Introduction
Yeah… Check out the 160W total power all-in-one audio solution from Creative. Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar and Subwoofer come with Clear Dialog and Surround by Sound Blaster that perfect for TV and desktop monitor. It is loaded with HDMI (ARC), optical, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and AUX-in. Yes, it can connect to all your devices and not just your TV. Workable on computers, mobile phones, tablets, or even gaming consoles like PS4 and Nintendo Switch too. Sound great? Let’s find out together…
Special Thanks
This review is possible thanks to below companies. Be sure to check them out…
- Creative for this Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar and Subwoofer with Clear Dialog and Surround by Sound Blaster for TV and Desktop Monitor
Package Content & Design
Creative Stage V2 comes in a big package. Well-protected as usual. Both soundbar and subwoofer are in the same box. Once taken them out, there are IR remote control, 3.5mm AUX-in cable, power cable, USB-C to USB-A cable, warranty leaflets and quick start guide in the package.
Excellent build quality is what you can expect from Stage V2. Stylish and minimalistic in design. Let’s have a look at the soundbar first. It has metal speaker grill and glossy housing with some plastic parts. Having 68 cm in length. Slightly longer than 27″ PC monitor that I have. Powered by dual 2.25″ custom-tuned, mid-range driver that provides 20W total power each.
All the inputs and output are located at the back. Separated in multiple places.
Alright, here are USB-C, HDMI (ARC) and AUX inputs.
And optical input and subwoofer output here.
Follow by AC power input. Do check out the wall mount bracket and anti-skid pad. They are located on both left and right as usual.
Finally, buttons are located on the right. Dedicated Bluetooth button while power button also acts as audio mode button. Plus and minus are for master volume as expected.
A tall and slim subwoofer. Excellent build quality as well. It is loaded with sturdy MDF wood as housing. Comes with 5.25″ speaker driver with fabric cover on the right. The reflex port is located at the front bottom part.
Yup, this is the 40W long-throw subwoofer driver.
Lastly, have a closer look at the bass reflex port. And 4 anti-skid pads too.
Performance Result
All-in-one audio entertainment system to rule them all. Creative Stage V2 comes with all the connectivity options that you will ever need. Thanks to digital connection like HDMI (ARC), optical and USB-C, everything is processed by the soundbar directly. Yes, you get the cleanest audio quality through digital. Most of the TV and TV Box support them nowadays. So do use it. No worry if don’t have, AUX connection is always there for you. As you can see, the built-in LED display is very useful and clear. The 35 is the maximum volume level and blue LED light is the Bluetooth turned-on indicator.
Excellent Bluetooth range! It is able to get connected up to 8m+ with obstacles like wall. As for response, it is excellent with virtually no lag between video and audio. Playing games and watching movie on smartphone / tablet are great. Stage V2 remembers the last used audio source after power off. That’s great! However, it can’t remember all other settings. Volume level is back to 10. All the EQ settings are reset after power off. Therefore, the solution – just standby it will do.
80W (RMS) total power output is more than enough to blast in a large living room. Yes, enjoy much louder and powerful sound when compared to TV built-in speakers. The very first thing that you will notice – deep and bumping bass from the subwoofer. TV’ ones can’t produce those. Rest assures that it will bring a lot of excitements in all your movie, TV drama and games. Yes, enjoy action movies like never before.
Sound Quality
As for sound signature, it is flexible. Thanks to treble and bass volume control. You can change Stage V2 into flat, balanced, V-shape or U-shape sound signature through the IR remote control. Totally up to you. There are 5 levels up and 5 levels down for both treble and bass volume control. Personally, I found out that +3 bass level suits me the most. No harm to have more powerful and deeper bass, right?
In details, highs are clear and crisp. No harshness at all. The custom-tuned, mid-range drivers do a great job here no doubt. All the musical instruments can be heard clearly. Mids performs great. Fuller and richer sound is what you get. Both female and male’s vocals sound nice and natural. Bass is deep and powerful for its size thanks to the long-throw subwoofer. You can feel the bass bumping here and there. Great for action movies and games.
That’s not all. You can enjoy Surround and Clear Dialog audio mode through Sound Blaster’s audio technologies. Personally, I love the surround mode the most. It does deliver wider soundstage and spatialized audio. It brings everything forward and closer toward you in 3D. And slightly increase the sharpness and clarity of the treble too. This is my must enabled mode!
As for clear dialog, it does what the name applies. It amplifies the vocals and spoken dialog. Yes, you can hear each syllable clearly in return. Great for listening to the news or anything important.
Advantages
- Crisp & clear sound with amazing deep bass
- Surround & Clear Dialog Modes
- 80W (RMS) total power output
- HDMI (ARC), optical & UBS-C support
- Excellent Bluetooth range
- Build quality is excellent
- Minimalistic design
Limitations
- Can’t remember setting values except for audio mode after power off
Conclusion
Every TV should come with Creative Stage V2. Enjoy crisper, clearer sound with amazing deep bass. All-in-one audio solution that great not limited to TV only but desktop PC and mobile devices too. Wait no more and get yours at Creative Website directly or Amazon.
