As early as 2018,Creative Technology launched a desktop 2.0 speaker named Pebble.At that time,it became a cost-effective desktop speaker choice for users to pair with laptops and PCs,thanks to its eye-catching design,convenient connection method (simply powered by a USB port),sound quality that exceeded its size,and affordable price.After successively releasing the Pebble V2 and V3,Creative has brought the latest generation of this series this year,including the Pebble X and Pebble X Plus,with the latter featuring an additional 3.5-inch subwoofer.The rapid introduction of multiple generations in such a short period also proves the product's market recognition and Creative's efforts to maintain its competitiveness.The sample we received this time is the Pebble X,so let's take a look at how it has evolved.

Product Specifications:

Channels: 2.0

Drivers: Dual 2.75-inch full-range speaker drivers

Frequency Response: 60Hz~20kHz

Power Output:

Up to 15W RMS when connected to a computer's USB-C port,with a peak power of up to 30W;

Up to 30W RMS when connected to a USB-PD power adapter,with a peak power of up to 60W.

Connection Types: Bluetooth,microphone input,PD power adapter,3.5mm AUX input,USB audio/USB power

Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3Bluetooth Encoding: SBC

Special Technologies: Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine,BassFlex,EQ,Dialog+

Supported Platforms: Windows PC,PS5,Nintendo Switch,mobile devices (via Bluetooth),PS4

Dimensions: Approximately 139.5mm × 132mm × 136mm (per speaker)

Weight: 1200g (left and right speakers)

Reference Price: 799 yuan

Pebbles Shape

Both volume and weight have been increased

The "Pebble" was once highly favored by consumers,and its unique shape was a significant factor.The word "Pebble" itself means "pebble," and its design was inspired by elements of Zen architecture,resembling the smooth pebbles in Japanese rock gardens,forming the unique aesthetic design of the Pebble.Placed on a desktop,it can become a highlight,especially when paired with a laptop.The Pebble X naturally continues this design,with an overall rounded shape,the front and back boxes presenting a 45° and vertical cut respectively,which also corresponds to the positions of its acoustic units—speakers and passive radiators.In particular,the 45° upward tilt of the former is designed to allow sound to be more accurately delivered to users,thereby providing a better listening experience.

However,compared to the previous three generations of products,its overall size has been increased by a full size,with dimensions of approximately 139.5mm × 132mm × 136mm.The weight has more than doubled,increasing from 310g (left speaker) and 360g (right speaker) of the Pebble V3,to 600g for each left and right speaker (it is relatively rare for the main and auxiliary box weights to be consistent in 2.0 speakers).From the most basic understanding of most people,the increase in size and weight represents an upgrade in the speaker,and the internal components and structure have become more complex,which is a favorable change for sound quality.Although it has become larger and heavier overall,the Pebble X still maintains a compact size,preserving its essence of being small and portable.Even when placed on a narrow desk,it does not take up too much space,and it is no problem to carry it in a backpack along with a laptop.The Pebble X features a matte surface treatment process; although the body is made of plastic,the fine touch of the surface coating does not make its visual effect appear cheap.The speaker is uniformly black in color,with the central speaker painted gold,and the black and gold combination brings a stable and fashionable look.

Pebble X is connected with a fixed audio cable.Although it lacks the flexibility of wireless connections,the cable is long enough (1.2 meters) to allow the two speakers to be placed far enough apart according to needs,to achieve a better stereo effect on the desktop.At the same time,the wired connection method also ensures more stable signal transmission.The bottom of the speaker is designed with rubber anti-slip pads,which can provide good anti-slip effects.There is also a tripod mounting hole in the center of the bottom,allowing the speaker to be fixed on a tripod for more flexible placement.

16.8 million color RGB lighting adds color

Intuitive operation with physical buttons

Compared to previous Pebble series products,the most obvious change in Pebble X,in addition to the change in volume and weight,is the addition of RGB lighting on the body.Both sides of the speaker have large areas of regular strip patterns,which emit light effects when working.It supports 16.8 million color RGB lighting,and users can customize the lighting on the Creative App on their mobile phones or the Creative software on their PCs - including a 16.8 million color palette and 6 built-in preset options,easily creating their own personalized lighting effects to light up the desktop.

Pebble X supports a variety of input methods,both wireless and wired.The Bluetooth chip it uses is based on the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology,and the wired part includes AUX input and USB input.There are three interfaces on the back of the main box,which are the AUX interface and two USB-C interfaces.One is a USB audio and power interface,and the other is a PD power interface.A major feature of the Pebble series is that there is no need for a separate power supply.By directly connecting to a laptop or PC via a USB interface,it can be powered and operated by these input devices.Pebble X continues this design and further improves it by adding an additional USB-C interface dedicated to PD power supply,which can be connected to a USB PD power adapter to power the speaker.

Why provide PD power supply?This is because when connected to a traditional USB,the output power of Pebble X is 15W RMS,with a peak power of up to 30W.After connecting to a USB PD power adapter,its output power can be increased to 30W RMS,with a peak power of up to 60W,and the theoretical sound quality will be better.We will also compare the differences in sound quality under different power supply conditions in the later part of the experience.

