Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X review: Compact gaming soundbar

With the V2X, Creative launches a new gaming soundbar that largely resembles the Katana V2, but comes with a more compact subwoofer. We already liked it very much in our review from February 2022. Our Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X review explains what the gaming longsword is capable of.

Technical data

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X review: what’s included

If you’re thinking about buying the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X gaming soundbar, you can look forward to a bulging, black-and-orange box. This is because there is quite a lot included in the scope of delivery.

In addition to the soundbar and the subwoofer, the manufacturer not only includes a power adapter with three different power cables for the UK, the US and Europe, but also a remote control, an optical Toslink cable, a USB-C to USB-A cable, two brackets for wall mounting and, of course, the obligatory instructions and notes.

Design and workmanship

• Compact dimensions
• Chic, high-quality design
• Customizable RGB lighting

Let’s get this straight right off the bat: The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X is like two peas in a pod compared to the manufacturer’s V2 soundbar. However, this is not to be understood negatively, the soundbar could convince us almost completely at the beginning of the year.

Once again, you can look forward to a very classy soundbar, which with its compact dimensions of 600 mm x 95 mm x 62 mm (length x height x depth) can easily fit on a desk or TV board.

With its dark gray anodized finish, the soundbar certainly looks the part. The controls are located in the center of the top, framed by the two tweeters, which are embedded in the case with a fine grille.

A similar grille extends across the front to the sides of the V2X, behind which the two 63 mm midrange drivers do their work. Creative also installs a display on the front with a 3.5 mm jack on the left edge. It informs about the volume, the audio source or the sound mode, but more about that later.

On the bottom, you’ll find an LED light strip that is responsible for the typical gaming RGB lighting. There are also two rubberized feet that provide a secure hold – you can also attach the wall mounts here, the screws are also included.

On the back of the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X, you’ll find the ports, which are also similar to those of the V2: the right two are for power and for connecting the subwoofer. In addition, there are HDMI-Out (Arc), USB-C (In), AUX (In) and Optical (In), as well as Creative’s SXFi output.

The only optical difference to the sibling model can be found in the subwoofer or its size. This is namely grown in height to 423 mm, but turns out with a width of 116 mm and a depth of 250 mm otherwise much more compact than the counterpart of the Katana V2 with 367 mm x 150 mm x 367 mm.

• Virtual 7.1 sound, but fewer ports: The Razer Leviathan V2 in review

Processing of the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X

• High-quality, sturdy build
• Display quite prone to scratches

In terms of build quality, there is almost nothing to complain about. Soundbar and subwoofer exhibit a very high quality, feel high-quality and robust. Especially the robust mesh grilles and the haptically convincing, ribbed controls are pleasing.

Only the display could have used a bit more polish. It magically attracts dust and already shows some minor cracks after unpacking.

Commissioning and setup

• Quick and easy setup
• Reliable Bluetooth connection

Getting the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X up and running is as simple as can be and can be achieved even by non-professionals without the help of the instructions. The first thing to do is to connect the soundbar to the subwoofer via the permanently mounted RCA cable and supply the duo with power.

Once this is done, the soundbar already starts its operation. You can connect it to your PC and notebook via USB or AUX cable, while you can also connect it to your TV via the HDMI port with Audio Return Channel (ARC) or all current consoles.

Another particularly practical feature on the PC is the ability to connect a headset with a 3.5 mm jack on the front of the soundbar without having to go through a tower or notebook.

Alternatively, pairing via Bluetooth (version 5.0) also works quickly and easily. By holding down the power button, the Katana V2X switches to pairing mode and is immediately recognized and set up by smartphone and other devices.

Operation and App Connection of the Katana V2X

• Operation possible via buttons, remote control and app
• Smartphone or Windows app with a convincing scope

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X is similarly versatile in terms of its operation. You can control the soundbar using the buttons on the top, the included remote control (which requires two AAA batteries), or the Creative app for smartphones or PCs.

On the soundbar itself, you can increase or decrease the volume, select the audio source, choose one of four modes and sound profiles for music, gaming, effects, and movies, and add Creative’s SXFi technology for connected headphones or headsets.

The Super X-Fi UltraDSP chip simulates a surround sound, which gives games, movies and music additional three-dimensionality. However, this requires setup via the corresponding SXFI app, where you have to create your own profile via head and ear mapping.

The remote control is self-explanatory. Alternatively, you can control the soundbar via the Creative smartphone or desktop app and make additional settings here.

Creative App

In the clearly structured app, you select the audio source, for example, and can make various sound settings via the Acoustic Engine, and even separately for the soundbar and headphones. Intensity of the surround sound and Crystalizer (exciting for music) can be adjusted as well as a smart volume adjustment and the Dialog+ option, which amplifies voices and makes them clearer.

You can also choose between quite a few equalizer presets – including different music genres, movie, gaming and even profiles for different games like Apex Legends, DOTA 2 or Fortnite.

You can also set various lighting effects in the app or deactivate them completely and turn the subwoofer’s bass up or down. So, a lot of practical options that make using the app recommendable.

Sound of the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X

• Sound needs some fine tuning
• After that, convincing stereo and (virtual) surround sound
• Very high maximum volume

For our sound test, the soundbar had to prove itself in various disciplines and with different audio sources. From PC and console gaming, to music playback via cable and via Bluetooth, to series marathons and movies.

Sound-wise, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X covers a frequency response from 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz. However, due to the more compact subwoofer compared to the V2, there is only room for a 133 mm woofer here (compared to 165 mm).

Along with that, the maximum power drops to 180 watts versus 252 watts. However, you shouldn’t notice much of this in practice, because the 2.1 sound system gets damn loud and fortunately even without distorting.

I was not completely convinced by the factory sound mix, which put the bass relatively strongly in the foreground. The good news is that you can counteract this wonderfully with the help of the equalizer and the Crystalizer setting within the Acoustic Engine and achieve a really very good sound.

Then the result is a beautiful, room-filling sound with a rich bass (if desired) that makes the interior dance. I never needed more than 40-50 percent volume to fill my living room with sound during the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X test. So, there are still more than enough reserves.

Only during music playback does the soundbar, like the V2, weaken a bit in the upper mids. However, the integrated Dolby Audio decoder then again creates a really successful virtual 5.1 surround sound, which noticeably benefits movies, series and even games.

In combination with connected headphones, you can also benefit from SXFi including Battle and Scout modes in gaming mode, which improve the sound’s three-dimensionality and enable a better localization of acoustic details like footsteps or similar, especially in shooters.

Practical, too: Creative integrates two beamforming microphones that deliver decent sound and allow you to make phone calls directly through directly through the soundbar.

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X review: conclusion

With the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X, the manufacturer has created a strong, compact and sonically convincing soundbar with many connection options. Thanks to its small dimensions and the compact subwoofer, it easily finds a place on the desk or under the TV.

Although the overall power and dimensions of the woofer have decreased compared to the V2, the 2.1 sound system has more than enough oomph to fuel your next movie night and extended gaming sessions, and also cuts a good figure when listening to music.

Only the mids are a bit in the background, while you should first do some fine-tuning in the sound image. There are also clever features like SXFi support for connected headphones or headsets, virtual surround sound and customizable RGB lighting.

In the meantime, however, the competition in the field of gaming soundbars has become bigger. Nevertheless, the Katana V2X positions itself far ahead thanks to its many ports, clearly structured app including many settings and the high-quality workmanship. However, we still miss the wireless subwoofer.