Creative Pebbles V2, V3, Pro, X and Nova

[Twinik]

This is really cool, thank you for posting it. I have a pair of the Pebble Pro on my desk at work. It might be cool to buy a pair and EQ them on my home PC.

I realize this would be difficult to measure without using an external amp.. but do you know the efficiency of these speakers?

Also it looks like there is a Pebble X Plus, that includes a "subwoofer". Would be interesting to see a measurement comparison with the Pebble X.

What do you mean by efficiency?
I’m just not the fan of small subwoofers, in my experience they just sound on one note. So I’m not planning to but subwoofer Pebbles, but if community really wants this measurement we can make fundraising.

 

[Twinik]

They seem like a reasonable option for minimalist streamers/gamers. I'm guessing at the price point you start getting into some powered monitors, which may be bigger and more boring looking, but may offer a better sound?

Yes, I think price is a real downside of Pebble Nova, because in this price range u can offer remarkable brands. I’m wanted them just because I’m a fan of Pebbles and want to complete my article

 

[Twinik]

Wow, that rising treble.....
But at those pricepoints, I guess users are just looking for something that can produce 'louder' sounds than their notebook speakers....

Consider that moving head by 5-10 degrees u will receive not rising treble but dip at that frequency
In Pebble X and higher you can EQ peak with Creative App

 

[Twinik]

Hey Kostya, thanks for posting your findings! I love my Pebble Plus for producing music in one of my studios. I have the early ones with subwoofer. I have 3 rooms that I work in with a wide range of speakers, from Genelec 1031a, NS10, NS1000x+2x7070a, etc. These Pebbles which I paid $40 for are my final QC speakers for every mix, it's immediately obvious on these little things when elements of the mix are off. Things I can't hear on my $6000 system pop out on the Pebbles. I was about to upgrade them to Pebble Pro's, but thanks to your article I'm going to uppp to the newest Pebble Nova.

Is that dip at 530Hz due to the crossover? Creative states that these roll off at 50Hz, but in your graph it looks more like 100Hz. So I will still need to use a Genelec F Two subwoofer with them, or do you find that they can produce the fundamental low E of a bass guitar, which is at about 40hz?

I posted pics of my rooms, because I know it's ridiculous that these $40 speakers are so good. Or maybe I'm just deaf. :-D Sorry the pics came out dark, I'm not a camera guy.
View attachment 423358View attachment 423359View attachment 423360

At this price you can consider many monitors but I think that your Pebbles for 40$ good choice for “qc test”. At 530Hz there is also slight rise on distortion, I’m noticed that speaker moved when measured, that’s my fault because measurements was made without stand, with stand distortion will be lower but can’t say certain about dip. Crossover must be higher about 1,5kHz, such a small teeter can’t work so low. About low extension, graphs correct, but even 75Hz(you can count even to -10db you will still hear that frequency) is impressive for such a small speakers, bass is juicy.

 

[Conscious]

Yes, I think price is a real downside of Pebble Nova, because in this price range u can offer remarkable brands. I’m wanted them just because I’m a fan of Pebbles and want to complete my article

SQ-wise, what would be the closest competition?

 

[Conscious]

i just ordered a Pebble Pro. I will share my thoughts when it arrives. Thanks

 

[Twinik]

SQ-wise, what would be the closest competition?

I don't now really this types of speakers, the only one that I considered is Pebbles.
You won't be disappointed with Pebble Pro.

 

[Scootypuff]

What do you mean by efficiency?
I’m just not the fan of small subwoofers, in my experience they just sound on one note. So I’m not planning to but subwoofer Pebbles, but if community really wants this measurement we can make fundraising.

I guess an easier question is if you measured maximum output. I see that they say 10W using USB-C into a computer, and 30W when using an external power supply, but of course 30W may not be a ton of sound if the efficiency is low. Not expecting a huge output from these, but I'd love to be surprised.

 

[Twinik]

I guess an easier question is if you measured maximum output. I see that they say 10W using USB-C into a computer, and 30W when using an external power supply, but of course 30W may not be a ton of sound if the efficiency is low. Not expecting a huge output from these, but I'd love to be surprised.

I haven't measured sensitivity of speakers and for now I have only Pebble Nova.

 

[L5730]

What would be a typical SPL for intended use for these little speakers?
Desktop, next to monitor screen/laptop proximity of about 3 feet / 1m to listener, angled upwards somewhat (hence the shape and design, I guess).

I see testing was carried out at 88dB SPL since peak at 1 kHz.

At low desktop close-range volumes, and at this price point, I doubt it's too bad. I'm gonna order some V3s shortly as my correct desktop speakers are humming.
For reference of my thinking and consideration, Edifier MR4 don't sound too bad at all for £100 with a little EQ. There is better sound to be had for twice the price with budget studio monitors, but they are bigger, heavier, costlier and use more power. There are trade-offs.
....without going into a philosophical debate, one could argue a point of "x ... for the price" but that's unfair in general. Better to measure and display results as-is, regardless of price, but to be mindful of intended use - eg. don't expect desktop speakers to be room filling movie theatre booming monsters, not gonna happen!

 

[oldskool1]

Hey L5730, I just measured the distance from my Pebbles to my ears at 2 feet and six inches. They are loud enough for the person directly in front of them, but like many small speakers, there is a built in limiter that causes A LOT of distortion at higher volumes (probably to protect the drivers from over-excursion), so the Pebble Plus won't fill a room. I expect the Pebble Pros and Nova's will have much more headroom.

The Pebble Plus' sound good to me, but thing that's really great about these speakers is the way they look. They are fun to work with, mainly because they look like toys. I could replace them with rectangular studio monitors, but that takes some of the fun away and then I'm just sitting at work at a desk job, which is really what I am doing anyways, but things like this inject playfulness into the day and these sound good enough to get the job done. Since you are addicted to fun and learning you may enjoy the Pebble speakers as much as I do.

I'm going to upgrade these to the Pebble Nova's which are quite a bit bigger... I hope they are as much fun as my current Pebble Plus 2.1's.

 

[JohnBooty]

I've got the Pebble Pro and Pebble V3 and honestly, I'm very impressed with them for what they are. These are great for situations where there's not really room for anything else.

What they offer for ~$50USD is remarkable. They're a great example of smart modern affordable speaker design: dirt cheap drivers shaped into something acceptable via DSP. They've also saved a few bucks by ditching the power supply and just using USB power since nearly everybody already has USB-C power supplies already.

Do I listen to music on these? No, but they're fine for videos and stuff. Dialogue is particularly clear.

 

[Scootypuff]

I wonder if the drivers they use are from HiVi? The dust cap/rubber surrounds look an awful lot like the copper colored HiVi B3S full-range, for instance. I haven't felt motivated enough to open them up yet to check, but it would be interesting to see.

 

[Conscious]

I wonder if the drivers they use are from HiVi? The dust cap/rubber surrounds look an awful lot like the copper colored HiVi B3S full-range, for instance. I haven't felt motivated enough to open them up yet to check, but it would be interesting to see.

I don't think so. Saw a couple of teardowns. They don't look the same. They are also different dimensions. 2.25 vs 3 inch.

 

[L5730]

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Would seem to agree with the OP's measurements.

I've just added a couple of filters in EqAPO to sort out the treble that was becoming a little irritating.

Creative Pebble V3 Top-end soften filter
Filter: ON PK Fc 6000 Hz Gain -3 dB BW Oct 1.5
Filter: ON PK Fc 3000 Hz Gain -3 dB BW Oct 1.5