• The Creative Zen X-Fi2, price reduction one week after release!
    52 replies, posted
[img]http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Creative-Zen-X-Fi2_2.jpg[/img] It's only been out for a week but the prices have already dropped in the Creative Store. The Creative Zen X-Fi2 [b]32GB[/b] has dropped to only €199,99 in Creative's online store. It's no money for a great player with [b]amazing[/b] sound and a touchscreen to boot. It also plays lossless formats for audiophiles like me The 3" Touchscreen is fucking sexy. Oh yeah, it also has a MicroSD slot so when you run out of the 32GB of flash memory you can just stick in a 16GB MicroSD in it. 32GB MicroSD's aren't out yet but they will be in a few months. For that price it also comes with €20 earbuds ( Creative EP-630's ) so you get incredible sound compared to an iPod Touch. It also comes with an FM Radio and standard organizer features such as an alarm and a calender. I hope the alarm can play music too because I have trouble waking up. Then I can just play loud Death Metal when I have to wake up. More info here: [url]http://en.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=18965&utm_source=en.europe.creative.com&utm_medium=Banner&utm_content=FeaturePg_ZENX-Fi2ProductInfo&utm_campaign=FeaturePage[/url]
It's all plastic and people are complaining about it breaking after a week.
[QUOTE=GunskiMod;17465279][url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDXcmaiJd1o[/url] It's all plastic and people are complaining about it breaking after a week.[/QUOTE] That's the old X-Fi, this thread is about the X-Fi2, which has a touch screen unlike the first one Learn to read better next time. Oh, and fyi, the plastic they use isn't just [i]normal[/i] plastic, it's really tough and it stays scratch free unlike iPods
Looks good but for that kinda cash a Zune HD or iPod Touch is a better bet what with apps and that.
[QUOTE=Dr Egg;17465335]Looks good but for that kinda cash a Zune HD or iPod Touch is a better bet what with apps and that.[/QUOTE] Those are a lot more expensive. They also don't play lossless. This is a player for audiophiles who don't need any apps, they just want to listen to the best quality music available on the go. There's aren't many players that support FLAC except for a few really expensive ones and crappy Chinese players
I'm so buying one of these when I get some money, I have been needing a new MP3 player since my ipod nano 4gb got smashed. RIP My ipod, it got me through school all the way from middle school.
I listen to music a lot, and I have to say I'm glad I sold my iPod touch and bought a Zen X-Fi.. however mine just broke so this is probably going to be my next mp3, because god I love lossless audio.
[QUOTE=Denzo;17465366]Those are a lot more expensive. They also don't play lossless. This is a player for audiophiles who don't need any apps, they just want to listen to the best quality music available on the go. There's aren't many players that support FLAC except for a few really expensive ones and crappy Chinese players[/QUOTE] tbh, I'd be surprised if there wasn't an app (most likely on Cydia and no the App Store) that could play FLAC for iPhone/touch
[QUOTE=Dr Egg;17466185]tbh, I'd be surprised if there wasn't an app (most likely on Cydia and no the App Store) that could play FLAC for iPhone/touch[/QUOTE] No, you can't get codecs with apps afaik. It's built-in in the firmware, but even then I don't know why it's in as FLAC is a free open source codec, no need to pay license fees so it must be complicated to add the codec afterwards otherwise they would've already made a firmware with FLAC support. And then, an iPod Touch [b]2nd gen, not third[/b] 32GB is already 60 euros more expensive than this Creative. Doesn't come with FLAC Support, no SD slot, no radio afaik, shitty earbuds ( but that doesn't matter for me, I use Sennheiser's ), shitty sound quality overall compared to creatives ( and yes, I've tried both ) and the build quality is overall less with my experiences. I've seen lots of iPods die but I haven't had a single Creative die on me so far, and I've dropped mine a few times too many already. I use it on a daily basis too since about a year or 3, never had any problems with it.
