At first we would like to thank Creative for offering us a sample of their Outlier Gold True Wireless Sweatproof Super X-Fi In-Ear Headphones for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About Creative:

 

“Creative is the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Founded in Singapore in 1981, Creative started with the vision that multimedia would revolutionize the way people interact with their PCs.

 

Famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment with cutting-edge audio solutions, premium wireless speakers, high performance earphone products and portable media devices. The company's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services enable consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment - anytime, anywhere.

 

Since launching the phenomenally successful Sound Blaster sound cards and setting the de-facto standard for PC audio in 1989, Creative has been able to leverage on its leading-edge audio technology, a huge user base of 400 million, and strong brand name to expand into the exciting lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment (PDE) market.

 

Creative is now well recognized as a global leader for product innovation in the audio and PDE segments, offering consumers a complete, high quality digital entertainment experience through Creative's hardware, software applications and services. Finding the perfect balance between form and function, Creative strives for every product to be a sensory feast for the eyes and ears.

 

Today, Creative is spearheading new product categories with its groundbreaking Sound BlasterAxx audio enhancement devices and solutions, highly-acclaimed Creative D5xm Signature Series of modular Bluetooth wireless speakers, Aurvana premium headsets, Sound Blaster wireless gaming headsets, and cross-platform Sound Blaster Recon3D for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC or Mac.

 

These products and solutions are marketed to consumers and system integrators through a worldwide distribution network that includes traditional marketing channels, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the Internet.

 

Moving forward, Creative's mission is to expand its leadership role in the lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment market, using groundbreaking technology and leading-edge designs for not just the technically-savvy consumers, but for everyone who enjoys entertainment. With strong focus on user-friendly interface, multiple features and cool industrial designs, the Creative brand is synonymous with lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment.

 

Creative's global corporate headquarters is located in Singapore, in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. It has regional business units in the US (Milpitas, California), Europe (Dublin, Ireland) and Asia (Singapore).

 

Creative is a public listed company on the main board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) since June 1994.”

 

True Wireless Headphones — Now with Super X-Fi®!

 

With a battery life that surpasses even the Outlier Air, Creative Outlier Gold boasts an incredible 39 hours at 14 hours playtime per charge. It is also fitted with graphene driver diaphragm and Bluetooth® 5.0 with aptX and AAC audio for detailed, well-balanced audio reproduction. Experience a whole new level of immersion with spatialized Super X-Fi audio, activated by Software Super X-Fi®.

 

Now with Super X-Fi technology

 

The Software Super X-Fi Processing Technology unlocks Super X-Fi headphone holography for local audio and music files* through Bluetooth. By activating the SXFI App wirelessly on your mobile with the Outlier Gold, you can transform the SXFI App into a Super X-Fi MP3 player and enjoy cinematic audio even while on the go!

 

39 hours of pure audio bliss

 

Boasting a jaw-dropping 14-hour playtime per charge, the Outlier Gold holds the longest single playtime without having to recharge every 3 to 6 hours like most TWS earbuds. Coupled with the accompanying charging case, Outlier Gold outperforms most competitors with an incredible total playtime of up to 39 hours. That's enough juice to power your errand runs or a long day of commute with music — which, by the way, is enough playtime for the longest flight route in the world (that's about 19 hours)!

 

Premium Charging Case

 

Constructed in a premium aluminum housing, the sleek charging case weighs a mere 54g (1.9 oz) that is small and easy to carry around. Simply pop your earbuds back into the case for storage when you are done with your listening session, and the case automatically charges it back to 100% for your next sesh. The case is also rechargeable via an included USB Type-C cable to a Type-A charging port.

 

Graphene Driver Diaphragm

 

To achieve audio excellence, we have incorporated a top-quality 5.6 mm graphene driver diaphragm — the world's thinnest and hardest nano-material that is lighter than paper, stronger than steel, and a better conductor of electricity than copper. The graphene diaphragm consumes minimal energy while providing superior audio quality, so Outlier Gold can optimize power to drive excellent audio reproduction for detailed highs, well-balanced mids, and immersive bass.

 

Stay motivated with the powerful beats and ride the momentum of your playlist as you take on the toughest gym grind!

 

Bluetooth® 5.0 Low Energy with aptX® and AAC

 

Outlier Gold features the latest Bluetooth 5.0 that is capable of performing at twice the speed of Bluetooth 4.2 while consuming lesser energy than the latter. Together with the supported aptX and AAC audio codecs, you can expect rich, enhanced sound quality over smoother and uninterrupted audio streaming for the ultimate listening experience.

 

Dual-voice Calls with Smart Assistants

 

One major flaw of existing true wireless headphones is that they only allow for calls in mono, where audio is only heard from one side, and is usually restricted to the right earbud. With Outlier Gold, you can hear audio out of both earbuds while on a call and also have direct access to Siri or Google Assistant!

