Bluetooth headphones have essentially replaced corded headphones as a standard. Indeed, as for these Creative Outlier Pro, premium headphones at a relatively low price, they are more practical and offer quite interesting features.
Although wired headphones saved our devices in the event of a fall, wireless headphones are undeniably more comfortable, with no tangled wires and a brilliant vector of innovation.
The Creative Outlier line of fully wireless headphones has expanded with the Outlier Pro model, standing in the Outlier “table of ranks” above the Air V2 and V3 models. The headphones are equipped with 10 mm speakers with graphene-coated membranes. The product is equipped with a full-fledged active hybrid noise reduction, which also provides for Ambient mode – with it, you can hear what is happening in the outside world.
The headphones are equipped with 10 mm drivers, the diaphragms coated with graphene. As stated, this made it possible to obtain high sound quality.
One charge of the built-in battery headset is enough for 15 hours of playback, and taking into account recharging from the battery in the case – for 60 hours. The manufacturer specifies that these figures correspond to work without active noise cancellation. The battery indicators are reduced to 10 and 40 hours if the function is enabled, respectively.
Additional silicone tips are included in the package. In particular, you can change the headphones’ settings and program the touch control using a mobile application. In addition, it can activate the low latency mode.
See detailed review: Creative Outlier Air V3
Specification
| Creative Outlier Pro | Creative Outlier Air V3 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Creative | Creative |
| Released | Dec 9, 2021 | June 23, 2021 |
| Color | Metallic Umber | Green |
| Weight | Earbuds: 7g each Charging Case: 73 g | Earbuds: 5.3g each Charging case: 66.3g |
| Frequency response | 20–20,000 Hz | 20–20,000 Hz |
| Noise Control | Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Mode | Active Noise Reduction, Ambient Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Total Battery Life | Up to 60 hours | Up to 40 hours / |
| Playtime | Up to 15 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Microphone | Triple | Dual |
| Controls | Customizable Touch | Customizable Touch |
| Assistant | Siri / Google | Siri / Google |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 Certified | IPX5 Certified |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 / AAC, SBC | Bluetooth 5.2 / AAC, SBC |
| Driver | 10 mm Graphene-coated Driver | 6 mm Bio-cellulose Drivers |
| App | Creative app | Creative app |
| Interface | USB-C Qi-Wireless charging | USB-C Qi-Wireless charging |
Design
The case is quite large in design, Creative Outlier Pro, and the headphones are not very discreet. However, this is for a fairly obvious reason here. Indeed, this size largely depends on the excellent battery life.
First, let’s talk about the case; it looks like a massive cylinder that opens like a shoebox. It’s quite strange compared to the usual trunk opening, but at least no hinge issues let go.
The case is made of fairly good quality plastic in shades of shiny brown copper effect and black parts. On the top, we find the brand’s logo in a shade of gray with a black recess on the bottom keeps it in place on a flat surface.
On the left nothing special apart from a Super X.FI logo in gold. On the other hand, there are battery status indicator LEDs on the right. Just below the LEDs, we find the USB Type-C port, which will allow the charging of the box.
Once opened, you can access the headphones placed in small recesses. They are oval in shape with a circle on the top indicating the touch zone. Just below, there is a small LED connection indicator.
These earphones are the same color as the case and are also quite thick, but this is once again a concession made for their battery life.
Sound quality
In terms of sound quality, which is the most important point, they hold their own pretty well. Indeed, for headphones under 90 USD.
First, remember that it is Bluetooth headphones; the raw sound quality will be compressed compared to wired headphones. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate sound decompression systems in the headphones; it works overall well.
As for the quality itself, it’s nice; the sound equalization is quite well done. However, I find the same problem with most current headphones, headphones, and speakers; it focuses on the bass to fill the highs and mids, which are often left out.
Indeed, these headphones are very good for most listening types; however, it is quickly frustrating for some genres. In rap, electro, techno, pop, and most current genres, this is great considering that many of the instrumentals behind the vocals are bass-driven. Nevertheless, in genres such as rock and its derivatives, classical, blues, jazz, and others, it is quite difficult to discern the totality of the mix, which is sometimes the essential component of the piece.
If I take the example of progressive rock/metal music, the highs and mids don’t stand out, and that’s where these music are supposed to stand out.
However, with harmonic frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 kHz (which is the norm today), you can adjust the equalization from the settings of your listening device (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and others). So that’s a partial concern; these headphones fit pretty well. If the equalization does not suit you, it is possible to activate those of your streaming application or to adjust it more precisely from the Creative application.
Overall, the sound quality is quite surprising for headphones like these.
Noise reduction
Noise reduction has clearly become a purchasing argument for the majority of people. Indeed, the pleasure of putting yourself in your bubble today has a price, and isolating yourself from unpleasant street noises is now possible for 80$ on this Creative Outlier Pro.
More seriously, these headphones have an ANC function that allows you to pick up surrounding noise so that it can be partially suppressed once the function is activated. Note that it is possible to activate or deactivate it from the brand application.
Overall, it works pretty well, you can feel the insulation quite well, and it’s clearly not unpleasant. In addition, these headphones include a detection function for different noises to analyze them and judge which are important. Traffic noise will be slightly louder as a safety issue; however, air conditioning or airplane noise will be much quieter.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, it must be taken into account that these headphones are quite heavy, making them quite easily fall out of the ears; it is quite unpleasant. Note that additional tips are available in the box so that you can adapt them to everyone.
These headphones are not very pleasant once in the ears; you can feel them a lot, and it’s a shame. Especially with such battery life, if you can’t wear them for more than an hour, it’s really a black point, in my opinion.
For a subway or bus ride or going for a walk, these headphones will make the coffee perfectly in terms of comfort. They are certainly not the best pads on this point, but it is enough all the same for this price.
Controls
It takes some getting used to the control system as well:
To play/pause music, double-tap R.
Toggling between ANC on/Transparency mode/ANC off, double-tap L.
To skip a song, triple-tap R.
To activate the voice assistant, triple-tap L.
To increase the volume, hold R.
To reduce the volume, hold L.
Hold L or R while not listening to music to disconnect from the current Bluetooth connection.
Battery
The battery is an important component of wireless devices; no one wants to spend their time recharging their devices. Indeed, if the battery life is low, it quickly becomes a problem, especially with headphones. However, on this point, these Creative Outlier Pro has consistent autonomy. With 5 hours of continuous music listening and 15 hours with the box, it’s perfect for this kind of headphones.
The case is compatible with fast charging, which offers two hours of music listening in just 15 minutes of charging. This point is perfect if you forgot to plug them in the day before and have an hour on the metro in the morning; just charge them for a coffee and a shower.
Conclusion!
These Creative Outlier Pro headphones are of good overall quality. In addition, they offer a pleasant sound quality for most listening. This product is excellent on many points, particularly its battery life, which is excellent. However, the black point here remains the comfort which is quite basic.
