If you enjoy playing console games on a regular basis, one of the best tools you can currently have for your console gaming setup is a blaster. This is mainly because nowadays, most soundbars are designed to give you sound quality that is much better than the sound quality you can get from the built-in speakers of most televisions. This is especially true for soundbars that come with speakers that support Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound. On top of that, soundbars can also be a great addition to any PC gamer’s setup, as they can be a great alternative to audio output for long gaming sessions, especially for those times when you need a break from wearing a gaming headset. So, if you are looking for a decent soundbar for your gaming setup for your console (or PC) that can provide you with high-quality sound, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is a great soundbar model that you can go for.
The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is a 3-channel multi-channel soundbar equipped with five audio drivers that are all individually driven by a DSP controller that makes it capable of delivering natural and realistic sound via 5.1 channel Hi-Res playback with Dolby Audio certified decoder, While also coming with an external preamplifier unit, also incorporating dual beamforming microphones to support voice calls, Super X-Fi technology for mirroring multi-channel speaker sound directly to your headphones, Scout audio mode for immersive gameplay, and SXFI BATTLE audio mode for playback. FPS gaming, along with multiple connectivity options including an HDMI Out ARC port, SXFI Out port, USB-C Audio In port, AUX In port, Optical In port, Subwoofer Out port, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, plus adjustable EQ settings Customizable and customizable RGB lighting via the Creative App.
With its game-changing triple amplification multi-channel design, this newly released gaming amplifier can provide you loud sound experience for all your gaming sessions on console or PC, and it can also provide you amazing sound quality for many times that you are watching Movies or series on TV.
Now, let’s take a more detailed look at the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 and check out everything this triple-amplification multi-channel gaming amplifier has to offer you.
Design and specifications
Starting with the size of the speaker, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 has a sleek and slim profile, measuring exactly 23.6 inches long by 3.74 inches wide by 2.44 inches wide/thick (600 x 95 x 62mm). The subwoofer also comes in a compact and slim size, measuring 14.4 inches long by 5.9 inches wide by 14.4 inches wide (367 x 150 x 367 mm).
In terms of system design, both the Sound Blaster Katana V2 as well as its external subwoofer unit feature a very sleek and modern design that allows this speaker setup to blend seamlessly with any living room setup as well as with any gaming/computer game console. prove.
Moreover, both the subwoofer and the outdoor subwoofer unit feature a highly durable body, as both devices are made of aluminum and made with superior engineering materials.
In short, the entire system boasts excellent build quality all around.
Moreover, just like most other speaker models in the market, the Sound Blaster Katana V2 also supports wall mounting, as it also comes with a set of two (x2) wall mount brackets in its package that can be used on the end for On the wall speakers neatly mounted below (or above) your Smart TV.
Audio specifications and sound quality
Go to the audio specifications of the amplifiers. To reproduce high-quality, immersive sound, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 uses an array of 5 sound drivers that come arranged in a revolutionary multi-channel, multi-amplification design.
To be more specific, the subwoofer’s five audio drivers consist of a set of two (x2) midrange, a set of two (x2) new fabric dome tweeters, and one large subwoofer driver, all of which are individually driven by a DSP controller that It is capable of delivering natural and realistic sound via true 5.1 channel HD playback using a certified Dolby Audio decoder (which means it supports Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound).
This ultimately allows its dome tweeter to deliver cleaner, more accurate highs (i.e. treble/high frequency sounds), its midrange drivers to deliver powerful, precise mids (mid-frequency sounds), and its subwoofer driver to deliver deeper bass and more impactful bass ( low frequency sounds).
Moreover, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 also comes with an external subwoofer unit that makes it capable of delivering more powerful bass than the impressive bass sound that the soundbar can already offer on its own.
The amplifier itself features a rated output power of 66 watts RMS (root mean square). The entire sound system (meaning when the amplifier is used with an external subwoofer unit) has a rated output power of 126 Watts RMS, with a maximum rated output power (i.e. rated peak power) of 252 Watts RMS.
In addition to its triple-amplified, multi-channel audio drivers, the Sound Blaster Katana V2 also integrates a set of dual in-beam microphones that make it possible to use it for voice calls without having to grab a pair of headphones.
Other notable audio features
Super X-Fi technology
The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 also comes bundled with the truly revolutionary Super X-Fi audio technology (configurable via the SXFI app for iOS And android), which are used to mirror the sound of the multi-channel amplifier in your speakers directly to your headphones.
