Creative Katana V2 review: BEST gaming soundbar?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Buy the Katana V2 from Creative: fave.co/3rpfJfY Buy the Creative Katana V2 from Amazon: locally.link/Bhlz Video timestamps: -Pricing: 00:00 -Design: 00:36 -Buttons & remote: 01:52 -App & settings: 02:19 -Connectivity: 07:13 -Super X-Fi: 08:05 -Call quality: 09:18 -Audio demo: 10:33 -Bass: 12:13 -Treble: 13:20 -Soundstage: 14:32 -Gaming demo: 15:25 -Gaming performance: 16:47 -Verdict: 17:47

[@stuyrides5144]

Great review. Managed to get mine for £210. Sound for my pc is now so good. Gaming is unbelievable. Would definitely recommend.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Thanks for sharing, glad you liked the review too :)

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

I owned (and still own) the Katana V1; I've used it for over two years now. It is a lovely bit of sonic design and remains a remarkable value for niche consumers like myself. The spatial "effects" it can produce, with the right content, be it games or movies? Said plainly, it's pretty damn impressive and I find myself (to this day) having to record certain bits of audio with my note 10+ cel phone just cause I don't think anyone will believe me LOL ... but the cel phone doesn't do it justice, I mean, spatially and all... All that said? I've had the new Katana V2 for about three months. I love it super hard. I love it even harder than I do the Katana V1, which is saying something. The Katana V2 maintains all of the endearing qualities of the Katana V1 (minus 7.1 software emulation) but thoroughly trumps V1 in the realm of sheer power, general all around sound quality and especially, bass response. The reviewer here sort of detracts a star in the realm of mid range but I find the mid range, especially and when listening to plain music, to be one of the finest aspects of this machine. I don't find the "flat" ... "default" sound sig to be "V shaped" in the least ... to the contrary, I find the mids to be organic and natural and wholly unaffected, perceptually. But our ears are subjective creatures and so no slant on the reviewer here... s'just what I heard and all. ;-) As mentioned by the fine reviewer here, the Katana V2's passive sub woofer doesn't reach super super deep in regards to sub bass freq's in general. It is adequate for sure, the "little sub woofer that could" and all ... and it can be downright impressive at times but it's just not going to get those SUB SUB SUB bass tones that can be nice on occasion and that come naturally with larger, more proper sub woofers. But the Katana V2 sub will definitely suffice, especially for it's marketed usage (gaming/music). But back to the V1 variant ... if there is one "Achilles heel" flaw that I have discovered with the Katana V1 (V1!!) is that when playing Dolby encoded content, via optical? The little V1 sub woofer can and often does, clip. It is a gross sort of crackle/pop, really ... so brief but so ugly sounding. But it only happens on the most sub/sub/sub bass frequencies and when watching any given movie (Netflix, mostly) that renders itself as Dolby (Dolby Atmos/Dolby Vision/Dolby/etc.) ... I am quite ecstatic to say that the new, Katana V2 does not suffer from this flaw. It handles Dolby Vision content via optical like a boss and I've never heard so much as a hiccup in regards to feedback or distortion. I've already exceeded my word limit but I'll just say ... the legacy item, the Katana V1's main flaw is it's sub woofer. It is just not enough. It is a 4 ohm passive little sub and clips easily when viewing, strictly, Dolby encoded content. Use the same V1 kit with Bluetooth or USB and there are no issues but then again, those two, latter techs don't do Dolby so moot. I took my Katana V2 sub woofer and hooked it up to the Katana V1 sound bar and the issue completely disappeared. So it's def just the subwoofer. But I'm stoked to own both ... both the Katana V1 as well as the new Katana V2; they are quite ingenious little machines if I do say so myself. LOL ... I highly recommend the Katana V2. I find it fascinating and not only great sounding but super fun to just play with and try different configs on. Creative worked more of the same voodoo that they infused the Katana V1 with but with more, er ... voodoo ... Yours in sonics, ~s1rrah

[@TotallydubbedHD]

A very long and detailed comment, but appreciated. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

@@TotallydubbedHD lol ... Imma writing major who happens to find typing therapeutic ... the perfect storm. LOL ...

