Creative has impressed many with the invention of its SXFI technology. I am glad that I was able to test and try out the SXFI technology. Before I begin the review, I’d like to say that the SXFI technology is interesting and you should really experience it for yourselves to decide if you like it.
This is a long over due post, partly because I was busy travelling and also testing out the headphone for extended periods of time for me to review this properly. I’ll try my best to convey my thoughts on the SXFI technology based on my usage with the SXFI Air C Headphone.
The Creative SXFI Air C sells at S$199.
(As of 30 June, there is a Creative GSS going on, the price is now S$179!)
Unboxing
Unboxing the Creative SXFI Air C, you get a few items:
- Creative SXFI Air C Headphone
- microUSB Cable
- 3.5mm cable
- Detachable ClearComms microphone
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Leaflets
Build quality and design
The headphone is mainly made of plastic. Its ear cups and buttons are plastic while the headband looks to be made from PU leather. The ear pads are made of fabric, though you can purchase leather ones if you prefer that.
It feels just okay wearing the Creative SXFI Air C, and it can get warm on the ears are long periods of usage. Maybe I’m spoiled by Sony and Bose headphones because those deliver absolute comfort, but I guess the price difference makes up for it.
The Creative SXFI Air C’s main controls are situated on the left ear cup. Referring the pictures below, in the left picture, you have the SXFI button, volume scroller, and a mute button. In the middle picture, you have the light on/off button and microphone jack. And in the right picture, you have your audio connectivity jacks – microUSB and 3.5mm.
The detachable ClearComms microphone can delivers great vocal quality so this is a nice addition especially if you use headphones for gaming.
Connectivity
The SXFI Air C is meant to be used with your computer or laptop. As there is no onboard battery, the headphones can only be turned on through USB power. Only after the headphone is given power, then you can connect audio via USB or a 3.5mm audio cable. Once you connect the SXFI Air C with your laptop or computer, you can use it instantly since the USB provides audio connectivity as well. Given the lack of battery, it is best to be used only at your computer. Once the SXFI Air C is supplied power, the headphones will turn on and give off the default blue color.
However, if you own an Android phone, all you need is a USB-C OTG adapter and you can actually use the headphones with your phone (as shown below). But bear in mind that the phone will be supplying power to the SXFI Air C which means you phone battery will drain faster.
SXFI sound
The SXFI mode can be simply toggled on/off via a click of the SXFI button. Yellow means SXFI is turned off, green means SXFI is turned on.
The SXFI sound can used for a variety of purposes – music, movies, podcasts, gaming, etc. Some works great, some does not. And also, it is also heavily reliant on personal preference. For example, I actually liked music playing with the SXFI sound, but my brother who got his chance to toggle the SXGI on/off said he preferred the SXFI off. Bottomline is, you really have to try it out yourself, which you can now do at Popular stores!
Let me breakdown each scenario of use, and perhaps give my two cents on SXFI’s impact on each use case.
Music
Have you ever heard those 8D music on YouTube? They take popular music then convert it to some 8-dimensional sound that when you listen with headphones, you feel like you’re somewhat in a concert but the sound weirdly circles around you. If you haven’t, search “8D audio” in YouTube and check it out, or maybe listen to the one below:
If you like the 8D audio experience, then the SXFI sound is basically the 8D audio effect but without the annoying circling, and also the music through SXFI sounds way more rich and detailed compared to the 8D effect on YouTube.
For Chainsmoker’s “Don’t Let Me Down”, with the SXFI toggled on, you get a surround sound experience which is why you feel like you’re in a concert. Vocals aren’t shoved right in your ear but are instead kind of spread around the headphones cups. As for bass, they will sound deeper and reverberating instead of the punchier sharps beats.
Creative SXFI mode is particularly great when listening to audio that has many instruments playing at once and begs to have a wider soundstage to fully experience it. You have Alan Silvestri’s “Forge” from the Infinity War soundtrack for example. The sound feels more expansive and wholesome instead of just musical instruments sounds shoved into both your ears. It is really nice to have that wider soundstage for audio like this. Another example would be be those jazz music like the ones here.
However it is also important to note that songs which have more focus on vocals such as acoustic covers might not sound better with SXFI on. This is because the SXFI creates a more echoey feel to the vocals which make it sounds less detailed.
Movies
Movies generally sound better with the SXFI mode on. I watched Spider-Man: Homecoming and John Wick. Conversations sounds like you’re in the cinema, again because the vocals aren’t firing right in your ear. Especially that fight scene in John Wick in the bar fighting, with SXFI the background music was nicely weaved into the background amidst the gun shots and action, instead of being blaring loud when SXFI was off. It just feels that the overall sounds in the movie are better distributed and more well-balanced.
If you do watch a lot of movies or TV shows, the SXFI sound is really a game changer when it comes to the experience.
Podcasts
Now this is where SXFI might not be that useful. Turn the SXFI on when listening to podcasts and you can immediately feel a vast amount of difference. You do feel like you’re actually in the studio which is good but you start to feel that the voices are more “airy” and “echoey”. This echoey feels are stronger in vlogs where the YouTuber records in more enclosed spaces. Though I do enjoy that the vlogger’s voice is not screaming right into my ear, the echoes created does get a tad annoying. Again, it’s on the basis of personal preference.
Gaming
Update: I tried playing Call of Duty Warzone with the SXFI tuned on and off. Having the SXFI on has its advantages, such as game audio being more expansive and immersive – making you feel like you are in the game rather than hearing the game. However, there are some drawbacks such as footsteps having a loss in detail. Because SXFI seems to open up the audio depth, some sound effects become less prominent in favour from being expansive. I do thing is this a EQ tuning issue as the SXFI was mainly targeted to be used in movies. EQ for gaming requires environmental imaging, audio cues, distance projection which needs a whole different set of tuning.
Overall, if it do makes gaming more enjoyable due to the immersive experience, but you may have to try it yourself to see if you like it.
SXFI App
I use a Mac and there is an app to allow to bring more customisation to your SXFI Air C. The app is called SXFI Control, and it’s available on the Mac App Store. The app allows you to tune in your custom EQ settings, set lighting for your headphone, do some setup and also provide firmware updates.
Conclusion
To truly appreciate the SXFI technology you have to listen to whatever audio with the SXFI toggled on for an extended period of time. I don’t think you can just take 5 seconds of judgement to decide. Because we are so used to listening to the non-SXFI mode, we may subconsciously choose to prefer it initially. But after listening to different audio with the SXFI mode, I do enjoy the natural and wider soundstage it provides (especially for movies). Creative has done something spectacular in the creation of a natural 3D sound. The holographic audio experience something I believe everyone should try and experience.
A small letdown is the comfort of the SXFI Air C. It is by no means uncomfortable, but if only the headphones had like 50% of the comfort you get with the Sony WH-1000XM3 for example, the SXFI Air C will be a game changer.
One thing about listening on headphones is that audio seems to be fired right in your ear canals which can lead to ear fatigue after long hours. I feel that the SXFI comes in to solve that issue for me. If you have always wanted your audio to be expanded and consumed as a whole instead it being constantly blared at your ears, I think the SXFI technology is helps with that. And the SXFI Air C is a great way to begin that experience especially if you consume media from your desktop or laptop often.
If you do intend to take it mobile, then perhaps the Creative SXFI Air would be a better pick.
Where to buy
You can buy from Popular stores or online from the Creative Online Store. But before you click away, here’s how you can save $2 by being a member. First, sign up for a Creative Account. Next, subscribe to their newsletter to get 40 member points. And lastly, redeem those points at checkout for $2 discount.
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