Creative SXFI Gamer Headphone Review

If you are a gamer and want a quality headphone to get your game on, one for your short list is the Creative SXFI Gamer. It is a gamer headphone with a big bang for the buck. The prized award winning feature of these headphones is the SXFI chip, which after programing it to you, most will concur that it sounds as good as if magic was employed. Being able to get this sound in a gaming headphones is really cool!

Features and specs:

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Interface: USB, 3.5 mm Stereo Input

Product Type: Wired Headset

Weight: With Mic 349g (12.31 oz), Without Mic 336g (11.85 oz)

Color: Black

Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz

Driver: 50 mm (1.97 inches) Neodymium magnet

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Microphone: Frequency Response: 100–16,000 Hz

Sensitivity: - 42 dBV / Pa: Controls

Mic mute, Super X-Fi, Volume, RGB lighting On/Off

RGB Ear-Cup Rings: Choose from 16 million colors

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Windows® OS

Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD® equivalent processor

Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard

Microsoft® Windows 10 32 / 64-bit

1 GB RAM

 

>600 MB of free hard disk space

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

 

Mac® OS

 

Mac OS X® 10.9 or higher

1 GB RAM

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

 

PS4

 

Firmware Ver 5.0 or later

Available USB port

 

Nintendo Switch

 

Switch OS 5.0 or later

Available 3.5 mm headphone port on console

Available USB port

Voice communications supported when connected via 3.5 mm port and with Bluetooth to Android and iOS Nintendo Switch Online app or VOIP client

 

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Creative SXFI GAMER

Commander Mic

USB Cable

Analog 4-pole 3.5 mm Cable

USB-C to USB-A Converter

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Leaflet

 

WARRANTY

 

1-year Limited Hardware Warranty

 

The Creative SXFI Gamer came in a nice-looking color printed box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected product held in place by custom molded plastic. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with a little bit of metal. Quality of materials used as well as the fit and finish was good. Also included was the detachable mic, audio cable, USB-C charging cable, USB to USB-C adapter and owner’s manual.

 

I really liked the design of the Creative SXFI Gamer. The leatherette earcups are soft with thick foam for good comfort. All of the connections are on one earcup, and the touch controls are very nice. I also like the way the earcups light up, and that you can change the color. And of course, there’s also the SXFI chip so you can set up your own profile for your own head and ear-mapping. It’s easy to think it’s gimmicky, but it’s not. I’ll never forget the demo I participated in at CES last year. They demo’d creating surround sound through the SXFI chip and a sound profile for the user. To tell you how well it sounded, I’ll use an analogy. Remember the scene in the movie Antman, when Antman puts on the suit, and shows his guys that he can shrink? The reaction of his guys was a lot like the reaction of everyone in the demo. Let’s see how they actually sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good, tight, impact and depth. The congas also had very nice resolution of the pad. Cowbell had nice tone. Vocals were very smooth with very nice texture of the timbre. Drums had very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had very good air. Piano sounded natural.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Huge soundstage that makes you feel like you were right there with the artists in the studio. Harmonics of the vocals was very good, and provided very good resolution to really make Freddy shine. Piano sounded very natural. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Drums were very dynamic and played with very good impact.

 

The HU:  Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the beginning sounded startlingly life-like! Soundstage was as good as multiple times their price point. There was enough resolution to hear the bow slide across the strings of the lute. Vocals were nice and raw with very good resolution of the texture. Bass played with very good authority.

 

The Creative SXFI Gamer had a more neutral sound, that was maybe just a hair on the bright side for a pair of headphones more marketed towards gaming. They held their own very well for music. Yet they also had the full deep bass that sounds great with all the explosions on gaming. Giving the sound quality I would expect to hear at almost twice their price, they are a huge bargain!  I was surprised at just how well the Creative SXFI Gamer sounded for their price point.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Creative SXFI Gamer earned out Highly Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.us.creative.com.