The Creative Sound BlasterX Katana is a multi-channel soundbar system that has been specifically designed to fit under large, or multi-monitor setups.
Product on Review: Creative Sound BlasterX Katana
Manufacturer: Creative
Street Price: UK: £279 US: $299
Soundbars are a popular choice among many people looking for a high quality speaker system that is also compact. As a sub-market, gamers end up having to wade through the many offerings out there in the wide world, yet may be unsure of what it is they want or need. So, the ‘gaming’ soundbar became a thing. Our first outing with such a product was with the Razer Leviathan, and now we get to take a look at the Sound BlasterX Katana from Creative.
It has been titled the ‘Katana’ as it as its concept has been heavily inspired by the legendary Japanese sword. Thus the soundbar itself has been expertly crafted from a monococque frame and has been styled vaguely in the shape of a katana blade. Inside, the Katana is jam packed with technology, including: 2x 1.3″ tweeters, 2x 2.5″ up-firing midbass drivers, and is accompanied by a subwoofer unit with a ‘longthrow’ 5.25″ driver at its heart. Consolidating a whole host of modern technologies, Creative have equipped the Katana with a multi-core DSP that helps control the tri-amplified design, with the tweeters, the midbass and the subwoofer each with their own amplifer, providing an impressive 75RMS/150W peak output.
As we have now entered 2017, where would we be without programmable RGB LED lighting effects? Creative won’t disappoint here as they have lined the ‘Hamon’ (the Japanese name for the wavy line that differentiates between hard and soft steel along the Katana edge) with their programmable Aurora lighting system.
Overview by Creative
Named after the sword so technologically perfect in structure and so demanding in its creation, the Sound BlasterX Katana exhibits the same sleek sophistication and formidable strength in its design and audio prowess. In a league of its own, the Katana fits right under your monitor with a slimness that’s unmatched by other so-called gaming “sound bars”, and is powered and enhanced by our award winning multi-core audio DSP making it the world’s first true Under Monitor Audio System (UMAS). In addition, the Sound BlasterX features the Aurora Reactive lighting system, a series of 49 programmable LED lights lined from edge to edge of the Katana chassis, making it the perfect addition to fully optimize and customize your PC and desktop setup.
Technical Specifications
System Configuration: 2.1 system
Dimensions (H x W x D)
Soundbar: 60.0 x 600.0 x 79.0 mm (2.4 x 23.6 x 3.1 inches)
Subwoofer: 333 x 130 x 299 mm (5.1 x 11.8 x 13.1 inches)
Weight
Soundbar: 1.5kg (3.3 lbs)
Subwoofer: 4kg (8.8 lbs)
DriversSoundbar: 2 x 34mm Tweeters, 2 x 2.5″ Midbass Drivers
Subwoofer: 1 x 5.25″ Long Throw Driver
Design: Tri-Amplified Design
Bluetooth® Version: 4.2
Bluetooth Profile: A2DP (Wireless Stereo Bluetooth)
Supported Codecs: AAC, SBC
System Requirements
For Wireless Streaming: Compatible Bluetooth devices that support the Stereo Bluetooth Profile (A2DP)
For Wireless Control: Compatible Bluetooth devices that support the Bluetooth Remote Control (AVRCP)
For 7.1 Virtual Surround Audio Playback: Windows PC
For Digital 5.1 Audio Playback: Optical-in
For High-resolution 24-bit 96kHz Audio Playback: PC via USB Connection
For Playback via USB Flash Drive: Up to 128GB formatted in FAT16/32/exFAT. Common audio formats such as MP3, WMA, FLAC and WAV. (MP3 and WMA up to 320kbps and FLAC up to 1.3Mbps).
