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Creative Labs Xmod USB Sound Card for PC & Mac | List Price: $101.47
Discount Price: $49.99
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Brand: Creative Labs
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Device Type - Sound card
- Interface Type - External
- Localization - English
- Sound Output Mode - Multi channel
Too much hype. [Posted on 2008-03-31]
I had been looking forward to this product after being wowed by the demonstration on Creative's website. But unfortunately it doesn't do that well a job. It tries to enhance anything you're listening to, so alot of times it will try to make something out of nothing. They say it can make bad quality music into great quality, but it's just not happening. You can get lucky with some cd quality music, but don't think you're going to be able to watch YouTube music videos with greatly improved sound. I was thinking so, but it just distorts it, brings the wrong sounds louder, bass bigger, not really what the producer intended. The best pro I can find is that the unit itself is very good quality, along with the USB cable and pouch included. You can get lucky with some music, though. It's not always bad. If you can get one for cheap, go ahead and get one if you want, but don't pay full price.
Awesome! [Posted on 2008-06-16]
I got this just to have an external sound card, but didn't get what I was expecting. I got much, much more. The X-Fi crystalizer works extremely well, and the X-Fi CMSS-3D feature adds a nice touch, but doesn't always benefit the music. Definitely get it if you need a high performance sound card for your computer. This isn't really portable, just because of the power source limitation.
Does most of what it promises [Posted on 2008-06-16]
I got the Xmod because the line-out jack on my Mac was busted, so I needed to get sound out of the computer using the USB port instead. For this purpose, this device worked perfectly. I just plugged it in, set the Mac's sound output to be this device instead of the line-out, and it worked! As advertised, there are no drivers or other programs to install. It's also nice to have a system volume control knob on the Xmod instead of needing to go through the system sound preferences. The MP3 Crystallizer does make my music sound better (more dynamic), especially the MP3s that are recorded at 128 kbps or lower quality. However the "CMSS-3D" virtual surround makes the music sound terrible (distorted, hollow, and weakened vocals) even through my high-quality stereo speakers. Luckily it is easily turned off with a switch on the device.
Microsoft Plug-N-Play is Evil [Posted on 2008-07-07]
I listen to live streaming audio from several radio stations around the country while working at my desk. This little beauty turns internet audio streams into pleasant listening experiences. Once in a while some error happens (A BUG IN WINDOWS?!!!) and the Xmod goes away. I have to either restart my computer (not likely while working) or unplug my headphones from the Xmod and switch to raw soundcard output. Going back to listening to what sounds like a transister radio playing underwater makes me sad. It was a pain trying to get it installed on Windows XP. Creative's help desk helped me to install it. I blame Windows for the sound not going to the Xmod sometimes. I've had the same issue with other devices/software. I had to be persistant and use the information I got from Creative to get it working consistantly. 5 stars minus 1 for the headaches getting it working.
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Wonderful [Posted on 2008-09-29]
I use a macbook to play all of my music (and now video) through a home theater system. For some reason I just wasent getting the bass I should have been (using a 3.5mm jack to rca cable), so I got this product. Now everything works perfectly. Very pleased.
Btw, I prefer to use it without the CMSS-3D, but with the crystalizer. The CMSS-3D made it sound...unnatural.
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