Creative’s ‘Stage’ series of soundbars has always been meant for those who wants to upgrade their TV or computer audio. The new Creative Stage Pro looks to be an upgrade on the Stage V2 and retails for S$199. What’s new here is its SuperWide technology, designed to expand the soundstage whether you’re watching a blockbuster or gaming on your desktop.
Build quality and design
Creative Stage Pro‘s size is compact, measuring just under 22 inches wide, it fits comfortably beneath most monitors or mid-sized TVs. Its design feature curved edges and bronze-accented side panels that give it a touch of style that you don’t usually find at this price point. The front metal grille covers the full width of the soundbar, with a slight upward angle to direct sound toward your ears. This was actually thoughtful detail for desktop use. I like to overall matte design as it gives it a more premium feel to it.
There is a built-in LED display at the front to show volume levels, source input, and sound mode. The buttons on top of the soundbar handle essentials like power, volume, input selection, Bluetooth, and toggling SuperWide mode. Alternatively, you could also make all these adjustments with the included remote control.
As for the subwoofer, it keeps things simple with its front-ported, side-firing design standing about 16.5 inches tall and under 5 inches deep, so it doesn’t take up much floor space. The power cable is hardwired so you can’t replace it separately. Overall, both the soundbar and subwoofer feel solidly built, with none of the creakiness you might expect from an entry-level set.
Connectivity and controls
For a budget-friendly system, the Creative Stage Pro does have a good amount of connectivity options. You get HDMI ARC, Optical-in, AUX-in, USB-C audio, and Bluetooth 5.3. The HDMI ARC port supports CEC, allowing you to control both the TV and soundbar with a single remote, a nice convenience that worked nicely with my Apple TV remote as well.
The USB-C input works well with both my PC and Mac setups, while Bluetooth provides quick pairing for wireless playback from my iPhone. Switching between inputs is smooth, though one small quirk is that the Stage Pro doesn’t remember the previous settings made for each input. So, if you like the SuperWide mode for your desktop and another setting for your iPhone, you’ll need to toggle them manually when switching. The remote control is compact and functional, giving you quick access to bass and treble adjustments, sound modes (Movie, Music, Vocal, Gaming, and Off), and playback controls when connected via USB-C or Bluetooth. I found the HDMI connection to be louder than expected.
Sound quality
For a 2.1 system in this price range, the Creative Stage Pro sounds surprisingly full-bodied. The 160W peak power output provides more than enough headroom, and I rarely needed to push the volume beyond the halfway mark when watching movies. The subwoofer brings satisfying weight to movie explosions and game effects, though it doesn’t dive deep into sub-bass territory. You’ll get punch and warmth, but not the room-shaking rumble of a larger driver. The midrange is slightly boosted, which helps speech come through clearly in movies and TV shows. It can sound a bit forward at times, but that’s preferable to muddy vocals. The treble is crisp and detailed, adding sparkle without becoming harsh but I do find that at very high volumes, it can start to sound a little sharp.
Creative Stage Pro’s defining feature is its SuperWide DSP processing, which comes with three settings: Near, Far, and Off. Near mode is tuned for close-up listening, like when using it at a computer desk, while Far mode expands the audio for larger spaces or TV viewing. For movies, the SuperWide Far setting helps to open up the soundstage as though you have speakers that are placed wider apart, but the midrange clarity does suffer a bit. Near mode has the same feel as the Far mode but only if you are sitting around 1-1.5 arm’s length away as the immersion seems to be closed off in a bubble within a distance range. Any further and the sound will start sound diffused.
Clarity is actually the best sounding without SuperWide enabled, so I’d only opt for SuperWide when watching movies as the overall audio feels more immersive. I wouldn’t use SuperWide for music as the balance between the bass and mids can feel a little weird at times. Overall, the sound quality is solid for its price but won’t be as good more expensive models like the Sonos Beam.
Conclusion
For S$199, the Creative Stage Pro delivers quite a lot of value. It’s compact, easy to set up, and capable of producing loud and pretty immersive audio. The SuperWide modes add versatility, making it suitable as an audio option for a gaming setup or a bedroom TV setup. While it lacks extras like Wi-Fi streaming or Dolby Atmos support, the Stage Pro nails the fundamentals. If you’re looking for an affordable soundbar to upgrade your desktop and TV audio, the Creative Stage Pro is an option to look at.