The Stage V2 from Creative Labs brings back memories. I recall watching Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope with a friend on a small 14-inch TV, but the sound system made it an epic experience. That sparked my interest in home theater. Now, decades later, enhanced audio is widely desired for movies and games, leading to a spectrum of options from sophisticated 7.1 Dolby Atmos systems to more streamlined Soundbars.
The Stage V2 from Creative Labs is a compact and budget-friendly system that delivers surprisingly impressive audio for its size. It follows the common two-component design: a soundbar and a subwoofer. Upon unboxing, the lightness of the units raised some initial concerns. Could the Stage V2 genuinely produce respectable home theater sound from these seemingly simple speakers?
Connecting the Blu-ray player via an optical audio cable (note: only an AUX cable is included) and selecting “op” on the remote (batteries not included, an unusual omission) initially resulted in silence. Troubleshooting revealed that the Blu-ray player was configured for Bitstream, which the Stage V2 couldn’t decode. Switching the player to PCM, which handles the audio decoding, resolved the issue, and the room was then filled with immersive home theater sound.
Treble and bass levels are adjustable. While I prefer enhanced bass, maximizing it didn’t deliver particularly powerful low-end frequencies. However, it still contributes significantly to the overall home theater feeling. The sound is focused and engaging, creating a pleasant and immersive experience. While it claims to simulate surround sound, the audio remains predominantly front-focused, lacking any significant rear channel presence (similar to the Yamaha YSP-2700). The maximum volume level of “35” doesn’t reach exceptionally high levels. It’s important to remember this isn’t a traditional amplifier offering consistent output regardless of the source material’s mix. Given its significantly lower price point, the built-in components are not comparable to those found in a full-sized amplifier.
A limitation is the availability of only four inputs: HDMI, AUX, OPTICAL, and USB. Users with multiple devices utilizing optical audio cables will require a splitter. On the positive side, the Stage V2 incorporates Bluetooth connectivity, adding to its versatility.
The illuminated input indicator on the front of the speaker, while informative, can become distracting. Since the speaker is typically positioned beneath the TV or projector screen, the bright display can be an annoyance during movie playback. The inability to dim or disable this display is a notable drawback.
In conclusion, the Stage V2 from Creative Labs offers an accessible entry point to home theater audio for budget-conscious consumers. Considering its price, performance, and design, the Stage V2 is a worthwhile option.
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