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Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI Wireless Over-Ear Headphones With Super X-Fi® Technology Review

DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.

Reviewed by Joy Wright

The Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI Wireless Over-Ear Headphones blend innovative technology and modernistic design features to create an immersive listening experience. The novel selling point is the new Super X-Fi® audio enhancement but there’s more to these headphones than the novelty factor. I tested them across various audio scenarios – calls, audiobooks, music, and video – to assess their capabilities and unique qualities.

The Zen Hybrid SXFI has a minimalist, matte-finished design with comfortable, adjustable ear cups and a flexible, padded headband for maximum comfort. While the plastic construction seems sufficient, its long-term durability is unclear. However, the lightweight plastic is a positive, making the headphones easy to fold and transport when traveling or storing.

The Zen Hybrid SXFI provides adequate comfort for over-ear headphones. The well-padded ear cups and reasonable clamping force maintain a secure fit without causing discomfort, even during extended listening sessions. The intuitive controls on the ear cups allow for easy access to volume, playback, and call functions, though it may take some time to become accustomed to the button layout and operation, manoeuvring around the buttons without taking them off.

One of the features of the Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI is somewhat novel in the market; its integration of Super X-Fi® Technology, which promises to revolutionise your listening experience. This innovative technology uses computational audio and head mapping to create a 3D audio experience that replicates the expansive soundscape of a high-end multi-speaker setup. In simpler terms, Super X-Fi® personalises the audio output to your unique head and ear shape, delivering a more immersive and enveloping soundstage.

The effectiveness of Super X-Fi® can vary depending on the content. For music, it often enhances the sense of space and depth, making tracks sound as if they are being played in a larger room rather than directly in your ears. This effect can be particularly enjoyable when listening to orchestral or live recordings. However, for content that already emphasizes spatial audio, like movies, the technology can sometimes feel exaggerated, causing certain sounds to appear distant or misplaced. Similarly audio books are peculiar and sound a little like being crammed in the booth with the narrator. For that reason I wouldn’t buy these if my primary use was for audiobooks. But for music and audio calls I don’t think you can go far wrong.

The Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones deliver a solid, though not ground-breaking, audio quality. The mids and highs are clear, while the bass, though present, does not overwhelm other frequencies, this was tested thoroughly with Geoff Castelluci’s vocals and which gave a clear and pleasing demonstration of capacity. These headphones provide a commendable, balanced sound profile suitable for a variety of music genres, making them a good choice for everyday listening. Additionally, the noise isolation is decent but not exceptional, allowing the headphones to perform well in moderately noisy environments but failing to completely block out external sounds.

There’s an app – named Creative which allows you to personalise EQ settings and sound profiles for the type of media you’re listening to. The app also offered firmware updates as soon as I installed it, so it’s already keeping things up to date. The update was brief, taking less than five minutes and required the device to disconnect and it quickly reconnects.

I didn’t find this app especially useful, however, the SuperXFI app which is meant to take the particular position of your ears and head shape into account and play your audio in the best way you personally can hear it…. The app is a headache. The mapping requires a high light level, I was doing this in an evening and it objected to the main light as being adequate. Then it asks for you to turn your phone to the side and present your profile in the shape it shows on screen – which you can’t see. Then to the front and the other side etc until it is satisfied. It took about ten to fifteen minutes to perfect this and with the use of a mirror to be able to see the screen. You might need someone to do this for you. The test music within the app sounds awesome. But then it’s a whole new thing accessing my own music.
They are essentially plug and play and will work just fine without the apps, which would make them a great gift for a birthday or Christmas, but it’ll also allow the recipient to go away and play with the tech quite a bit if they want to.
There’s a moleskin feel bag included for storage which is great for dust but otherwise provides little protection. I’d have liked to have seen a clamshell case because they warrant it in terms of price point in my opinion.

The Zen Hybrid SXFI boasts an impressive 70 hours total playtime. I haven’t seen a similarly priced item boasting that sort of time. Additionally, it supports fast charging, a convenient feature when you need a quick power boost. Connectivity is incredibly easy, intuitive and reliable, thanks to Bluetooth 5.0 which provides a stable connection and minimal latency during video playback. For those who prefer wired listening, the 3.5mm audio jack is a handy option, allowing you to conserve battery life or connect to non-Bluetooth devices. It took seconds to get the headphones connected to my phone and testing.

The built-in microphone offers a more than acceptable call quality for most situations. Voices come through clearly enough, though the noise reduction isn’t strong enough to handle very noisy environments. However, I didn’t hear the doorbell during a work call and found it a positive experience in terms of comfort and audio quality. For casual calls and online meetings, the microphone performance is adequate, but it might not be the best choice for professional use in high-traffic or noisy spaces.

The Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI Wireless Over-Ear Headphones offer a well-rounded listening experience with some standout features. The integrated Super X-Fi® Technology provides a unique spatial audio effect that can enhance the soundstage, especially for those who appreciate a more immersive listening experience. they deliver a solid balance of comfort, sound quality, and innovative technology – setting them apart from similarly priced competitors. This might not be the ultimate purchase for the super audiophile but they’re very good for general usage, the type most of us might need headphones for. I would have preferred a slightly more robust feel but in fact they’re doing fine and I like that they’re lightweight. For everyday use and those curious about Super X-Fi®, these headphones provide a worthy option that brings a touch of innovation without a premium price tag.

Rating: 5/5 

https://uk.creative.com/p/headphones-headsets/creative-zen-hybrid-sxfi   Currently on offer at £69.99

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