The Pebble X Plus is Creative Labs’ top-tier SKU of their Pebble line of speakers. Featuring 2.75” drivers, a dedicated compact subwoofer, an array of customizable RGB lights, and options for both wired and Bluetooth connectivity, there is a lot to unpack with the small but mighty speaker solution.
Inside the box, users will receive a pair of Pebble X Plus speakers, two USB-C cables, an Aux cable, and an accompanying subwoofer to plug into. The right speaker module features most of the IO used for connectivity, while a single wire hardwires to the left speaker. In terms of ports, the speakers feature a USB-C port for power, another USB-C port for connectivity to your PC or game console, and an additional 3-pole mic-out and 4-pole headphone port.
Outside of a wired connection, wireless connectivity is also possible, as the Pebble X Plus features Bluetooth 5.3 streaming support, offering a lot of flexibility for placement needs that go beyond a wired-only solution. Physical buttons include toggles for Bluetooth, a button to switch between or turn off the LED effects and a dial to adjust the volume.
“…the Pebble X Plus features Bluetooth 5.3 streaming support, offering up a whole lot of flexibility for your placement needs that go beyond a wired-only solution.”
Taking a closer look at the Pebble X Plus speakers highlights their eye-catching design: an all-black body, 5.49” wide and 5.35” high, with angled golden drivers that punctuate the understated matte spheres, creating a nice black-and-gold duotone aesthetic. RGB, or full-colour, LEDs encircle the outer chassis in a vent-like pattern, pulsating between colours, with options to switch to other effects via the button on the speaker’s face.
In other words, regardless of your setup, the Pebble X Plus blends into most environments, making it ideal for both home offices and bedrooms. In terms of setup, getting the Pebble X Plus up and running is simple. For those concerned about dangling wires, the included Bluetooth 5.3 is a solid solution, offering a rich listening experience without the hassle of cable management and allowing for more flexible setups.
Of course, to ensure the highest possible sound quality, I opted to use the included 3.5mm jack to connect the Pebble X Plus directly to my NUC PC. For my unique setup, I use a small-form-factor PC to manage automated downloads for my media server. To get the most out of this setup, I have this PC connected to my CRT TV via a series of converters and scalers, making it an ideal way to consume retro media and music; however, due to the limitations of S-Video, this setup does not carry any audio channels, which is where the Pebble X Plus fits in.
Both the Bluetooth and wired connections delivered a satisfactory listening experience, particularly in terms of higher quality.FLAC and lossless media, which sounded robust and full. If I had any major complaints about the Pebble X Plus, it would be with bass-heavy tracks and more nuanced sound sources, such as footsteps or 3D directional audio in games, which sound good but overall felt a little flat. Nevertheless, the listening experience on the Pebble X Plus for smaller rooms is excellent.
“…the Pebble X Plus is able to blend into most environments, making it ideal for both home offices and bedrooms alike…”
If you’re looking for speakers to fill a typical bedroom or home office space at an appropriately measured noise level, the Pebble X Plus are perfect. Due to the physical size of the drivers, those wanting to crank things up in larger venues or noise-polluted environments are better off with something bigger.
Given the Pebble X Plus’s diminutive size, the smaller form factor lets users take the set of speakers on the go, provided they can find an outlet for power, making it a more robust choice than something like a pill-style Bluetooth speaker. The inclusion of a mic jack also makes the Pebble X Plus ideal for situations like Karaoke or public speaking, giving the speakers further utility.
Finally, circling back to the Pebble X Plus and its Bluetooth functionality, users looking to use the speakers with their phones will be pleased with its performance, made better by a well-built app that makes it easy to toggle between lighting effects and offers full remote control of the speakers.
Ultimately, the Pebble X Plus feels like a modern interpretation of classic PC speakers, improved with modern conveniences like Bluetooth and console support, plus RGB lights for that extra bit of spice, making it a solid choice for most single-room setups.
