Absolutely love the original soundbar, bought after Eber's recommendation, rather than replace or upgrade we'd happily get a second. Flawlessly practical and high quality unit 👍
I got both Leviathan and Katana V2. Tbh, Leviathan isn't that far behind. It's good especially now the price is much lower. The V2 comes with more bell and whistles
I owned the Sound BlasterX Katana for several years and it served me very well all those years. When the V2 came out, I immediately sprang and got it. To my own ears, its a HUGE step up in terms of audio quality from the V2 to the first version. The first version is really great, but the V2 is really just that much better. The one small feature as you pointed out in the video that I really liked about the V2 is that they have an audio jack in the front. Previously, it was a huge pain to flip the soundbar over to plug my earphones into the speakers when I was using it at night. Now, its just so convenient to plug it from the front in the V2. The sound quality of the V2 is also really amazing. When listening to songs or watching movies, everything is so much more pronounced. The bass and treble tones are more articulate and it is truly a more immersive experience. Another very cool improvement I noticed was during gaming with earphones. The spatial sound on this thing in gaming mode is phenomenal. Its almost wall-hacking at some point. To be able to hear your enemies from a distance and to know spatially which direction they are at was really cool. This is a phenomenal soundbar and it was worth every dollar I spent on it.
I bought the Katana V1 because of your review (and others) and I 100% satisfied with the purchase. It's a beast! I'm not going to upgrade to the V2 having the V1 already. It's good enough for now. If you don't have one yet, I can totally recommend getting the V2.
I sincerely hope that Creative can step up their game to the point that they can go head to head against B&O, SVS and Klipsch in audio finesse. They've always been strong in PC audio game as that's their home turf.
Sold a lot of these whilst working in retail. Imo best PC speakers you can get right along with Edifier. I'll still keep my KEF's on my desk tho but you cannot go wrong with the katana!
@@gaborfeher3325 most of them are good depending on your budget. I personally have the S3000Pro with are true hifi worthy speakers with a ton of power. But I like almost all of them, be sure to dial back the treble a touch though. What is your budget?
@@techtt6213 The one I looked at was the R1280T stereo monitor (goes for about 100-110 EUR here), or maybe the DB version for the extra connectivity. This is not my budget limit though, I'll gladly spend more if it's a good value proposition, I'd probably draw the line at around the 300 EUR mark, though prices in my country are all over the place. I don't need a ton of power, since I'd only use the speakers with my PC, but I am a stickler for build matching, so I want white speakers specifically.
I got the original based on Eber's recommendation in his video and now months later, I still can't get used to the realism of the sound it puts out. Sometimes I turn to look around while watching a movie cos I thought I heard something off to the side, and I don't realise it's from the soundbar until I pause the movie......lol.
Still rocking my old Logitech Z-680 5.1 system, It still has the potential to crack windows and sounds good for nearly 20 years old. Hoping Logitech someday makes a replacement for the old Z series 5.1 systems.
Still have my z5500 Logitech that I bought from Dell on a Black Friday special sometime around 2005 for 199$. Been through 3 moves dropped kicked kids etc lol. Still works as it did new. Nothing is made like this anymore.
Still love my OG Katana! Best PC speakers I've used. The one thing I wish it had is that front facing headphone jack. I'm always plugging in my headphones to the bar, and it's a PITA to plug it in every time.
@@sveinunghamre324 The problem with that is that when something is plugged into the output, the speaker will automatically switch the output to that connection instead of the USB connection, so in other words, I lose any audio output via USB.
Welp, guess I’m upgrading. I actually got a 48in CX that I use as my main monitor for my PC, PS5 and Switch. My biggest issue was that I couldn’t use the Katana for all 3 due to no HDMI ARC. This solves that issue along with the benefit of even better sound. Can’t wait.
Why not got an actual TV soundbar, and just use your old Katana for your PC? Take note of Black Friday deals. I always notice decent TV soundbars on sale.
Because then I would have two sound bars on my desk lol. I only want one sound bar for my PC, PS5 and Switch. I considered getting something like the Sonos Beam but I like the size and aesthetic (RGB!) of the Katana. But I’ll definitely keep a look out on sales. Thanks.
@@madness1931 I use my switch with the katana x, same time i use my pc via usb. Get the Bluetooth adapter for it and you can pair the docking station with! I also have my 3.5mm headphones plugged into the back of the katana top!
I still remember back in 2018 when i accompanied my friend to a computer shop. I have amaze with this tiny soundbar and i got one after that. Till now i never regret with the quality of SOUND BLASTER X KATANA.
