Creative on Tuesday introduced the Xmod, a $79.99 device that connects between stereo speakers or headphones and a Mac, iPod, PC or MP3 player. The device employs Creative’s “X-Fi” (Extreme Fidelity) technology, which it says improves digital music playback quality.
The Xmod enhances low and high frequencies, according to Creative, while improving audio dynamics. The result is richer, cleaner sound that surpasses the original CD, according to the company. The X-Fi “Crystalizer” upconverts digital music by analyzing which parts have been truncated or damaged during compression; it then selectively restores highs and lows. The X-Fi “CMSS-3D” component creates a virtual surround sound field and expands audio.
Creative and Apple announced a settlement in August to their long-running dispute over a patent for the display of information on portable music players. Apple paid Creative $100M and Creative agreed to become part of Apple’s “Made for iPod” accessory program. Since then, Creative has gradually added references to Macintosh and iPod in its product announcements.
Creative’s Web site had not been updated with information about the Xmod as Playlist posted this article.