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Creative Labs SXFI DAC/Amp
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Creative Labs SXFI DAC/Amp
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Product Description
When the Creative Labs SXFI AMP is connected to headphones, it delivers audio that rivals a high-end multi-speaker sound system, or even a real cinema experience. Praised by PCWorld, CNET, TechHive, Tom's Guide, and many others, the company's Super X-Fi technology had everyone floored at CES 2019, winning an unprecedented 14 "Best of CES" awards Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downAdamZHNYC
5
May 8, 2019
Junk. Do not buy this if you listen to Hi-Res audio. It's crap. I resold mine after 1 day when I bought it directly from Creative. There's a reason Creative won't accept returns for this product even on their own site. If you stand by the product, then you shouldn't have an issue with a handful of returns because most people should/will love the product. If you know you are selling crap, and know consumers will not be satisfied, you do what Creative is doing. Make a buck as fast as you can and hope the initial buzz generates sales before people wise up.
The app doesn't actually scan your years. Also a gimmick. It takes a photo (poorly) and then it creates a. "customized" profile for you. It's like face recognition, but for your ears. Creative just fits the general shape/size of your ear to a set of pre-determined profiles already in their database. Who knows - there could be 20 variations in their database, or there could be 2. Also, every time you use this DAC/AMP with a different pair of headphones you have to go through the process of redoing the profile and installing it on the DAC/AMP. It doesn't store them separately.
If you listen to mp3s and older, low quality recordings, this adds a "cool" effect that can "enhance" certain recordings. Live recordings, for example, sound cool. That is until you hear how distorted and over-reverbed the vocals are. Vocals sound terrible with this: fidelity is lost, and the sound is distorted and hollow. There is no way this is an actual "audiophile" product. If you watch a ton of movies on your laptop or phone, this might be a fun toy, but it's definitely not worthwhile otherwise. I found that I preferred my Sony 1000XM2s on their own with surround sound movies, over this. It's probably fun if you're a gamer. Headphones were cheap and flimsy too. Just buy a nice set of headphones and skip this piece of junk. I'm astounded it got so many good "wow" reviews from electronics and audio sites. It's simply not good.
(Edited)
Steffen3
3
May 9, 2019
I also bought the amp and returned it. Returns are possible, but a pain in the ass. One has to contact creative and wait for them to sort of accept the return of the product. Only then I received the address to which I could return them to. By the way, at my own expanse. This took a couple of days for me.
It's true, critics were great in advance of it's launch. Therefore expectations were high. I am not saying that nobody likes the amp, now that it has been released. But in my and many others opinion, the effect is just disappointing. I completely agree with AdamZHNYC. For anybody concerned with a good and true music experience, this is just not the product for you.
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
May 10, 2019
Steffen3Point noted. As with anything audio...experiences are going to vary...and expectations along with that. That's why there are so many players in the game. The goal of course is to make something that is universally accepted. We've been at it for 30 years now, and will keep working towards that goal.
kwhite
19
Mar 29, 2019
I'm adding a bit to the other comments I have below. I've been playing with it a bit more this evening and finding some interesting results switching through different headphones and comparing it to my Pioneer XDP-300r for reference.
- Hands down it sounds great as a simple DAC/Amp without the audio processing. Nicely built with good clicky buttons. It drives my Audio Technica ATH-A900X Monitors the best with plenty of head room (nothing else I have does) and it really sounds fantastic. It's on an even playing field with the Pioneer.
- The "Effect" varies from headphone to headphone. I like it the best on my Tin Audio T2 Pros and my Sony MDR-V6's. I didn't like it as much on the Audio Technicas or my Grados. I'm curios to see how it will sound with the Tin Audio T3's that I am awaiting. If they come in soon I'll update. And anyone who says the T2's lack bass needs to hear them with this amp.
- Just for fun I tried it on a pair of Klipsch and Ultimate Ears Earbuds I had sitting in the drawer. The SxFi just reinforced why they were sitting in the drawer (ie not so fun...). The headphones don't sound good with or without the effect. So in other words, they aren't going to make inadequate headphone sound better.
- The "Effect" sounds fantastic with movies. That's something else to try out once you have the amp.
- I was tempted to make some sweeping generalization about it [the Effect] sounding better with certain types of music, but that isn't true. It's not event true about tracks from the same artist. It very much comes down to the recording. I think recordings with a wide presence don't really benefit from the Effect, but those that are more narrow, more centralized in your head (or even mono) benefit from the Effect.
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
May 8, 2019
Actually, I'll make sure this is added to the faq and easier to find info wise. Definitely agree we could have done a better job noting this.
kwhite
19
May 8, 2019
I use the Onkyo HF Player as well. On my my device it manages to not go to full volume on the device when I let the app take control, though the first time I used the app this was definitely the case. And if I turn up the volume on the device, it instantly pumps up the volume to full on the DAC with each device volume press but only when I use the Onkyo player of SXFI app, not the case with any other app (not taking control of the app). Just an odd thing. For the most part I been able to avoid blasting at full volume.
Still really enjoying the DAC and I've been able to tweak the sound profile to something that works with a variety of my headphones: Hifiman - Ananda (which I don't own).
Asatiir
115
May 6, 2019
I hope they don't bring this drop back, this is a misleading piece of junk.
Edit: This post was out of frustration due to how worse the sounds was with sxfi mode, turning it off actually sorts the problem out, but there is still so many things wrong with this drop and amp.
(Edited)
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
May 8, 2019
ecolemanThe product really shines when it's playing content that is designed for surround. That's what SuperXfi does...recreates speaker positional audio on your headphones.
