Creative X-FI User manual

Congratulations!
Your versatile Creative X-Fi: USB Audio is an external USB audio device and
portable audio enhancer that provides you with a great new listening
experience. There is no software to install, so once you connect X-Fi: USB
Audio to earphones or stereo speakers, and your PC or Mac®, you are ready
to experience great audio.
Read on to learn how to get started with your new X-Fi: USB Audio!
Contents
Your X-Fi: USB Audio ................................................................... 2
About X-Fi .................................................................................... 3
Connecting Devices ..................................................................... 4
Adjusting volume ......................................................................... 7
Customizing X-Fi enhancement levels ........................................ 7
Using a Microphone with X-Fi: USB Audio .................................. 8
Connecting to an external stereo audio source .......................... 9
FAQs ........................................................................................... 11
More Information ....................................................................... 13
General Specifications ............................................................... 14
Safety Information ..................................................................... 15
Recycling .................................................................................... 16
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2 Your X-Fi: USB Audio
Your X-Fi: USB Audio
( )
( )
6
2 3
8 7
14
5
9
( )
( )
1 Select button
Press and release to switch through Volume, X-Fi
Crystalizer™ or X-Fi CMSS®-3D modes.
From Volume mode, press twice to adjust the X-Fi
Crystalizer level, or press three times to adjust the X-Fi
CMSS-3D level.
2 USB port
3 Line-Out jack
4LEDindicators
Shows you which mode you are in. The LED flashes faster or
slower when you increase or decrease an X-Fi enhancement
level.
The volume LED lights up in red when you mute the sound.
5LevelControl/Mute
Press to mute the sound. Press again to unmute.
Turn the control to increase or decrease the volume or
enhancement level.
6 X-Fi CMSS-3D switch
Slide the switch to the “On” position to enjoy the X-Fi
CMSS-3D enhancement.
7 Headphone jack
8 Line-In/Microphone jack
9 X-Fi Crystalizer switch
Slide the switch to the “On” position to enjoy the X-Fi
Crystalizer enhancement.
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About X-Fi 3
About X-Fi
X-Fi is the new audio standard from Creative Labs that enhances and
augments your existing music and movies to a level beyond Studio Quality.
Studio Quality refers to the performance as the artist originally intended, a
performance with presence and depth.
Studio Quality is lost when the recording is compressed to stereo CD audio
format. The audio quality is further compromised when CD audio is
compressed to MP3 or iTunes®music formats, resulting in poor audio
fidelity and loss of life to the music.
X-Fi Technology is able to restore the details and vibrance of your music that
were lost during CD and MP3 compression and lets you enjoy all your music
and movies in surround sound on virtually all speaker systems or
headphones.
About X-Fi Crystalizer
X-Fi Crystalizer analyzes audio and identifies the elements that have been
restricted/damaged during compression and then re-masters the audio by
selective enhancement. X-Fi Crystalizer instantaneously transforms your
CDs and MP3s to Studio Quality music.
About X-Fi CMSS-3D
X-Fi CMSS-3D intelligently remixes the audio into surround sound to match
the speaker system or headphones you have. X-Fi CMSS-3D uses advanced
techniques to extract specific audio elements, such as voice and ambiance,
to the center and surrounding channels respectively.
X-Fi CMSS-3D Virtual - Immersive surround sound over two speakers.
X-Fi CMSS-3D Headphone - Immersive surround sound over headphones.
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4 Connecting Devices
Connecting Devices
It’s easy to get great sound from your PC or Mac. Just connect X-Fi: USB
Audio to your computer, earphones or speakers, and and slide the X-Fi
Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D switches to the “On” position.
Connecting to your computer
Using a USB cable, connect your X-Fi: USB Audio directly to a USB port on
your computer or a USB hub.
X-Fi: USB Audio retains the X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D level
settings from the last time you used it with your computer.
NOTES • Connecting X-Fi: USB Audio to your computer channels audio
output from your computer’s audio connectors to X-Fi: USB Audio.
• After connecting X-Fi: USB Audio to your PC or Mac, connect
earphones or speakers. See “Enjoying sound from X-Fi: USB
Audio” on page 5.
