Noise canceling Aurvana X-Fi headphones

Creative has officially launched its Aurvana X-Fi noise canceling headphones today and these premium headphones will go up against products like the Bose Quiet Comfort 2. They're priced at the same costly US$299.99, well, the Aurvana's are actually 99 cents more expensive than the Bose Quiet Comfort 2's. Creative better prove that they're worth the money if they intend to sell them, but the features are quite impressive.

To Creative's defense, the Aurvana X-Fi's features Creative's X-Fi Crystalizer and CMSS-3D technology which should help improve the quality of most sound sources, something no other noise canceling headphones does. All features are easily enabled via three buttons on the side of the headphones, although we're not sure how you're supposed to see the blue LED's when you're wearing them. There's also a built in volume control, again located on one of the headphones rather than on the cord.



According to Creative, the Aurvana X-Fi's reduce up to 90 percent of ambient noise, which seems pretty good as most noise canceling headphones manages about 80 percent or so. The ear pads are made from memory foam that should make them comfortable to wear even during long flights. Battery life is claimed at up to nine hours from two AAA batteries, so it might be worth investing in some rechargeables. The Aurvana X-Fi's will still work as headphones without batteries, but you won't gain any of the functionality.

The cable measures 1.5m and it comes with a 1.5m extension cable if the first one isn't long enough. Also bundled are a 6.3mm adaptor and a dual mono adapter for use with airplane connectors. The headphones are supplied with a storage bag to protect them from wear and tear when you're not using them.

The Aurvana X-Fi's are available now and you can find out more here