Creative SXFI GAMER (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://us.creative.com/superxfigamer/
Audio peripheral maker Creative has steadily made its way into the gaming market with products that have offered impressive performance. The company’s latest product, the SXFI GAMER headset, is, as the name suggests, yet another product targeted towards the gaming community. Let’s see if this gaming headset is as impressive as its counterparts.
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232915" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/gbatemp_review_banner_sxfi-gamer-png.232915/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Just like with the <strong><a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sxfi-air.1421/">SXFI AIR</a></strong> and the <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sound-blasterx-katana.1447/"><strong>Sound BlasterX Katana</strong></a>, Creative went with a minimal aesthetic for the SXFI GAMER. Out of its greenish and black box, this headset does not scream GAMER with an obnoxious design, despite its name. With a sleek, all-black colour scheme (save for the grey headband adjustment), it can easily find its way outside of your gaming setup.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232916" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/contents-jpg.232916/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232917" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232917" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232305-252432377a1fd01dec7d65b0f6881ff6.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:center"><em>Specs in thumbnail above</em></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">But don’t let that fool you as the SXFI GAMER does carry something for its namesake: programmable RGB lighting effects on its earcups; a must-have for gaming-themed devices these days. But if that’s not your thing, you can easily switch it off with the dedicated toggle button on the left earcup (which can also toggle a “rainbow” effect). But what really sets this headband apart is indicated in its name: Creative’s Super X-Fi technology (SXFI).</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qnOJYA5KuZA" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">I previously tested this tech with the <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sxfi-air.1421/"><strong>Creative SXFI AIR</strong></a> and with the SXFI GAMER, I was happy to relive the same experience it offered with the Air; a personalised one that feels more natural than with regular headphones. It’s no exaggeration when I say that the experience is comparable to sitting in a studio with the audio coming from high-end speakers around you, rather than have speakers glued to your ears as you might be used with other headphones. It’s a more natural hearing experience, so much so that I often felt like I’m not wearing any headset at all. The fact that the SXFI GAMER is also lightweight at 336g (without a mic) and has memory foam-padded, comfortable leatherette-lined earcups also adds to this feeling.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232918" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/side-jpg.232918/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To get it to work, you’ll first have to take pictures of your face and ears with the companion phone app so that it maps your facial structure and ear position. This will allow the algorithm to generate a personalised audio experience tailored to your anatomy. It might sound like a marketing stunt but the SXFI tech really does boosts the audio experience to another level. It’s really best experienced first-hand rather than read about as it’s much more than virtual surround as it really emulates a studio experience. I’m listening to <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Xp0oEuk53gI">Smooth McGoove’s A Capella cover of Weird Fishes</a></strong> and <a href="https://systemofadown.bandcamp.com/"><strong>System of a Down’s two unexpected new songs</strong></a> on loop lately and the audio output is so crisp and heard up close with the SXFI GAMER that the experience could be compared to a personal live concert.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">However, enabling this feature takes a whole process to set up as you have to use the desktop app to load the profile onto the headset after taking pictures on your phone (which aren’t as easy as selfies). Moreover, the SXFI effect is most optimal via a USB-C connection. When plugged to a USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port with the included adapter, I found the effect to be less pronounced and if you swap input method to the included headphone jack, the SXFI feature is not available at all. But I was still very happy with the range of input methods that this device offers (3.5 mm headphone port, USB-C and USB 2.0/3.0).</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232921" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/ports-jpg.232921/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">While the SXFI feature and the 50mm neodymium drivers offer an unparalleled audio experience for music, videos and even games, Creative added a new “Battle Mode” to enhance gaming audio with the GAMER. This mode also uses SXFI technology and can be toggled with a switch at the back of the left earcup (it’s also used to switch to regular SXFI mode or switch off any modes altogether). I found this new mode to lean a bit more on the bass than with the regular SXFI and more adapted for combat games as it somewhat enhances footsteps, shots and explosions. It could give you a slight competitive edge in games like <em>CS:GO</em> or <em>Call of Duty Warzone</em> to help you better estimate location of other players. It can also aid in fast-paced single player games like <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/ghostrunner.1561/"><strong><em>Ghostrunner</em></strong></a> to quickly gauge from where an enemy is shooting from but for others like <a href="https://gbatemp.net/threads/watch-dogs-legion-source-code-reportedly-leaked.576650/"><em><strong>Watch Dogs: Legion</strong></em></a>, I found the regular SXFI mode to bring the city of London to life better as the sounds felt more natural.