Everybody knows that compressed music like MP3 doesn't sound as good as a CD, and everybody seems totally fine with making that sacrifice if it means they can carry 80 zillion songs with them in a gadget the size of a chocolate bar. For the remaining few golden-eared wonders who turn their noses up at the iPod and its brethren, Creative has a new portable gadget for improving what you hear. The Xmod uses the company's proprietary sound-processing technology, called X-Fi, in an attempt to restore the "details and vibrance" to music by enhancing the bass and treble. It also can create a virtual surround sound experience through your headphones, if you're into that. I heard X-Fi demo'd awhile back, and it certainly seemed to improve the sound of some MP3s, although I still find this chart on Creative's website hilarious. I love that Y-axis — exactly how do you measure "Experience," guys? What are the units for that? Joybits? Or just pure Awesomeness? That's Creative, indeed. At any rate, you can pick up an Xmod for $80, although it's powered from your computer, so if you want to use it with your iPod, you'll need to get an AC adapter… sold separately. My Experience rating just went down. — Peter Pachal

Creative, via Gizmodo