Disclosure: The Pebble X was provided by Creative for this review. Please read more about our product review disclosure here.

As someone who used to only use desktop PC speakers for music, movies, and gaming, I was excited to check out the Creative Pebble X and see how far desktop audio has come. These speakers are packed with small but thoughtful features, as well as good software integration.

In this review, we’ll take a close look at the design and build quality, the sound quality, as well as check out the advanced features, including the Acoustic Engine and CrystalVoice technology, and see how user-friendly these desktop speakers really are. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the Creative Pebble X deserves a spot on your desk at $89 USD.

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• Creative Pebble X speakers
• Two USB-C to USB-C cables, 1.2m length
• 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, 1.2m length
• Manual

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The Pebble X speakers are noticeably larger than their predecessors, standing at about 13.2cm tall. Despite their increased size, they still maintain a compact form factor that won’t overwhelm your desk space or work area. The speakers feature a matte black finish that looks sophisticated and should blend well with most setups, especially if you disable the RGB lighting.

On the front of the right speaker, you’ll find a volume knob that doubles as a mute and a power button, along with controls for the RGB lighting and input selection. The back of the right speaker houses all of the connectivity options. These include a 3.5mm AUX port, a USB-C port for audio and power, and a dedicated USB-C PD port for additional power. On the right side of the speaker is a dedicated 3.5mm headphone connection (4-pole that supports headsets with microphones) and a 3.5mm microphone connection.

The left speaker has no connections or buttons but is connected to the right speaker via a rather short 1.2m cable. I would have loved to see a detachable cable that can be changed out for a longer one as the current length will limit your options. Both speakers feature a tripod mount on the bottom and a passive radiator on the back.

Both speakers are made of plastic and are fairly light, but they do have a solid feel to them. For speakers under $100, the Pebble X looks great and has a functional and practical design.

Initial Setup

Setting up the Creative Pebble X is straightforward. The speakers can be powered directly from your computer’s USB-C port, making them truly plug-and-play. For optimal performance, you’ll want to use the USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port with a 30W or higher power adapter. It’s disappointing that one wasn’t included, but I’m sure that was to keep the price down.

Connecting to your devices is versatile, with options for USB audio playback, Bluetooth 5.3 streaming, or analog connection via the 3.5mm AUX input. I found the Bluetooth pairing process to be quick and hassle-free.

One thing to note is the cable management. With multiple connection options, you might end up with a bit of cable clutter, especially if you’re using both USB-C ports and the AUX input. However, the cables provided are of good quality and length (aside from the one connecting both speakers together, as I previously mentioned) allowing for flexible positioning of the speakers on your desk.

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The Creative Pebble X includes a set of features and functionality that can be accessed from the Creative App. Let’s take a look at what’s available.

RGB Lighting Effects

The RGB light design covers both sides of each speaker, though it doesn’t wrap around in a full circle. Instead, it colorizes the surface, creating a subtle yet attractive effect.

To control the RGB lighting, you can use the button on the front of the right speaker. Pressing it once cycles through the different modes: Chasers, Aurora, Peak Meter, Glow, Wave, Cycle, and off. I found the Peak Meter mode particularly engaging, as it responds to the audio output, adding a visual dimension to your listening experience.

For more precise control, you can use the Creative App to customize the lighting effects. The app allows you to choose color combinations, adjust the speed of light changes, and even set the direction of color movements.

Connectivity Options

The Creative Pebble X offers versatile connectivity options to suit various setups. You can choose between wired or wireless modes, with USB audio playback, Bluetooth 5.3 streaming, and analog connection via the 3.5mm AUX input port. This flexibility allows you to connect to a wide range of devices, from your PC to your smartphone or tablet.

One standout feature is the inclusion of dual communication ports for headsets and microphones. This addition is particularly useful for gamers or those who frequently participate in video calls, as it allows for private listening and easy communication without the need for additional audio interfaces. It also allows you to gain access to the Creative App’s software features to use you’re your headphones, which is what you would get if you bought a Creative sound card.

