[via EpiZenter]
MP3 may be convenient, but it's a lossy format, meaning that sound quality gets lost when you compress your favorite music. Creative's Xmod promises to restore that lost sound quality, getting your compressed tracks back to their original studio quality with a device about the size of a candy bar, according to the press release.
The X-Fi technology has been around for a while in Creative's Sound Blaster line of sound cards. The Xmod will use the same technology and connects over USB to PC's or Mac's. It can also hook up to any MP3 player, although it will require an AC adapter, which reduces its portability potential (rumors are that Creative will introduce a stand-alone audio player incorporating the same X-Fi technology).
Assuming it lives up to its promise, the Xmod could be big with the crowd that buys an amplifier for their headphones for that extra bit of fidelity, and anyone who has thought their MP3 sounded just a little bit tinny or washed out. It can also provide a surround sound field through stereo speakers or headphones. The Xmod will hit the streets in October and retails at $79.99. Check out Creative's product page for more information.
[...] If you’re in a Zen frame of mind this dock may whisper to your subconscious. The X-fi Sound System Z600 continues the sound enhancing peripheral action previously kicked off with the Xmod. Two speakers can be wall-mounted, and a subwoofer rounds out the 2.1 output. The X-fi part can restore sound quality to MP3’s or provide a virtual surround system field. Those Creative diehards with Zen vision:M players will find their player fits flush into the dock, but even iPod users can plug into the speaker set (albeit without the recharge capability.) Four hundred Washingtons may sound like a lot, but those who don’t like their MP3’s sounding tinny may find this to be a good speaker set. [...]