Creative Xmod external X-Fi device reviewed
By Darren Murph 
posted October 19th 2006 10:15AM
posted October 19th 2006 10:15AM
While we're always down with products that make our tunes sound better, claims such as "making your compressed audio files sound better than the original CD" (rightfully) provoke a certain level of skepticism. After glancing over the external X-Fi module, our worries of being duped on yet another product not worth its weight in gold have been surprisingly eased, as the folks over at CNET have taken Creative's Xmod through its paces and now want one of their own. While reviewers shared our same concerns initially, those doubts were quickly squashed as they listened to both MP3s and CDs through the device, and found that the "CMSS 3D and Crystalizer" enhancers actually did make music sound "substantially" better. It was noted that instead of just boosting levels, the unit "fills in the data that was originally trashed during compression" with deeper lows and cleaner highs -- an impressive feat indeed. The only digs were its lack of an included AC adapter (you're forced to use USB power) and subsequently, its honest inability to be used as a mobile solution. Overall, it was deemed an "impressive" device at $79, but we suppose it's just one of those things you have to hear to believe.
It was noted that instead of just boosting levels, the unit "fills in the data that was originally trashed during compression" with deeper lows and cleaner highs -- an impressive feat indeed.
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LOL.
Cnet.
LOL x2.
Carry on.
You cannot add information that does not exist.
This is one of those things which you need to hear to believe. My friend and I played with one at the Creative showroom and we were both impressed at how effective it is at enhancing our music listening experience. It's not just emphasizing certain frequencies like an EQ, and it does it in a way that is noticeable and yet natural. The effect does not "shout" at you.
While it's certainly not "studio quality" (heck, I've never been to a studio anyway :p) it does improve music playback considerably.
i saw this device over at Music Thing, and i gotta say...some of their marketing strategy is just rediculous. they actually go so far as to say that this will take any mp3 and make it "better than studio quality". ok seriously, who in their right mind can say that? just cause this device uses 24-bit and 96k sampling, that makes it better than studio quality? sorry to alert the media, there are studios capable of doing 32-bit and 192k sampling. its not impossible. and like Za mentioned, you can't put back information that isn't there. you can interpolate all you want, but that doesn't make it better than the source. but, i suppose Creative is right...all studios in the world should be mixing on this $79 audio card. i mean it is "better than studio quality". we all know the Creative would never false advertise.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=668&product=15913
as for me, i'm gunna trust that the engineers out there actually making records know what they're doing and have some pretty sweet equipment to get it done. my money's on them.
Excuse my ignorance. Is this a sound card replacement or is it's purpose to just purportedly improve the sound quality of the output of your current sound card?
BTW, I put no stock whatsoever in any CNET review. They are as useless as the proverbial teets on a bull.
Punchy
The algorithms can add information to an audio track that technically doesn't exist because it can do the guesswork, that's what algorithms do, they learn and execute based on variables present. The system takes what is known about the track, reads the highs and lows, and adds harmonics on top or underneath them, to enhance the vibrance of the audible high tones, provide more kick on the lows without distortion. You may or may not be able to hear them, but keep in mind that just becuase a wave is ultrasonic doesn't mean it doesn't affect other audible waves. Consider it AI for sound.
Wish it could work for psp, but the psp's usb port is not USB bus powered.
Another Note: Since it relys on the USB port, it will not work through Apple low powered keyboards. You would have to plug it in through the back which is STUPID! Apples fault for not adding more power through the keyboard.
I dout vry seriusly the ablty of Crtv to mke sch a devce. Evryne knws it is mpssble to ad infrmtion tht hs been remvd frm cmprssion. It is prbbly sme mrkting schme they cookd up. Evryon knws Crtv dsnt knw sht abt audio.
Hrm, on second thought, maybe it isn't all bullshit.
I bought the Creative X-Fi Platinum for my desktop, and I have been unable to notice any significant difference when using the 24-bit crystalizer... if I turn it off, move the slider... I can't tell a differece.