On the side of the main box of Pebble X,there is a 3.5mm headphone and microphone jack each,supporting the connection of other devices,which can achieve private listening and easy communication to meet different usage scenarios.

On the front of the main box of Pebble X,below the speaker,there is a protruding volume knob and two small round buttons.Pressing and holding the volume knob can achieve the power on and off function.When adjusting the volume,the knob has a sense of scale,and the feel is good.Although it is an infinite knob,when adjusting to mute or maximum volume,the speaker will emit a "beep" sound to remind.The adjacent round buttons are the multi-function button and the RGB control button.Pressing the control button allows the speaker to switch between Bluetooth,USB,and AUX input methods.At this time,the indicator light next to the knob will indicate the current status with different colors of light.When switching to Bluetooth mode,the speaker will give a voice prompt.The RGB control button is mainly used to change the RGB mode.Pressing it can switch between tracking,aurora,rhythm,glowing,waveform,and loop 6 modes,and pressing and holding for 2 seconds will enter the brightness control mode.At this time,users can adjust the brightness of the RGB light with the volume knob.Enhance Functionality with Creative Software

As previously mentioned,users can customize the RGB lighting of the Pebble X through the Creative software on their mobile phones or PCs.The functionality on the mobile app is relatively limited,currently offering only options for light control and firmware upgrades.However,by using the Creative software on a PC,more features can be unlocked.In addition to adjusting the RGB lighting and upgrading firmware online,it also enables the setup and adjustment of innovative features such as Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine,CrystalVoice,equalizer,and mixer functions.The Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine is a fully customizable audio processing technology that provides a higher level of audio immersion and precision.Users can adjust five options: surround,Crystalizer,bass,smart volume,and Dialog+,by turning them on or off and increasing or decreasing the values to achieve better sound performance.The Creative software also includes dozens of EQ sound modes for different applications such as music,movies,and games,with some games even having exclusive EQs.Similarly,users can make custom adjustments based on presets to create a sound effect that better suits their personal taste.

Listening Experience

Before discussing the listening experience,let's talk about the changes in the acoustic configuration of the Pebble X.This time,Pebble X uses a 2.75-inch full-range driver unit and maintains the design of a metal bottom pot with a rubber surround edge,which is an upgrade from the 2.25-inch full-range driver unit used in Pebble V3.Additionally,a passive radiator has been designed behind the two speakers of Pebble X to ensure low-frequency performance,and its surface features exquisite concentric circle textures,enhancing the texture and appearance of the speaker.

Although Pebble X can support Bluetooth connectivity,due to its operation in the SBC encoding format when connected via Bluetooth,I chose to connect it wired to my laptop's USB port for a better listening experience.

In terms of actual performance,Pebble X is already satisfying when it relies solely on a USB cable for audio signal transmission and power supply.Compared to the built-in speakers of a laptop,the sound quality improvement brought by Pebble X is quite significant.In the low-frequency range,Pebble X demonstrates performance beyond its size,truly deserving the description "small size with great power." It has good cohesion,strength,and elasticity.While it cannot be expected to have too much in terms of quantity and depth,such performance is enough to maintain the presence of the low-frequency part in music.Therefore,for users who are not particularly pursuing overwhelming bass,Pebble X is sufficient,and there is no need to spend an additional $300 to purchase the Pebble X Plus with a subwoofer.Of course,before purchasing,you need to think clearly because its subwoofer will not be sold separately,and Pebble X cannot connect to the subwoofer of Pebble X Plus.So if you buy Pebble X and then want to enhance the low-frequency effect by adding a subwoofer,it is not possible.

When I connected it to a PD power adapter for independent power supply,the sound quality of Pebble X reached a new level,which can be described as "great power brings miracles," and it is pleasantly surprising.At this time,compared to the performance when powered by the laptop,Pebble X not only brings greater sound pressure at the same volume but also has a noticeable improvement in audio quality such as sound field space,sound detail,and three-frequency performance.The low-frequency listening experience becomes more solid,and the human voice,while maintaining a full image,adds more detail,making it more flavorful and more enduring.The resolution of the high frequency has been improved,and the dynamics are clean and neat,without giving a stiff and cold listening experience.The scale of the speaker's sound field has expanded audibly,and the layers between the singer and the instruments are more separated.

It should be noted that Pebble X does not have a built-in battery.Therefore,when it operates in Bluetooth mode,users still need to connect a USB cable to power it.

In summary,compared to previous products in the Pebble series,Pebble X has made comprehensive improvements in all aspects while maintaining the classic design of its appearance—introducing RGB lighting to enrich its visual effects,larger speaker units,and higher output power to bring the best sound quality in the series.The diverse input methods of Bluetooth wireless and wired connections make Pebble X not only able to meet users' needs for desktop use with laptops and PCs but also easy to pair with mobile phones for listening to music anytime,anywhere.