Creative Zen HybridFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 19 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment53%
PROS 53%
CONS 47%

Rank based on 19 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want budget-priced ANC (often found on sale for $20-$60)
  • You want solid three-level ANC for office or keyboard noise
  • You want quick charging (5 min = 5 hours) and long battery life

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to heavy, hard-to-adjust bass
  • You need a snug, glasses-friendly comfortable fit
  • You want LDAC support or a full EQ app

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Transparency ModeNoise CancellationSound QualityiOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-inDurability/Crackling ConcernsHigh Price
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Transparency Mode
Noise Cancellation
Sound Quality
iOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-in
Durability/Crackling Concerns
High Price
2Mid
Skullcandy Crusher
Signature haptic bass slider
Skullcandy Crusher
Signature haptic bass slider
3Premium
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Exceptional comfortStrong for gaming and imagingImprovement over HD 650/6XXIrritating L/R lettering inside padsBuild/pad quality issues reportedHigh price relative to alternatives
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Exceptional comfort
Strong for gaming and imaging
Improvement over HD 650/6XX
Irritating L/R lettering inside pads
Build/pad quality issues reported
High price relative to alternatives
4Mid
Sennheiser HD 25
Exceptional durabilityBalanced, quality soundFully repairable/modularCable-to-driver cutout issuesStrong clamping forceUnconventional cable entry side
Sennheiser HD 25
Exceptional durability
Balanced, quality sound
Fully repairable/modular
Cable-to-driver cutout issues
Strong clamping force
Unconventional cable entry side
5Mid
Philips SHP9500S
Exceptional comfort
Philips SHP9500S
Exceptional comfort
Best value
6Premium
Denon AH-D9200
Smooth, detailed treble and clarityStrong perceived value and end-game satisfactionTight, deep bassHigh price pointSibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive earsTight fit for larger ears
Denon AH-D9200
Smooth, detailed treble and clarity
Strong perceived value and end-game satisfaction
Tight, deep bass
High price point
Sibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive ears
Tight fit for larger ears
7Premium
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Excellent Call and Mic QualityAll-Day ComfortIndustry-Leading Noise CancellationHigh Price PointInconsistent Call Clarity in Certain EnvironmentsBluetooth Pairing Problems
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Excellent Call and Mic Quality
All-Day Comfort
Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
High Price Point
Inconsistent Call Clarity in Certain Environments
Bluetooth Pairing Problems
8Premium
Shure SRH1540
Neutral, accurate soundExceptional comfortGreat detail and resolutionPerceived as 'boring' by some listenersElevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutralSound highly dependent on seal and source
Shure SRH1540
Neutral, accurate sound
Exceptional comfort
Great detail and resolution
Perceived as 'boring' by some listeners
Elevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutral
Sound highly dependent on seal and source
9Budget
Philips SHP9500
Exceptional value for moneyOutstanding comfortDetailed, neutral sound signatureLight or rolled-off bassCheap-feeling build qualityPerceived treble grain/sibilance
Philips SHP9500
Exceptional value for money
Outstanding comfort
Detailed, neutral sound signature
Light or rolled-off bass
Cheap-feeling build quality
Perceived treble grain/sibilance
10Budget
Apple EarPods
Excellent Sound Quality for PriceComfortable for Extended UseNo Charging RequiredLimited Noise IsolationBuild Quality ConcernsNot Secure for Active Use
Apple EarPods
Excellent Sound Quality for Price
Comfortable for Extended Use
No Charging Required
Limited Noise Isolation
Build Quality Concerns
Not Secure for Active Use
You are here
31Budget
Creative Zen Hybrid
Budget-friendly pricingEffective ANC with multiple levelsImproved sound after Gen 2 updateComfort and fit problemsDated design with large logoMic picks up background noise
Creative Zen Hybrid
Budget-friendly pricing
Effective ANC with multiple levels
Improved sound after Gen 2 update
Comfort and fit problems
Dated design with large logo
Mic picks up background noise

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality splits opinion between refined and bass-heavy. Several users call the sound refined, neutral, and balanced with good bass and clarity, and say the Gen 2 firmware update improved things further. But others report the bass is set far too high and can't be corrected even with the B&O equalizer, overwhelming the rest of the music. One SXFI owner also found the SXFI mode makes things sound tinny compared to having it off, even in movies.

ANC and connectivity features perform well for the price. Reviewers highlight three ANC levels that work well against noise like keyboards, and a hybrid mode users recommend combining with ambient adjustments in the app. Bluetooth 5.2 is said to give a noticeable improvement over 5.0/4.0. Quick charging is praised, with 5 minutes of charge yielding 5 hours of listening, useful for people relying on the headphones daily.

Build quality, mic, and comfort have inconsistent reports. Some praise Creative's general durability, but others describe faulty pairs, terrible crackling static, and a mic that picks up voices from across the room with a volume dial that also messes with mic sensitivity. Comfort complaints include cushions sitting on the ear uncomfortably, especially with glasses, and the design is called a bit dated with a large visible logo.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?