It’s worth noting that while the Bluetooth 5.3 chip provides stable wireless connectivity, it only supports the basic SBC codec. This might not be a deal-breaker for most users, but audiophiles looking for high-resolution wireless audio might find this limitation disappointing.

Creative App Integration

To truly unlock the potential of the Creative Pebble X, you’ll want to take advantage of the Creative App. Unfortunately, it’s only available for Windows, and the mobile app only has the functionality to control the RGB lighting, and update the Pebble X’s firmware. The audio features are similar to that of what’s available for other Creative products, such as the Sound Blaster X4 USB DAC (check out our full review here), but let’s go over exactly what is available for the Pebble X.

Looking at the main screen of the Creative App we see four tabs on the left side for navigating the various categories: Device, Playback, Recording, Settings.

The Device tab contains all of the functions for your specific device, in this case, the Pebble X. Playback is used for selecting either the speakers or the headphone connection for audio output. The Recording tab is for viewing the microphone settings. Finally, the Settings tab is for checking for application, driver, and firmware updates. There’s also a quick toggle on the bottom left of the screen for the output selection (headphones or speakers), and the audio and microphone volumes just below that.

Looking further into what’s available in the Device tab we have the following functions:

Sound Mode

This allows you to select and configure sound profiles. There are a bunch of pre-configured profiles included, ranging from generic Gaming, Music, and Movie ones to profiles created for specific games, such as Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Red Dead Redemption 2. These profiles essentially group various other functions so you don’t have to manually set everything up each time you go to play a specific game or watch a movie.

Acoustic Engine

This is where most of the DSP options live. Creative has its virtual surround technology (referred to as SBX in the old Sound Blaster Command app) and from here, you can adjust settings related to that. Under the Smart Volume section, there are also options for Night mode and a Loud mode. They do exactly what you would think. The Night mode reduces the dynamic range so that the audio is normalized, making quieter sounds easier to hear and reducing louder sounds. The Loud mode amplifies the audio range.

Equalizer

A 10-band equalizer is included here, with many presets included. You can also select which EQ profiles can be selectable using the “Mode” button.

CrystalVoice

This is a set of voice communication filters for your microphone if one is plugged in.

Lighting

Here is where you can enable/disable the RGB lighting, as well as customize it. It provides a good amount of options and customizability, and the 6 memory slots can be used to save your own presets, and then cycle through them using the RGB button on the right speaker.

Mixer

The Mixer menu lets you quickly adjust the playback and recording volume.

Overall, the Creative Pebble X’s advanced features and user-friendly interface make it a versatile and capable desktop speaker solution. The combination of customizable RGB lighting, flexible connectivity options, and powerful software integration sets it apart from many competitors in its price range.

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When it comes to the Creative Pebble X, I’m genuinely impressed by its audio performance, especially considering its compact size and affordable price point. These desktop speakers pack a punch that belies their diminutive stature, offering a sound experience that’s both rich and immersive. There are a couple of caveats to me making these statements though, so read on to find out.

Performance Across Different Genres

The Pebble X showcases its versatility across various music genres. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, the speakers deliver respectable low-frequency responses. While it may not produce earth-shaking bass, it does an admirable job of reproducing the lower end of the spectrum considering they are relying on the passive radiators on the back of each speaker.

For tracks with less deep bass, the drums get a subtle boost but retain a natural tone. The Pebble X’s 2.75-inch full-range drivers angled at 45°, contribute to a surprisingly wide soundstage. This design choice pays off, creating an expansive audio experience that belies the speakers’ size. The permanent angle of the speakers does limit the flexibility you have for placement, as being too high or too low will affect the quality of the audio you hear.