I always enjoy HC videos, but I've been wondering, if you guys could possibly add some text on the videos showing CDN pricing while mentioning the US prices for the products you review? As a fellow Canuck, it would surely be appreciated.
I've been looking for a soundbar or speaker setup for my PC, but this seals the deal. Definitely getting this one. Has everything I'm looking for and if the sound quality really is that good it's definitely worth the money
Great video! Your videography is so good as well! You can definitely see the time and quality spent on this video. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!
Very nice review! I have one question, is the soundbar stand you have custom or did you bought it (at 2:27) I have been looking for something like that.
Ordered mine yesterday. Was on the brink or ordering a V1 when I noticed Google suggesting 'Katana V2' while searching. This review and others made it clear that V2 is the way to go, even though I could get the V1 for 229 compared to 330 for the V2.
I picked up the first Katana through your channel and it's been more than acceptable sound system. I did have one issue with it and that's the rear input jacks for your headset. I found them awkward to access when you wanted to connect your headset to them. In order to do that you had to pick the unit up try to figure out which port to plug them into and then replace the unit back in it's original position. I always thought that it needed the port in the front. Now it has that along with some other improvements. This may be my early Christmas present to myself. I really appreciate the easy way your have of talking in your reviews. Unlike some other reviewers who speak so fast and go through their review at such a high speed that you can't understand what they are saying or trying to show in their review. Thank you! Now all I need to find is a decent review on Creative Dacs!
I run a cheapie soundbar no name from our version of Walmart. I love the clean look and so flexible with BT and digital input. This may have to be on my upgrade list after my monitor 😎
All, I just bought this and after a week, the drivers stooped working and all i get is center channel and bass. Please wait until creative has fixed their driver issues. I recommend getting their more established products like the prior version katana and not use this one just yet until they work the kinks out. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I will be returning this for refund. Maybe there is a better sound bar out there, but, not this one.
i have the original katana sound bar, love it. i will upgrade it to v2 after this one breaks tho. i've been using the katana for few years now, never had a problem.
I can see why they would still want to continue selling the original version of the katana, this newer version looks less appealing with the screen in the front oppose to the original's all mesh.
Been using it for weeks. Overall it's great with powerful subwoofer and other bell and whistles. One thing I don't like is when connected to PC, the volume increment is too steep. The volume increment from 2 to 4 for example, is too much it gets so loud. Also, as usual, audio latency over Bluetooth is hit or miss. I connected Samsung Note 20 Ultra and ROG Phone 5 to Katana V2 over Bluetooth and audio latency was very bad, like approximately 300ms. But when I used my old Samsung Note 3, audio latency was not as bad as the Note 20 Ultra and ROG 5.
I remain skeptical that such a system would be better than active studio monitors in similar price category. Would love to see a comparison video. A good candidate would be iLoud micro monitors for example. IMO gaming branded audio gear is not necessarily the best way to go.
Congratulations on the review! I loved it! Whether or not I am about to buy the SXFI CARRIER. Could you do a review on it? I have read amazing things about her. It seems that it may turn out to be one of the best soundbars today and the one that best virtualizes the DOLBY ATMOS!
Thanks for the amazing review now I know what the microphones adj. Presets are. (I'ma leave it @ stock). It Blows my mind the audio quality on it so happy with it.
The original katana had a very annoying power saving mode that could not be turned off. Basically the first 2 seconds of any video or sound would go missing after the comp sat idle for a while, so I'd never hear calendar notifications and so on. Has this been fixed in the V2 version?
Great vid. I have been searching for a streamlined speaker system for my wife's gaming system (yeah my wife is a gamer as well,,,WIN) and this looks perfect. Thanks so much.
I got the creative stage under monitor soundbar, that one's pretty good for around 110€ too. The sound quality isn't mind blowing compared to my old Z313 speakers from Logitech, but it sure looks a lot neater. Plus, no tower style speakers to get in the way of my monitors :p Also the bass is insane if you're into that, the subwoofer looks very similar to the one in this video actually
I actually bought the version 1 at the beginning of the summer based on your review and others. I do love version 1 but wish I had waited for this one.
I can only hope to meet a special someone that will talk about me like you talked about this sound bar. BTW for the past week or so I have been thinking about upgrade to a new sound bar.
I have the katana x and like mentioned by others, the headphone jack in the back is a pita. Plus with working from home and webex/skype/teams/zoom meetings becoming more and more prevalent, the included mic will be handy. Wish it sounded a bit better, but should work in a pinch for meetings I don't want to, or can't just call in to. So I think I'll be upgrading to the v2 when available and finding another use for my x.