[QUOTE=Dr Egg;17466185]tbh, I'd be surprised if there wasn't an app (most likely on Cydia and no the App Store) that could play FLAC for iPhone/touch[/QUOTE] Yeah there probably is. [editline]06:18PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Denzo;17466289]No, you can't get codecs with apps afaik. It's built-in in the firmware, but even then I don't know why it's in as FLAC is a free open source codec, no need to pay license fees so it must be complicated to add the codec afterwards otherwise they would've already made a firmware with FLAC support. And then, an iPod Touch [b]2nd gen, not third[/b] 32GB is already 60 euros more expensive than this Creative. Doesn't come with FLAC Support, no SD slot, no radio afaik, shitty earbuds ( but that doesn't matter for me, I use Sennheiser's ), shitty sound quality overall compared to creatives ( and yes, I've tried both ) and the build quality is overall less with my experiences. I've seen lots of iPods die but I haven't had a single Creative die on me so far, and I've dropped mine a few times too many already. I use it on a daily basis too since about a year or 3, never had any problems with it.[/QUOTE] vlc4iphone has flac support AFAIK
[QUOTE=FlashStock;17466309]Yeah there probably is. [editline]06:18PM[/editline] vlc4iphone has flac support AFAIK[/QUOTE] But you can't download an app for SD slots or making it less expensive
[QUOTE=Denzo;17466352]But you can't download an app for SD slots or making it less expensive[/QUOTE] True.
Any games on this? Linux running on it yet? I'm interested, as long as it's got a lot of community input.
[QUOTE=JamesMay;17466378]Any games on this? Linux running on it yet? I'm interested, as long as it's got a lot of community input.[/QUOTE] It has just been released, so no and no
It just sucks that the interface lags a lot.
[QUOTE=FlashStock;17466449]It just sucks that the interface lags a lot.[/QUOTE] That's with the pre-production models you see on YouTube but most of them have been fixed in the retail firmware.
[QUOTE=Denzo;17466420]It has just been released, so no and no[/QUOTE] Oops, my mistake, I thought these had been around a while now.
[QUOTE=JamesMay;17466510]Oops, my mistake, I thought these had been around a while now.[/QUOTE] Nope, the 32GB started shipping today
[QUOTE=Denzo;17466289]No, you can't get codecs with apps afaik. It's built-in in the firmware, but even then I don't know why it's in as FLAC is a free open source codec, no need to pay license fees so it must be complicated to add the codec afterwards otherwise they would've already made a firmware with FLAC support. And then, an iPod Touch [b]2nd gen, not third[/b] 32GB is already 60 euros more expensive than this Creative. Doesn't come with FLAC Support, no SD slot, no radio afaik, shitty earbuds ( but that doesn't matter for me, I use Sennheiser's ), shitty sound quality overall compared to creatives ( and yes, I've tried both ) and the build quality is overall less with my experiences. I've seen lots of iPods die but I haven't had a single Creative die on me so far, and I've dropped mine a few times too many already. I use it on a daily basis too since about a year or 3, never had any problems with it.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.zodttd.com/blog.php?b=19[/url] Apparently has FLAC support among other things. No SD card is a bit of a bummer, but CNET says the SD support in this is kinda gimped. Radio, a loss yes, but again, with wifi I'm sure there is an app for that (not as good as an actual radio obviously). Sound quality, not saying you are wrong, but iPods in general are regarded as having great sound, but I do know creatives history, so fair enough. And build quality, CNET says it isn't great and it feels a bit cheap, but it might well be more sturdy. For a pure media player, it does look great and it does have some nice features, but I think for close to £200 in today's market, I'd want a media player to do more than play media.
[QUOTE=Dr Egg;17466764][url]http://www.zodttd.com/blog.php?b=19[/url] Apparently has FLAC support among other things. No SD card is a bit of a bummer, but CNET says the SD support in this is kinda gimped. Radio, a loss yes, but again, with wifi I'm sure there is an app for that (not as good as an actual radio obviously). Sound quality, not saying you are wrong, but iPods in general are regarded as having great sound, but I do know creatives history, so fair enough. And build quality, CNET says it isn't great and it feels a bit cheap, but it might well be more sturdy. For a pure media player, it does look great and it does have some nice features, but I think for close to £200 in today's market, I'd want a media player to do more than play media.[/QUOTE] Uhm, I don't have Wifi outside my house, and if you actually listened to iPods and then to Creatives you can tell the difference. If you just want a pure media player without the Touch Screen and 32GB it's obviously a tad cheaper. An Ipod touch is still £50 more, so if you want to spend that much for just the ability to use some extra apps and lose a lot of features, go with the crowd and get your iPod. We audiophiles don't need games, we just want great audio quality.
