Introduction
The SXFI Gamer is a wired USB-C gaming headset with Super X-Fi technology and a flexible goose neck microphone (Creative Technology refers to this as "CommanderMic").
I am not suggesting that you play computer games during office hours while on your work-from-home stints. Instead, use your SXFI Gamer for conference calls, listening to music, and gaming sessions. You won't get the evil eye from your spouse too when justifying your purchase.
The recommended retail price is very reasonably priced at S$ 179.
Description
Super X-Fi is Creative's proprietary technology that seeks to create a life-like soundstage that is akin to the music experience of listening to speakers. Regular headphone users will know that the soundstage is trapped in your head, which greatly diminishes the realism of the listening experience.
To use Super X-Fi, you need to download the SXFI App on your phone, create an account and start the process of head and ear mapping. This involves using your phone camera to take pictures of your face and ears.
The personalised settings are then downloaded into a SXFI certified headphone, like the SXFI Gamer.
The package includes the headphone set, the detachable CommanderMic, and both a USB C and 3.5 mm audio cable. A USB-C to USB adapter is thoughtfully provided in case your computer only has normal USB ports.
The 3.5mm audio cable looks like any stock cable, while the USB C cable is Kevlar jacketed which should provide long and reliable use. The USB cable is unfortunately very sensitive to microphonics and friction between the cable and your clothes will be picked up and annoyingly amplified.
The headset comes with large and heavily padded over-ear pads which are mounted in a plastic frame that allows a small amount of swivel. Combined with the low-pressure headband, the SXFI Gamer is very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Noise isolation is also decent, with both little noise making it through, or being leaked out. The headband also has a numbered scale to make adjustments both easy and repeatable - something I wished that other manufacturers would do. Both headphone cups are equipped with an RGB ring. This is tastefully done, and you end up looking like a serious gamer rather than out-of-control Christmas tree lights.
Downloading the SXFI Control program on either your PC or Mac will allow you to adjust the EQ on your headphone, as well as customise the RGB rings on your headphone. You can also adjust between 2 channel mode and 5.1 or 7.1 modes, and other settings like the microphone and headset volume.
A variety of controls are placed on the left side of the headphone - a mic mute button, a volume control wheel, and buttons to toggle Super X-Fi and the RGB light mode (on, off, or a cycle mode).
The CommanderMic is equipped with active noise cancellation to suppress ambient noise. A red LED is placed at the microphone inlet so positioning is easy. The LED flashes when the microphone is muted, which is a nice touch.
I used the SXFI Gamer via USB on both a Windows 10 and macOS Catalina computer without any issues. I also did some testing via the 3.5mm jack on a variety of mobile phones and DAPs.
Sound Quality
Tonally, these headphones are close to neutral with good levels of detail. The 50mm drivers impart a solid and hefty feel to bass lines. However, the SXFI Gamer avoids the thick and heavy handed approach, so you will not get overblown or exaggerated bass. Bass is tight and tuneful, and powerful when the source material dictates it. If you like a bass-heavy presentation, you can always fix that through the EQ function.
Vocals are reproduced clearly and with minimal amount of grain. High frequencies have sparkle and extension, and cymbals have a crisp and clear response. There is a hint of splash and confusion during heavy mixes, but this is to be expected given the modest price of the SXFI Gamer. Sonics wise, these headphones perform way above the competition in the same price bracket.
Depressing the SXFI button toggles between the normal, Super X-Fi and Battle Mode. I found the Super X-Fi mode to work best on 5.1 and 7.1 material. At its best, this imparted a spacious and more speaker-like experience. However on 2 channel material, the effect is somewhat unnatural and hollow. Similarly, Battle Mode did its job on first-person shooters by altering the frequency curve to accentuate footsteps and suppressing the rest of the audio-band. While you can hear your enemies better, this came at the expense of an unnatural tone that made the experience less immersive and realistic.
The surprise star of the show is the CommanderMic. The microphone is very clear and the software does a decent job of suppressing ambient noise. However, the microphone is highly directional and has to be pointed directly at your mouth for best results. I often preferred using these headphones for conference calls over my professional headsets from big-name manufacturers.
The SXFI Gamer sounds almost identical using the 3.5mm cable, with results varying only slightly depending on the equipment used. These headphones are easy to drive and sound comfortable powered through a mobile phone jack. However, you will lose a lot of functionality as none of the buttons nor sound modes will work. Nevertheless this is a good option so that you can take the SXFI Gamer on a business trip and use them on the road or airplane with your mobile phone or DAP.
Conclusion
Equally comfortable doing multiple duties as a gaming or office headset, or music listening for the audiophile on a budget, the SXFI Gamer offers outstanding value at its recommended retail price of S$ 179.
At the time of writing, they are being offered at a discounted price of S$89 which makes this an absolute no brainer - Best Buy.
Creative SXFI Gamer USB-C Gaming Headset
Specifications
Audio Processing
- Super X-Fi
Interface
- USB, 3.5 mm Stereo Input
- Weight
- With Mic 349g (12.31 oz), Without Mic 336g (11.85 oz)
Frequency Response
- 20–20,000 Hz
Microphone
- Frequency Response: 100–16,000 Hz
Sensitivity: - 42 dBV / Pa - Price : S$ 179
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