Tag: #creative

Tech Review – Creative Zen Hybrid wireless headphones with ANC

The Creative Zen Hybrid wireless headphones are the latest pair of cans on offer from the company and affordable, with a matt white finish they look clean and one could argue a bit more expensive than they are and if you missed out on the introductory offer you have really lost out here it must be said. These come well presented in a small box and details clearly visible to their feature set. You can see the full unboxing below if you missed it before we reviewed them.

These cans are not huge nor heavy and ideal for long term use be it for music or gaming and podcasts, and so on, either way will enjoy them an with access to their super app SXFI you can control and customise even more adding to the value for money here, having tested other headphones in the past headphones combined with the app is a win win for most.

The headphones are very comfortable and light which is important as these can be used not only for music but gaming and more the controls are all one one side which again I like and these controls are slightly raised and easy to navigate and you have a handy ANC button at your disposal too, no creaks noted during use and no sweating of the cups but on long term use like several hours depending on the humidity there was slight sweating, nothing like what I have come across before though.

Unboxing the Creative Zen Hybrid

The headphones are fine without the app but may sound a bit hollow for some however once you download their app the game changes completely for me and I am a huge fan and as mentioned had the pleasure to test this app out several times, the app is on preview during my testing and did a good job and can only get better and I may come back again later with another review when full access is granted but even as is it does a decent job.

In the app you can skip/reverse play/pause and adjust the treble and bass and also customise presets if you like so you have plenty to mess with for now, the sound quality is great and with the extra bass and treble to play with for me this is good if you are a bass fan you are going to like it, for gaming they are also great, music and movies again great with good direction no overlapping and good highs lows and mids with no lag latency noted either.

For the money you cant really complain the battery life is also good at this price and you get 5 hours of playback with a 5 minute charge and this is noteworthy here, In real life testing the battery life would hit around 35 hours for me maxing out the lot which is what I tend to do and have them at max volume which is not good for the ears but when I have headphones on and when testing I do not want to know what else is going on but you have ambient mode at your disposal too which is no common in most headphones and ideal for catching those things you might want to hear going on.

Calls where also fine on these and clear both ends which is great should you need to take any and overall for the money here the clean design that look well with that matt finish you can’t expect more however the price to performance ratio is getting better these days and it is a crowded market but with Creative being a well established brand and great products and of course their SXFI app it does give more than most for the money here.

See the video review below for more insights.

Key Features of Creative Zen Hybrid

  • Hybrid ANC (feedforward and feedback mics on each earcup)

  • Ambient Mode

  • Battery life – up to 37 hours (ANC turned off), up to 27 hours (ANC turned on)

  • Up to 5 hours of playback with only 5 minutes of charging

  • 40 mm Neodymium drivers

  • Foldable design, with carry pouch included

  • SXFI READY

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Hybrid is priced at £ 99.99 and is available at the Creative online store.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenHybrid.

Video Review

Creative Launches the all-new BT-W4 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter

Featuring the latest aptX Adaptive codec, the BT-W4 is able to monitor connection quality, type of content and optimally adapts the bitrate for the user’s RF environment efficiently – automatically and entirely fuss-free. It also offers high-resolution 24-bit audio streamed at 48 kHz, and along with the reliability of the connection assured with Bluetooth 5.2, users can expect uninterrupted and all-round enhancements in clarity and depth for music, movies and games.

The versatility of the BT-W4 shines through with easy switching between up to four devices at the push of a button, making multi-tasking a breeze. An analog plug-in microphone is included and best used with gaming consoles, so that users can easily banter at will with teammates. Completing the voice chat support is the Hands-Free Profile mode, easily activated when connected to a wireless headset.

Users are able to make the BT-W4 their own with various personalization features. When connected to the Creative app, users are able to remotely switch between the paired devices or reset the pairing list, and tweak their audio with the Equalizer and Sound Blaster’s Acoustic Engine.

Compatible with PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5, Creative BT-W4 is a worthy ally for demanding users, as a competent tool that does it all with simplicity.

Pricing and Availability

Creative BT-W4 is priced at £49.99/€ 54.99/US$49.99 and is available at the Creative online store.

