The new Creative Stage V2 is a great 2.1 sound system with multiple inputs and a separate wired ... [+]
My job is great because I get to review some of the latest and greatest audio equipment currently on the market. However, one of the best aspects of my work that gives me the biggest thrill is when I get to review audio kit that works brilliantly and costs very little. For some reason, I get a big kick out of reviewing consumer electronics that deliver great performance at a price almost anyone can afford. A case in point is the new Creative Stage V2 sound bar.
This is the second iteration of Creative’s budget sound bar offering and this version sees Creative pulling out all the stops to create a product that’s as good as some models costing more than twice the price. The Creative Stage V2 can transform the sound of any flat-screen TV and makes watching movies or listening to music a genuine pleasure.
Unlike other sound bars in this price range, the Creative Stage V2 comes with a separate wired subwoofer unit that beefs up the low-level rumbles that make movies so exciting to watch. The sound bar is compact and just 7.7cm tall, which is low enough to fit comfortably in front of most TV screens without impeding the view. and can also be wall-mounted beneath a TV, if required.
The remote supplied with the Creative Stage V2 sound bar is a high-quality device that provides all ... [+]
This is an incredibly well-built sound bar for the money and features a real metal grille on its front, protecting the Dual 2.25-inch driver units. The plastic end caps of the bar are made from high-quality plastic and, at one end, there are few control buttons for turning the sound bar on, adjusting volume levels and pairing with Bluetooth devices.
Behind the speaker grille, there’s a blue LED display that provides an alphanumeric feedback to show which input is selected as well as other info like volume level and tone settings. The LED display can’t be dimmed or turned off and I’d like to have seen a dimmer switch on the remote control for doing this, but that’s a minor criticism. On the base of the Stage V2 there are rubber isolating feet that help keep it in place and the feet also reduce vibrations.
The Creative Stage V2 includes an HDMI ARC input for hitching the sound bar to a smart TV. Because it’s ARC, the volume can be controlled using the TV’s remote. The soundbar also has a USB-C input for connecting to a computer or a games console, plus there’s an analog 3.5mm stereo jack for connecting old-school devices. For people with older-style TVs, there's also an optical SPDIF input. Finally, there’s a Bluetooth input for playing audio streamed from a smartphone or tablet. Only the basic SBC audio codec is supported but that’s more than adequate on this kind of device.
The Creative Stage V2 comes with a separate wired 5.25-inch subwoofer for a really low bass ... [+]
The remote supplied with the Creative Stage V2 is far better than the usual credit card remote that ships with many cheaper sound bars. It’s a nicely made device with soft-touch rubber buttons and controls for switching inputs as well as for tweaking bass and treble settings. There are also buttons for switching on Surround and the Clear Dialog function. There are buttons for volume, muting and controlling media that’s playing over Bluetooth.
Setting up the Creative Stage V2 is easy and takes just a few minutes. Simply plug it into the mains and connect to a TV using the supplied HDMI cable. Creative also throws in an analog cable and a USB-C lead for connecting the Stage V2 up to a games console or computer. Creative hasn’t stinted here and has gone the extra mile in providing all the bits and pieces needed to get the sound bar up and running.
The first thing I noticed when firing up the Creative Stage V2 is how good it sounds. The sound can knock spots off most other sub-$100 sound bars that you’ll see piled high in electronics stores next to cheap TVs. The Stage V2 is in a totally different league to most other budget models. The bass levels are surprisingly good thanks to the separate subwoofer. At this price point, it won’t serve up the sort of performance you’d get from a $600 sound system, but it’s still impressive and streets ahead of sound bars without a subwoofer. The tone settings can be tweaked using the bass and treble controls on the remote control. The bass level is strong enough to stand being reduced a notch or two while the treble can be nudged up a bit to give the midrange a little more breathing space. It all depends on the acoustics of the room the Stage V2 is used in.
At just 7.8cm tall, the Creative Stage V2 is low profile enough to fit in front a TV without ... [+]
Both the Surround and the Clear Dialog functions work very well. The Creative Stage V2 doesn’t support Dolby but pressing the Surround button instantly widens the soundstage and enhances action movies with a dynamic surround effect. The Clear Dialog function is also worth using as it helps the dialog to punch through other sounds and makes voices a bit clearer. It’s certainly worth using on news bulletins, for example.
Verdict: This budget sound bar from Creative is an absolute triumph. The Creative Stage V2 has to be the best sound bar in its price range and it both looks good and feels well made. The sound from the Stage V2 is brilliant for the money. It won’t compete with the best models on the market that support Dolby Atmos and rear speakers, but there’s nothing to touch it for the money. For use with a second or bedroom TV, the Creative Stage V2 is a fantastic product. I’d be happy using it with my main TV. There are connections for HDMI ARC, optical, USB-C and analog inputs, which is about all the inputs you need. There’s no Wi-Fi connection but as there’s no support for Apple AirPlay 2 or Google Chromecast Built-In, that’s not a problem. If you’re looking for a budget sound bar that punches well above its weight, you simply can’t go wrong with the Creative Stage V2. Highly recommended.
Pricing: $109.99 / £99.99 / €109.99
More info: creative.com
Tech Specs:
- Dimensions: Sound bar: 78 x 680 x 100 mm (3.07 x 26.8 x 3.94 inches)
- Subwoofer: 423 x 116 x 250 mm (16.7 x 4.6 x 9.84 inches)
- Weight: Sound bar: 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs), Subwoofer: 3.3 kg (7.28 lbs)
- Power output: Main unit: 2 x 20 W, Subwoofer: 1 x 40W
- Peak power: 160W RMS
- Drivers: Dual 2.25″ sound bar drivers, 5.25″ subwoofer driver
- Frequency response: 55–20,000 Hz
- System configuration: 2.1 system
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): ≥ 75 dB
- Bluetooth version: 5.0
- Supported codecs: SBC
- Connectors: HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, AUX-in, Optical-in, USB-C
