TL;DR
Creative's SXFI Theater headphones boast impressive audio fidelity and comfort, especially with their Super X-Fi technology for an immersive soundstage. However, setting them up and connecting them is a hurdle. They lack true Bluetooth, relying on a dongle for low-latency wireless, which might not appeal to everyone. While great for PC gaming with the dongle, connecting to Macs and iPhones proves difficult, and the USB-C port is only for charging. For the price, simpler and more versatile wireless options, or even wired alternatives with better sound, exist. If you need ultra-low latency for competitive gaming and are willing to navigate a complex setup, they might work, but for most users, it's a missed opportunity. Want to know if they're worth the hassle? Read on for the full breakdown.
We previously reviewed the Creative SXFI Air, straightforward wireless headphones featuring Creative’s proprietary SXFI (Super X-Fi) sound enhancement technology. Now, we turn our attention to the new SXFI Theater, headphones positioned as a premium offering with enhanced audio fidelity and low-latency performance. While the audio quality is commendable, the setup and connectivity present some complexities.
The SXFI Theater incorporates Creative’s face and ear scanning technology (detailed in our SFXI Air review). However, it notably lacks native Bluetooth connectivity. While it includes a Bluetooth function, this serves solely to interface with the included 2.4 GHz wireless dongle receiver. This dongle connects via USB (A) and is intended to minimize audio latency, a concern primarily for competitive eSports players. The broader gaming audience may find this less relevant. The omission of full Bluetooth support seems a missed opportunity to significantly enhance the product’s versatility.
The headphones deliver impressive sound quality and a comfortable fit. Once successfully configured with our gaming PC, listening to Simon & Garfunkel’s Scarborough Fair (1969 Live recording) with SXFI mode enabled provided a remarkably immersive experience. Well-mixed games such as Borderlands HD and streaming content from platforms like Netflix also exhibited excellent audio fidelity. However, the SXFI Theater‘s limitations make it difficult to recommend as a primary, universal solution, particularly when considering: a) Wired headphones offering superior sound quality exist for those not prioritizing wireless connectivity, and b) Wireless headphones with comparable (or superior) audio performance are available at a lower price point and with greater simplicity. Wireless audio is supported on PS4 via the dongle, but connecting to newer Macs (USB-C only) or iPhones necessitates adapters (for the former). Pairing with iOS devices proved unsuccessful despite multiple attempts, adherence to various guides, and software updates (mandatory on Windows). While the headphones feature a USB-C port, it appears solely for charging, as it does not transmit audio.
Creative consistently delivers high-quality audio products, however, recent design choices have raised some questions. The otherwise excellent Outlier Gold lacked comprehensive SXFI support (limited to “locally saved music,” an increasingly obsolete use case given the prevalence of streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music). Furthermore, configuring the SXFI Theater proved challenging, even with our extensive experience in technology testing. While a 3.5mm analog cable connection is possible (where supported), this negates the SXFI functionality and a significant portion of the headphones’ value proposition, considering their price point of SEK 2,000. Many users might find the setup process frustrating. This is unfortunate, as the SXFI Theater offers both comfortable wear and impressive audio quality (once the SXFI profile is configured). However, its limitations and complexity make it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly outside of a niche audience specifically seeking low-latency audio for gaming. And this demographic is likely very small.
A missed opportunity.
Review Highlights: Q&A
Can the Creative Labs SXFI Theater connect directly to smartphones via standard Bluetooth?
No, the Creative Labs SXFI Theater lacks native Bluetooth for audio devices and only uses Bluetooth to interface with its included 2.4 GHz USB-A dongle receiver.
Which gaming and media platforms support wireless audio with these headphones?
Wireless audio works on gaming PCs and PS4 using the included USB-A dongle, though newer Macs with only USB-C require an adapter, and pairing with iOS devices failed during testing.
Can you use the USB-C port or a 3.5mm cable for audio?
The USB-C port is solely for charging and does not transmit audio. A 3.5mm analog connection is possible, but using it disables the SXFI sound enhancement functionality entirely.
How is the sound quality and comfort on the SXFI Theater?
The headphones offer a comfortable fit and impressive sound quality, delivering an immersive experience for well-mixed games, Netflix streaming, and music once SXFI mode is set up.