For more information on Creative BT-W4, visit creative.com/BTW4.

Creative launches Zen Hybrid wireless headphones, we take a first look.

Creative Technology has launched its Creative Zen Hybrid, the latest wireless headphones to keep music-loving users plugged in far longer than they would normally. Featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, 40mm Neodymium drivers and up to 37 hours of battery life with a minimalist yet sleek design, Creative Zen Hybrid quite simply packs in the highlights as the go-to daily headphone solution for all.

Creative Zen Hybrid is built to help users be at one with themselves through their music, wherever they are – they are able to focus much better with the Hybrid ANC technology, driving out unwanted distractions from the environment. This technology is ‘hybrid’ through implementing feedforward and feedback microphones on each earcup. As a result, up to 95% of ambient noise is filtered out, enabling users to fully immerse in their favourite tunes while on the go.

Ambient Mode allows users to be conveniently aware of the environment without taking the headphones off, for example when listening out for train station announcements, ordering at a café counter or simply keeping users safe on busy streets. Rounding things off is a noise-cancelling microphone, which keeps calls clear for the other party as well.

To complement the noise-cancelling feature, these headphones sport 40mm powerful yet light Neodymium drivers. Expertly tuned by Creative’s in-house engineers for a warm sound signature with accurate bass and crisp, clean highs, the Zen Hybrid is well-balanced to suit a wide variety of genres while helping to prevent headphone fatigue.

With an impressive battery life of up to 37 hours, users can easily binge on their favourite playlists, even while in repeat mode. When needed, the Zen Hybrid can provide 5 hours of playback with only 5 minutes of super-quick charging.

Creative Zen Hybrid sports a sleek and lightweight design with a slim profile, with easy-to-use tactile control buttons conveniently located on the right earcup. It also features a foldable design and can be handily stowed in a carry pouch when not in use.

SXFI READY

Creative Zen Hybrid is specially tuned to support the exciting and upcoming expanded Super X-Fi ecosystem, where Super X-Fi Headphone Holography will be implemented in different devices such as TVs, PCs and mobile devices. Users of SXFI READY headphones like the Zen Hybrid will get to enjoy this award-winning technology on such devices.

In the meantime, users can benefit from the superior tuning of SXFI READY headphones. A free preview version of the award-winning Super X-Fi technology is available through the SXFI app. Users who are interested to be informed of these new SXFI-enabled devices compatible with SXFI READY headphones can sign up here.

Key Features of Creative Zen Hybrid

  • Hybrid ANC (feedforward and feedback mics on each earcup)

  • Ambient Mode

  • Battery life – up to 37 hours (ANC turned off), up to 27 hours (ANC turned on)

  • Up to 5 hours of playback with only 5 minutes of charging

  • 40 mm Neodymium drivers

  • Foldable design, with carry pouch included

  • SXFI READY

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Hybrid is priced at £ 99.99 and is available at the Creative online store.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenHybrid.

Video link to unboxing

Creative’s giving away 100 pairs of its new Zen Hybrid ANC headphones to mark its launch

Creative Technology is lining up the launch of Creative Zen Hybrid, which packs in a slew of features as a choice daily go-to headphone solution for users to stay in the zone while on the go. As a prelude to the launch on 8 June 2022, Creative will be giving away 100 units through an exclusive raffle organised for fans.

Key Features of Creative Zen Hybrid

Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

With feedforward and feedback microphones on each earcup, the Hybrid ANC technology cancels up to 95% of environmental noise. Vocal clarity is enhanced for calls through an additional noise-cancelling microphone.

Ambient Mode

Users can stay aware of the environment where needed, be it for safety while on busy streets, or for convenience when ordering drinks at a café.

40 mm Neodymium drivers

Expertly tuned by Creative’s in-house engineers for a warm sound signature with accurate bass and crisp, clean highs, the Zen Hybrid is well-balanced to suit a wide variety of genres.

Long battery life, super-quick charging

The Zen Hybrid is a marathon-level headphone, lasting up to 37 hours (with ANC enabled) and up to 27 hours (with ANC disabled). It also provides five hours of playback with just five minutes of charging.

