Tag: #zen

Tech Review – Creative Zen Air SXFI

The Creative Zen Air SXFI are the latest on offer like their latest headphones we checked out the Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones which are fantastic and the question asked most is how these compare to the headphones and it was easy to answer, again they are superb.

The case is cool again on this one just like the Creative Zen Air Plus earbuds which has a nice matt finish the colour is also nice and this time around the case has a premium finish on the inside which looks great. The case also has wireless charging USB-C and 4 led light sup front for charge status, there is also a pair/reset button here too.

The earbuds are a perfect design like previous offerings and sit well in the ears and it is important you check out the tips for the correct size to get the best results.

Not to linger on too much about the sound it is up there with their latest headphones and cater for everyone’s needs and with access to their apps it just enhances the experience even for gamers.

Creative Zen Air SXFI – techbuzzireland

Put yourself in the center is the easiest way to put it with these earbuds and just sit back and enjoy movies music and gaming after checking out their app and setting things up which you should do and not skip over it.

Highs lows and mids all great great bass trebles and in action you have great directional sound too there is nothing to complain about along with good ANC thrown into the mix.

The touch function works well too as always with creative and can be changed to suit your needs and check out the video below as we take a look at the app. The Creative Zen Air offer up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, and up to 18 hours of total playtime but this will vary per user and how your EQ and volume settings are, there is no lag latency and actually during my testing this feature got an update, and there is no tinny sound on max volume.

 

Super X-Fi technology recreates a professional, multi-speaker system experience in your headphones so you can hear sounds naturally like how it’s meant to be heard. Creative Zen Air is a certified SXFI READY* headphone that is specially-tuned for optimum performance with devices and apps in the SXFI READY ecosystem, like the SXFI App. By utilizing the SXFI App on your mobile, you can enjoy a preview of Super X-Fi Spatial Holography on local content and enjoy cinematic audio even while on the go! Read more about raved-about technology and its numerous accolades.

The App

Creative Apps – techbuzzireland

The features on board

Overall if you want earbuds that do not cost a fortune look no further that offer all the requirements and spatial holography  and more check these out, like any other creative product we have tested and stand by they have another hit like their latest headphones.

See our other Creative reviews

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Video Review

Tech Review – Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones

The Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones are the latest of a duo we have been testing out for some time now and for me this is one of if not their best pair of headphones to date so lets just get that out of the way now.

First up the build quality is robust and tough and I have let these fall a few times however not a mark nor issue with them this was due to where they have been used the last while and kept falling off my locker as it is crammed with tech right now as we are in busy season.

They are comfortable to wear and light with soft plush padding on the headband and the earcups so which means they can be worn for hours on end and something I am custom too anyway even for gaming.

The controls are all on one side and worked really well over the review period and what I like is the dedicated SXFI and ANC buttons.

Before you get going you will need to map your head with these even if you have a mapped head profile already and it is worth the effort and does not take long to do all it entails is taking a photo of each ear and your face and you would be better off getting someone to do this for you bar the face part.

With the app the SXFI logo is now seen in the creative app and this can be toggled on/off in the app or on the headphones then you have ANC to test out and it is excellent.

The sound is what you would expect from Creative especially with the SXFI ( Super X-Fi) technology and the 40mm Neodymium drivers  if you have not tried this out yet now is the time especially with these headphones. Super X-Fi technology recreates the same expansive depth, details, and soundstage of an immersive multi-speaker system on headphones. Utilizing advanced computational audio, it personalizes audio according to your head and ear anthropometry, optimizing the audio just for you. Hear every nuance and subtlety like how they are meant to be heard.

No lag latency noted nor was there any tinny sound on max volume as I always use though advise people not to do so but with these you have to go to the max in all aspects.

The volume is great highs lows and mids are fine and the overall audio experience puts you in the center stage here and with the app to customize even more you are in control and for gamers you are also in for a treat. When they say a new sound awaits they mean it..

 

The Apps 

 

Specs 

Driver Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz Type: Neodymium x 2

Bluetooth® Version 5.3
Wireless Codecs AAC, SBC
Profiles (HFP) Hands-free Profile, (A2DP) Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, (AVRCP) Audio / Video Remote Control Profile, HSP (Headset Profile)
Operating Frequency 2402–2480 MHz
Operating Range Up to 15m / 49.2 ft^ ^Measured in open space. Walls and structures may affect range of device.

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Video Review

First Look – Creative Zen Air SXFI earbuds & Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones

The all new Creative Zen Air SXFI earbuds & Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones have finally arrived and we will be testing these out over the coming weeks but today we give you a quick tour of the new duo from Creative who have been on a roll of late with their product releases.

Recently review have been the Creative Aurvana Ace series and the Creative Zen Air series earbuds which are really solid products now we have an all new ZEN SXFI series to contend with which I look forward to checking out.

The Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI, designed to transport users into the immersive world of Super X-Fi. With a simple tap, users can expand their soundstage and be engulfed in every detail of their preferred content across platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, all powered by the built-in SXFI technology.

Boasting additional features such as Adaptive Hybrid ANC and Ambient mode, Bluetooth 5.3, low-latency of up to ~100 ms, the Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI are poised to redefine how users engage with their favourite content.

Coupled with the SXFI APP, available on iOS and Android phones, the full potential of Super X-Fi can be further unlocked by personalising Super X-Fi to users’ exact head and ear shape for an even more precise rendition.

Beyond the Super X-Fi integration, the Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI are packed with nifty features to cater to today’s diverse users.

With Hybrid ANC, Adaptive ANC, and Ambient mode, users can seamlessly switch between the three modes, adapting to different environments and choosing to immerse themselves in music or stay aware of their surroundings.

Moreover, the low-latency mode ensures audio stays perfectly synced up, whether users are gaming or watching movies. And with Multipoint connectivity, users can easily switch between two Bluetooth devices without missing a beat.

 

Any questions drop them in the comments or ask on our social media handles.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air SXFI is priced at £69.99 and is available for order at Creative.com.

Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI is priced at £89.99 and is available for order at Creative.com.

For more information, visit here

Unboxing and Tour

Tech Review – Creative Zen Air Pro SXFI earbuds

The Creative Zen Air Pro SXFI earbuds with LE Audio is another new pair of earbuds from the brand that are affordable with great sound and features on board.

Recently we tested the Zen Air Plus which are really great value for money and worth looking at if you are unsure of what your requirements are. There is slight differences between the pair and to be honest either pair is great with the price you pay.

Again we have access to their apps which enhances the audio experience on a budget giving you the SXFI experience too which is great if you have not tested it out yet. On setting up there was an app update so be sure to do this before you move on to get the best features.

The case is a standard affair not as nice as the Zen Air Plus but still nice with the creative logo on the front and a button and on the  bottom is the USB port you can also charge these wirelessly too which for me is a win.

The earbuds again have a small stem and sit nicely in the ears giving a good seal so check you have the right tips for the best experience. The earbud is on the larger size but still fits well.

Creative Zen Air Pro – techbuzzireland

Sound is up next and again it’s good to report it is excellent slightly outdoing the sister product and anyone that does decide to check them out will be happy. Highs low and mids all good decent volume and with app access you have options. . No tinny sound when using with full volume lo lag latency or distortion noted either again here which just solidifies the product as before.

Creative App

Creative SXFI App

Features

  • NEXT-GEN BLUETOOTH LE AUDIO – With Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio, high-quality LC3+ (ULL), LC3, AAC and SBC audio codecs, delivering rich and uninterrupted audio streaming all day long
  • NOISE CONTROL FEATURES- Hear what you want with Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode, the Creative Zen Air Pro is decked with a total of 6 microphones
  • LONGER BATTERY LIFE -Offer up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge, and up to 33 hours of total playtime when placed in a fully charged case
  • 6 MICS FOR ULTRA-CLEAR CALL EXPERIENCE – Creative Zen Air Pro is also further enhanced by advanced AI-powered Deep Neural Network (DNN)
  • POWERFUL AUDIO WITH IPX5 RATING – Equipped with 10 mm Dynamic drivers to accompany you through your gym workout or outdoor jog

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Video Review

 

Tech Review – Creative Zen Air Plus Earbuds

The Creative Zen Air Plus Earbuds are one pair of a duo recently announced and of course we have both which is the Zen Air Plus and Zen Air Pro to check out just like the Aurvana Ace duo recently reviewed here on site and YouTube.

The Creative Zen Air Plus comes in a really nice case which is a good start and is a creamy hue color and comes with wireless charging and the flip top lid has a unique opening compared to others. It will fit in any pocket has a matt finish to the touch and just looks really nice. There is a USB-C charge port LED light and reset/connect button.

The earbuds themselves have a really nice fit and give a great seal straight away and these will not fall out of the ears either once the right tips are applied as I always advise people to do. The better the seal the better the sound and this is all before you even touch ANC mode.

You have the choice of two apps here these are SXFI ready and with Creative this has been a favourite of mine some years now, you also have the standard Creative app and there is where you find all your functions and features to get things going and set up to your personal requirements.

The controls are touch controls on the earbuds and work really well and as expected from the brand if you are familiar with the company you will already know there touch control game is on point and still is.

Creative Zen Air Plus – techbuzzireland

You have all the features you would expect to find here like skip and reverse tracks volume and call controls and voice assistant access plus more which you will see in the video review below.