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232920" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/rgb-jpg.232920/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">This headset also comes with a detachable CommanderMic which delivers decent audio to the receiver end and also has a one-way noise cancellation feature with the SXFI inPerson Microphone technology. That said, it’s nothing spectacular really and you might want to consider a dedicated USB microphone if you were thinking of using it for streaming.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">The odd thing about the microphone is a persistent red light on the side that faces the user’s mouth. When in use, it’s solid red and if muted with the toggle button, it will blink. Occasionally, this can be distracting to see a red dot in your field of vision and there’s no way to switch it off altogether, other than detaching the mic.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232919" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/mic-color-jpg.232919/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232922" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232922" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232310-3b70d5f2300813cc21df50f41abb686e.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:justify">Another missing feature that is noticeable is the lack of wireless support. The SXFI AIR is great for on-the-go audio, while still packing the ability to be plugged to a USB port or headphone jack. The GAMER supports only wired connections, even if it seems well-designed to go wireless with all of its hardware keys on the left earcup.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Nevertheless, Creative did improve on the GAMER where the AIR felt lacking. For one, the headband adjustment is tighter and much more secure compared to the Air where this was loose. Unlike the AIR, the GAMER allows you to toggle RGB effects on/off via a hardware button, rather than going through the app to adjust this.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232923" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/headband-jpg.232923/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232924" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232924" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232312-91f3ebd4988647614913087bcdfe360b.jpg" /></a> <a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232925" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232925" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232313-174a2f97c381c9a418d8d56588a9327b.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:justify">All things considered, the SXFI GAMER offers a compelling package for $130. It has a great build quality, offers exceptional sound with the SXFI tech, isn’t aggressively “gamer” in design but still enhances the overall gameplay experience. There are some downsides with the microphone and the need for a USB-C connection to experience its trademark feature but it will offer value for money and worth a buy.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TcFQ1lCI9GQ" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Just like with the <strong><a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sxfi-air.1421/">SXFI AIR</a></strong> and the <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sound-blasterx-katana.1447/"><strong>Sound BlasterX Katana</strong></a>, Creative went with a minimal aesthetic for the SXFI GAMER. Out of its greenish and black box, this headset does not scream GAMER with an obnoxious design, despite its name. With a sleek, all-black colour scheme (save for the grey headband adjustment), it can easily find its way outside of your gaming setup.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232916" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/contents-jpg.232916/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232917" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232917" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232305-252432377a1fd01dec7d65b0f6881ff6.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:center"><em>Specs in thumbnail above</em></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">But don’t let that fool you as the SXFI GAMER does carry something for its namesake: programmable RGB lighting effects on its earcups; a must-have for gaming-themed devices these days. But if that’s not your thing, you can easily switch it off with the dedicated toggle button on the left earcup (which can also toggle a “rainbow” effect). But what really sets this headband apart is indicated in its name: Creative’s Super X-Fi technology (SXFI).</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qnOJYA5KuZA" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">I previously tested this tech with the <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/creative-sxfi-air.1421/"><strong>Creative SXFI AIR</strong></a> and with the SXFI GAMER, I was happy to relive the same experience it offered with the Air; a personalised one that feels more natural than with regular headphones. It’s no exaggeration when I say that the experience is comparable to sitting in a studio with the audio coming from high-end speakers around you, rather than have speakers glued to your ears as you might be used with other headphones. It’s a more natural hearing experience, so much so that I often felt like I’m not wearing any headset at all. The fact that the SXFI GAMER is also lightweight at 336g (without a mic) and has memory foam-padded, comfortable leatherette-lined earcups also adds to this feeling.