Ideal as a daily carry-on

Sporting a slim profile, the Zen Hybrid is lightweight, foldable with 90° swivel earcups and easily stowed away in a carry pouch.

SXFI READY

The Zen Hybrid is a SXFI READY headphone; users can enjoy a free preview version of the award-winning Super X-Fi technology through the SXFI app, and enjoy holographic audio on local music content inside their phones.

100 units for fans

The Zen Hybrid will be launched at the price of £83.99; Creative is giving away 100 units to its fans, who can also look forward to exclusive discounts. Interested users can sign up here.

Creative launch the Outlier Pro True Wireless

Creative Technology today announced the launch of Creative Outlier Pro, the latest and best addition to the well-received Outlier True Wireless series. Featuring an array of nifty new features, the newly-designed earbuds are set to take the True Wireless game up a notch with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) plus Ambient Mode, and an impressive battery life of up to 60 hours for a truly better listening experience. Coupled with a total of six microphones, customizable touch controls, IPX5-certified water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and wireless charging, Creative Outlier Pro stands out as the ideal true wireless earbuds that have it all packed into a portable and pocket-friendly form factor.

Creative Outlier Pro is packed with must-have features that matter for a truly superior wireless experience.

Turn Down the Noise, Turn Up the Clarity

Creative Outlier Pro offers users an impeccable listening experience with Hybrid ANC, which is typically found only on high-end headphones. This ANC technology is ‘hybrid’ in that it combines both the feedforward and feedback ANC systems on each earbud to effectively block out unwanted background noises. So, users can stay in the zone while on an important conference call or listening to their favorite tunes without distractions.

On the flip side, users can also switch over to Ambient Mode to let just the right amount of ambient sound in, which comes in handy when users want to be aware of the environment, for example while walking near a traffic junction. The controls are seamless and can be easily accessible with simple taps on the earbuds to toggle between ANC Mode and Ambient Mode, or users can also control it via the Creative app.

In addition, with the new and larger 10 mm graphene-coated driver diaphragms expertly tuned by Creative’s in-house audio engineers, Creative Outlier Pro offers an improved acoustic performance all round. This translates to better clarity, enhanced bass, and effective ANC quality – all while improving power efficiency of the earbuds.

Go Beyond All Day

With a juiced-up battery life of up to 60 hours in total, and a playtime of up to 15 hours on a single charge, Creative Outlier Pro is the perfect audio companion for long commutes, workouts, or endless Netflix marathons. Even with hybrid ANC turned on, users will be able to get a playtime of 10 hours on a single charge, and up to 40 hours in total.

On top of that, these earbuds also come with different sets of soft silicone ear tips that make it hassle-free for users to find the perfect fit to achieve the optimal seal for better noise insulation and greater comfort.

Lastly, the icing on the cake for Creative Outlier Pro is the user-friendly Creative app that allows users to customize the touch controls to suit their preferences and activate a series of useful features such as the Low Latency Mode. This newly added feature reduces the latency of the Creative Outlier Pro by more than half, so users can enjoy better synchronized music and video content.

Holographic Audio – Try It!

Creative Outlier Pro is specially tuned to support Super X-Fi READY – a free preview version of the Super X-Fi technology, which is available through the SXFI app. Users can sample Super X-Fi headphone holography on local music content inside their phones.

Key Features of Creative Outlier Pro

  • Hybrid ANC (feedforward/feedback mics on each earbud), Ambient Mode

  • (ANC Off) Up to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge, 60 hours including charging case. (ANC On) Up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, 40 hours including charging case

  • New 10 mm graphene-coated driver diaphragms

  • IPX5-certified sweatproof

  • Super X-Fi READY

Pricing and Availability

Creative Outlier Pro is priced at US$119, €89.99, £84.99 and is available at the Creative online store.

