Creative Pebble X Plus Review: How a Tiny Subwoofer Amazed an Audiophile with its Powerful Performance and Compact Design

I'm amazed at how much technology in Bluetooth speakers has evolved over the years. I remember when I got my first Bose Bluetooth speaker, and I thought it set a high standard for sound quality. But compared to what's available in the past year, it's clear that it has become quite modest, not only in pure sound quality but also in volume.

Recently, I received several Bluetooth headphones for review. Some were individual portable speakers, while others were pairs. Then came the Creative Pebble X Plus, which not only consists of a matching pair of speakers but also includes the smallest subwoofer I've ever seen. Of course, when I took the speakers out of the box, all that was running through my mind was: "What a cute little subwoofer... I bet its sound will be small and cute." I was completely wrong.

Small Subwoofer with Big Power and Exceptional Sound Quality

The big surprise: was that this tiny subwoofer (measuring 6.14 x 6.16 x 6.24 inches) packed a huge punch. No, it doesn't offer quite the same deep performance as the much larger SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer (which features a 12-inch, 325-watt RMS woofer extending down to 20 Hz), but given its small size, I was shocked at how well it balanced the low tones for the Pebble X speakers. You might not expect such a small set of speakers to produce such a round, exciting sound, but it certainly does, providing a rich and satisfying audio experience.

The Creative Pebble X Plus speakers are currently available for $120 USD on Amazon. The speakers feature rich, deep bass that perfectly complements the mid and high tones delivered by the satellite speakers. However, they do not have built-in battery power, so their portability is limited by a stable power source.

Creative Pebble X Plus User Experience: Amazing Sound Performance in Various Environments

From the start: these speakers deeply impressed me. I decided to use them in my bathroom because it's a highly reverberant room, and I wanted to test the sound clarity, even while showering. To my surprise, these speakers performed much better than I expected in a room with very high ceilings and very few sound-absorbing surfaces.

I started with my favorite test album, "Signals" by Rush. I wanted to see if the subwoofer could keep up with Geddy Lee's powerful bass sound in "The Analog Kid." I found the sound to be clean, powerful, agile, and not overpowering. In fact, the Pebble X Plus speakers handled the song much better than I would have expected from an audio system of this size.

Then I moved on to some ambient music, specifically Carbon Based Lifeform's latest album, "Seeker," and found every track thoroughly enjoyable. The full soundstage of each song was expansive, bright, and rich in detail. Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting" was as beautiful as it should be, with stunning vocal clarity.

No matter what music I played on these speakers, they delivered a full, rich sound I typically expect from much larger and more expensive audio systems. The only track where the speakers encountered the slightest issue was "Nessun dorma," with the voice of the great singer Pavarotti himself. In defense of the Creative Pebble X Plus, this track never fails to place the singer's voice too far forward, narrowing the soundstage and making it sound a bit thin. Other than that, these speakers delivered a truly impressive and exciting audio performance.

These speakers include the ability to install the Creative Labs app (available on Android and iOS), which provides access to the audio engine for customizing sound profiles, adjusting RGB lighting, and performing firmware updates. The app offers customizable EQ settings and sound management features that allow users to precisely tune the audio output to their preferences and listening environment, greatly enhancing the user experience.

Buying Advice: Creative Pebble X Plus - A Subwoofer that Combines Performance and Value

The Creative Pebble X Plus: is a fantastic set of desktop Bluetooth speakers. The addition of the small subwoofer adds exceptional depth to the sound, without needing to raise the volume to uncomfortable levels. I highly recommend these speakers to anyone looking for rich sound, powerful bass, and an immersive listening experience when space is limited. The price is perfectly reasonable for the quality and performance you get, and no matter your preferred music genre, you'll be satisfied with how these speakers accurately and clearly present your favorite music.

Detailed Technical Specifications of Creative Pebble X Plus:

• RGB lighting: Customizable.
• Multiple connectivity options: USB audio/power, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm AUX input, 4-pole headphone jack, 3-pole microphone jack.
• Output power: Up to 15W RMS and a peak power of up to 30W.
• Drivers: 2.75-inch full-range satellite drivers and a 3.5-inch subwoofer with two passive radiators for enhanced bass.
• High-gain mode: Automatic.
• Frequency response: 45-20,000 Hz.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 93 dB.
• Wireless operating range: Up to 33 feet (about 10 meters).
• Price: $120 USD.