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232918" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/side-jpg.232918/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To get it to work, you’ll first have to take pictures of your face and ears with the companion phone app so that it maps your facial structure and ear position. This will allow the algorithm to generate a personalised audio experience tailored to your anatomy. It might sound like a marketing stunt but the SXFI tech really does boosts the audio experience to another level. It’s really best experienced first-hand rather than read about as it’s much more than virtual surround as it really emulates a studio experience. I’m listening to <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Xp0oEuk53gI">Smooth McGoove’s A Capella cover of Weird Fishes</a></strong> and <a href="https://systemofadown.bandcamp.com/"><strong>System of a Down’s two unexpected new songs</strong></a> on loop lately and the audio output is so crisp and heard up close with the SXFI GAMER that the experience could be compared to a personal live concert.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">However, enabling this feature takes a whole process to set up as you have to use the desktop app to load the profile onto the headset after taking pictures on your phone (which aren’t as easy as selfies). Moreover, the SXFI effect is most optimal via a USB-C connection. When plugged to a USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port with the included adapter, I found the effect to be less pronounced and if you swap input method to the included headphone jack, the SXFI feature is not available at all. But I was still very happy with the range of input methods that this device offers (3.5 mm headphone port, USB-C and USB 2.0/3.0).</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232921" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/ports-jpg.232921/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">While the SXFI feature and the 50mm neodymium drivers offer an unparalleled audio experience for music, videos and even games, Creative added a new “Battle Mode” to enhance gaming audio with the GAMER. This mode also uses SXFI technology and can be toggled with a switch at the back of the left earcup (it’s also used to switch to regular SXFI mode or switch off any modes altogether). I found this new mode to lean a bit more on the bass than with the regular SXFI and more adapted for combat games as it somewhat enhances footsteps, shots and explosions. It could give you a slight competitive edge in games like <em>CS:GO</em> or <em>Call of Duty Warzone</em> to help you better estimate location of other players. It can also aid in fast-paced single player games like <a href="https://gbatemp.net/review/ghostrunner.1561/"><strong><em>Ghostrunner</em></strong></a> to quickly gauge from where an enemy is shooting from but for others like <a href="https://gbatemp.net/threads/watch-dogs-legion-source-code-reportedly-leaked.576650/"><em><strong>Watch Dogs: Legion</strong></em></a>, I found the regular SXFI mode to bring the city of London to life better as the sounds felt more natural.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232920" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/rgb-jpg.232920/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">This headset also comes with a detachable CommanderMic which delivers decent audio to the receiver end and also has a one-way noise cancellation feature with the SXFI inPerson Microphone technology. That said, it’s nothing spectacular really and you might want to consider a dedicated USB microphone if you were thinking of using it for streaming.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">The odd thing about the microphone is a persistent red light on the side that faces the user’s mouth. When in use, it’s solid red and if muted with the toggle button, it will blink. Occasionally, this can be distracting to see a red dot in your field of vision and there’s no way to switch it off altogether, other than detaching the mic.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232919" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/mic-color-jpg.232919/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232922" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232922" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232310-3b70d5f2300813cc21df50f41abb686e.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:justify">Another missing feature that is noticeable is the lack of wireless support. The SXFI AIR is great for on-the-go audio, while still packing the ability to be plugged to a USB port or headphone jack. The GAMER supports only wired connections, even if it seems well-designed to go wireless with all of its hardware keys on the left earcup.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Nevertheless, Creative did improve on the GAMER where the AIR felt lacking. For one, the headband adjustment is tighter and much more secure compared to the Air where this was loose. Unlike the AIR, the GAMER allows you to toggle RGB effects on/off via a hardware button, rather than going through the app to adjust this.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img alt="attachFull232923" class="attachFull bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/attachments/headband-jpg.232923/?temp_hash=3a0ceb1d4cb496a0ec849a4471617b9b" /></p>
<div class="thumbContainer" style="text-align: center;"><a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232924" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232924" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232312-91f3ebd4988647614913087bcdfe360b.jpg" /></a> <a class="LbTrigger" href="attachments/232925" target="_blank"><img alt="attachThumb232925" class="LbImage attachThumb bbCodeImage" src="https://gbatemp.net/data/attachments/232/232313-174a2f97c381c9a418d8d56588a9327b.jpg" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align:justify">All things considered, the SXFI GAMER offers a compelling package for $130. It has a great build quality, offers exceptional sound with the SXFI tech, isn’t aggressively “gamer” in design but still enhances the overall gameplay experience. There are some downsides with the microphone and the need for a USB-C connection to experience its trademark feature but it will offer value for money and worth a buy.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TcFQ1lCI9GQ" width="640"></iframe></p>
Verdict
What We Liked ...
- Great audio with SXFI tech
- Comfortable for long gaming sessions
- Build quality
- Subtle design
What We Didn't Like ...
- SXFI audio quality best experienced with USB-C connection
- Red light on mic can get distracting
8.5
out of 10