 

Both earbuds are fitted with built-in mic for calls and smart assistant functions. All you need to do is to assign your preferred side as the main unit control. The secondary earbud will then be automatically paired — no extra steps required!

 

Hassle-free Convenience

 

Use just one side of the earbuds to stay in check with the surrounding while on your coffee run! When you place a single earbud back into the charging case, the unit that is still in use will automatically assume the main unit controls with play / pause, calls and smart assistant functions.

 

To switch off, simply place the earbuds back into the charging case and they will switch off automatically.

 

Flaunt Your Assets

 

Take your workout to the next level, better yet, break your personal best! Certified IPX5 water-resistant, Creative Outlier Gold can handle all that hard-earned sweat, accidental splashes, and even rain.

 

All-day Comfort and Secure Fit

 

Absolutely wire-free, Creative Outlier Gold stays put no matter what you do. Extensive tests were carried out just to achieve the perfect fit that stays in place for all kinds of activities. These earbuds are extremely comfortable and ergonomically designed with soft silicone ear tips, suitable for all-day wear and perfect for enhanced sound quality.

 

Simply place the buds in your ear and twist it gently to achieve a secure fit — you're ready to block out any noises from your surroundings and get truly immersed in your music!

 

Interface

USB Type-C (Charging), Bluetooth 5.0

 

Product Type

True Wireless Headphones

 

Weight

Earbuds: 2 x 5g (2 x 0.18 oz), Charging Case: 54g (1.90 oz)

 

Color

Champagne Gold

 

Frequency Response

20–20,000 Hz

 

Driver

5.6 mm graphene driver diaphragm

 

Battery Type and Life

Battery in Earbuds: 2 X Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery 80 mAh, Battery in Charging Case: 1 x Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery 450 mAh

 

Charging Time

2 hours (Ear buds in charging case), 3.5 hours (Charging case)

 

Connector Type

Bluetooth 5.0

 

Bluetooth Profiles

HFP (Hands-Free Profile), A2DP (Wireless Stereo Bluetooth), AVRCP (Bluetooth Remote Control)

 

Bluetooth Operating Frequency

2.4 GHz

 

Audio Codec

aptX, AAC, SBC

 

Operating Range

Up to 10m / 33 ft

 

Wearing Style

In-ear, True Wireless

 

Microphone

Sensitivity: - 42 dBV / Pa

Type: Omni-directional

Frequency Response: 100–10,000 Hz

 

Weather-proof Resistant

IPX5

 

Operating Temperature

0–45°C

 

Built in microphone

Yes

 

Music playback and calls control

Yes

 

Not long ago, we have taken an in-depth look over the Outlier Air headphones from Creative, which do feature good battery life, great sound quality thanks to the custom-tuned 5.6mm graphene driver diaphragms, a secure fit thanks to the shape of the headphones, only 10g of weight, a charging case for two more charges to 100% and support for aptX, AAC and SBC audio codecs. An upgrade over this set was made in the form of the Outlier Gold model, with no less than 14 hours of battery life (39 hours total thanks to the included charging case), support for the Software Super X-Fi Processing Technology and even more silicone ear tips for a perfect, secure fit. The increased battery life was possible while maintaining the exact same weight of 10g, which is great!

 

The product is offered inside a very compact cardboard packaging, highlighting the support for the Super X-Fi software right on the top cover:

 

 

 

On the side of the packaging, we will learn more regarding the Super X-Fi software player, that is available for both Android and iOS devices; in some regions this software is still not available for download, but we can do a workaround by installing Aptoide. Super X-Fi software does only allow the effects to be enabled when playing local audio contents but not for streaming services or other applications:

 

 

 

A short description of Super X-Fi surround effects is also present on the box:

 

 

 

On the bottom area of the packaging, we will get to see a list of product highlights, the box contents but also the product serial number:

 

 

 

After unsealing the box, we will be able to access its contents with ease; the “Read Me First!” leaflet will describe the procedure for downloading and setting up the Super X-Fi software, but also how to pair the headphones via Bluetooth:

 

 

 

 

The inside contents are also covered by a thin transparent plastic layer:

 

 

 

We will receive the set of headphones, the charging case but also some extra bundle, in a separate re-sealable plastic bag:

 

 

 

Like with the Outlier Air, we will get sets of silicone earbuds, but now with more sizes than before (a total of four sets if we do count the pre-installed one as well):

 

 

 

The short USB Type-C table will be used for charging the supplied case with our computer or even the smartphone charger:

 

 

 

The headphones do feature an ergonomic design, so they will stay secure in our ears even during workouts; the outside part does come with a black button that can be pressed for initiating different actions (pairing/multimedia controls/accessing the Siri/Google Assistant and so on), while the LED ring will highlight the current state of the product:

 

 

 