1 USB port
2USBcable
2
1
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Connecting Devices 5
Enjoying sound from X-Fi: USB Audio
Connect X-Fi: USB Audio to your earphones for personal enjoyment, or to
your speaker system to share the experience with everyone in the room.
1 Line-Out jack
2 Line-Out cable with
3.5mm stereo
connector (not
included)
3 Stereo speakers
4 Earphones
5 Headphone jack
2
1
5
3
4
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6 Connecting Devices
NOTES • When you connect earphones and speakers at the same time,
X-Fi: USB Audio channels sound to your earphones instead of
your speakers. To hear sound from your speakers, disconnect
the earphones.
• For the best listening experience, position your speakers about
0.5 metres or 1.5 feet apart, and at a height around your ear
level.
• Before using earphones, decrease the volume level on X-Fi:
USB Audio or from your computer.
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Adjusting volume 7
Adjusting volume
Before adjusting the volume, check that the Volume LED is lit in blue. If not,
press and release the Select button until the Volume LED lights up in blue.
If the Volume LED is red, press the Level Control to unmute the volume.
1Turn the Level Control clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the volume.
Customizing X-Fi enhancement levels
Customizing X-Fi Crystalizer
1In Volume mode, press the Select button twice. The X-Fi Crystalizer LED
flashes.
2Turn the Level Control clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the level.
The higher the level, the faster the LED flashes.
Customizing X-Fi CMSS-3D
1In Volume mode, press the Select button three times. The X-Fi CMSS-3D
LED flashes.
2Turn the Level Control clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the level.
The higher the level, the faster the LED flashes.
NOTES • If the X-Fi Crystalizer or X-Fi CMSS-3D switches are not set to
the "On" position, adjusting the levels will only have a temporary
effect on the sound.
• Volume mode is the default. X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D
modes automatically switch to Volume mode after 30 seconds.
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8 Using a Microphone with X-Fi: USB Audio
Using a Microphone with X-Fi: USB Audio
Connect a microphone to the Line-In/Microphone jack to:
• make microphone recordings of speeches, lectures or a
performance.
• enjoy Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, such as
Skype™ .
NOTES • X-Fi enhancements are only available to audio output during
playback, and are not applied to recordings made from the X-Fi:
USB Audio Line-In/Microphone jack.
• To adjust recording levels, use your favorite mixer or level
control application for your PC or Mac.
2
1
4
3
1USBport
2USBcable
3 Microphone
4 Line-In/Microphone
jack
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Connecting to an external stereo audio source 9
Connecting to an external stereo audio
source
External audio sources that you can connect to X-Fi: USB Audio include MP3
players, CD players, and any other stereo audio source with a line-out jack.
Connect a power adapter (sold separately) and an external audio source to
X-Fi: USB Audio as shown in the diagram below. Disconnect X-Fi: USB Audio
from your computer before proceeding.
1 Power adapter (sold
separately)
2USBConnector
3 Line-In/Microphone jack
4 Line-In cable with 3.5mm
connector (not included)
5 Your digital audio player or
other external stereo audio
source
1
3
5 4
2
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10 Connecting to an external stereo audio source
NOTES • Depending on your region of purchase, your power adapter may
differ from the one shown here.
• If you connect both your computer and external audio source to
X-Fi: USB Audio, you will only hear sound played back from your
computer.
• Each time you connect X-Fi: USB Audio to the power adapter,
the volume level reverts to the default.
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FAQs 11
FAQs
I can’t hear any sound from my earphones or speakers.
Check that:
• your speaker system’s power is turned on.
• X-Fi: USB Audio is powered from your computer, or the power
adapter.
• the volume is not muted. Press the Level Control to unmute.
• you have connected the earphones or speakers to X-Fi: USB Audio.
When you connect X-Fi: USB Audio to your computer, audio output
from your computer is channeled to X-Fi: USB Audio.
• you have disconnected your earphones from X-Fi: USB Audio. This
applies only if if you want to hear sound from speakers.
I’ve adjusted an X-Fi enhancement level, but I only hear a
difference for a few seconds.
The X-Fi enhancement switches are not set to the “On” position. Slide the
switch to the "On" position to enjoy the difference.