For Sound Blaster Connect:
Windows® OS
Intel Core™2 Duo processor 2.2 GHz, AMD Athlon 64×2 Dual Core or equivalent processor
Microsoft® Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 8.1 32-bit or 64-bit
1GB RAM
600MB of free hard disk space
Available USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
Internet connection (optional)
For Direct Connection to AUX-in Jack: Analog audio devices with a 3.5mm output
PACKAGE CONTENTS
1 x Sound BlasterX Katana Soundbar
1 x Sound BlasterX Katana Subwoofer
1 x Power Adapter
1 x USB Cable
1 x IR remote (battery included)
2 x Wall Mount Brackets
Warranty & Technical Support leaflet
Quick Start Guide
Safety & Regulatory leaflet
WARRANTY
2-year Limited Hardware Warranty
Dimensions (H x W x D)
Soundbar: 60.0 x 600.0 x 79.0 mm (2.4 x 23.6 x 3.1 inches)
Subwoofer: 333 x 130 x 299 mm (5.1 x 11.8 x 13.1 inches)
Weight
Soundbar: 1.5kg (3.3 lbs)
Subwoofer: 4kg (8.8 lbs)
DriversSoundbar: 2 x 34mm Tweeters, 2 x 2.5″ Midbass Drivers
Subwoofer: 1 x 5.25″ Long Throw Driver
Design: Tri-Amplified Design
Bluetooth® Version: 4.2
Bluetooth Profile: A2DP (Wireless Stereo Bluetooth)
Supported Codecs: AAC, SBC
System Requirements
For Wireless Streaming: Compatible Bluetooth devices that support the Stereo Bluetooth Profile (A2DP)
For Wireless Control: Compatible Bluetooth devices that support the Bluetooth Remote Control (AVRCP)
For 7.1 Virtual Surround Audio Playback: Windows PC
For Digital 5.1 Audio Playback: Optical-in
For High-resolution 24-bit 96kHz Audio Playback: PC via USB Connection
For Playback via USB Flash Drive: Up to 128GB formatted in FAT16/32/exFAT. Common audio formats such as MP3, WMA, FLAC and WAV. (MP3 and WMA up to 320kbps and FLAC up to 1.3Mbps).
For Sound Blaster Connect:
Windows® OS
Intel Core™2 Duo processor 2.2 GHz, AMD Athlon 64×2 Dual Core or equivalent processor
Microsoft® Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 8.1 32-bit or 64-bit
1GB RAM
600MB of free hard disk space
Available USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
Internet connection (optional)
For Direct Connection to AUX-in Jack: Analog audio devices with a 3.5mm output
PACKAGE CONTENTS
1 x Sound BlasterX Katana Soundbar
1 x Sound BlasterX Katana Subwoofer
1 x Power Adapter
1 x USB Cable
1 x IR remote (battery included)
2 x Wall Mount Brackets
Warranty & Technical Support leaflet
Quick Start Guide
Safety & Regulatory leaflet
WARRANTY
2-year Limited Hardware Warranty
Packaging & First Look
The packaging is very colourful, showing off the Aurora Borealis in the background in reference to the Aurora lighting. The main image shows off that this is a soundbar with a subwoofer speaker system.
The rear side of the box provides information about the product and how it can be used, written in several languages.
The soundbar and subwoofer is well packaged with card and thick foam, inside one of the cardboard fillers is a compartment containing the included accessories. Creative has included: 2x metal wall mounting brackets, a remote control, a power brick, 3x regional plugs (EU,UK,JP), manual and warranty information, and we also received 1x short, 1xlong USB – microUSB cable.
The included remote control uses infra red and features buttons to mute, power/standby button, bass level controll, SBX modes, volume up/down, previous, play/pause, next, show soundbar display, toggle LED lighting mode, as well as individual source buttons for: Bluetooth, PC, optical, USB and AUX.
The soundbar itself is finished in a gunmetal grey brushed aluminium, with machined edges. It is mounted on two rubber feet that are slightly angled to raise the front of the soundbar. The feet can be removed should you desire to mount it on the wall using the included brackets, however, due to its low profile nature, standing just 79mm tall, it will easily fit under most monitors neatly.
Closer Look
There are two 2.5″ drivers that fire up, and have two internal bass ports that are facing the front internally. At the left/right most sides there is a 1.3″ tweeter that are slightly angled which helps to widen the spread of the sound.
The up-firing drivers are protected by a blackened steel mesh, similar to what is used along the front fascia, making the aesthetic elegant and beautiful.
