A couple of years ago, Singaporean audio company Creative Labs launched a pair of minimalist desktop speakers, the Creative Pebble V3. It’s nearly identical to its predecessor, the V2, but it’s got slightly bigger drivers and, most importantly, it adds Bluetooth connectivity into the mix.
What Am I Looking At?
The Creative Pebble V3 are a pair of desktop speakers that are USB-powered through a single USB-C cable which can also route audio. Aside from the USB cable, it can also connect to other audio sources via Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm AUX-in cable, although it still needs to be powered by USB while using the latter methods.
For the updated version, these speakers are equipped with larger 2.25-inch drivers that the brand claims are up to 50% louder than the original Pebble speakers. They are also elevated at a 45-degree angle which it says is the “sweet spot” for more immersive listening. On the back of each speaker is a vent, presumably to help enhance the bass.
At the bottom of both speakers are textured circular padding to provide grip so they don’t move about too much on your desk. Additionally, the bottom of the right speaker contains a built-in gain switch which, when connected to a 10W USB-C or USB-A port, activates high gain mode for amplified audio, increasing its power from 8W to up to 16W.
As for controls, there is a volume knob next to a Bluetooth button, both on the right speaker. The Bluetooth button allows you to switch between all three audio sources, namely USB, Bluetooth, and AUX-in.
What’s Good About It?
First, let’s talk about the design. Despite the company’s name, it’s far from being the most inspiring creation by the brand; it’s not a product that would stand out, even if you saw it on a shelf in an electronic store. On personal level, and as a minimalist, I do love how its small stature and friendly design allow it to blend into the background and be a seamless part of your setup. That being said, as with all wired speakers, you’re gonna have to get creative at hiding the cables.
Sound-wise, they pack quite a punch despite the tiny size. I did try using them with my TV and even when I sat maybe three to four metres away, the audio was still loud and crisp. These speakers get loud enough that I never felt the need to crank it up to 100%, especially when the high gain mode was enabled.
They’re a little bit heavier on the bass than I would prefer, but this ultimately comes down to personal preferences. The Creative Pebble V3 features what it calls a Clear Dialog audio processing technique, which works well enough for me since I prioritise voices for both music and movies.
One thing that I have to give Creative credit for is the included USB-C to USC-A adapter. It’s a small thing that would otherwise probably be cheap for me to buy online, but it’s an undoubtedly useful addition that came in the box.
What’s The Catch?
With three different connection methods supported for audio sources, it’s an extremely versatile peripheral device. However, one aspect that I have to criticise is the Bluetooth connectivity. It doesn’t seem to be good at automatically reconnecting to the last device it was connected to.
One such example is that every time I turned my TV off and then back on, I would have to manually turn on the connecting mode by pressing the Bluetooth button or it wouldn’t reconnect at all.
Should I Get It?
The Creative Pebble V3 only costs US$32 (~RM149) on their website or RM160 through their Shopee and Lazada stores. With that price, you’re getting adorable speakers to put on your desk that get decently loud and sound great, which makes it an accessible device to upgrade your setup for watching content.
With the added versatility of the three supported audio sources, it also doubles as wireless speakers for your phone and other devices. Because of its affordable price tag, these speakers are a steal for anyone looking to elevate their audio game while on a tight budget.
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