At first we would like to thank Creative for offering us a sample of their Pebble V3 2.0 USB-C Speakers with Bluetooth 5.0 for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About Creative:

 

“Creative is the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Founded in Singapore in 1981, Creative started with the vision that multimedia would revolutionize the way people interact with their PCs.

 

Famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment with cutting-edge audio solutions, premium wireless speakers, high performance earphone products and portable media devices. The company's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services enable consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment - anytime, anywhere.

 

Since launching the phenomenally successful Sound Blaster sound cards and setting the de-facto standard for PC audio in 1989, Creative has been able to leverage on its leading-edge audio technology, a huge user base of 400 million, and strong brand name to expand into the exciting lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment (PDE) market.

 

Creative is now well recognized as a global leader for product innovation in the audio and PDE segments, offering consumers a complete, high quality digital entertainment experience through Creative's hardware, software applications and services. Finding the perfect balance between form and function, Creative strives for every product to be a sensory feast for the eyes and ears.

 

Today, Creative is spearheading new product categories with its groundbreaking Sound BlasterAxx audio enhancement devices and solutions, highly-acclaimed Creative D5xm Signature Series of modular Bluetooth wireless speakers, Aurvana premium headsets, Sound Blaster wireless gaming headsets, and cross-platform Sound Blaster Recon3D for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC or Mac.

 

These products and solutions are marketed to consumers and system integrators through a worldwide distribution network that includes traditional marketing channels, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the Internet.

 

Moving forward, Creative's mission is to expand its leadership role in the lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment market, using groundbreaking technology and leading-edge designs for not just the technically-savvy consumers, but for everyone who enjoys entertainment. With strong focus on user-friendly interface, multiple features and cool industrial designs, the Creative brand is synonymous with lifestyle Personal Digital Entertainment.

 

Creative's global corporate headquarters is located in Singapore, in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. It has regional business units in the US (Milpitas, California), Europe (Dublin, Ireland) and Asia (Singapore).

 

Creative is a public listed company on the main board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) since June 1994.”

 

Powerful Acoustics Performance with USB Audio

 

Improved from its predecessors in the same series, enjoy enhanced USB audio performance at higher power output without distortion! Now powered entirely via USB-C for both audio and power, our newest Creative Pebble V3 also features larger 2.25" full-range drivers that are capable of delivering 50% louder* audio and rich acoustics performance, at double the sound intensity.

 

For those with USB-A devices, fret not! We've included a USB-C to USB-A converter so you can get started immediately as well.

 

Built-in Gain Switch

 

Enhance your binge-watching experience even at high volume levels without distortion! In newer devices with 10W USB-C or USB-A port, the built-in gain switch located at the bottom of the Pebble V3's right speaker automatically activates high gain mode for amplified audio, with capabilities to fire acoustics power of 8W RMS and peak power of up to 16W.

 

Hear Every Word

 

When dialog gets drowned out by the ambient sound effects, you lose focus on the flow and story of the show. Creative Pebble V3 is engineered with Clear Dialog audio processing that picks up vocals to give you rich and clear dialogs, so you can hear every word without having to turn up the volume, and without sacrificing any ambient effect.

 

Play Music Wirelessly

 

Stream your favourite beats from your phone* with the latest Bluetooth 5.0, and enjoy music at your desk or while lounging on your sofa across the room! Simply press and hold the Bluetooth button beside the volume control knob to initiate pairing, and select Creative Pebble V3 from your device to pair. After pairing, head over to your music app of choice, and you can start playing music from your device wirelessly!

 

Multiple Setup Options

 

And where versatility meets flexibility, the Creative Pebble V3 can be powered via USB-C or with a power adapter, and set up over various connectivity options! It also has a 3.5 mm AUX-in jack that allows for universal compatibility across other analogue audio devices.

 

Elevated for Better Audio

 

Creative Pebble V3 retains the same 45° elevated drivers that are specifically angled, so audio is directed to your ears, placing you in the audio sweet spot for an immersive personal listening experience.

 

Perfect for the Minimalist

 

Creative Pebble V3 can be connected to your laptop or desktop with a single USB-C cable for both power and audio, which mean less clutter, and more desktop space to work with! It also features a small footprint with a clean and minimalistic design that blends naturally into any minimalist's desk.

 

Specs:

 

Dimensions

Right Satellite: 123 x 120 x 118 mm / 4.8 x 4.7 x 4.6 inches, Left Satellite: 123 x 120 x 118 mm / 4.8 x 4.7 x 4.6 inches

 

Cable Length

Right to Left Speaker Cable: 1.35m (53.1 inches), USB-C Cable to Computer (for Audio and Power): 1.2m (47.2 inches)

 

Weight

Left Satellite: 0.31 kg / 0.68 lbs, Right Satellite: 0.36 kg / 0.79 lbs

 

Operating Temperature

0°C to 45°C

 

Power Output

2 x 4W RMS, Total System power: Up to 8W1 RMS, Peak Power 16W

1 With 10W USB C Port or USB C Power Adapter (not included). Gain set to “High” or with 5V 2A USB-A Power Adapter (not included). Gain set to “High”

 

Drivers

2.25″ Full range Speaker Driver with Passive Radiator

 

Frequency Response

100–17,000 Hz

 

System Configuration

2.0 system

 