The microphone port allows the user to take phone calls or participate in conferences:

 

 

 

Each driver does have the Stereo channel marked on the inside:

 

 

 

Near the driver, we will also spot the gold-plated contacts for charging purposes, along with the middle magnet for keeping the headphone secure inside the travel case:

 

 

 

The outer side of the casing does feature a metallic gold paint, for an easier differentiation with the Air model:

 

 

 

The right headphone features the exact same construction:

 

 

 

The carry case is delivered in the same color scheme, with the Creative logo on top; while the outer layer is made of aluminum, the inner is black plastic:

 

 

 

On one of its sides, we will get to see the Super X-Fi Software logo:

 

 

 

On the opposite, we will get to see the L/R headphone charging LEDs, the status of the internal case battery LED but also the USB charge LED; the Type-C connector is right underneath:

 

 

 

The case comes with dedicated compartments for accommodating the headphones:

 

 

 

We can try out the pairing procedure right away; this will be signaled by the LED ring with transitions from blue to red:

 

 

 

Before the actual listening tests, we made sure that the headphones and the corresponding charging case had their batteries topped; as with the Air, the headphones do not have a button function to turn them off, these will turn off automatically only when placed inside the supplied case:

 

 

 

 

Some extra leaflets are offered as well, such as the World Wide Warranty one, the Safety and Regulatory Information but also a User Manual in detail:

 

 

 

 

As mentioned before, the Outlier Gold is accompanied by Super X-Fi audio, thanks to the dedicated iOS/Android software. Thanks to this particular technology, the sound is not directly focused into our ears, but aims to recreate the listening experience of a high-end multi-speaker system by using headphones. In order for this surround effect to be configured optimally, the Head and Ear-Mapping process is required and can be easily done by taking photos of your ears and head. Super X-Fi was build for many types of content, such as movies, music, games or voice content, but with the mobile software we will only be able to use it for the music segment, thanks to the embedded player that uses the local storage from the smartphone/tablet (no streaming is supported).

 

In order to be able to use this service, we will first need to create an account:

 

 

After the account creation process has been successfully created, we will be guided through the steps thanks to the included tutorial:

 

 

During the process, we will be asked to map both our ears and head, so the surround effect would be specifically tailored for you:

 

 

The included audio player will detect local audio files and categorize them accordingly:

 

 

Playback can be started right away by clicking on the respective file and from the player view we will be able to spot several controls, the EQ setting menu, but we will be also shown the detected headphones in the top right corner of the screen:

 

 

A menu is also available in the top left corner of the screen:

 

 

From here we can easily access the head mapping profiles:

 

 

EQ settings are easily adjustable as well:

 

 

If multiple Super X-Fi devices are available, they will be shown in the Wireless Setup of the application:

 

 

The Tutorial is available again if needed in the dedicated section:

 

 

Lastly, we can access the information regarding the software version:

 

 

After setting up the audio profile, we did start listening to various audio tracks by using the dedicated Super X-Fi application; the surround effect is rendered quite realistically thanks to the software solution and we found it better to be used in quiet environments in order to carefully observe the differences. Switching to YouTube or the stock Huawei P30 audio player does eliminate all Super X-Fi effects, so we will basically go back in Stereo mode. Even without the surround effect enabled, the Outlier Gold is able to deliver great sound quality with quite a bit of bass (audio output is pretty similar as when using over-ear headsets), while remaining well fixed in our ears even when working out, if worn properly.

 

In our tests, at low to medium volume, the headphones have lasted about 12 hours after a full charge and we managed to recharge it two more times with the help of the included travel case. Multiple controls can be accessed by pressing the external buttons and after pairing both channels we will be able to fully enjoy immersive audio. If we enjoy on using a single channel at once, no matter if we choose left or right, the respective headphone will automatically connect to our smartphone/tablet and get ready for use; as soon as the secondary channel is lifted from the charging case, it will power on and automatically connect to the primary one, so everything works seamlessly.

 

For compatibility mode, Creative allows using the SBC codec in case we are working with older hardware, but for the best audio quality it is recommended to go with devices that support aptX (Android) or AAC (iOS).

 

In terms of audio calls, the microphone quality is decent and only one microphone will be active during the session (of the channel seen as primary, the first one lifted from the charging case).

 

You cannot go wrong with the Outlier Gold, that features even better battery life versus the Air; the only downside we are seeing is regarding the software implementation of the Super X-Fi: instead of having an audio filter applicable to all smartphone applications, we are getting an audio player that can work only with local audio files. One improvement that could be done right away could be the addition of online radio streaming services such as TuneIn.

 

The set is currently available in a promotion, at a lower price of just 80 Euros!

 

Creative Outlier Gold True Wireless Sweatproof Super X-Fi In-Ear Headphones are Recommended for:

 

 

 

We would like to thank again to Creative for making this review possible!