[@bigkabuto]

I love a strong bass and now I'm in big doubts if this one will be for me. Do you agree that a JBL deep bass bar would be better in that regard?

[@ryanmalone2681]

You “love it super hard”? Gay

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

@@ryanmalone2681 Your dog is gay.

[@zgoaty9235]

I purchased this some weeks back to replace the cheap 2.1 desktop speaker setup I was using before (subwoofer was giving out and the desktop speakers were very flat sounding), and the Katana V2 definitely gives me the sound I was looking for and it’s also less clutter on my desk. It sounds fantastic as a desktop speaker and I won’t be looking back from it. As an aside, you can also enable 5.1 Surround through Windows’ sound settings or I believe through the desktop app when connected from the USB-C port on the back of the bar to your computer (obviously it’s more simulated as it has to pass through the limited drivers on the bar itself) and it will allow for a slightly wider sound stage without sounding too muddy. The bar can get very loud up close as well so I don’t recommend setting it past 7 or 8 (which Windows will recognize as 14 and 16 respectively) or else you won’t be able to hear anything or anyone around you.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Glad you're enjoying your purchase, and thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@AL-dt5py]

I think with the up and side firing drivers it does create some kind of sound enveloping where the 5.1 surely makes sense. It's definitely stronger at that than any of the many 2 driver soundbars out there imo. It does only work well, if you use it as a desktop soundbar as mentioned in the review. Good video btw, very detailed (:

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@AL-dt5py thanks buddy, glad you liked the video!

[@DamnationUK]

I cant decide between this and the Razer Leviathan V2 PRO

[@TotallydubbedHD]

I'd pick this for its versatility

[@LoafRock]

I’ve been looking forward to this unit being reviewed. Great video 🍻

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Thanks buddy, glad the review was useful :)

[@GATOtyger]

Did you record the mobile app with battery at 69% on purpose? If so, you're my hero.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

I wish it was haha!

[@tonycapil1022]

I use my Focal 8 inch studio monitors for work in my industry and the creative for gaming when I have time. Pro monitors are for sound design and not intended for gaming due to their flat response. I'm not sure what monitors you have there but are they for studio use, or do they color the sound for music and gaming? What are Edifier monitors and are they for gaming?

[@dj.excess]

Love my V1 and debating if i should get the v2 and i think i just might lol. Tax refund season is the best hehe. Just ordered it, damn it!

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Hahaha, what a progressive comment :D

[@xianlee]

Had this since release and it sounds absolutely amazing. Using it in my bedroom with a PS5 as well for films/music and you can hear every detail. Anything past volume 8 (it goes up to 50) is loud AF.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for sharing!

[@Csauls3378]

Can you have another TV in the room that will also play sound through it? or would you have to unhook it....

[@xianlee]

@@Csauls3378 if the TV has Bluetooth, yeah

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@Csauls3378 come again?

[@aussiedaveh6215]

how did you connect it to ps5

[@georgebrown8493]

I'm looking into buying this, hopefully it's worth it! I also had the original gave it to a friend

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Hope the review was useful!

[@seonghaha]

Do you got any chance to review Creattive Stage 360? Which is the Dolby Atmos supported one. Curios how that one compare to this one. Some say 360 is great for movie and drama video. And Katana V2 is great for music and gaming. But I think Atmos support does means something to some people. Just curios how will you think about these.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Not heard of it tbh, but might do at some stage, we'll see!

[@yldrmcs]

I think this is the best review of this product. Thanks..

[@jacck123]

Ordered and coming next week look forward

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Let me know how you get on!

[@jacck123]

@@TotallydubbedHD just got it early delivered lucky Sound so good much better than monitor speakers also it’s loud asf

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@jacck123 ha amazing!

[@khalilrazak6486]

For gaming it's excellent.

[@bigkabuto]

Competitive gaming or overall? Because for a online game I used headphones anyway. For singleplayer games too where you want that "oomph" when you have explosions, gunshots, doors opening in a horror game for example etc? Via this video it's hard to tell how good the bass is.

[@HuskyKara]

Nice review! Creative Katana V2 or Panasonic soundslayer Which one is better for a computer desk audio setup? Thanks in advance 😉

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Thanks! I'd suggest the Creative due to the included subwoofer

[@HuskyKara]

@@TotallydubbedHD Thanks for the replay! Happy to see suggestion from reviewer who review both products, very helpful

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@HuskyKara no worries, glad I could help!