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)

75 dB

 

Bluetooth® Version

Bluetooth 5.0

 

Connector Type

USB-C, 3.5 mm Analogue Stereo Connector

 

Color

Black

 

System Requirements:

 

Windows

 

Intel® i3 or AMD® equivalent processor

Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard

Microsoft® Windows 8.1 / 8.0 32 / 64 bit, Windows 10 32 / 64 bit, or higher

1 GB RAM, >600 MB of free hard disk space

Available USB-C or USB-A port

 

Macintosh

 

Macintosh running MacOS 10.12 or higher

1 GB RAM, >600 MB of free hard disk space

Available USB-C or USB-A port

 

Powered via desktop / laptop USB ports

For best experience, connect to higher current USB-C port (5V 2A or 10W port is recommended)

 

Analog audio devices with a 3.5mm stereo output

For best experience, connect to higher current USB power adapter up to 5V 2A output, or USB-C 10W power adapter

 

When we have tested Pebble V2 quite some time ago, we were quite impressed regarding the sound quality for the size of the entire setup and the ease of use. We have had a 1.35m cable between the speakers so they could be installed to the sides of large TVs as well, while the speakers were powered from an USB port (TV or PC), while the sound was delivered via an AUX stereo analog cable. The Pebble V3 has some notable improvements all over, including sound delivery via USB interface, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity but does also retain AUX-in in order to be used with analog sound sources.

 

The Pebble V3 setup does ship in a small cardboard enclosure; the frontal area of the packaging does show a photo of the speakers during operation, some main highlights but also a small description in multiple languages:

 

 

 

On the side, we will note the technical specifications:

 

 

 

The back area does describe the product features in more detail, but we will also learn information regarding the Creative Labs offices and the product serial number:

 

 

 

The package contents are also described via drawings, on the box:

 

 

 

The top area of the enclosure is sealed, in order to avoid accidental openings during transit:

 

 

 

The speakers inside are additionally protected in separate bubble bags, but also separated with an additional cardboard layer:

 

 

 

In terms of documentation, we will receive a Quick Start Guide in multiple languages, the Worldwide Warranty leaflet but also the Worldwide Compliance leaflet:

 

 

 

The manual will describe the setup main components, but also how to proceed with the connection when using the USB Type-C port, Bluetooth or the AUX interface:

 

 

 

The V3 has kept the cute design from the previous iteration and also the color scheme; we can also observe the less cabling needed in stock operating form, since the AUX cable is missing:

 

 

 

While the V2 has had 116 x 122 x 115 mm dimensions for the speakers, the V3 is larger at 123 x 120 x 118 mm, which also allows the driver to be bigger, from 2’’ to 2.25’’:

 

 

 

The right speaker comes with the status LED, the Volume controller which also acts as an On/Off button but also the Bluetooth mode switch near it:

 

 

 

The drivers are elevated at 45 degrees in order to have a better orientation versus your ears, when you are using the setup connected to a laptop/desktop PC. This basically makes the highs even clearer, like you would be using a good quality headset:

 

 

 

In the back of the right speaker we will note a subtle black passive radiator, to help with the low frequency delivery:

 

 

 

Further down we will take note of the AUX port, for connecting analog sound sources:

 

 

 

The speaker does have a round rubber foot on the bottom, the sticker with the product serial number but also a Gain H/A switch. If the power delivery via USB is 10W or more, the 8W RMS capabilities are enabled, for bringing even louder audio and better bass response:

 

 

 

The left speaker shares the same design, minus the interfaces we have reminded about before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some more details about the product are available on the bottom as well:

 

 

 

The new V3 features an integrated sound card, so no AUX is necessary when having the product connected to PCs/laptops; it acts as an USB headset, showing as a separate audio source in the Volume Controls of the OS:

 

 

 

If your computer does not have an USB Type-C interface available, then you can surely use the Type-A to Type-C adapter, which is offered in the package for free!

 

 

 

 

The setup procedure is simply plug-and-play and you can go ahead with your music listening, TV Show/Movie watching, conferences and more on your favorite computer!

 

 

 

Right after we have switched to Bluetooth mode, the blue status LED started blinking, setting the Pebble V3 ready for pairing:

 

 

 

 

After connecting the Pebble V3 to a power source with a minimum delivery of 10W, we have turned on high gain from the right speaker and started listening to various audio content. The clear highs are the ones you will notice first, and this means very clear voice delivery, ideal when having long conferences while working at home as well! The included sound card really pays off (Clear Dialog), and thanks to the larger drivers versus V2, the bass response is now better but do not expect it to have low frequencies as when you would use a separate subwoofer.

 

Let’s say that you currently do not have your computer on and would still need to have better audio output on your mobile device: nothing simpler! You only have to make sure that the speakers are powered by a decent power supply, pair it via Bluetooth 5.0 (compatible with older versions as well) and you can start listening right away! The product does also retain the possibility to deliver audio from any other analog sound source but the Stereo cable is not included in the package, while the audio quality is highly dependent on the device you will connect it to (since the internal sound card will be disabled in this mode).

 

The Pebble V3 setup is now available online from the Creative website for only 36 Euros in a promotion, a really good deal for what it has to offer!

 

Creative Pebble V3 2.0 USB-C Speakers with Bluetooth 5.0 are Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to Creative for making this review possible!