For more information on Creative Outlier Pro, visit creative.com/Outlier Pro

Tech Review – Creative Outlier Air V3

Creative have been serving up some great tech this year and we have checked out a good amount of it and for anyone into audio it is a brand you should check out for your needs as these come in at really affordable prices and their latest set of earbuds are no different either which is the Creative Outlier Air V3, it must be noted I missed the previous models here so my review is based on these and these alone and not comparing to older models as it would be unfair to as they have not been in my hands so let’s see what we have on offer. You can see the unboxing HERE

Build and design

These come in a really cool case that slides open giving them the best protection you could ask for housed in an aluminium case yet they are still held in with magnets so they won’t get lost if they are just dumped in your bag or tossed on a couch, they are a drum shaped earbud which is similar to older models when it comes to their shape and they fit nicely in the ears once the right tips are used as with most earbuds, if you are into the stem type earbuds look away now as these are not for you,they have a nice circular top which acts as the touch area for controls and works really well and also there is a light that goes round this which is cool giving out status for connection etc.

Creative OutlierAir V3 techbuzzireland

Set-up

Set-up is simple and you of course have access to the SuperX-Fi app which is a game changing app for sound that puts you in the centre of things and  you can map your head to avail of Creative’s holographic technology, this is done by taking a photo of the left and right ear and face and a tip here is to get someone to do your ears. Once set up you can use this app to enhance the experience.

Sound

Sound is what most people look at reviews for and once again they deliver and the price you pay makes it an easy purchase if you are on a budget and this is thanks to the app that also has an equaliser built in that changes the experience from my usual testing they deliver did not sound tinny did not distort on max volume and overall a great listening experience the app has access to your music files on your device so you do not need to use a different music player to open the music files you have at hand however if you listen to other streaming apps you can’t use the app which will hopefully be addressed sometime in the future,as for me it is not a problem really as I have all my music files stored on my devices.These are powered by 6 mm Bio-cellulose drivers by the way.

Battery

Battery life is slated at 40 hours here but this can vary depending on the settings like volume and ambient mode etc and overall I hit less than slated but not by much however the same can be said for any manufacturer here and I tend to go max volume and full ANC and for me it was around 37 hours in total which is fine, like that’s nearly a week lads..

Conclusion

Overall here you get a great set of earbuds with wireless charging thrown in and great sound these are ones to look out for and for 50 quid you just cant complain really yes I said 50 quid at the time of posting this.

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Video Link

Tech Review – Creative SXFI AMP

Need to boost your audio experience on your earbuds and headphones well here is the must have gadget to do so and not only that this enhances more than you might think as it can be used with gaming consoles such as the PS4 PS5 and Nintendo Switch to give you an even more enhanced experience, this little kit which is the size of your little finger is simple solution to enhance all your audio experiences and this includes gaming devices as well as phones.

This is a well built piece of kit which could be passed as a dongle with and gives you the ability to use any headphones and you get an adapter in the box which is a USB-C to USB-C connector there is a 3.5 mm socket on the end and then you have the controls up front that have that clicky feel to them you control volume and skip tracks with these and then there is the circular button up top which turns on/off the holographic experience. The whole unit is encased in aluminum.

The SuperX-Fi AMP basically enhances the listening experiences and I tested both earphones and headphones on this and it can make cheap headphones sound good in some cases and basically puts you centre stage it feels like there is speakers all round giving you an immersive experience ..

There is a huge list of headphones to pick from when setting up and if you find your headphones not there you can select something close them you will see all this in the video below and what is involved and how to use the app. You will need to create a profile and do some head mapping which is now becoming a common trend these days. The app picks up your tracks  you can personalise and pick your headphones from the extensive list available now and also toggle with the equalizer, finally in the app you can manage your devices..

MUSIC

Experience music on your headphones as if you’re listening to the recording artist in a studio! Enjoy Super X-Fi on your local hi-res FLAC files or stream your favorite songs over Spotify app on mobile or PC with SXFI AMP. Try out some old mono tracks from the golden age and you’ll be amazed how Super X-Fi transforms the music.

MOVIES

Immerse yourself in a holographic audio experience whenever you are with your headphones. Whether you are watching movies on your laptop or travelling on an airplane with your Android phone, just plug in the SXFI AMP and enjoy! Super X-Fi is capable of transforming videos into full-fledged, cinematic audio experience.

GAMES

Enjoy games with the full cinematic capabilities of Super X-Fi! Simply plug in the SXFI AMP with your headphones into your PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or on PC — the soundstage of the game opens up and you feel as if you were actually transported into the game environment itself. Your games will never sound the same anymore!