In other words, the soundbar’s Super X-Fi audio technology captures the listening experience of its high-end multi-speaker system in a professional studio, then recreates the same expansive and immersive listening experience by playing it directly into headphones, a great sound function available for the times when you need to be Quieter (such as playing video games with an immersive listening experience in speakers specifically at night).
Special sound modes
Scout sound mode
The Scout Sound mode of the blaster is used for an immersive gaming experience, as it focuses on sound detection through enhanced audio cues, highlighting every in-game detail that can make or break the game. Whether it’s the sound of your enemies’ weapon reloading or the slightest sound of a footstep, Scout mode is sure to bring any important audio cues straight to your ears.
While the megaphone’s Scout Sound mode is available for both speakerphone and headphone modes, note that it’s more suitable for headphones.
SXFI BATTLE SOUND MODE
The blaster’s SXFI BATTLE sound mode is the best sound mode when playing FPS games, letting you hear realistic sound cues that highlight not only the direction of bullets, but also the distance from which those shots are being taken. The game too, finally making you able to locate your enemies with precision down to the millimeter.
Interface / Control Panel
We’ll now take a look at the entire front of the speakers. Starting on the front side, integrated right in the center, we have a built-in LED display that informs users of the currently selected connection method of the soundbar.
Next, on the back side, we have the various connectivity ports of the Sound Blaster Katana V2, which, as mentioned earlier, features multiple connectivity options.
Moving from left to right, the speaker connection ports include an HDMI Out ARC port, an SXFI Out port, a USB-C Audio In port, an AUX In port, an Optical In port, a Subwoofer Out port, and finally, the speakers’ dedicated power input port.
Finally, on the top side of the soundbar, there is also a set of LED status lights that represent the connection method that the soundbar has currently chosen.
Connection
On top of all the speaker connection ports, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 also features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which boasts a wireless range that can reach up to 33 feet (10 meters) while operating on an operating frequency that varies between 2402-2480MHz, while also featuring software support. SBC wireless codec, as well as support for both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles as stereo streaming protocols.
remote control
The Sound Blaster Katana V2 comes with a comprehensive remote control that allows users to access all of its various settings.
Other than the basic audio controls, users can also change the sound source of the speakers, as well as swap RGB lighting presets, or even access a custom function that is saved to one of the six (x6) customizable buttons on the remote.
Smartphone Companion Application – Creative App
The smartphone speakers can also be configured by resorting to the dedicated Smartphone Companion app, called creative appwhich is available as a free download for both iOS And android hardware, as well Windows and MacOS.
Through the Creative app, users can customize all of the amplifier’s EQ settings, including speaker volume, as well as various audio effects.
Moreover, through the Creative app, users can also customize the speaker’s RGB lighting, of which they have a total of 16.8 million colors to choose from.
What’s more, users can even save multiple custom RGB lighting presets to any of the programmable buttons on the soundbar’s remote.
What’s in the box?
Inside their package, users will find: Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 Soundbar, subwoofer module included with the soundbar, power adapter for the amplifier and remote, plus an optical cable, USB-C to USB-A cable, and mounting brackets kit On the wall, Quick Start Guide.
Final thoughts
The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is a 3-channel multi-channel soundbar equipped with five audio drivers that are all individually driven by a DSP controller that makes it capable of delivering natural and realistic sound via 5.1 channel Hi-Res playback with Dolby Audio certified decoder, While also coming with an external preamplifier unit, also incorporating dual beamforming microphones to support voice calls, Super X-Fi technology for mirroring multi-channel speaker sound directly to your headphones, Scout audio mode for immersive gameplay, and SXFI BATTLE audio mode for playback. FPS gaming, along with multiple connectivity options including an HDMI Out ARC port, SXFI Out port, USB-C Audio In port, AUX In port, Optical In port, Subwoofer Out port, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, plus adjustable EQ settings Customizable and customizable RGB lighting via the Creative App.
To summarize, this is a high-quality gaming soundbar that can provide you with a truly immersive sound experience for gaming on console and PC, and it can also offer you amazing sound quality for watching movies and series, as well as any other TV (or video) content.
If you’re interested in buying it, the price per unit is currently $329.99, and every purchase also comes with a one-year warranty (for non-EU countries), or a two-year warranty (for EU countries). You can order it online now, either directly from Creative’s official shopping pageAlternatively, you can Get it from Amazonif you prefer.