Creative Katana V2 is out!

[R6exR6]

V2 more powerful than V1, with better subwoofer, but no Atmos.
So Stage V2 with Atmos better for movies while Katana V2 better for games?

 

[freshvibes]

It's still worth it for what it offers.
But if you want HDMI and dabble with SXFI via headphones, the V2 is your best option and has other nice little upgrades too.

That is nice to know. Btw, is it suitable for movies too?

 

[Dr.Vijay]

That is nice to know. Btw, is it suitable for movies too?

If you're watching in front of your PC, yes
Just know that it's good as a soundbar speaker (if not the best in that price range), but it won't eclipse a traditional Klipsch 2.1 setup and the likes for raw audio power and quality.

 

[freshvibes]

If you're watching in front of your PC, yes
Just know that it's good as a soundbar speaker (if not the best in that price range), but it won't eclipse a traditional Klipsch 2.1 setup and the likes for raw audio power and quality.

Alright, thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Alankee]

I happen to try it out with a friend. The product is alright. In some ways, it is better than the first one but the sofware inferface is bad as usual. I thought this is a flagship product. But you would never think so if you look at their product page. The katana is supposed to a niche gaming speaker which is a Creative specialty. Nothing gives you the feeling it is a product that shouts of S$479 and is a preimum gaming speaker. As usual, marketing seems always off tangent with this company and their products. It is like they are not hungry and their people do not care. Well, this is not something new when it comes to Creative. The SXFI is a good current example. I still do not know what it is. I do know what I get with Sony and Dolby.

 

[86technie]

I happen to try it out with a friend. The product is alright. In some ways, it is better than the first one but the sofware inferface is bad as usual. I thought this is a flagship product. But you would never think so if you look at their product page. The katana is supposed to a niche gaming speaker which is a Creative specialty. Nothing gives you the feeling it is a product that shouts of S$479 and is a preimum gaming speaker. As usual, marketing seems always off tangent with this company and their products. It is like they are not hungry and their people do not care. Well, this is not something new when it comes to Creative. The SXFI is a good current example. I still do not know what it is. I do know what I get with Sony and Dolby.

Creative software and drivers are not their strongest area.
Take for example soundcards, some soundcards are still using dated drivers and software.
Not to mention onboard sound like Realktek have moved to Windows store for their app
while Creative have not.

Drivers and apps have to download from Creative website.

 

[Dr.Vijay]

I happen to try it out with a friend. The product is alright. In some ways, it is better than the first one but the sofware inferface is bad as usual. I thought this is a flagship product. But you would never think so if you look at their product page. The katana is supposed to a niche gaming speaker which is a Creative specialty. Nothing gives you the feeling it is a product that shouts of S$479 and is a preimum gaming speaker. As usual, marketing seems always off tangent with this company and their products. It is like they are not hungry and their people do not care. Well, this is not something new when it comes to Creative. The SXFI is a good current example. I still do not know what it is. I do know what I get with Sony and Dolby.

Yes, SXFI is one of those things you either appreciate or you don't. It's not for everyone, but the baseline to understand the expectation is to think of listening to a multi-channel speaker system, but via your headphones. That's what SXFI tries to capture and re-create.

This is best experienced and demoed at Creative's own HQ, but alas with Covid and all, those kinds of demos aren't taking place these days. But I can assure you that you'll have a better appreciation of what it does after being exposed to the demo firsthand.

Just trying out the product at the sales floor or other showcase areas don't quite tell the full story without direct A-B testing. Audio is unfortunately a highly personal experience and is difficult to relate to and recreate.

SXFI aside, your experience with the different Katanas definitely indicate that soundbars aren't for you
The form factor itself has a price premium (not to mention the RGB lights, extra features and versatility), hence actual sound quality is achievable on more affordable traditional speaker options. That's why you don't feel the V2 isn't quite worthy of the price tag when viewed as a gaming speaker, which is probably right when just tasked on audio prowess alone.

 

[Alankee]

Yes, SXFI is one of those things.....

Bad is bad, good is good. Hiding behind subjectivity and theoretical things for poor UI, poor connectivity, poor customer experience in product usage and marketing message is no good. I am not sponsored to say good things about any company. I am king of my dollar and will exercise how I choose. I hope they have enough customers they can sing their "unique message" to and convince them. If Sony products are bad, I say they are bad. I pay to consume what I want. Consumer products market is brutal. I am saying this for their good. I am fine if they are no longer around tomorrow either.

 

[Dr.Vijay]

I agree reviewers usually are paid/company ask them to put a good word for the product.
I will share this since there are consumer also have different thoughts about Creative katana.
Last time I did test the original Katana but there was a backlash especially from Creative side.

I don't like the fact they don't take opinions from others and insist their products are good.
My feedback regarding the original katana are:

- Katana is not a all rounder, music performance is lacking.
Mainly due to the small driver thus very little details like mids and sound can be hear very clearly.
Compare with Logitech Z623/Z635, the Logitech speaker will be better despite mids isn't
very good and strong bass at least the sound isn't "tiny".

- The surround effects isn't convincing as compared with soundbar.
The environment for example games, isn't very good mainly due to speaker.
However soundbar even with tiny speaker, most can produce a convincing surround environment.

- The subwoofer port noise, I have used Creative speaker for very long period.
Since Creative Inspire 2500 till Gigaworks which I stop, Creative speakers are good
in terms of sound and mids.

The bass/low frequency is bad for some of Creative speaker, try turn up the bass all the way to max
and the bass will distort. Similarly with the Katana which I did listen to the subwoofer unit
itself, so if you turn the bass all the way up it will distort.

Creative T20 compare with Edifier R1280DB, the Edifier will sound much better in terms of mids
and bass not to mention the T20 bass sound is "Thump thump." not "boom boom" like
R1280DB.

The key thing is they must be acceptable to customer feedback
than forcing their own opinions on others especially consumers.
Speaker products is one thing, Creative driver and software should buck up.

I know Creative is watching this thread, you can develop good products but lackluster support especially
don't allow feedback as well as software side is still lacking.
Motherboard manufacturers as well as Realtek have constantly ensure their driver is stable and compatible with latest Windows 10 version.

Most of driver control panel whether Nvidia, Intel and Realtek have move to Windows store while Creative is still behind.

I rest my case and I am not buying another Creative products, countless products have went into recycle bin.
If anyone want my honest opinion about Creative speaker, if I have the chance to test I will do it.
If Creative thinks honest opinion from customer is harsh, why WhatHifi have not review any of
Creative speaker.

Don't mind me pointing out that all of your comparisons and viewpoints are that of a traditional speaker system vs. a soundbar-like form factor like the Katana?

It's alight to compare to inform folks to know what they are getting into and I've also iterated that a normal 2.1 speaker system at the same price point would far outperform the Katana. However, to base that and say the Katana doesn't deliver isn't conveying the right POV and is akin to comparing Apples and Oranges. You're right - when compared to all speaker systems in general for a particular price bracket. You're however not right - when you compare a similar form factor speaker system.

There are limitations for this form factor and it's the same for Home Theater systems --- you only get a soundbar because of the convenience, aesthetic factor and overall usability. The same applies for Katana.

No qualms with your viewpoints outside of the audio comparisons as it mirrors what others feel as well.

Cheers.

 

[wwenze]

Expected drama, wasn't disappointed.

 

[MoyoCase]

How's the sound quality