Creative Zen X-Fi Impressions

To me, Creative has always been on the forefront of the mp3 player market in terms of features. This time is no different. Fresh from its recently successful and feature-packed Zen mp3 player, Creative has managed to pack even more features into the Zen X-Fi. As its name suggests, integrated X-Fi technology powers this music and video player. Additionally, it is WiFi enabled, allowing you to sync your music wirelessly and even instant message your friends with the built-in Yahoo and MSN messenger.

Other features include:
- available in 8GB (w/o WiFi), 16GB and 32GB
- bundled premium in-ear earphones (EP-830)
- SD card slot
- radio
- MP3, WMA, AAC (.m4a), WAV (ADPCM), Audible 4, MJPEG, WMV9, MPED4-SP, DivX 4/5 and XviD support
- organiser

Read Manfred's view on the Zen X-Fi

So is it any good?

As some of my friends know, I am quite a huge fan of Creative's X-Fi technology. Yes, it might be just a glorified upscaler, but its a GREAT upscaler. I even own a Xmod. So it was with great anticipation that I put on the Creative Aurvana DJ headphones and pressed play...... Well, it was simply underwhelming. To be sure, I went to the X-Fi settings and switched them on and off while listening out for any difference. Not much changed, so I concluded that the X-Fi technology in it isn't that good. However, the music sounded like it was coming out of a $30 to $50 pair of headphones instead of this pair of $169 Aurvana DJ. Was there something wrong with my ears? Perhaps I was too used to the X-Fied music I listen to regularly at home? Just 3 steps away was a demo station set up with a Zen player, a set of 2.0 speakers, and Xmod. Woooaaaah! That pair of 10cm high speakers instantly produced sounds that felt powerful and full of flavour! So I wasn't wrong. X-Fi technology is still going strong, but the Zen X-Fi simply doesn't deserve to carry its name.

Regarding its other main new feature, WiFi, I think it is either a) being under-utilised, or b) an unecessary feature. For option A, it could have an integrated web browser to further sweeten the deal. For option B, I think these features are necessary as this is supposed to be a MUSIC/VIDEO player, why use it as an instant messenger? And is there really a need to wirelessly sync? A simple USB would suffice. However you view it though, points should be given to Creative for trying to shake things up a little in the mp3 player market.

Maybe I was having hearing problems that day. Maybe they were actually really great! I don't know for sure. But these are just my first impressions and I could have been harbouring too much expectations for it. I'd advise you to go down and take a listen (with the rest of your own audio gear) to decide for yourself before you make any mp3 player purchase.