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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget, Creative Labs Zen Air earbuds are a more affordable option that offers good sound quality, with decent features for casual music listening and exercise due to their sweatproof design. However, they aren't ideal for calls, gaming, or watching TV because of their lower performance in those areas. EPOS PC38X headphones, while more expensive, provide excellent sound quality and are superior for immersive experiences like music, gaming, and video, thanks to their extraordinary mic quality and soundstage. They're not suitable for exercise or travel as they're not sweatproof, portable, nor do they offer noise isolation. Additionally, if wireless convenience is a priority, the Zen Air has that advantage, whereas the PC38X requires a wired connection. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$139
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Zen Air
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Check
Maike Paeßens | February 2023
"The Creative Zen Air’s weak points are its low battery life and rather short Bluetooth range. On the other hand, the strengths of these weatherproof True Wireless in-Ears are the sound and the wide attenuation of the Active Noise Cancellation. Considering the price range, the speech intelligibility during calls is also exceptionally good."
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the EPOS PC38X
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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