In the centre top, there are button controls for convenience, including power/pairing button, volume down/up, source toggle and SBX effect toggle.
The subwoofer has a tall but slim design giving it a rather small footprint. It is an MDF enclosure that features a huge 5.25″ driver along with a very large bass reflect port, the cable length is 1.8m.
The rear side of the soundbar hides the IO ports which include, mains power in, subwoofer out, microphone in, headset in (4pole or 3pole), 3.5mm AUX in, optical in, USB Flashdrive in, PC/computer in.
Software & Lighting
The software right now is only supported on a Windows platform (at time of writing). Though it isn’t required for use, it is recommended that you install the Sound Blaster Connect software to get the best the out the customisable audio profiles, LED lightings effects, microphone noise and voice processing effects.
The GUI is very similar to that which we experienced with the Sound Blaster iRoar GO, though there is no support for the Sound Blaster Connect mobile app (yet?) which is a shame considering that it does allow for Bluetooth connection.
The software allows for full control over the equaliser, SBX effects and the Dolby Audio options. The software also enables various voice morph effects and microphone noise reduction too should you be using a headset via the Katana, which means that the internal DSP acts like an external soundcard too.
The lighting effects look impressive as it utilises an array of 45 RGB LEDs to create its effects. Colour rendering is a little off compared to what you will select via software, with particular struggle with turquoise/teal colours, and white is rendered with a very bluish tone. The various preset effects are attractive, though I expected the ‘reactive’ Aurora mode to be a little more ‘reactive’. The customisation was fairly restricted too as various effects did not allow for any changes. Overall the lighting looks fantastic, bursting that extra colour into your room. Though if that doesn’t sound appealing, don’t fret, you can turn the lighting off should you wish to do so.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
Compared to other speaker systems, the Sound BlasterX Katana is fairly easy to setup as it is only two items that need to be positioned. Though the soundbar itself is easy to place under a monitor on a desktop, you will need to find a suitable location for the subwoofer. Should you wish to mount the soundbar on the wall beneath your screen, keep the subwoofer cable length in mind.
You can connect to the Katana in a multitude of ways, including Bluetooth with your mobile or tablet, though it is a shame it doesn’t feature NFC. You can also connect via the 3.5mm Aux IN to pretty much anything. The addition of the optical in as well as having a built in Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder means that you can connect directly to a TV or games console. For many using the PC USB port will be a likely option too. Finally, you can connect a USB Flash drive with stored music for instant playback (Supports MP3, WMA, FLAC and WAV). Though, I would have preferred that they used a microSD slot over a USB port, mostly because if people have this mounted on the wall, plugging in and removing a USB stick seems like it would be a fair amount of hassle, while feeling around for a little push in slot, at least to me, seems more reasonable.
The overall aesthetic of the Katana system is elegant, the soundbar itself is totally keeping it classy, while the subwoofer is finished off in a lush matte texture. When we start looking at the construction and features, there is a lot about the Katana that is reminiscent of the Roar wireless speakers. Its monocoque frame crammed with technology, but scaled up for a different purpose. Considering the pricing of the katana, it certainly feels like you are getting your money’s worth.
Multimedia
On powering up pay attention to the volume level. By default ours was set to 15 which is a reasonable volume level for moderate/low activity (maximum is 50), however, each increase is fairly linear, and by 50, the volume level is more suited for a small function hall rather than a small room. For those that like to listen to things loud, you will be pleased to know that there was no noticeable distortion, and the level of bass, mids and treble was spot on, each are crystal clear with none fighting to be heard. The Bass is strong and prominent, and though it doesn’t overwhelm the other frequencies, some may prefer it to be at a lower level by default, though fortunately you can crank the bass up or down to preference using the remote.
After listening to music for a fair while, I decided to test out the various default SBX effects, and WOW, what a difference it made over the neutral, flat setting. The audio opened up and filled the room with sharper, more precise sounds that bounced around the whole room. Considering how compact the Katana is, it was at this point I realised that this is on another level to everything we have looked at previously.
