Sound Blaster X-Fi Xmod

Pros: Low priced, simple to use, real-time enhancement of your mp3s to 24-bit audio.

Cons: Not altogether portable. AC power adapter not included.

The Bottom Line: Delivers as promised to enhance your investment in inferior mp3s to 24-bit audio output in real-time, saving you storage space, effort and money.

Review: MP3s are here to stay. Although bandwidth availability to the average home has increased to a point which is making lossless formats more widely available and has increased the bit rate found on most downloadable mp3 files, the fact is that there is ...

Pros: It really works, warms up your music, and looks good.

Cons: Only really works with certain music, not conveniently portable, somewhat expensive.

The Bottom Line: Consider the Xmod's inconveniences before buying it to enhance the sound of music on a portable device you bought for its conveniences. Sound enhancement does not equal always positive improvement.

Review: The Creative Xmod is designed to upsample your music, much like today's hi-definition players can upscale your standard definition DVDs to 720 or 1080p. In each case (upscaling music and movies) a processor and algorithm is employed to analyze the ...