We definitely miss using a Creative product, especially their speakers lineup. When I was in my early years in using a PC, I still remember using a Creative desktop speaker with 2 stations. Fast forward to 2023 the brand is still in the tech market and they have quite a wide range of audio solutions for audio junkies like me.
While their official Lazada store offers products ranging from speakers, soundbars, sound cards, headphones, true wireless earphones and even a webcam. All delivering the Creative experience for your media consumption needs.
For this one, we’re going to focus on the Creative Stage Air v2 USB Soundbar . Ideally to be placed under the space of your PC Monitor display cause of it’s short height footprint and just being as wide as a 15″ laptop. But as speakers now progress, this one is also very capable despite being a mini-soundbar.
Very straightforward the Stage Air v2 is just 1.2kg to carry with a decent plastic overall chasis and meta front grill similar to the traditional design Creative is doing ever since. Wrapped in piano black glossy finish the body of the Creative Stage Air v2 is very prone to scratches, even using a simple cloth is guaranteed to produce micro swirls.
Lastly the front grill mesh is also a fingerprint magnet, so advance warning to OC people who always wipe clean their devices cause of fingerprint or residue marks. Aside fro, those heads up, the Creative Stage Air v2 is a very capable speaker and portable too.
Out of the three methods bluetooth is the most flexible especially if you are on-the-go with this speaker like moving rooms or even bringing to work or school. Via bluetooth 5.3 if your end device is compatible, you will be able to take advantage of more preium audio experience with aptX LL, aptX HD, aptX, and SBC file formats.
Controls are very direct with a rubberized button set on the right size (facing the unit) with proper tactile feel for the volume, pairing / mode, and power.
Audio quality wise via Bluetooth the Creative Stage Air v2 can be loud for a small room or a small group of people like 3-5 Enough of a speaker for nook stations that would need the clarity and volume without the need for subwoofers.
Range of the speakers is best for music that has less deeper bass like old music sets in the 1970s where instruments like Violins, Trumpets or even Chimes are more defined. It’s main weakness is obviously the lack of having a subwoofer for the bass, just remember to avoid low frequency bass like R&B songs as the bass will be too distorted and you will already hear airy speaker movements.
Despite the thinner range for the bass, this mini soundbar still packs a punch and can be more satisfactory by connecting via the USB port to the medium like a PC, or even consoles like a PS5. This way the unit is using direct USB prioritizing better audio medium and ensuring steady powerflow for the battery to be charged.
But again this can also be a portable mini-soundbar cause of its built-n battery. That’s the wonder of this mini-soundbar versus other portable speakers. This is perfect if you are a multi-platform device user, so you can always have decent audio versus your laptop’s very weak speakers like windows laptops. While the battery is rated by Creative in having up to 6 hours of battery life, we managed to max it at around 4 hours in watching a movie or two in full volume. So that’s more than enough for your need for an portable audio fix before looking for a charger outlet.
Once you’re done outside you can simply put back the speaker back to your workstation like a PC to have it charged abd back to USB connection. Oh the charger port demands 2A 5V or 10W charging rate to be optimal, so don’t use those cheapo charger for this mini soundbar for the best wired charging rate.
Perhaps just one feedback to Creative, as much as we want to tag along this speaker to outside strips or much needed group netflix movies with your friends….this speaker doesn’t have a handle to carry and the body is way to prone in having scratches. So a carrying case would be really handy.
So overall the Creative Stage Air v2 is a wonderful mini soundbar that is ideal for both mini workstation or for an on-the-go multimedia junkie. Just priced at Php3,107 this mini soundbar is ideal for personal or small group consumption, enough to fill your location with proper audio quality that isn’t annoying to the ear drums.
Creative Philippines is joining the upcoming 11.11 Lazada Sale so this speaker along with other products from the brand will be marked down more significantly. We think if you’re in the market for a portable, quality speaker, then this is a good investment that won’t make a dent in your budget.
