CREATIVE KATANA V2X | Why it's more than just any soundbar

[@gearupaaron]

Q-time: What's your current gaming speaker setup? If you need a change or an upgrade, please use my affiliate link amzn.to/43MlYem - thank you!

[@guillaumepare9651]

Better late than never. I have the pebble v2 which is not great but good and has an excellent price/quality ratio. If you're looking for videos to make that noone do: review of surround (or whatever act as such) PC soundbars. It's the only thing that a 2.0 or 2.1 setup cannot do and a lot of peoples don't want a 5.1 setup. There's review videos of them but noone has made a comparison. How does the leviathan (V2 pro, V2, V2x) compare to the katana (v2, v2x, and other crative) and maybe other brands? The V2 pro proved that you can do good with a soundbar so I expect this maket to increase. I can give a little hand if you want.

[@bryant.3109]

Man, Creative products sure takes me back with the legendary Sound Blaster and Aurvana Live. They are too underrated.

[@gearupaaron]

They definitely are. Not too long ago they were, like, THE hot brand.

[@Ussie_A]

I have the V2 and its excellent. I returned my Razer Leviathan V2 Pro (their new one in 2023) as it was garbage with hardly and connectivity. With this I can hook it up to my work computers, gaming computer, PS5, Nintendo Switch, multiple phones etc. It's excellent and Creative Katana really need to be advertised more - they are some serious underdogs.

[@davidg.250]

and have remote control too..razer not have..

[@EdwinChiwonadijas]

Just bought the V2X, quick question is it possible to use the LED as a clock? I spend a lot of time on my desk and love to hide the menu bar. It would be nice to have a watch there since it sits on the desk.

[@gearupaaron]

Unfortunately, no. It's a great idea, though!

[@tamick21]

just ordered mine today

[@gearupaaron]

Let us know what you think of it when you get it 😁

[@dis6900]

I decided to go with a Denon S-517 soundbar vs the Katana because the software from what I've read/seen is buggy. Yeah, it doesn't have the gaming features of the Katana but Denon makes some high quality products and the soundbar sounds so good for nearfield listening.

[@gearupaaron]

How wide is the Denon soundbar?

[@dis6900]

@@gearupaaron 41 inches so a good bit wider than the Creative.

[@uly102]

Creative Stage 360 with only 2 drivers, but does support dolby atmos or the v2x with no dolby atmos support. Which one do you think is better?

[@gearupaaron]

It'd be more like simulated Atmos with only 2 drivers. Same price for either?

[@danagoyette7932]

There's a USB-A on the back for SXFi out... does that mean it actually works with random USB headphones?

[@gearupaaron]

Good question... Wish I had a USB headphone still to test your theory.

[@btrue2day]

Does anyone know if the audio wake can be disabled? I mean not letting the soundbar go to sleep? I have a Marshall Acton II and it drives me crazy.

[@asan1050]

GearUP with Aaron...ThanksMuch!..

[@gearupaaron]

Anytime, my friend.

[@nohandlehere55]

My monitors are on raised arms and plan on using a VESA bracket to raise the V2X under my primary monitor. Any thoughts? I'm figuring simulated surround might be affected, but I've never expected to get true surround from a bar anyways. I'm hoping that I can tension the arm to be able to hold up the added weight.

[@gearupaaron]

You're gonna really need a heavy duty arm or light monitor. I have a 32 curved screen and the bar sits right below it tilted up on the desk.

[@nohandlehere55]

@@gearupaaron I just received mine and it really isn't that heavy. My monitor arm is pretty beefy w/ a 37" LG wide and I think a couple turns of the tension screw will keep things good. Will see when I get my VESA bar bracket tomorrow. I'm a little disappointed with how "flat" the bar sounds and I did mess w/ the EQ and surround settings...also the "wideness" isn't there even just for stereo. It probably is good enough for what I need, but it is no Sonos so I wouldn't buy for a Home Theatre. The primary reason I got this is to clear space (removing my bookcase system & speakers) and this had a USB input for PCs (with all the kluding that needs to be done w/ PC monitors that don't have HDMI ARC).

[@styzoom]

Which version do you recommend for the TV?

[@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 😊

[@gearupaaron]

Really depends on how much power and space you have (sub on V2 is larger). I'd go for the V2 for the same price.

