• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Creative Pebbles V2, V3, Pro, X and Nova

In my experience of living in a smaller European country, the advantage of buying from Creative directly has been excellent discounts, which often include free delivery all across Europe. The savings compared to buying from Amazon are significant, especially since you never get free delivery from Amazon if you live in a European country without a country specific Amazon website.
Fair and excellent point. I sometimes miss that it's more difficult for online shopping for residents of certain countries.
 
My name is Kostya
Спасибо за тест всех актуальных моделей! :)

I'am thinking about change my Pro to X (Nova too pricey) because of EQ in software. But after this topic i keep using Eq APO..
My main claim to all pebbles after v2 - no hardware power off switch. I need speakers only 20% of time when i'm on PC.
So i'm connected it via AUX and turning it on with PD cable to multiport charger only when i need it! What an obvious flaw..
It was super-handy turn volume knob to physically power it. Now it's always-on if powered. Yes i can power it off... but then it glows red led.
And as you know multiport chargers reboots it's ports when something power-hangry connected. And speakers turns on!
Definitely software options must include power state option - i will switch to "stay off" immediately.
 

Attachments

  • 222.jpg
    222.jpg
    225.9 KB · Views: 213
Last edited:
I am also very impressed by their Muvo Play especially for its price and build quality.
 
Creative Pebble Pro (and Pebble X) Long Term Review

TLDR:


The X is undoubtedly the more complete speaker, but the Pro is more near and dear to me because of one thing- it has mind-blowingly amazing vocal timbre. The pebble pro has the best-tuned midrange out of any pebble ever- period. The midrange is very forward and open on the Pebble Pro, while the X has a darker, more mellow sound.
Technically, the X is better in most ways, but it lacks the “magic” of the Pebble Pro.
X also has 2.5 times the bass of Pebble Pro, more subdued treble, and a more relaxed, warmer overall sound. It has a recessed 4-7k region, which results in a very un-offensive pleasant sound but sacrifices the clarity and forwardness.

Pebble Pro:
Very forward mids.
Amazing midrange timbre. So accurate that you can confidently do editing/mixing work on these.
More perceived detail/Sense of clarity.
The 6k presence region can be a little unforgiving. But that’s also the reason why these shine at anything vocal/dialogue related. It’s a double-edged sword.
Can be used without PD, whereas on Pebble X it is mandatory.
The most value for money pair of speakers i have come across. The performance per dollar is through the roof.

Pebble X:
Bigger Sound, More depth. But the Vocals aren’t as “lively” as the pebble pro.
2.5 times more bass. You would be amazed how much bass these can pump out.
Recessed 4-8khz so it lacks some bite. Sounds mellow, dark. For long sessions, X is easier on the ears.
Bigger Drivers, More power so it can play a lot louder. Also a bigger overall scale to the sound.
The downside is, they need more power. You can get away with just USB on pebble Pro, but on the X it sounds like crap without PD, So a PD adapter is must. A 30W adapter will run you an additional 15-20$. So when you factor it into the price, it's almost 2x the price of Pebble Pro. So the value for money aspect goes out the window.

My pick: Pebble Pro with a subwoofer.

Pebble Pro vs Pebble X sound samples (Google Drive)

1751898216991.jpeg
 
Creative Pebble Pro (and Pebble X) Long Term Review

TLDR:


The X is undoubtedly the more complete speaker, but the Pro is more near and dear to me because of one thing- it has mind-blowingly amazing vocal timbre. The pebble pro has the best-tuned midrange out of any pebble ever- period. The midrange is very forward and open on the Pebble Pro, while the X has a darker, more mellow sound.
Technically, the X is better in most ways, but it lacks the “magic” of the Pebble Pro.
X also has 2.5 times the bass of Pebble Pro, more subdued treble, and a more relaxed, warmer overall sound. It has a recessed 4-7k region, which results in a very un-offensive pleasant sound but sacrifices the clarity and forwardness.

Pebble Pro:
Very forward mids.
Amazing midrange timbre. So accurate that you can confidently do editing/mixing work on these.
More perceived detail/Sense of clarity.
The 6k presence region can be a little unforgiving. But that’s also the reason why these shine at anything vocal/dialogue related. It’s a double-edged sword.
Can be used without PD, whereas on Pebble X it is mandatory.
The most value for money pair of speakers i have come across. The performance per dollar is through the roof.

Pebble X:
Bigger Sound, More depth. But the Vocals aren’t as “lively” as the pebble pro.
2.5 times more bass. You would be amazed how much bass these can pump out.
Recessed 4-8khz so it lacks some bite. Sounds mellow, dark. For long sessions, X is easier on the ears.
Bigger Drivers, More power so it can play a lot louder. Also a bigger overall scale to the sound.
The downside is, they need more power. You can get away with just USB on pebble Pro, but on the X it sounds like crap without PD, So a PD adapter is must. A 30W adapter will run you an additional 15-20$. So when you factor it into the price, it's almost 2x the price of Pebble Pro. So the value for money aspect goes out the window.

My pick: Pebble Pro with a subwoofer.

Pebble Pro vs Pebble X sound samples (Google Drive)

View attachment 461754
Did you do any EQ for the Pebble Pro?
 
Would the Pebble Nova be a good more "relaxed" alternative to my iloud micros? The ilouds are borderline miraculous for their size but they are very fatiguing over time and might be contributing to my migraines.
 
I discovered that Pebble Pro only plays in mono mode when connected via USB.
That's why I use Bluetooth or my tiny DAC Shanling ua1 plus (gain low). It gives noticeably better results than my ZBook.
 
i recently purchased the pebble pro and have been experiencing ongoing issues that are becoming quite frustrating. when I press the volume button for two seconds, the light changes from purple to red, indicating that the speakers are turned off or standby mode. however, when i press the button again to turn them back on, the speakers remain completely off with no light at all.

after this happens, i struggle to get them to start or connect. I have the creative app installed, updated all firmware, and followed every piece of advice i could find online. the main issue occurs after i turn the speakers off or standby mode (red light) and then shut down my pc. the next day, when i turn my pc back on and press the volume button, the speakers should switch from red to purple and connect normally — but instead, they remain completely off.

to get them working again, i often spend 10–15 minutes repeatedly unplugging and reconnecting the usb-c cable. occasionally, the purple light begins blinking. i have tried two different usb-c ports on my motherboard with the same results. leaving the speakers on (led purple) when shutting down the pc does not help. unplugging them after red light, shutting down the pc also does not help me the next day. every day, i face the same difficulty getting the pebble pro to start or connect

am still within amazon 30 day return policy
 
Running here Pebble X Plus 2.1 (which means a Subwoofer quad) out of a Raspberry Pi-3 under Volumio. Works great into USB-Audio input. Great SQ also from Stage V2 and Stage Pro (both are 2.1).
 
Back
Top Bottom