Logically, the system also has a huge subwoofer for bass sounds which provides up to 200W of RMS power, and which is integrated in a large resonance box which, between the diameter of the woofer and the space of said box, will surely do anything for it. around it vibrates when you put it at maximum power.
The system has two HDMI outputs (2.1, HDCP 2.3 and eARC) and supports passthrough with resolution up to 8K at 30Hz (this means that even if you connect an image system such as a console game to use this audio system with it, the picture passes smoothly up to the mentioned resolution). It also has an optical TOSLINK input and two stereo auxiliary analog inputs via 3.5 mm mini-jacks. Likewise, it has audio from USB-C and Bluetooth 5.0.
To highlight the fact that we are dealing with a very, very large sound system, and that fortunately or unfortunately it will not have its place in many environments: imagine having to install an 88 cm sound bar long on the desk, accompanied by a subwoofer of almost 13 Kg of considerable weight and dimensions… for this reason, the Creative SXFI Carrier is designed for environments where there are no space problems , like a living room.
Unboxing and external analysis
Given the enormous dimensions of the Creative SXFI Carrier, we have been forced not to show you the packaging it comes in. However, it’s not something relevant because it doesn’t come in a box with the typical photographs and features on its faces, but it does come in a huge, neutral-colored, hard cardboard box that doesn’t even tell us what’s inside. So we will show you the product directly.
As always, before seeing the device itself, we will see the accessories that come. In this case, Creative includes an instruction manual, remote control, power supply, stereo minijack cable, HDMI cable and four power cables (one for the subwoofer and one for the soundbar, and with a plug American and European, that’s why there are 4).
The subwoofer plugs directly into the wall socket, so its power supply is internal. However, the soundbar requires an external power supply, and the one provided by Creative is rated at 96 watts.
Let’s start by looking at the subwoofer, and remember that it has exaggeratedly large dimensions. It’s made up of a polished black painted wooden soundboard that guarantees good audio quality, with a huge covered punch-out on the side and a noticeable air intake in one of the thin areas.
On the back of the subwoofer we find the connections: power connector, reset button, USB 2.0 (used for maintenance, to update the firmware and others), and a minijack auxiliary input. Remember that in this case the subwoofer is wireless and we do not need to connect it to the soundbar.
Seen the subwoofer, let’s see the soundbar. As we have already said, it also has considerable dimensions, and it is that from one end to the other it is 880 mm long.
In the central area we can see a small grid behind which hides one of the tweeters, and at the top the corresponding buttons to be able to control their functions; however, these buttons are rare as it is designed to be controlled using the included remote. Also in this area there is a screen that will show us information, such as the volume level or the selected audio input.
We can see, in the metal grilles on the sides, how they have a certain shape to indicate that under them are some of the speakers that it contains inside. In fact, from a certain angle we can see the tilt of the middle speakers responsible for Dolby Atmos sound.
If we go to the back and bottom we see huge rubber inserts that will help the cabinet in which we place the bar not to vibrate too much, although it is true that as we can see it also has two hooks so you can hang with hooks from a wall.
This is where we have the contingent of connections, including the USB-C input, two HDMI inputs, an HDMI output, an optical S/PDIF input, a stereo aux input and a stereo aux output, plus, of course , the connector power input.
After seeing the device, it’s time to mount and connect it and check its operation.
Creative SXFI Media Test
In our case, and since we don’t have a desk big enough to accommodate this Creative SXFI Carrier for use with the PC, we decided the best way to test it was in the living room, so we could use it both directly with the TV as with a PS4 Pro game console.
In the next image you can see how it looks compared to a 55 inch TV, and given the size of the subwoofer we had no choice but to put it on the floor next furniture.
The connection method is very simple: for the TV only, we have to use the TV’s HDMI eARC and connect it to the soundbar; for the console, you have to connect the HDMI output of the console to the soundbar, and the HDMI output of the bar, to the TV, even if it is true that we could also have directly connected the optical cable of the console to soundbar and ready to have had one (remember Creative doesn’t include it).
In any case, the connection and installation are quite simple, although it is true that we will have a bit of a mess in the cables with the HDMI and the two sockets that we need to maintain the system.
And now the good things begin: the sound provided by this Creative SXFI Carrier is a spectacular tool, which leaves you speechless. We did not want to try it at maximum volume because even when it was less than half full the furniture was already vibrating, which is a shame, although we also tell you that for a room of about 28 meters squares like the one in which we tried it, with 25% of the volume It was already more than enough for the sound to surround the whole room at a level comparable to that of a cinema hall.
The Dolby Atmos system works like a charm, and watching a simple movie via Netflix made the sound effects almost make our heads spin thinking something was headed our way: the immersive feeling is downright sublime. In general, the audio quality is more than excellent, as it could not be otherwise in the case of an audio system of the price and range that we have in hand.
Conclusion and judgment
With the SXFI Carrier, Creative has sublimated the audio quality that an ordinary person can aspire to have in their living room or hobby room, with masterful surround sound with Dolby Atmos and sound quality that few builders can aspire to. We can’t fault the audio quality or features of the device, and it’s definitely a piece of gear to keep in mind for any sound connoisseur who wants to have the best of the best in their living room.
Of course, we say “in your living room” because due to the weight and size of the device, we won’t be able to place it in many places without encountering problems, and in fact it would be quite uncomfortable to have a device on the table PC. However, it’s not that the almost 1,000 dollars it costs is enough for everyone to buy one.
For all these reasons, we think this Creative SXFI stand deserves our gold medal, as well as our recommendation for its performance, i.e. the immense audio quality it offers.