Highs lows and mids are fine with decent volume and nice bass no lag latency or tinny sound or disconnecting during my testing and overall a pleasing sound which anyone would enjoy, battery life is quite good to for such small earbuds and overall there is little to complain about here and they come in a fantastic case and colour.

Creative APP

Creative SXFI APP

 

Features 

 

  • NEXT-GEN BLUETOOTH LE AUDIO-Improved wireless audio performance at lower bitrates and power consumption. Plus, seamless audio sharing via Broadcast mode, changing how you engage with audio
  • CRAFT YOUR SILENCE AND AMBIANCE WITH HYBRID ANC AND AMBIENT MODE-Together with 10 mm neodymium drivers, enjoy deep bass, balanced tunes, and a low latency (~55 ms) for seamless audio playback
  • BATTERY LIFE THAT LASTS MORE THAN A DAY-Up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 32 hours in total with a fully charged case. USB-C cable included for charging
  • BE HEARD CLEARLY-Effectively analyze and filter out background noise, while delivering clear voice input and superior call quality with six microphones and ENC technology
  • COMPACT CHARGING CASE-The Creative Zen Air Plus, weighing 48.6g / 1.71 oz with IPX4 rating, features Bluetooth 5.3 and touch controls, making it perfect for active use

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Video Review

Creative Zen Air SXFI earbuds & Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones launched

Creative Technology today proudly unveils its latest True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds and headphones, the Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI, designed to transport users into the immersive world of Super X-Fi. With a simple tap, users can expand their soundstage and be engulfed in every detail of their preferred content across platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, all powered by the built-in SXFI technology. Boasting additional features such as Adaptive Hybrid ANC and Ambient mode, Bluetooth 5.3, low-latency of up to ~100 ms, the Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI are poised to redefine how users engage with their favourite content.

Renowned for its ability to recreate the expansive soundstage of a high-end multi-speaker surround system, Super X-Fi now shines in the latest Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI, enriching users’ listening experience with spatial audio. With Super X-Fi activated, users can transcend the boundaries of traditional stereo sound, immersing themselves in a three-dimensional audio world teeming with heightened realism and depth. Whether it’s the thunderous roar of a cinematic explosion, the subtle rustle of leaves in a forest, or the precise positioning of footsteps in a game, Super X-Fi delivers unparalleled spatial accuracy and depth, allowing users to truly feel like they’re part of the action.

Coupled with the SXFI APP, available on iOS and Android phones, the full potential of Super X-Fi can be further unlocked by personalising Super X-Fi to users’ exact head and ear shape for an even more precise rendition.

Beyond the Super X-Fi integration, the Creative Zen Air SXFI and Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI are packed with nifty features to cater to today’s diverse users. With Hybrid ANC, Adaptive ANC, and Ambient mode, users can seamlessly switch between the three modes, adapting to different environments and choosing to immerse themselves in music or stay aware of their surroundings. Moreover, the low-latency mode ensures audio stays perfectly synced up, whether users are gaming or watching movies. And with Multipoint connectivity, users can easily switch between two Bluetooth devices without missing a beat.

Zooming in on their primary features, the Creative Zen Air SXFI boasts custom-tuned 10mm Neodymium drivers, ensuring crystal-clear highs and well-balanced mids for an exceptional audio playback experience. With a total playtime of up to 39 hours (with ANC OFF), along with IPX5 water resistance and wireless charging capabilities, it’s perfect for those on the move.

The Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI features custom-tuned 40mm Neodymium drivers, delivering precise highs and deep lows for an elevated audio experience. With an impressive total playtime of up to 70 hours (with ANC OFF), users can enjoy extended listening sessions without any interruptions. Its foldable headband design adds to its portability, and support for analog line-in offers versatile connectivity options. Additionally, the built-in mics with ENC (Environment Noise Cancellation) ensure clearer communication during calls and voice commands, enhancing the overall user experience.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air SXFI is priced at £69.99 and is available for pre-order at Creative.com.

Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI is priced at £89.99 and is available for pre-order at Creative.com.

For more information, visit here

Tech Review – Creative Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI Headphones

Gaming headphones are a big deal these days and there is plenty on the market to pick from and come in all price brackets so there is something for everyone here, As a user of Creatives products some years it is a brand I know I can trust with their audio products and even not being the huge gamer I once was and now a casual user  with all the consoles, Creative is a brand you will most likely see on my big head be it headphones or earbuds for gaming and not only gaming but audio in general as they are well build solid products offering you great value for money and more via their apps which enhances any experience.

The Creative Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI boasts an array of core features, including Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode, giving users the flexibility to fully immerse themselves in their audio or stay attuned to their surroundings with modes that seamlessly adapt to any environment. It also comes equipped with custom-tuned 40 mm, powerful yet light Neodymium drivers, which ensure every note is reproduced with power and precision, delivering a rich and captivating sound experience. We take a look at all this in the video review below and also the apps which gives you enhancements like no other and I tested these on my machines here at home to see what is on offer this time around.