The Creative SXFI AMP was sent to us to review with no preview,payment or input and are seeing the review the same time as you.

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Video Link

Creative Black Friday Deals

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or get ahead on the Christmas shopping this Black Friday, these unmissable deals are the best way to get your hands on Creative’s signature immersive audio for less. We have tried and test everything below and some reviews due soon but overall Creative is a solid brand and one we can recommend..

SXFI Air Gamer – A versatile wired gaming headset with Bluetooth® 5.0 that gives you the freedom to plug into any compatible device of your choice or connect wirelessly to enjoy personalized Super X-Fi Headphone Holography audio! Was £124.99 , now £89.99!

SXFI Amp – Delivers superior audio clarity and sound performance, and is crafted with a single aluminum unibody with a fine-textured, anodized black finish. Was £139.99, now £49.99!  Review soon

SXFI Air – This Bluetooth and USB headphone has Super X-Fi technology built-in that provides holographic audio personalised to your own ears for an unbelievable headphone experience that’s as good as the real thing. The Creative SXFI AIR also boasts an SD card slot that makes it an MP3 Player, 50mm drivers, touch controls, and a customisable RGB light ring. Was £149.99, now £54.99!  Review 

Sound Blaster G3 – Designed to be a fuss-free, driverless audio upgrade for your gaming consoles, the G3 provides users with premium gaming features without having to break the bank. Was £54.99, now £29.99! Review

Sound Blaster Play! 4 – A must-have for any work calls, the Sound Blaster PLAY! 4 is designed to solve your video call woes by simplifying the way you communicate. Featuring Creative’s SmartComms Kit, packed with an array of smart communication software features such as auto mute and two-way noise cancellation guaranteed to redefine your video call experience. Was £27.99, now £19.99!

Outlier Air V3 – Powered by 6 mm Bio-cellulose drivers and upgraded with Bluetooth® 5.2 technology, the Creative Outlier Air V3 is certified water-resistant with an IPX5 rating, so you can enjoy immersive audio wherever life takes you. Was £64.99, now £44.99! Review soon

Creative Live! Mic M3 – Make your voice heard with Creative Live! Mic M3, whether you are communicating or live streaming! This external USB microphone features dual polar patterns, real-time mic-monitoring, direct mute button, up to 24-bit / 96 kHz studio-quality recording resolution, and lets you be heard with crystal clear clarity. Was £54.99, now £44.99!  Review 

Live! Cam V2 – Make a strong impression during important work calls, and connect with your loved ones more intimately with full HD video and improved call quality! The Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 has been further enhanced with improved built-in microphones for better voice pick up that’s more natural-sounding, and is equipped with our latest audio innovation – the SmartComms Kit, a suite of smart communication features. Was £54.99, now £24.99!  Review 

Tech Review – Creative Live! Mic M3

Need to up your audio game well here is an alternative that is affordable from creative who have been knocking out some great products of late and we have more to come from the company so stay tuned for that, the next product we have coming up is something every home will want.

This mic is a simple plug and play offering and looks really clean and also portable and can be easily moved around and also this can be mounted onto existing setups you might have or it can be just sat beside you at your desk and so on. This is ideal for bloggers in their home kit and looks really well too with a magnetic detachable pop filter and one switch on the rear to change from Cardiod to Omni direction and also a silent switch on the front so there is nothing difficult at all here to set up and use this device which is cool..

With up to 24-bit / 96 kHz high-resolution recording, Creative Live! Mic M3 offers clearer recordings to add that dash of audio oomph to the user’s livestreams, podcasts, conference calls, or even just everyday conversations. Adding to that, the microphone also comes with a dedicated mute button and real-time mic monitoring, which allows users to easily make adjustments on the fly.

Creative Live! Mic M3 techbuzzireland

Equipped with a built-in headphones port, detachable pop filter, and an adjustable table stand, Creative Live! Mic M3 serves as the perfect microphone for budding content creators and even those working from home as it offers crystal clear and studio-quality audio without the hefty price tag.

See more and buy   Video Link