These headphones have two connection modes: they can be used wirelessly thanks to their connection Bluetooth 5.0 which gives us an effective range of up to 10 meters and which, according to the manufacturer, gives us up to 27 hours of battery life (even with ANC on), or we can use them with the included cable with a 3.5mm minijack connection, making them compatible with virtually any audio device, including consoles.
According to Creative, these headphones are capable of cancels up to 95% of ambient noise, then of course they would be ideal for having your “zen moment” anywhere, even if you are on a train with lots of background noise. Plus, since ANC can be turned on and off with the push of a button, you can also listen to your music but be aware of what’s going on around you at all times in an easy way.
In addition to the 4 microphones dedicated to ANC technology, these Zen Hybrids also incorporate an omnidirectional pattern microphone on the right earcup, a noise-canceling microphone to be able to have clear conversations anywhere and without inconvenience.
Finally, it should be mentioned that these headphones are also compatible with SXFI technology which allows personalized spatial sound, easily configurable with the SXFI app that we have seen on previous occasions.
Unboxing and external analysis
The Creative Zen Hybrid ANC is packaged in a small colored flexible cardboard box, on the main side of which we can see an image of the headphones accompanied by their exceptional characteristics in the form of an icon.
On the back we find a sketch showing us its main functions, leaving additional information on the sides that includes the technical specifications and the contents of the package.
Inside the box, there is a plastic bag containing several pamphlets (instructions, etc.) and two cables: one is USB-C to USB-A to charge the battery and the other is the analog audio connection via 3.5 mm minijack connectors, one of them angled for comfort.
The headphones themselves are inside this carry bag, which is to be thankful for since they are wireless and foldable headphones, they are designed to be carried from place to place permanently, and in this way we can do it while protecting their integrity.
Here we finally have the Creative Zen Hybrid, which is completely folded to take up as little space as possible. The fact that the headphones can be folded in this way will already give you an idea of how the ear cups can be adjusted to fit the size and shape of all types of heads and ears.
In the following image you can see that when unfolded they have the shape of classic headphones. Of course, the earmuffs are relatively small because, remember, their design is supra-aural and not circum-aural.
The earcups can be rotated 90 degrees to one side, but only about 15 degrees to the other, so be careful when bending them not to force the rotation to the wrong side.
In the following image you can see all the ports and controls of these headphones. In one of the earmuffs we have the USB-C charging connector, while on the opposite we have the on/off buttons, volume control, ANC, microphone (for talking) , LED status indicators and minijack cable connector.
The earmuffs have quite soft pads covered with very soft synthetic leather, which is pleasant to the touch and does not rub at all when you put them on your ears. As you can see, each earphone is identified by its side (L for Left, for the left, and R for Right, for the right).
The top of the headband also has a cushioned insert so the weight of the headset isn’t felt on your head. Additionally, for a better fit, the headband can also be lengthened to accommodate larger head sizes.
Finally, to highlight a detail (perhaps vanity on Creative’s part) that looks pretty good is that in the two earmuffs they have arranged the name of the copper headphones, but also their features such as active hybrid noise cancellation.
After seeing the headphones, we’ll test them to see how they behave.
Creative Zen Hybrid review
We have to admit that while they’re not big fans of on-ear design headphones, these Zen Hybrids are quite comfortable from 1 minute, and since they weigh next to nothing and fit perfectly to the shape and size of the head and ears, within minutes of putting them on, you almost forget you’re wearing them.
From the moment you put them on your head, and before you even turn them on, you’ll already notice that they isolate ambient noise quite well, and that’s something that will be completed once the ANC technology kicks in. In general, they are very comfortable even when worn on the move and/or for several hours in a row, they do not cause too much discomfort because they do not press too much on the ears and, despite everything, they hold well fixed in their position (rising up when you use them, for example, while you are walking). Of course, they are not sports headphones and they are not suitable for running with them, because in this case they will change position.
Now let’s talk about sound quality, an area where Creative has almost always managed to excel in earnest. The sound of the Zen Hybrid is not only decent, it is almost spectacular: the basic EQ is perfect, the music does not sound distorted at all and it delivers very crisp and clear mids and highs. with powerful bass that makes you enjoy your music with all the law. We didn’t find any drawbacks or shortcomings, the sound is sincerely sublime, without being clearly Hi-Res sound.
As for how the ANC technology works, it must be said that Creative has managed to almost sublimate it in these headphones, because a lot really stands out. To give you a concrete example, while we were testing them, they were installing an air conditioner on the ground floor, making a lot of noise with the drill (but a noise that rattled the table). When we put the Zen Hybrid on and turned on ANC mode, that noise disappeared completely, both because of the active noise cancellation and isolation of the earphones themselves and because of how little could sneak in, which was masked by the music itself. At 10 in this aspect, the operation is spectacular.
Finally, we have to talk about communication. The Bluetooth connection is very stable and clear, there is no distortion of any kind as is desirable. Of course, the microphone that the headphones incorporate is omnidirectional and, despite the noise cancellation, it is integrated into one of the earmuffs, which means that when we talk to other people, some ambient noise sneaks in. Overall, communications can be carried out clearly and smoothly, certainly much better than with an in-ear headset with built-in microphone.
Conclusion and judgment
Creative is a brand that has always distinguished itself in the field of audio, and with these Zen Hybrids it has taken it to its maximum expression, impeccably implementing a system of active noise cancellation which really works, allowing us to enjoy music without distractions even when there is a lot of background noise around us.
With remarkable audio quality in every way, these headphones offer up to 27 hours of battery life with enviable ergonomics that allow them to be used nonstop for hours without feeling tired, making them ideal for people who want to isolate themselves from outside noise. while they enjoy their music wherever they are.
For all these reasons, we consider that these Creative Zen Hybrid ANC deserve our Gold Award, as well as our recommendation for both their performance and their design.