[QUOTE=Denzo;17467485]Uhm, I don't have Wifi outside my house, and if you actually listened to iPods and then to Creatives you can tell the difference. If you just want a pure media player without the Touch Screen and 32GB it's obviously a tad cheaper. An Ipod touch is still £50 more, so if you want to spend that much for just the ability to use some extra apps and lose a lot of features, go with the crowd and get your iPod. We audiophiles don't need games, we just want great audio quality.[/QUOTE] I don't consider someone an audiophile just because they have a pair of sennheisers, now if you said you prefer to listen to your creative zen on a set of Magneplaner 26r's then you could classify yourself an audiophile. Just my opinion.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;17467745]I don't consider someone an audiophile because they have a pair of sennheisers, now if you said you prefer to listen to your creative zen on a set of Magneplaner 26r's then you could classify yourself an audiophile. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE] Well, audiophile on a budget. I just LIKE to get the best sound I have with the money I have. I can't afford €500 headphones. A good pair of Sennheiser's is still miles better than standard earbuds and shit like Skullcandy
[QUOTE=Ajacks;17467745]I don't consider someone an audiophile just because they have a pair of sennheisers, now if you said you prefer to listen to your creative zen on a set of Magneplaner 26r's then you could classify yourself an audiophile. (also if you have to look up Magneplaner 26r's then you're not an audiophile) Just my opinion.[/QUOTE] Sennheisers give great quality at a mid ranged price, nuff said.
Just an FYI, I remember being able to use Rockbox on my old iPod and play FLAC just fine.
[QUOTE=SCopE5000;17467812]Sennheisers give great quality at a mid ranged price, nuff said.[/QUOTE] I agree, they sound great. But the word audiophile to me is a pretty substantial term, I associate it with the guys who'll drop $25,000 a channel on their setup.
Zune HD seems better.
[QUOTE=Denzo;17467485]Uhm, I don't have Wifi outside my house, and if you actually listened to iPods and then to Creatives you can tell the difference. If you just want a pure media player without the Touch Screen and 32GB it's obviously a tad cheaper. An Ipod touch is still £50 more, so if you want to spend that much for just the ability to use some extra apps and lose a lot of features, go with the crowd and get your iPod. We audiophiles don't need games, we just want great audio quality.[/QUOTE] I know wifi radio isn't as versatile, but it isn;t a complete wash out. Also 11 hours music playback from a £170 device is quite frankly abysmal. It looks nice and has some cool features, but this is definately lacking. The 8GB one of these if a far better deal, if only because it is so much cheaper. For pure music playing surely a classic iPod would be a better deal? Same price roughly but 4x the capacity.
This looks good, but I'm waiting for the Zii.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;17467745]I don't consider someone an audiophile just because they have a pair of sennheisers, now if you said you prefer to listen to your creative zen on a set of Magneplaner 26r's then you could classify yourself an audiophile. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE] I'll stick to my Magnavox 3 CD changer on a pair of 1987 Sony 12/10 combos.
[QUOTE=Dr Egg;17467991]I know wifi radio isn't as versatile, but it isn;t a complete wash out. Also 11 hours music playback from a £170 device is quite frankly abysmal. It looks nice and has some cool features, but this is definately lacking. The 8GB one of these if a far better deal, if only because it is so much cheaper. For pure music playing surely a classic iPod would be a better deal? Same price roughly but 4x the capacity.[/QUOTE] I don't want a player with a hard drive. 11 hours is just fine to me as I connect it to my pc every day anyway
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.