I found Jazz to particularly shine on the Pebble X, with clear treble and a balanced midrange that doesn’t muddy the intricate instrumentation. However, it’s worth noting that EDM tracks might fall a bit flat due to the lack of sub-bass. For bass enthusiasts, the Pebble X Plus version with its included subwoofer might be a better option to consider.

Volume and Clarity

One of the standout features of the Creative Pebble X is its ability to deliver clean and clear audio even at higher volumes. Here we find my first caveat. I found that, when connected to an external 30W power source, the sound becomes noticeably louder and more intense, and bass response sounds much punchier and detailed. This boost in power doesn’t come at the cost of clarity – the audio remains crisp and detailed without distortion, even when pushed to its limits. In fact, I’d be inclined to almost recommend using the Pebble X with a dedicated power adapter as I much prefer the audio in this mode.

The dynamics are impressive, with the speakers capable of producing fine details, including the subtle hiss inherent in some recordings. This level of clarity is particularly evident in orchestral tracks, where the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals come through with extra brightness.

I found that while the Pebble X can fill a small to medium-sized room with good-quality sound, it will struggle with larger rooms, with details becoming lost. For most desktop or near-field listening scenarios, this shouldn’t be an issue.

I never found myself lacking volume, even without the power adapter, though I wish the volume control would be more granular. The volume knob is digital, meaning there is no starting or stopping position, and one step up or down results in a 4% volume change. I wish it would only be a 1% change as many times I found myself manually adjusting the volume in the Creative App as I just needed one or two percent more volume, and using the volume knob would increase it too much.

Audio Settings

Enter caveat number two. The “Music” EQ setting is particularly useful for adapting the sound profile to different genres. I would almost say this preset is mandatory for music playback as it makes the flat EQ sound incredibly dull and empty by comparison. The music preset applies a slight V-shaped EQ curve, emphasizing both the lows and highs for a more engaging listening experience, as well as a bass and treble increase. It added liveliness to the music which made it more engaging to listen to.

I also found the game presets in the Sound Mode area particularly useful. The Cyberpunk 2077 preset enabled Surround sound and has an appropriate EQ. The audio was noticeably more immersive and clear compared to a flat EQ with no sound modes enabled. The Red Dead Redemption 2 sound mode was also well done in my opinion. I’m not usually one to use preset sound modes and EQ, but I really found the included presets to make a positive improvement in audio quality.

Bluetooth, AUX, and Headphones

Pairing via Bluetooth is simple and easy, and the whole experience works as you would expect. The actual Bluetooth performance isn’t a standout feature as it only supports the SBC codec, but it does the job and it’s a handy additional adding to the versatility of the speakers.

The Aux connection also works exactly as you would expect. If you want to listen to some music or audio from your smartphone or a DAP, just plug the cable in and hit play.

I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but yes, the headphone and microphone connections also work as you would expect. The Creative App’s sound functionality can be applied to these connections, and they work wonderfully.

The Creative Pebble X delivers a sound quality that punches well above its weight class. While it may not satisfy audiophiles looking for the absolute pinnacle of sound reproduction, for most users seeking to upgrade their audio experience, the Pebble X offers an impressive blend of clarity, power, features, and value. Just keep in mind my two caveats.

The Creative Pebble X is an extremely compelling choice for those looking to boost their desktop or laptop audio experience. These speakers offer a well-rounded package with their sleek design, customizable RGB lighting, and good to even great sound quality, keeping in mind that I feel a dedicated 30W power adapter is required to achieve that. The versatile connectivity options and user-friendly Creative App add to their appeal, making them suitable for a wide range of users, from casual listeners to gamers.

They won’t satisfy audiophiles, but the Pebble X provides excellent value for money without sacrificing too much desk space. I think Creative did a great job with the Pebble X, and I have no qualms recommending them to someone looking for a speaker upgrade that’s under $100.

What do you all think of the Pebble X? Let me know in the comments below or by contacting me directly.

Be sure to check out our excellent Buyer’s Guides, as well as our other Reviews.