Creative Labs rolls out Sound Blaster EVO gaming headsets with Axx processing

Creative Labs rolls out EVO Zx gaming headsets with Axx processing, NFC

Creative is no stranger to the gaming headset scene, but it operates in a very crowded field -- it needs more than just big earcups and a mic to stand out. The company's new Sound Blaster EVO line of Bluetooth headsets may do the trick. Both the EVO Zx (40mm drivers) and EVO ZxR (50mm drivers) have the same Sound Blaster Axx processing as the company's sound cards, which lets them clean up low-grade audio and fine-tune effects through desktop and mobile apps. They'll also pair quickly with NFC-based devices, and players can still switch to a headphone jack or USB port when only wired sound will do. Creative hasn't dished out US launch details, but it expects to ship the EVO Zx to the UK in July for £200 ($313), followed by the EVO ZxR in August for £250 ($392). Those willing to live Axx-free can also buy the EVO Wireless and EVO in July at respective prices of £150 ($235) and £100 ($157).

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Creative’s D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video)

Creative's D5XM selfcalibrating modular wireless speaker and DSXM subwoofer make beautiful music together video

If you've been following our IFA coverage this morning (and shame on you if you haven't), the Creative D5XM's name ought to ring a bell or two. After all, it wasn't so long ago that we were telling you all about the Creative D5 Air. The D5XM, however, while similar in name, is a decidedly more serious deal than the AirPlay speaker bar. Creative is hyping the product as "the world's first self-calibrating modular wireless speaker" -- it's a mouthful, but its certainly a cool prospect. The rectangular speaker can be used alone or as part of a larger speaker system, communicating with other D5XM devices and the DSXM -- coincidentally, "the subwoofer for the world's first self-calibrating modular wireless speaker." What are the odds?

You can string up to three D5XMs together and two of the subwoofers, if you're really, really into low-end. No word on pricing for these guys yet, but we imagine that such a set up would get fairly costly, fairly fast. Creative's referring to the three-at-a-time deal as "party mode," in which all three devices are playing the same thing simultaneously -- you can also split them up into discrete channels, using a mobile device (iOS or Android). That communication (which occurs via Bluetooth) happens thanks to the chip in the speaker -- the same as the one we saw on the Sound BlasterAxx. Click on through for more info and a video.

Continue reading Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video)

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Creative's D5XM self-calibrating modular wireless speaker gets previewed at IFA (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative announces Sound BlasterAxx wireless speakers with mics (update: hands-on!)

Creative announces Sound BlasterAxx wireless speakers with mics

In a departure from its traditional sound cards, Creative has just unveiled a line of Bluetooth speakers with built-in mics, called the Sound BlasterAxx range. Yes, these are the pun-heavy ones we anticipated last week, but now we have a lot more detail. There are three different sizes of speaker, but only the larger two (the SBX-20 and SBX-10) are Bluetooth -- the smaller and cheaper SBX-8 must be tethered. All contain the new SBAxx-1 hardware processor, and even the SBX-20 can be powered over USB from a mobile device (with sufficient current output) or a power pack. The speakers are designed to bring Creative into the Internet Age with a number of voice-enhancing features for video chat apps like Skype. These include highly-focused directionality and noise reduction, to frame out peripheral sounds, and also Smart Volume, which automatically adjusts audio levels as you move closer to or further from the mic. This same processing technology is also claimed to assist with voice-recognition platforms like Siri when you use a Sound BlasterAxx speaker to communicate with your device instead of its regular microphone. There's also some quirky stuff like comic voice effects, just in case you're not embarrassed by how you sound on a mic already. The SBX-8 and SBX-10 will be available in the UK from early July for £80 and £130 respectively, while the flagship SBX-20 will arrive in August for £180.

Update: Now with added gallery and video after the break!

Continue reading Creative announces Sound BlasterAxx wireless speakers with mics (update: hands-on!)

Creative announces Sound BlasterAxx wireless speakers with mics (update: hands-on!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 07:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we’ve ever seen

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It's been a long, long while since Creative spruced up its Sound Blaster audio hardware, so a teaser for something new certainly has us intrigued. The page mentions little beyond an Axx name and that there will be a "whole new generation" of the technology uncovered on May 30th. There's a contest to win whatever the device might be if you're astute enough to predict the future name, but this may be a softball question given the not-so-subtle hints. Between terrible puns about the "axx-traterestrial" coming and winners getting to "axx-perience" the technology first, we have a feeling that any name that doesn't put "Axx" front and center is out of the running.

Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 17:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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