Powerhouse Speaker On Stilts — The Creative Pebble Nova Review
Massive sound from a pristine looking speaker.
By Syazwan Bahri — 19 Feb 2025, 03:58 PM
Audio company Creative has recently launched their flagship speaker, the Pebble Nova
The Singaporean-based audio company is no stranger to high-end audio equipment, and they have just raised the bar with its latest and most premium Pebble speaker yet: the Pebble Nova.
SAYS was given the opportunity to check out the speaker and we were blown away by the sheer audio and build quality the Pebble Nova had to offer.
Here's what we thought about it:
Out of the box, we were greeted with a premium-looking pair of speakers
While it retains its predecessors' iconic spherical shape and 45-degree driver tilt, the Pebble Nova boasts a striking new design and enhanced audio capabilities. The 45-degree tilt allows the Pebble Nova to beam the audio directly to the listener.
Instead of a single full-range driver, the Pebble Nova features a coaxial driver arrangement, with a 1-inch tweeter positioned in front of a 3-inch woofer. This innovative design allows both drivers to produce sound from the same point, creating a more immersive and balanced audio experience.
The Pebble Nova also delivers impressive power, boasting a peak power of 100W, making it the most powerful 2.0 speaker system in Creative's Pebble lineup.
The Pebble Nova comes in a substantial package, complete with accessories to fit your needs
The Pebble Nova stands out with its sturdy metal base, which can be elevated using an optional metal rod for better sound projection. Unlike its predecessors, it needs a bit more power, so Creative includes a 65W USB-C PD adapter along with USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables. They've even thoughtfully included various AC plug adapters for international use.
A unique feature is the detachable left speaker connector, allowing for flexible placement and easier transportation. What's even more impressive is the ability to swap channels between the speakers. This means you can place them in any configuration without worrying about which speaker is left or right, offering a level of customization not often seen in desktop speakers.
The Pebble Nova offers versatile connectivity options to suit various devices and setups.
You can easily connect your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming. It also includes a 3.5mm audio jack input for those who prefer a wired connection.
For higher-quality audio, the Pebble Nova features a USB-C connection, allowing you to connect it to your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer. This ensures a pristine audio signal for a more immersive listening experience.
While the Pebble Nova lacks HDMI ARC or optical inputs, limiting its direct compatibility with home theatre systems, this can be easily overcome with a sound card like the recently released Sound Blaster G8. This expands the Pebble Nova's connectivity options, making it suitable for a wider range of audio setups.
Also, our favourite bit is that the speakers have colourful LED lights that you can adjust to your liking, or just turn off through the Creative app.
Speaking of the app, it is a powerhouse of customisations
For those who like to tinker with their audio settings, the Creative app offers a range of customisation options for the Pebble Nova. Available for both smartphones and desktop PCs, the app allows you to fine-tune the speaker's output with an equaliser, personalise your audio experience with features like Creative CrystalVoice and Mixer, and explore other sound-enhancing options.
This level of control adds another layer of personalisation to the Pebble Nova, allowing users to tailor the sound to their individual preferences.
It goes without saying that the Pebble Nova is a powerful speaker
The Pebble Nova's volume capabilities are impressive, perhaps even exceeding the needs of a typical desktop setup. In our rather sizeable office, about 50% volume on our iPhone was already quite loud, and reaching 100% filled the space with sound, maybe a bit too intensely for close proximity. At maximum volume, the higher frequencies felt somewhat overwhelming in an enclosed space.
However, at a more moderate volume range, the audio quality was excellent. The sound was clear, detailed, and well-balanced, with punchy bass that didn't overpower the mids. We particularly enjoyed how the bass was projected through the rear-firing bass radiators.
While the Pebble Nova lacks a dedicated subwoofer like the Pebble X Plus, it delivers a surprisingly satisfying bass response. Even with bass-heavy tracks, the sound remained collected and enjoyable.
Beyond desktop use, the Pebble Nova's versatility allows it to fit any setup be it a bedroom decoration or a gaming setup.
Do we suggest the Pebble Nova? Spoiler alert: yes!
The Pebble Nova is a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and high-performing audio solution without breaking the bank. Its attractive design complements various setups, whether at home or in the office, and its diverse connectivity options cater to a wide range of devices. With its combination of aesthetics, performance, and versatility, the Pebble Nova is a strong contender in the desktop speaker market.
It is currently priced at RM1,308 and can be purchased from the official Creative online store.