Creative Aurvana X-Fi review

Multi-functional, noise-cancelling, and a tech-geek’s deligh, the Aurvana X-Fi headphones splice together some of Creative’s top techy features. But are they as good as some of their more expensive brethren?

Pros
Splicing the visual DNA of the Sennheiser PXC 450 with a pair of DJ headphones from Argos, these noise cancellers from Creative are festooned with buttons, blue LEDs and impressive-sounding features such as “X-Fi Crystalizer” sound processing and “CMSS-3D” pseudo surround sound. Noise cancelling is very effective, albeit less so than the Sennheiser PXC 450 and sonics are generally involving if unexceptional. They run for hours and hours on a single AAA.

Cons
Like most such technologies, the two sonic processors on here are a bit of a waste of time. The X-Fi arguably adds a bit of body to lacklustre, low bitrate MP3s but you shouldn’t be using 128Kbps rips with your £200 headphones anyway. The CMSS-3D may as well be called “The Sound Ruiner 3000” and gives a disorientating effect not unlike listening to music through a guitar’s reverb pedal whilst wearing a bucket on your head. The blue LEDs are both pointless and indiscreet – perhaps on their next model, Creative might like to have a large LED sign saying “Wearing £200 headphones. Please mug me.”

In summary then…
The Aurvanas are a perfectly respectable pair of noise-killing headphones. They’re comfortable to wear and reasonably priced, if you shop around. However, we’re not convinced that the various additional technologies add a great deal to the experience.

Style

Sound

Value

Overall

Like the sound of these headphones? Get chatting about the Creative Aurvana X-Fi on the PriceRunner forums.

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