Creative SXFI Gamer Gaming Headset Review

The most impressive thing I’ve encountered in my several years of attending CES was by far Creative’s Super XFI technology. What is Super XFI you may ask? Well, Super XFI uses computational audio to recreate a high-end surround sound system on almost any pair of headphones or even earbuds. My first experience with Super XFI was through a demo at CES in 2017. When we first arrived, they used cell phones to map our heads and ear shape. Once your head is mapped, it is saved to your Creative online account. This head mapping allows the Super XFI app to create a custom listening profile specifically for you. At this demo, Creative’s Super XFI technology came in the form of a small plastic box, with an array of wires protruding out of it. In 2018, it had shrunk down to a USB dongle about the size of a lighter. Since then, Super XFI has found its way into several products put out by Creative such as soundbars, sound cards, and now even headphones such as the Creative SXFI Gamer which is the focus of this review. The SXFI Gamer from Creative is a gaming headset that uses Super XFI technology. The SXFI Gamer is designed to be “The perfect companion for gamers.” But, there are several headsets out there that already offer simulated surround sound. This is true. However, Super XFI is more than just simulated surround sound. So, what benefits does the SXFI Gamer offer that other gaming headsets may not? We ran the SXFI Gamer through a series of tests to figure that out. So, let’s gets into it.

Packaging

The SXFI Gamer comes in a sturdy cardboard box. Looking at the front of the box, we see the  Creative logo at the top right-hand corner. To the left, we see the SXFI Gamer product branding. There is a large image of the SXFI Gamer, centered on the front of the box. Just under the Creative logo is a badge that displayed the 23 Best of CES Awards that Creative has won for their Super XFI Technology.

There is a ton of information on the SXFI Gamer on the back of the box. THE SXFI Gamer branding is prominently displayed on the top left-hand corner on the back of the box. Near the center of the rear of the packaging, there is a blown-out image of the SXFI Gamer headset.  Around the image of the SXFI Gamer, there are descriptions of some of the key features of the SXfi Gamer headset. Some of these features include the Commander Mic, RGB Light Rings, and 50mm Neodymium drivers.

When you first unbox the SXFI Gamer, there is a pamphlet that gives you a brief description of the headset. The SXFI Gamer headset is set inside a plastic tray that is formed to the shape of the headset.

Just below the SXFI Gamer headset, there is a second, smaller box that contains the accessories for the headset. The accessories for the SXFI Gamer headset include the Creative Commander Mic, a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable, a USB Type-C cable, and a USB Type-A to Type-C adapter.

Now that we have the SXFI Gamer unboxed, let’s take a closer look at this headset.