Creative is expanding its Sound Blaster Katana line of gaming soundbar with its latest iteration V2X. After having tried the first Katana model a few years back - and left quite impressed -, I was intrigued to see (and hear) what improvements this V2X has to offer.

The Sound Blaster Katana V2X retails for £259.99/$279.99 and comes with the following items:

• 1 x Sound Blaster Katana V2X Soundbar
• 1 x Subwoofer
• 1 x AC Adapter
• 1 x AC Cable
• 1 x Optical Cable (Toslink)
• 1 x USB Cable C to A cable
• 1 x IR Remote Control
• 1 x Quick Start Guide
• 2 x Wall Mount Brackets  

Details about its specs can be found below:

As with the other Sound Blaster Katana models, the V2X comes with the soundbar and a separate subwoofer. The latter is slimmer than previous models but is also taller. While it is said to be 40% smaller than that of Katana V2 to minimise its footprint, the V2X subwoofer is still a chunky device; taller than an Xbox Series S even. But it’s still welcome to have it being slimmer to fit in space-constrained rooms. It’s also handy that the peripheral plugs in directly to the soundbar, without requiring an external power source of its own.

As for the soundbar, it is chunkier than the first Katana model (600 x 95 x 62 mm vs 600 x 79 x 60 mm) and goes against the low footprint mantra that Creative has been advertising for the V2X. That said, the hardware quality is still top-notch with the Sound Blaster Katana V2X. The build is reflective of the premium price tag and its look immediately enhanced the look of my desk. 

All wires and ports (save for the 3.5mm jack) are located at the back while the front features an LCD calculator-like screen that provides details such as the audio source, mode and volume. It’s handy and does the job but I wish Creative opted for a fancier display panel, especially considering the price of the product and its overall premium look.

Using the Sound Blaster Katana V2X is a plug-and-play affair. You have a range of connectivity options that includes Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI, Optical-in, AUX-in and USB-C. This greatly enables the device to be a versatile one and the inclusion of an HDMI port, which was absent in the first Katana model, is very welcome.

Once plugged into/paired with an audio source, Creative’s expertise in the audio market is on display. The Katana V2X delivers crisp and clear soundscapes with the bass-y tunes reverberating through the subwoofer without disruptive vibrations. The soundbar was designed to deliver such high fidelity audio output with its tri-amplified amps and five-driver design where each driver is individually driven for dynamic audio delivery. As for vibrations, these are minimised with the double-wall chassis and I haven’t come across any such disruptive artefacts. 

I found the audio to be best for cinematic, story-driven games. Titles like A Plague Tale: Requiem and Scorn are an immersive treat with the V2X’s output while the audio quality enhances the experience and adds to the atmosphere of indie titles with unique audio like Return to Monkey Island and Betrayal at Club Low. There are also headphone-optimised modes available, namely Battle Mode and Scout Mode, that enhance certain audio cues that can provide a slight edge in competitive games. These options make the Katana V2X rather versatile for a whole range of gaming needs.

Of course, this soundbar is also well adapted for other entertainment purposes. I’m using it almost exclusively to play my Spotify playlists while sitting at my desk and it’s always plugged in when I’m streaming videos or watching a movie. It does deliver a cinematic experience, even in (or especially in) space-constrained rooms.

You can further tune the soundbar to your liking with the preset modes with the dedicated button. However, more customisation is available through the optional companion creative app. There’s also a remote control included in the package for basic controls, adjust the RGB lighting as well as some handy customisable buttons.

A noteworthy addition to the Katana V2X is the integration of the Super X-Fi UltraDSP chip. This means that the soundbar supports Creative’s unique Super X-Fi Headphone Holography. It delivers a compelling surround-like audioscape with headphones and being integrated in the soundbar means the feature is accessible on any headphones plugged into it. 

All of these features make the Sound Blaster Katana V2X a very versatile device. You can use it as a soundbar or pair it with a headphone to enjoy Creative’s Super X-Fi tech. It’s also compatible with a range of audio sources with wired or wireless options, making it a well-rounded device. I also noticed that Creative addressed some issues I had with the first Katana model. Most prominently, they included a better designed wall mount that provides enough space for the wires; and also included an optical cable and an HDMI port. 

The Sound Blaster Katana V2X is a marked improvement over its predecessors but I’d still like to see a more low-profile version that is also wireless to help further declutter the user’s gaming desk. But as it is, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X lives up to its namesake by swiftly and sharply enhancing your gaming and general audio needs with a sleek look to boot.