[@Alexander18111985]

Can somebody share your EQ settings for Katana v2? The sound I get is not to my liking :( It sounds flat :(

[@cyborggenos5142]

Great video, can you please try testing out a 3rd party active subwoofer using the sub out port on this soundbar? I'm also interested in knowing if you can use an RCA splitter cable to use an active subwoofer as well as the included one, since having 2 subwoofers at different locations in the room really makes a huge difference, just curious about whether this soundbar will allow one to do that

[@TotallydubbedHD]

No can do, sorry! And, I'm not sure if it'll accept a third party sub either

[@keetvhdlimited962]

Issit standard sub out or The subwoofer uses its own proprietary connection?

[@neilgamboa4272]

Hi! I'm not very knowledgeable on this field. Is there a difference between 5.1 surround sound audio playback vs Dolby audio 5.1 audio playback? However, The dolby audio is only available via HDMI ARC and optical and I'm thinking of purchasing this soundbar for my PC which I believe doesn't have the ARC.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Your PC won't be able to transmit any of the bettered metadata, let alone you won't be able to connect it via said input - as your PC will need a display output and will get confused in routing the audio.

[@piotrekderlecki9574]

Hi, I'm facing the choice of v2 or v2x katana right now. The price of both is practically the same, which will be better to choose? Regards 😊

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Not tried the other so can't comment

[@kudi47]

Hello,i saw it have problems after a short time with LED is that true?

[@LoafRock]

Have you had a chance to try out the Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini Sound Bar?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

That sounds like an Amazon-only third-party seller type of product lol. Nope!

[@AdmiralAndy]

I m using the Logitech Z623...and asking myself if the Katana V2 sounds better?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Not sure!

[@raymondhoang7008]

would you pick this over the soundslayer for general use pc/tv?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Good question, well if you want better low end reproduction, then yes I'd pick the Creative!

[@Rajesh_0190]

11:50 set the tv colour tempreture to warm

[@TotallydubbedHD]

No, it'll make the entire image off due to lighting conditions.

[@RayMak]

This is so amazing

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Glad you like it!

[@tintan1235]

Can it stream losless audio?

[@soundblastersxfi3778]

Creative KATANA V2 is the best soundbar for PC games until 400€?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Presume you watched the video?

[@soundblastersxfi3778]

@@TotallydubbedHD Yes!Yes, of course I saw the video. It is that I have tried the Katana V1 and I found it to be a great sound for PC games. I loved. So I suppose that this Katana V2 is logically better than the V1 and therefore I imagine that it must be one of the best bars for games. It does not have Dolby Atmos but the sound should still be a spectacle. Creative if she has something is that she is an expert in sound for games.

[@sanane66543]

which would you say is better this or panasonic soundlsayer if they were same price?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

On the whole, this one for me!

[@sanane66543]

@@TotallydubbedHD thanks alot for the quick response 👍 i have had a very hard time between the two thanks

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@sanane66543 no worries, if you're buying via Amazon the links in the description give me commission :)

[@sanane66543]

@@TotallydubbedHD haha for sure do you got amazon de links do? im from europe so cant really buy from us store

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@sanane66543 the link should take you there, does it not?

[@bigkabuto]

Big speakers (even bookshelf) is not ideal for my setup. So a soundbar is definetely what I want. I do love a strong bass though and it's disappointing to hear that it isn't as good as other brands. With JBL Bar Deep Bass, do you mean the 2019 one? It's the only one available here.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Yup, that's the one!

[@bigkabuto]

@@TotallydubbedHD Wow, thanks for the super fast reply. I'm solely gonna be using it for my Xbox and for movies and shows. Connecting it to my Samsung QD-OLED. So you would say I'm just better off with a JBL overall? Or especially bass? I wish I could demo the Katana V2, but the reality is they aren't even available here. Gonna need to order them from the Creative site.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@bigkabuto no worries. Yes, especially for bass the JBL would be my top pick for the price. However, consider it'll be harder to fit in a setup due to its size (incl the bar)!