[@ex-x7079]

I'll get this for sure. But saving money atm.

[@gearupaaron]

Let us know when you get it! Thanks for watching 🤙

[@dillonimpullitti6268]

I have this but no matter what I do, audio sounds so boxy and partially muted.. any tips

[@gearupaaron]

How much have you played with the EQ and/or presets?

[@dillonimpullitti6268]

Quite a lot. I found a good spot but it still feels muted in some areas. Tried Dolby Atmos, tried uninstalling Creative, tried messing with crystallization and surround levels. What’s frustrating is I had it perfect before, but then I factory reset and forgot to save my presets

[@ktbikefun]

Looking at this too. Might use this as sound bar for my TV and zwift lol😅

[@gearupaaron]

That'd be a lot of loud workouts on that Zwift! 😝

[@veggera]

Am i the only who have issues with this soundbar connected on eARC?

[@gearupaaron]

Wha kinda issues?

[@NupoNupsNupsie]

Is the integrated headphone AMP powerful enough to properly drive my Sennheiser HD600's? (They're nominally rated for 300 ohm.)

[@gearupaaron]

It might be right at the cusp of its limits, TBH. The 600 has about 90-ishdB/mW, iirc, so it's pushing it. Definitely can't drive the 800. Hope that helps!

[@NupoNupsNupsie]

@@gearupaaron do u know the exact ohm

[@NupoNupsNupsie]

Impedance on the katana

[@gearupaaron]

I would like to know too... that part isn't disclosed by Creative.

[@josefreitas6997]

Comparing to tthe original V2, does the V2 subwoofer justifies the 50 euros difference?

[@godmodes]

The v2 is on sale now for cheaper than v2x

[@gearupaaron]

@godmodes Thanks for the tip... Can you share the link?

[@godmodes]

@@gearupaaron It's on the official Creative website

[@josefreitas6997]

@@godmodes just bought it, thanks

[@gearupaaron]

Let us know what you think of it when you get your new toy! 😁

[@ileezh7782]

I thought you were kidding! hehe, was going to buy this anyway. but the auto wake up bothers me so much! And this is my second day with it...

[@gearupaaron]

How does your auto wake work for you? Mine doesn't work every single time, but I think it's the PC rather than the Katana. Also, it's slow to wake up.

[@ileezh7782]

Around 10 seconds before sound comes on .. so i turnet off the whole saving thing.@@gearupaaron

[@LiftingDonuts]

This or SteelSeries 7.1?

[@gearupaaron]

I know they have a 5.1 bar with simulated 7.1 - is that what you're referring to?

[@LiftingDonuts]

@@gearupaaron I think they call it SteelSeries Arena 7 2.1.

[@espressochicken3368]

I think it's time to upgrade from my Razer Nommo v1

[@gearupaaron]

Anything wrong with it?

[@espressochicken3368]

@@gearupaaron Nope, they still works like a charm, but i want something with more bass when gaming/movie/listening to bass boosted music. Will the sound quality be impacted by the size of the room? Cuz my room is around 52 square feet.

[@DotaImmortals]

V2 or v2x?

[@gearupaaron]

They're both about the same at the end of the day, do whichever is cheaper 😝

[@paulinerutherford4958]

in the vein of giving a score .... you audio sucks at time in this review there is an echo/reverb going on that is super annoying. Other that that good review.

[@gearupaaron]

Yeah, glad you noticed. My mic setup was whacked because I was moving things around the office during that time. The fact is, it's an old house and the acoustics are challenging.

[@AR-Race]

I like this, but I just think that screen on the front looks so tacky and 90's.

[@gearupaaron]

Most of the time you don't even notice it's there. 😝

[@DanielAbdelsamed]

I just got this thing and had the same reaction. In the Creative app on Windows, under settings -> device -> display -> off, you can permanently turn it off!

[@DanielAbdelsamed]

And with that noted too, if you interact with it the screen comes on for about 5 seconds then goes back off

[@gearupaaron]

Thanks for sharing these tips! A million life points to you 😁👍

[@DanielAbdelsamed]

@@gearupaaron Accepted! Furthermore I noticed in the video you had a complaint about the timeout. Settings -> Device -> Energy Saving -> Off will make it never sleep (unless you want that)