiles are conveniently available via the Creative app

  • Being IPX5 certified, it is sweatproof and suited for various workouts, both indoors and outdoors

  • Equipped with 4 microphones in total; 2 for background noise filtering in ANC mode; 2 for effective voice pick-up during calls

  • Fitted with touch control buttons, which can be customized for various functions via the Creative app

  • Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity

  • Certified as a SXFI READY* headphone so that users get to preview Super X-Fi Spatial Holography, which recreates the soundstage of a premium multi-speaker system, on local content and on new devices that are SXFI READY

Mr Sim Wong Hoo, CEO of Creative Technology, said,” The Sensemore Air is targeted at the mass market for all users who enjoy the convenience of great, portable audio with long play time; it is priced aggressively to suit this market segment. For users considering wearables in the hearing-aid market; while Sensemore Air may not be suitable for all of them, I believe it could benefit the majority of those with early-stage hearing deficiency. It would easily save them thousands of dollars, not to mention the hundreds of dollars needed for audiologist consultations. The US$80 Sensemore Air is a no-brainer choice.”

Pricing and Availability

Creative Sensemore Air is priced at US$79.99, EU€ 79.99, UK£ 64.99

 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit www.creative.com/SensemoreAir.

Creative Launches the Pebble Pro

Creative Technology today launched Creative Pebble Pro, the popular Pebble speaker series’ latest and best addition, which boasts a compelling mix of size-defying audio quality, minimalist elegance in form, and a subtle yet distinctive personable touch of RGB lighting to adorn any desktop setup.

This new 2.0 USB speaker system sees various improvements across its features set, headlined by its audio performance. With revamped full-range drivers, and featuring digital amplifiers with built-in audio processing, which replace analog ones used in previous models the Pebble Pro belies its diminutive form factor with more headroom for louder, clearer audio across the volume range, as well as up to 3.5 times more bass than the previous model Pebble V3.

Two of Creative’s proprietary audio technologies apply further audio shine:

 

  • BassFlex – delivers an extended low frequency response and deeper bass across all volume levels, without the need for a subwoofer

 

  • Clear Dialog – enhances vocals such that they sound more natural and are easily comprehensible; this is especially helpful when watching movies on the PC

Considering its tiny size, the Pebble Pro’s acoustic power output is capable of reaching a mind-boggling 30W RMS and 60W peak when connected to a 30W PD adaptor, which unleashes the full potential of its audio competence.

The visual appeal of the Pebble Pro is accentuated by a new RGB lighting feature, tastefully integrated at the bottom of each speaker. Users can take their pick from a wide color spectrum by conveniently dialing the volume knob to set the mood of the day, and illuminate their desktops creatively with 3 lighting effects (Cycle, Pulsate or Solo).

Other features which make the Pebble Pro a must-have desktop accessory:

  • A wide array of connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology, 3.5mm AUX-in port, USB-C port for audio streaming and power

  • Headphone and microphone ports to transform the Pebble Pro as a convenient communications tool, or for late-night private listening

  • Series signature 45-degree elevated angle for optimal audio projection to users’ ears

  • Long wire (1.8m / 5.9 ft) connecting both speakers; offers more flexibility in placement

  • Long USB-C cable (1.5m / 4.92 ft) for connection to the computer

Pricing and Availability

Creative Pebble Pro is priced at € 79.99, £ 65.99, US$59.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit www.creative.com/PebblePro.