So I'm not sold on this product. I've kept the creative card because it suited my needs, but I don't think the sound quality is much higher, if any.
I think creative's CMSS 3D feature works some, but it's not extremely revolutionary, at least to me.
Creative's full of it. Buy a good pair of headphones (no, Triports don't count, get an Etymotic, Sennheiser or Grado) and try the "headphone" setting on any of their cards. Yeah, it's bad news. Sounds terrible.
I think I'll just keep my lossless files, decent DAC, amp and Grado RS1, thanks.
Well, I find the Faroudja video scaler makes a noticable improvement when playing up-scaled DVDs on an HDTV. I guess this device could be the equivalent for audio.
I'd be impressed if that thing is able to figure out if the song is horrible and if it's able to improve it. Say you accidentally play J. Timberlake song and that thing figures out that the song you're playing is erroneous and hurtful to your overall mental health, so it adds/removes certain harmonics and the result is a song by early Zeppelin. Now that would help humanity.
I'm in agreement that you can't add what wasn't there back in...but also that you can make a very good educated guess. I was also skeptical until I heard the crystalizer at home. It isn't some crazy awesome improvement, but it is definitely an improvement in sound. I suppose each individual might perceive the sound differently, and the improvement might not be noticeable to everyone.
I bought on of the PCI X-Fi cards and was immediately impressed with the enhancements with music and in games. The PCI cards also have incredible 3d sound for games, and tons of other features that made it well worth the money (at least the low-end one) for someone who uses their PC for all kinds of media and games.
Whether or not this item here is worth $80 I don't know, though. I would probably recommend it to someone who is very discerning with audio quality and listens to music on their laptop all the time.
I would hope that it would make MP3s sound better in some way, there are ways to improve dynamic range through math and improve on a badly encoded signal. But their marketing is just so OTT: http://slavior.blogspot.com/2006/10/creatives-latest-device-sounds-better.html
With all the snake oil being sold by the pharmaceutical industry and food companies, who's gonna notice this?
It's a cure for another made-up condition: SCWTMC
Stupid Consumers with Too Much Cash.
Well, it only cures that last part.
i'm surprised they haven't built x-fi into their portable media players.
actually they plan on building in x-fi on to new players. from what i heard.
Why can't this just be done in software? Particularly if you have to plug it into your USB port anyway. Is there any software solution similar to this?
JD, check out their website. They have an online demo, which demonstrates that either
a) it can be done in software, in which case the hardware is pointless
b) it's all just nonsense
If you're a music lover, all you need is the $20 Volume Logic plug-in for iTunes, RealPlayer, WMP, etc. It does "real-time remastering"
http://www.volumelogic.com/
The fact the Volume Logic plug-in "Galley" mentions is so popular confirms to me that people don't know what audio quality is... given good enough marketing the crappiest audio will sound amazing to the average shmo. I'm a sound engineer, and couldn't uninstall the Volume Logic plugin fast enough after I tried it... the effect is as if there's a slow-reflexed monkey sitting next to you with its finger on a volume slider: "Oh, it got quiet... quick, turn in it up until it distorts! Oh, it's getting louder... quick, turn it down!" Who needs dynamics or nuance when you can have your craptastic music served to you at a roughly-constant volume?
I think what a lot of readers are forgetting/ignoring, is that soundcards, no matter what "hype" they claim, are bought by people who are not happy with their existing cards. For example, I have a Dell Inspiron which has a bare bones sound card. Are you going to try and tell me that I'm better off with my awful SigmaTel card, rather than with an external card? I din't think so. With that in mind, we have to sigh at they hype of "restoring" mp3s, blah blah blah, and be content with whatever bones Creative, Hercules, et al. want to throw us...
I must say this is an awesome piece of kit. definately something to hang on to in the future...
I would like to see creative be a bit more creative about this though. I think if this was a true portable device which could be used anywhere on the go (not that you would want to carry this around as well) then it would definately sell itself.
Nathan