I hear audio distortion when using an X-Fi enhancement.
Depending on the type of audio source, distortion may occur when using an
X-Fi enhancement at high levels. Decrease the enhancement level until the
distortion goes away.
Can I hear what I’m recording from the X-Fi: USB Audio Line-in
jack?
Monitoring of recordings is not available. You can only check your recording
afterwards.
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12 FAQs
Can I use noise-cancelling headphones or other special
audio-enhancing headphones with X-Fi: USB Audio?
When using headphones or earphones with special audio-enhancing
features, disable the effects on the headphones or earphones before using
it with X-Fi: USB Audio. The audio enhancements on the headphones or
earphones may interfere with the X-Fi enhancements on X-Fi: USB Audio.
How do I configure DVD playback for surround sound, if I play it on
my PC or Mac?
On your software DVD player, configure the player for 5.1 output.
My notebook displays a warning message when I connect X-Fi:
USB Audio.
Certain models of notebooks are highly sensitive to the amount of power
initially drawn by USB-compatible devices. Creative has tested X-Fi: USB
Audio with many hardware platforms and using X-Fi: USB Audio with your
notebook will not result in damage from power draw.
How do I reset the X-Fi enhancements to their default level?
1Press the Select button twice so that the X-Fi Crystalizer LED starts
blinking.
2Press and hold the Select button and the Level Control until all three LEDs
blink three times. The enhancements are now at the default level.
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More Information 13
More Information
Creative Knowledge Base
Resolve and troubleshoot technical queries at Creative's 24-hour self-help Knowledge
Base. Go to www.creative.com, select your region and then select Support.
Product Registration
Registering your product ensures you receive the most appropriate service and product
support available. You can register your product by filling in the registration card
(where applicable) or at www.creative.com/register.
Please note that your warranty rights are not dependent on product registration.
Customer Support Services and Warranty
You can find Customer Support Services, Warranty and other information in a booklet
supplied with your product.
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14 General Specifications
General Specifications
Connectivity
•USBMini-B
• Line Out - 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo jack
• Line In / Mic in - 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo jack
• Headphone Out - 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo jack
X-Fi Technology
• X-Fi Crystalizer
•X-FiCMSS-3DVirtual
•X-FiCMSS-3DHeadphone
Earphone Specifications
• Frequency Range: 140 Hz ~ 20 KHz
• Sensitivity: 112 dB ± 3 dB (I/P Level:1 mW)
• Impedance: 32 ohm ± 15%
• Plug: 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo miniplug.
Power Adapter (sold separately)
• Output Voltage : 5V +/- 5%
• Output Current : 1A
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Safety Information 15
Safety Information
Refer to the following information to use your product safely, and to reduce
the chance of electric shock, short-circuiting, damage, fire, hearing
impairment or other hazards.
• Do not dismantle or attempt to repair your product. Refer all
servicing to authorized repair agents.
• Do not expose your product to temperatures outside the range of 0°C
to 45°C (32°F to 113°F).
• Do not pierce, crush or set fire to your product.
• Keep your product away from strong magnetic objects.
• Do not subject your product to excessive force or impact.
• Do not expose your product to water or moisture.
If your product is moisture-resistant (see product packaging for
details), take care not to immerse your product in water or expose it
to rain.
• Do not listen to audio at high volume for prolonged periods of time.
• When a conductive apparatus such as earphones, is used in close
proximity with a CRT television or CRT monitor, the latter may emit
an electrostatic discharge. This electrostatic discharge can be felt as
a static shock. While this static shock is usually harmless, it is good
practice to avoid close contact with CRT devices when using
earphones.
NOTES Improper handling may void the warranty for your product. For
more information, read the warranty available with your product.
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16 Recycling
Recycling
The use of the WEEE Symbol indicates that this product may not be
treated as household waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of
correctly, you will help protect the environment. For more detailed
information about the recycling of this product, please contact your
local authority, your household waste disposal service provider or
the shop where you purchased the product.
Copyright © 2006 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. The Creative logo, CMSS and Crystalizer
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other
countries. Skype is a trademark of Skype Limited. Mac and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc.
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