The build quality again is robust and solid yet lightweight which for the more avid gamer is critical, the soft cups rest nicely on the ears and the headband is comfortable as well you also get a removable mic which for me is the best option to go over the fixed ones we see as it is something I personally would not use much as I game on my own rather than go into multiplayer online rooms etc.

You get the RGB effects thrown into the  mix too which gives a little flair to what otherwise looks like a regular set of gaming headphones and makes these stand out and the look sleek and clean, you also have other controls on them too such as the power on/off which doubles as a broadcast search and pairing mode, mic mute control, volume wheel and ANC/Ambient control button and trust me the ANC on with the volume maxed out you will hear nothing outside, I mean nothing. Within the SXFI app you have EQ settings and the magic SXFI can be turned on and off. You also get music controls such as play and pause skip and reverse tracks so you can use these not only for gaming but your music and it all plays out well.

RGB Lights on the headphones

The sound is what people are after lets get to it, You need to do the head mapping it only takes a few minutes and you will need someone to help you, you have an EQ to suit your needs and two apps to use what more do you want here, the ANC is great the volume is LOUD and when gaming you wont miss a beat or a footstep and if you do use the mic it works well I done a quick test for audio and it was well received after calling up a buddy or two to waste their time for a few mins to test the headphones, they dont mind and know what I am like but sorry lads no time for gaming right now. BUT that is going to change going forward.

For the money you will fork out here you are onto a winner in short with plenty of features and great audio no matter what they might be plugged into.

The Apps 

For the money you will fork out here you are onto a winner in short with plenty of features and great audio no matter what they might be plugged into.

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Video Review 

Tech Review – Creative ZEN AIR DOT

The Creative ZEN AIR DOT are the companies most affordable earbuds to date and come in a very small package overall and I have been testing these little guys out some time now and we are about to discuss what they have and what they do not have, when it comes to earbuds these days the cost to performance ratio is getting better and these come in at just 30 euro..

So do you get value for your 30 euro or are they fit for the bin? Well at this price there is obviously going to be things omitted from these earbuds but its down to the audio experience for most people these days and some like to have a certain level of functionality and for the price these will keep those people happy.

Remember now the price. So what is missing. No app access, no wireless charging, no auto play/pause, no option to each side when one is charging bar the left side, though to be fair this is common even on high end earbuds but just pointing this out and there is no volume control and the battery life is on the low side up to 24 hr hours depending on how you like your volume levels but again remember the price..

Creative ZEN AIR DOT true wireless – techbuzzireland

What do they have then.  Call controls skip and reverse tracks, voice assistant access and reset options are all present which is enough and we have got large drivers for small earbuds and dual mics so is that enough for your 30 euro?

They are small earbuds so sleep and fit well in the ears and look good, the case is tiny and fits in any pocket and overall in general one of the smallest cases this year so far and earbuds with a tiny stem that sport touch controls that worked really well for me on my testing. For calls these are surprisingly good for what you pay here with ENC built in and calls can be controlled easily on them too.

How they sound though given they have custom tuned 13.mm neodymium drivers  is what is important and having no app access at this time they are quite loud and super punchy, we have no EQ to deal with unless you have a third party app on your phone which most are utter rubbish but this is a pair of earbuds that just get the job done out of the box and no fiddling around with and give a pretty decent audio experience, they are not bassy not flat not sound tinny or distort on maxed out volumes and in general will keep most people who are not fussy happy and for the price what more do you really want.

Features 

Environmental Noise Cancellation

Dual Microphones

Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity

IPX4 rating

13 mm Neodymium drivers

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Video Review

First Look – Creative Zen Air DOT

Creative recently announced another super affordable set of earbuds called the Zen Air DOT which come in at 30 quid at the time of publishing,now that is cheap however creative do not do cheap things and you expect cheap result from my testing over the years so it will be interesting to see how these fair out under my strict earbuds test regime.

The Creative Zen Air DOT boasts custom-tuned 13 mm Neodymium drivers that deliver powerful and detailed audio with deep bass, clear mids, and highs, ensuring that users will experience great audio with every beat. Together with Bluetooth® 5.3 technology and a battery life of up to 24 hours (7 hours on a single charge), users can enjoy uninterrupted audio throughout the day, making them the perfect companion for daily commutes, workouts, or travel. Moreover, the IPX4 rating offers water protection, making them suitable for intense workouts and outdoor activities.

We will have our full review soon so if you have any questions feel free to ask and we will gladly answer as always and stay tuned for the real hands on review later on.

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Unboxing Video