[@bigkabuto]

@@TotallydubbedHD it seems the soundbar is not as high as the Katana V2, both can fit nicely under my tv. I just checked. So that's good. :)

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@bigkabuto great! Let me know what you make of it - and don't forget to drop a like and sub :)

[@philkitty5945]

Hello, Can you turn the display off, so it does not show any info?

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Think this was covered in the review, but yes.

[@philkitty5945]

@@TotallydubbedHD sorry must have missed it, thanks for confirming.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@philkitty5945 feel free to check through Creative's manual just to be on the safe side. And don't forget to subscribe and drop a like, if you haven't already :)

[@pablocirtes8904]

Hola muy buen video bueno yo te puedo dar mi experiencia con la katana la primera generación anterior a esta es verdaderamente excelente por sus componentes internos ya sean eso para cada controlador le dan un sonido y un detalle muy muy impresionante y más si lo conectas al pc ya otra cosa mucho mejor. A todo esto tuve hace poco no más y vi una película donde tengo la katana y se escuchó excelente con pc los detalles etc fue impresionante y los efectos rebotes que me llamaron la atención en fin y en mi dormitorio tengo comprada hace la Samsung hw q800c que suena muy bien excelente inmersión etc sobre todo en Atmos wauuu bueno la cosa que cuando veo la misma película que vi en la katana quede impresionado en la katana escuché detalles que en la Samsung definitivamente no se escuchan queee dije pero como si obviamente la Samsung debería ser mucho mejor muchos más parlantes etc pero volví a ver y compararlas claro efectivamente la katana es mucho mejor en detalles y te diría en la banda sonora de la película es mucho más claro los instrumentos la película es la Annabella la creación que esa película tiene infidad de detalles que lamentablemente en la Samsung no se perciben pero en la katana conectada al pc viéndola de la aplicación de appletv y en el Samsung conectado igual pc lejos la katana con efecto rebote de la katana quede igual impresionante pero la Samsung ahí es mucho obviamente debe ser por los parlantes traseros mm dije volveré a comprobar instale el bluy Ray a la Samsung compré la película original y me la puse a ver dije aquí debería sonar mucho mejor true HD y no me vas creer nada cero detalles queee😮😮 y eso que la revise en modo standards modo adaptativo y por último surround y nada después vine instale el bluy a mi home cinema 5.1 RX v475 con kef de la serie T101 y si se siento el detalle pero muy bajo y en algunas escenas no más y vine puse el disco bluy Ray en el lector de bluy Ray de mi pc con la katana desactivando todo controlador de la katana pensando que esa magia la hacía los controladores de la katana y adivinen que pasooo quede loco igual se escucharon los detalles bien definidos y activar el software de katana y sobre todo el crystalizer le di todo que es ese que hace que cada música y películas resalten cada detalle de música o película pero como es cuando un fabricante usa sus hardware de buena calidad y sobre salen bastante aquí katana usa eso para cada controlador y teewter y más un procesador digital de multinucleo de 24bit 96 y vine dije esto no puede ser que una barra más avanzada no tenga tanta claridad en los detalles y por último vine instale la barra katana a un televisor por medio de cable óptico y hice el procesa con appletv 4k y el bluy Ray y te diré que igual hay finesas en los detalles y no solo en esa película en varias mas si es verdad quizás Samsung este modelo que tengo q800c no sea tan fina pero inmersión y Atmos es espectacular ya probaré q990 haber si la refinería de detalles será mejor que la katana y aún estoy sorprendido

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Dominik-fh9vu]

Is it worth it 350€ or should i wait for an better price

[@TotallydubbedHD]

That's too much.

[@computerscience4902]

This is pretty late but I compared the Katana V2 to my LG C2 built in speakers and they sound very similar. Biggest difference between the two is the low end with the Katana V2 sub but its not subbass, just bloated midbass. In terms of tonality/frequency response, the Katana V2 sounds super tinny and requires EQ to be tolerable. I dunno how anyone in these comments can say with a straight face that this thing sounds good. It has two tweeters pointed at your face that are tuned way too bright and two tiny mid woofers aimed at the ceiling. Zero stereo image, zero sound stage, zero sound quality. I highly suggest people buy a pair of Kanto YU2's on sale and add any throw away subwoofer to it for a far better listening experience while also coming in less expensive. You can lay them on their side under a monitor and tilt them up with some stands to get almost an identical footprint.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Sounds like you've got a bad setup or something wrong, sorry!