Anicca
3
May 4, 2019
I just received my sxfi amp, but can't install the app. Google Play Store says that it is not available in my country, i.e. Thailand. So what do I do now. Thanks.
Anicca
3
Jun 23, 2019
I did not received anything yet. Try emailing to this address instead: sukinderpal@yahoo.co.in
Thanks
Johnsky
5
Jun 26, 2019
Finally managed to find the time to do some testing on it, while I just managed to pick up a HDMI to USB C cable.
Anyway, got the HDMI to USB C cable hooked up to my LG 4K Bluray player via HDMI(Audio Only) output with the settings set for HDMI Audio set on HDMI 2, which is the HDMI(Audio Only) physical output, FURY disc all ready to fire up, plugged the other end into the the SXFI and.....nothing happens! Not even able to power up the SXFI unit.
Thought the SXFI may be faulty, plugged into my phone & it powers up just fine.
HELP!!
DogFort
55
Mar 28, 2019
I bought this on US release day, and was a little dissapointed when I got it, though my opinions have warmed since then. At first I found the SXFi 'effect' to be way more trouble than it's worth, distorting vocals horribly and muddying some songs entirely. I posted a discussion topic on the Massdrop Discuss section, complained about it a bit and then left it alone. I recently came back to it, and downloaded a firmware update via the app, and have been listening to it a lot more. It's a good little amp, lightweight, powered by the phone, not shockingly expensive. It may be the firmware update, and it may be the time apart, but I really like this thing for playing bass heavy fun music through my cheaper headphones and earbuds. SXFi mode can even replace some of the missing bass in the super cheap VE Monk Plus eabuds I take to the gym. They even have a sound profile for them which is, well, a plus.
Here is the discssion thread I started:
https://www.massdrop.com/talk/10594/has-anyone-been-watching-the-super-x-fi/2363980
(Edited)
DogFort
55
Mar 29, 2019
I am not as accomplished in this as some users here, but I would say that the SuperX-Fi device is a decent little amp and the X-Fi effect is not there yet. One review I read called it "Dolby Atmos Lite". It's light, sounds pretty good, but is somewhere between consumer hi-fi and enthusiast hi-fi. It will never replace my Oppo HA-2/SE for PMU-3s or HE-4xx but it will always have a place at my desk at work or in mycarry-on bag.
I'm attaching a screen grab of the Headphone Selection page of the app, gives you a good idea of what they intend this to drive. I believe this list has grown since I first got mine, but can't point to any in particular.
I hope this doesn't cross any moderator lines, but it's good for making your decision.
(Edited)
Kr8nux
44
Mar 29, 2019
This product has FALSE VISUAL ADVERTISING.
The poorly made 6th image EDIT-now 7th (clearly photoshopped by some amateur) shows compatibility with iOS devices, though there is no official iOS support for this yet. Worse, that photo even doesn't have a frigging headphone connector.
(Edited)
tw000
200
Mar 28, 2019
Are there any good reviews for this device? I've been looking for a decent compact DAC/Amp for a phone and this looks to be pretty good for the price. Not really interested in the sound profiles or customization, more the size of the device and connectivity.
kwhite
19
Mar 28, 2019
tw000I have it and it is pretty great. Using it in bypass mode (just using the DAC/Amp) and it sounds good. Wider soundstage, more detail than compared to the headphone out on my Sony X Compact (which is Hi-Res Audio Certified). I've not had a chance to do a decent listening test compared to my Pioneer 300r, but in a quick listen it was comparable. I also really enjoy the SxFi experience when pared with the right headphones. It really takes the sound out of your head; it's hard to describe and worth experiencing. It sounds great with the Tin Audio T2-Pros and Sony MDR V6 but not good with my Grados (I expect it has to do with the open back nature). I haven't had a chance to play with other headphone other than those included - which I didn't like much and didn't spend much time with. They were a little too bass heavy and had some loss in detail.
Even if you don't use the SxFi setting, it's still a pretty good and small DAC with built in Amp.
MadDad
120
Mar 28, 2019
tw000If you're just using it as an amp, which is what I do, then you'll be happy with the purchase. It's sleek with clicky buttons and feels very premium. The physical volume buttons sets it apart from things like the Dragonfly Black/Red. The AKM chip sounds great and the implementation is well done with a black background even when driving the super-sensitive Solaris.
The SXFI part is not that great, but can be a fun addition when you want to change things up or just have background music.
Plautus001
83
Mar 28, 2019
- I've had this for a while and overall it is a great product.
- I use it with my PC to watch Netflix/Crave/Prime and my Samsung S9+ and Spotify as well
- I have found that the bundled headphones work best and you have to do the full setup and update for it to sound their best. My HD6XX and HE400's work well with it too (in both "off" and with the effect).
- Funny finding - using the EDC3 setting with the BGVP-DMG turned them into the ultimate basshead IEM
AxessDenyd
34
Mar 28, 2019
Question for people who own this:
I was looking into them a while ago, and as far as I can tell, even though they tlk about the special hardware for virtualization, it looks like once you run the software on your phone with this connected to verify you own it, you still get the sound profiles even if you don't have the amp connected.
Does that seem to be accurate, and it all seems to be done in software, with this as just a regular DAC/headphone amp?
That wouldn't necessarily be a dealbreaker for me because a good compact amp is still nice to have, but it does make me wonder why they don't just sell the software or make it available on their PC products.
DigitalRonyn
558
Creative Labs
Mar 28, 2019
Yes the DAC is handling the processing. There is a software version of the processing as well, but the amp is designed to handle hardware processing regardless of the device it is connected to (Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, etc. etc.)
kwhite
19
Mar 28, 2019
Yes, that is correct. The sound enhancement happens in the DAC hardware, not through the software on your phone.
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