The original Katana does NOT have an HDMI connection correct? If I understand correctly, the V2 Katana could connect to an HDMI port on the I/O panel of my motherboard? Thank you for the review!
For that price you can easily get some full range home theater standing speakers + amp. The setup is bigger in size, but so is the audio. Instead of one sub with 6,5 inch driver you get one driver of the same size on each speaker.
I used the original one for 2 years, one day it just stopped working, circuit board has problem with electric, contacted creative knowing warranty wont cover it, they did not offer any help what so ever. I mean offer the option for customer to pay for service. I'm really skeptical with that brand oye I will repair the speaker myself I was just lazy. However I really liked the product itself many nice features.
Hey! Loved the video. I just ordered this soundbar and am looking for a “riser” solution to bring it up just a bit… over my monitor stands legs. What riser is that that you are using at around the 30 and 40 second mark in the video and later? Thanks!
I picked up the first Katana due to your recommendation, and have absolutely zero regrets. The question for me though is... is it worth upgrading to the v2?
Bit let down, I ordered mine after watching this review but after Creative took the remaining month of November to ship it to me it's audio quality isn't as good as my old Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II's - the T40 m2's do a really good job of giving a fully fleshed out sound stage whereas the Katana v2 is very top end and basey but losing that mid-range stage - in comparison they sound a bit pitchy. The real problem is the price, at $500 AUD that's substantially more than the better performing T40 m2's and in the Sonos beam territory which is not only a far, far better sounding product (even without a separate sub, so, less real-estate) but more flexible given I could add a pair of Sonos 1's and get surround (or pick up a sub and get bone rattling base). (I actually have a beam with two 1's hooked up to my projector downstairs so have basis for comparison to the Katana v2) Strongly considering the hassle a return and refund would be..
I'm starting to wish for more desk space. My current speakers already take up a lot of it. I have always been very happy with Creative. I've just never had speakers from them.
Thank you for the video. I just have my question left without any explanation. You mentioned the unit has a decent dac (amplifier) for the audio jack out (normally for a headphone use) but you just never gave a comparison vision to this feature like, if you have a pro dac already, does it hold up with this or let's say if you want to compare it with a creative sound blaster G6?
I have the V1 and for the USB C connnectivity, I would upgrade. The micro is already wobbly. Something origional micro usbs unfortunately do after a while.
It does sound like it would be the ultimate for sound for me. I use headphones a lot because I am a night worker and when I am off I am up at night longer. So I use headphones for movies and gaming. But this would let me have everything. A sound bar for when not using headphones and then a full gaming DAC for headphones. Basically an X4 Soundblaster built in. With the Acoustic engine and S-XFI as options. You can never find a sound bar with headphone jack or hard to find. And you can forget about a sound bar that would actually give you surround sound for movies via headphones when needed. So this is an all in one package. The fact you can get HDMI ARC sound (of course with sound bar) but get the sound out to headphones. I have yet to find ANY DAC with that feature especially for gaming. So it can do Optical, HDMI ARC and PC USB sound. It has absolutely everything.. Expensive in Canada though but could be worth it.
3:30 It would be better if it was at the back and they allowed you to swich the source from speaker to headphones. That way you don't have to unplug and replug them all the time.
Yes, it does. There is a button on the remote control and software to allow you to switch without the need to plug and unplug. I just leave my headphone being connected.
If you find yourself watching this video trying to decide between this setup and the Razer leviathan. DO NOT GET THE LIVIATHAN. It is a piece of crap and totally bricked on me right after the warranty period. I have seen so many other people with the same issues and its just done. My Katana has been great so far.
It has more power, but is the quality also better? I found the old one not too great sometimes. Ears felt less harsh in my headphones than on the katana v1. Perhaps this one is a bit cleaner?
sadly it's not available anywhere on the internet. creative has a waiting list which never seems to notify, it's not on ebay or amazon (where are the scalpers?) seems like it's impossible to get it.
I have the original katana. What my only issue is, to use the bundled software you have to connect the device to the PC via the supplied USB cable, makes sense. But if I want to play my PS5 with my PC monitor, I have to disconnect that USB and use the PS5's USB port to connect to the audio, because for some reason the PS5 does not have an optical cable. The ARC doesn't help in this case for this specific situation, as my monitor isn't an ARC. So the solution is to have my PS5 connected via usb audio, and the katana connected to my PC via either bluetooth or optical, and lose access to the software.
