Creative launches the XF1, a desktop speaker with Hi-Res Audio certification and 72W of power

The brand Creative has presented the XF1a desktop speaker with Hi-Res Audio certification, 72 watts of power and a minimalist design designed for those looking for sound quality without giving up the available space on the desk. The manufacturer aims for a public that combines work and entertainment at the same table and you don’t want to set up a bulky speaker system to achieve it.

The XF1 arrives as a compact proposal within the Creative catalog, a common brand in the PC audio segment. With this model, the company seeks to fill a gap between basic low-cost speakers and larger systems aimed at living rooms or production studios.

Specifications that measure up

The total power of the Creative XF1 amounts to 72 watts RMS, distributed as 26 W per woofer and 10 W per tweeter in each unit. This distribution allows clarity to be maintained even at high volumes, with distortion below 1% in most usage scenarios. It is not a minor fact if you spend several hours a day with the speaker on in the background on your desk.

The set has Hi-Res Audio certificationa seal indicating that the speaker is capable of playing content at a higher resolution than standard audio, provided the source also supports it. This makes the XF1 an interesting option for those who listen to music in high-resolution formats from their computer or from depending on what streaming platforms.

Very diverse connectivity options

The Creative XF1 supports wireless connection via Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC codecallowing high-resolution audio playback from smartphones and tablets without the need for cables. It also has USB-C input with support up to 24-bit and 96 kHz, 3.5 mm auxiliary connector and a dedicated subwoofer outputdesigned for those who want to expand the system in the future with an independent bass module.

The application Creative Nexus It works as a speaker control center. It includes a ten-band parametric equalizer and more than 120 presets to adapt the sound to different types of content, from music to video calls or playing video games. This variety of profiles allows you to adjust the speaker’s behavior without having to touch any physical controls.

In terms of physical design, each unit of the XF1 weighs just over a kiloa weight that helps the set feel solid on the table without being difficult to move if the workspace needs to be rearranged. Creative offers black and white finishes, with a removable cork stand that allows the transducers to be oriented to the user’s exact listening position, useful on both narrow desks and larger tables.

The set is designed to work both on a work desk and on a living room bookshelf, thanks to its small size and the possibility of adjusting the angle of the speakers. Consumption at rest is kept under control thanks to a energy saving switch located on the rear panel, which cuts off the power when the equipment is not in use for an extended period.

A market with more and more compact options

The desktop speaker segment has been gaining weight in recent years as more users work and entertain from the same space.. This has led manufacturers like Creative to develop products that combine a small footprint with specifications that were previously only found in larger, more elaborate systems, such as advanced equalization, high-resolution certifications or multiple connectivity in a single device.

The XF1 is moving precisely in that direction. Instead of going for a large size to justify the power, Creative has chosen to concentrate 72 W in two units of just over a kilo each, relying on the distribution between woofer and tweeter to maintain sound quality without having to increase the dimensions of the set.

The dedicated subwoofer output is another point to highlight within this philosophy.. It allows the user to start with a simple two-speaker setup and, if in the future they need more bass for music or watching media, add an additional module without having to replace the entire system. This flexibility is common in higher ranges, but is not always found in speakers of this size and price.

Compatibility with LDAC via Bluetooth 6.0 also deserves a separate mention, since not all desktop speakers include this codec, designed specifically to maintain the quality of audio in wireless streaming from compatible devices.

The Creative XF1 speaker has a price of 159.99 euros and will be available in Europe from August 6. It can now be reserved through the brand’s official website before its arrival in stores. At the moment it has not been confirmed whether the launch in Spain will coincide with the same date as in the rest of Europe, nor if the final price will vary from the announced figure.