[@computerscience4902]

@@TotallydubbedHD What are those 3020i's on your desk? Given you know what decent bookshelf speakers sound like I just can't take your comment serious. I know you and every other reviewer Creative paid to shill this terrible sound bar refuse to say anything negative about it but you and I both know it's objectively garbage. It is seriously no better than a TV's built in speakers with its only advantage being the sound is pointed at you. Let me get out my UMIK-2 and measure this trash for you.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@computerscience4902 I've never been paid by Creative in my life, and if you knew the type of reviewer I am you'd know that's never going to be the case with any review. Oh, and they are the 3030i. PS. don't be a dick, or else you'll just get yourself banned :)

[@xianlee]

@@computerscience4902 How can you say TV speakers are better than this? you don't know jack

[@computerscience4902]

@@xianlee Mainly because I directly compared it to a TV's audio you dummy. I main LS50 Meta's. This soundbar is trash. Most high end TV's have more capable drivers and enclosure tuning since a decent chunk of R&D is spent toward audio as the majority use internal TV speakers. Anybody who thinks this sounds better than even a Klipsch Promedia 2.1 bargain bin set of PC speakers needs to get their ears checked. Here is a comparison between the new Hertiage 2.1 vs Katana: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGiYmXSEmtOipaM Katana sounds like tinny, localized garbage as the guy demo'ing concludes.

[@allansh828]

I bought it. The sound quality is very disappointing, very similar to the much cheaper Creative Stage.

[@allansh828]

but I am still keeping for mic input and low noise floor. Other soundbars have really loud noise floor with listening within 1 meter.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Something doesn't sound right there, it's far superior to the stage in many ways sonically!

[@allansh828]

@@TotallydubbedHD I am returning it. I can't stand the awful sound any more. The headphone output is actually decent but the speaker has a wierd balanced amature timbre. It's way too harsh. My old LG SK5 soundbar, which I tried to replace due to its noise floor, sounds much more nature. I'll try my luck with Genelec 8010A. Maybe I should just buy real speakers.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@allansh828 odd, definitely didn't have such issues.

[@allansh828]

@@TotallydubbedHD I am in heaven now with Genelec. They sound silky smooth off my Schiit stack. It was really stupid of me to get a desktop soundbar.

[@Dude_Guyman]

$280?!?! No thanks, I'd sooner spend $99 on a vastly superior pair of Presonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitors...or $280 on a full blown receiver + speakers.

[@DDosAndDonts]

Thanks for the alternative recommendation. I am skeptical about the sound bar

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Sonos beam gen 2 far far far superior

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Get a beam gen 2 from sonos 😂😂😂😂this is like tv speakers its awful.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

Erm, nope!

[@gavrawlinson3099]

I had multiple high end samsung soundbars q acoustics sound bar edifier sk200111 I thaught the katana blows them all away especially for gaming

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@gavrawlinson3099 hard to believe that too, lol.

[@1kot4u]

what the heck is GAMING soundbar? that is ridiculous to call everything that has that ugly gipsy style RGB strip GAMING equipment - stop it. I bet people hate RGB especially facing towards TV viewers

[@TotallydubbedHD]

You mad bro? 😂

[@dervandernburg1641]

It's a soundbar tailored to gaming, are you that dumb?

[@kenja0685]

Well several issues with Movie and TV based Soundbars is there is latency in sound that is usually addressed by delaying the video. But for gaming, this is not the answer as delaying gameplay even up to 600ms is terribly sluggish. I know you don't like the term "Gaming" and "Gamers" as many of us don't but in some cases, it's very necessary to highlight features that we really care about. A lot of it can be taken for granted like "Gaming Chairs" or "Gaming Desk". But for Monitors, Computers, Audio, and Control (KB&M or Controller), I would put high stock into those types of products first before checking out other options. The RGB is just a product of its time really.

[@TotallydubbedHD]

@@kenja0685 well said!

[@throwinsomeds]

I have RGB everywhere on my game station, this would be a wonderful addition, i want it lol