Using the 7.1 surround mode (set in Windows audio options), Gears of War 4 was eerily awesome to play. The directional audio was surprisingly good as you can hear teammates movement around you clearly, (or an enemy coming to execute you while you are down). Gunshots felt huge and powerful, wind flares sounded scary and headshot pops, as always are totally satisfying. Changing to SBX mode to cinema for better voice emphasis, the LED lighting toned itself down to a non-offensive warm orange tone. There is even a nighttime mode that allows for good night time listening with a slightly nerfed bass for lower sound transmission (through walls). Connecting your PS4 or Xbox One via optical too is a fantastic way to get the most out of your console gaming experience too.
If all else fails and you need to be quiet, you can then connect your gaming headset to the dedicated port. The Katana will then act as an external soundcard which you can then enjoy the benefits of the integrated DSP via your headset. If you connect via 4pole, you will not need to use the additional microphone port, where as the stand alone microphone port can be used either for a headset, or for voice transmission or recording alone (it prioritises the dedicated microphone port over the headset 4pole microphone).
Microphone
Though it doesn’t have a built in microphone I felt it was worth mentioning that voice recording via the headset/microphone is very reasonable, and as it has built-in noise reduction for clear, static free conversation. The headset port may not be as important for console gamers as PC gamers (because consoles are likely to connect their headsets via the gamepad), but having this extra function including the use of voice recording or even as a PA system enables people to get creative in the use of the Katana sound system.
Conclusion
The beautiful enclosure design resonates closely with that of the Roar wireless speaker, making it understandable as to how that low-profile monocoque frame is crammed with so much technology. The internal workings from the multi-core DSP and the tri-amplified design, effectively means that the listener is going to get some intense audio pleasure regardless of their use. As this system is aimed at gamers, you can be certain that you will get a fantastic experience from the Katana and it features everything you need for each of your systems and uses, be it simply music playback from your phone, or awesome multi-channel audio from your PC, TV or games console.
The Katana on first look may appear rather expensive, but once you consider what you are getting from it in terms of connectivity, function and overall output quality, Creative have literally created an all round household solution that is very hard to beat without moving to more complex audio systems and setups, with that in mind, the Sound BlasterX Katana is actually a bargain. Sure, it won’t replace a real, full cinematic home theater setup, but between here and there once could certainly do incredibly worse for the price.
There are a few points worth mentioning, though none really detrimental to the overall product itself. Firstly, its worth remember that the software is only supported on a Windows PC right now. On that note, it would nice to see more controls and more lighting effects within the Sound Blaster Connect software. There are also some exclusions that would have been nice to have, including NFC for fast wireless connection, and a bundled optical cable for out-the-box readiness for connecting to TV and/or Consoles.
Despite all that, it is difficult to hold any reservations in our praise for the Creative Katana, its versatility caters for everything a modern gamer could demand from their sound system and it totally deserves to be in that number 1 spot on your shortlist if you are currently looking to upgrade your sound system.
The Creative Sound BlasterX Katana lives up to its name as it is expertly crafted with a beautiful and elegant finish, yet its audio is sharp, and precise.
Pros.
+ Beautifully crafted
+ Relatively compact (Low profile, will fit under most monitors easily)
+ Powerful and precise audio
+ Wired and wireless connectivity
+ Dolby Digital 5.1 surround via optical connection
+ Virtual 7.1 via PC USB
+ Built in DSP
+ Aurora, Programmable LED lighting
+ Bundled remote control and wall mounts
+ Dedicated 4pole/3pole headset port
+ Dedicated microphone port
Cons.
– Limited software support (Windows only)
– Doesn’t include an optical cable
– No NFC
+ Beautifully crafted
+ Relatively compact (Low profile, will fit under most monitors easily)
+ Powerful and precise audio
+ Wired and wireless connectivity
+ Dolby Digital 5.1 surround via optical connection
+ Virtual 7.1 via PC USB
+ Built in DSP
+ Aurora, Programmable LED lighting
+ Bundled remote control and wall mounts
+ Dedicated 4pole/3pole headset port
+ Dedicated microphone port
Cons.
– Limited software support (Windows only)
– Doesn’t include an optical cable
– No NFC
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
