Creative Technology is a popular company recognized for its computer audio products like Sound Blaster sound cards and speakers. But I recently learned about the company’s headphones, which changed after using the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds for a while. These earbuds have a lot of great features, especially considering their affordable price of $43.99 (₱2,486). One standout feature is their impressive battery life.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
The sound quality of earbuds relies on a few factors, like the audio codec they support, the type of driver(s) they use, and how well they fit in your ears.
These earbuds have AAC support for excellent wireless audio on Apple devices. However, they only support SBC (not aptX) for Android. They also come with 10 mm graphene-coated drivers. These earbuds come with three sets of silicone ear tips. However, they are significant, weighing 0.24 oz each. The newest Apple AirPods are very lightweight, weighing only 0.15 oz each.
Although they didn’t move, I couldn’t achieve a flawless fit, which likely affected the performance at the lower end. Results may vary, but I found the bass lacking in punch. The mid-range sounds were good, and the high frequencies were precise. The audio quality was okay but not particularly impressive.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Creative goes all out with extra features, adding more value to their product. Not all features perform as well as the ones found on more expensive earbuds, and you might not use all the additional features. However, considering the price is below $50 (₱3000), these features contribute to making a compelling argument for the Outlier Pros.
The earbuds have a hybrid ANC feature that utilizes six microphones, including feedback and feedforward microphones. This device did not effectively block out everyday noises in households and neighborhoods, such as music, barking dogs, and lawnmowers. For commuting, it can help reduce annoying traffic noise. I found that the ambient mode worked well. It uses microphones to play background noise alongside the music, allowing you to hear voices or traffic.
If you’re into 3D audio, Creative has added Super X-Fi support. To use this, you’ll need to download a mobile app, make your profile, and have music files saved on your device. You can listen to your local tracks using the X-Fi’s “headphone holography” effect. It was impressive initially, but I only spent a little time using it after the initial excitement faded.
The mobile app has a low latency setting, making the Outlier Pro Buds great for watching videos and playing video games.
Another great feature is the sleek charge case with a metallic finish. It can charge wirelessly and has LED indicators on one end to show the battery and bud charge levels. The earbuds come with touch-sensitive pads that can be customized for different controls. They also have built-in support for Siri and Google Assistant. These earbuds have an IPX5 water resistance rating, meaning they can handle sweat and rain without problems.
Looking for a longer battery life? Introducing the perfect wireless earbuds for you.
The Creative Outlier earbuds’ main advantage is their long battery life. The bigger size and Bluetooth 5.2 make a noticeable difference. Creative says their device can last up to 15 hours on a single charge.
These earbuds are better than any other wireless ones I’ve tried. Nowadays, most devices only last five or six hours on a single charge. During my testing, I wore these headphones throughout the day while working. I kept the volume moderate but increased it for my favorite songs. After using it for a regular eight-hour day, I still had 75% or more battery charge left, which is even better than Creative claimed. The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature was often turned off, which could negatively impact the battery life.
With the additional 45 hours of battery provided by the charge case, you can enjoy approximately 60 hours of uninterrupted playtime before needing to find a charger or Qi wireless charge pad.
RECOMMENDATION
Even though these earbuds are affordable, others offer better active noise cancellation (ANC). Some earbuds have better audio quality, especially in the bass, although this may vary depending on how well they fit and seal in your ears. There are also lighter wireless earbuds available. But out of all the earbuds I’ve tried, the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds have the best battery life.
If you love listening to music for long periods, like during your commute or work and don’t want to stop charging your earbuds, consider trying the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds. You should be able to listen to music for an extended period without interruptions.
BUY IT HERE
Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/creative-philippines/
Shopee: https://shopee.ph/creativephilippines
Disclaimer: The earbuds were provided by Creative for evaluation, but they did not influence this review.