Creative Aurvana X-Fi headphones boost iPhone

Creative today launched what it says is its most advanced headphone set to date. The Aurvana X-Fi is the first wearable audio gear from Creative to include the X-Fi Crystalizer hardware from the company's sound cards and will actively restore many of the missing details found in compressed AAC and MP3 tracks. The headphones will also cancel up to 20dB of noise or add a 3D spatialization effect. Listeners can even mix and match different effects depending on the environment, Creative says. These effects are provided for up to nine hours on two AAA batteries, though the headphones will operate like any other earphone set without power.

Standing in contrast to many larger headphone sets, the Aurvana X-Fi includes a narrow headphone jack that fits the iPhone natively. Its 40mm neodymium drivers are reportedly sensitive enough to properly drive most any handheld, including Creative's own ZEN players, the iPod, and the PSP. The headphones should be available today through Amazon for $300 and will be available before the end of the month from Creative itself and other stores.