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Creative Stage Pro 2.1: Two-minute review
If you’re looking for a very affordable soundbar with a subwoofer, the Creative Stage Pro 2.1 should be on your radar. There are cheaper options available, but most are just a standalone soundbar. And the ones that do come with a sub are most likely from a brand that even a product reviewer like me wouldn’t recognize when browsing the endless options on Amazon.
If a lot of the best soundbars prioritize efficiency, options, or value level, then the value level is most vital right here. The efficiency of the Artistic Stage Professional 2.1 soundbar is ok for a budget-friendly mannequin and a particular enchancment on the built-in audio of most flat-screen TVs. The function set can also be considerably restricted, although it does have a trick or two up its sleeve.
Total, this soundbar is for somebody who desires to improve their TV (or pc) audio with out spending a lot cash, since most soundbars with a subwoofer are going to price extra.
The Artistic Stage Professional shouldn’t be fairly petite, nevertheless it’s comparatively compact at slightly below 22 inches vast. Its entrance is rounded and barely pointed up because of the approach it sits on its two hooked up toes. There’s an LED show that reads out info like quantity/settings and supply – a function I recognize that’s unusually lacking from many soundbars, together with expensive ones.
The button layout on the soundbar’s top is pretty straightforward, with a power, volume level, input, Bluetooth, and SuperWide (more on that feature in a bit) buttons. All the basics are there, though you have to use the remote to get more granular in the controls, mainly by adding independent adjustments for the bass and treble, along with the sound mode selector.
The port selection might not wow, but it’s actually fairly robust for such a compact soundbar, with an HDMI ARC input with CEC Control (which lets you use one remote to control both the TV and soundbar), as well as optical digital, AUX, and USB-C inputs. It’s also worth noting that there’s Bluetooth 5.3 wireless support for streaming music.
At just under five inches deep, the subwoofer is also fairly compact, even if it stands a bit tall at 16.5 inches. The sub’s power cord is permanently attached, so if something happens to it, you’ll have to replace the whole subwoofer.
Before I discuss performance, it’s worth noting that there’s a lot of power on tap with the Creative Stage Pro 2.1, which has two 20W channels for the soundbar and 40 watts for the sub, with a peak of 160 watts. This guy will give you more than enough volume, and I actually listened to it at a fairly low volume level setting most of the time.
There’s plenty of low end, though the bass doesn’t quite get that deep. After spending time watching blockbusters like The Batman where everything is always blowing up, it was clear that this system doesn’t deliver a lot of sub-bass – not too surprising when the subwoofer driver is a relatively small 5.25 inches.
As far as the mids go, they’re a bit boosted, and I wish I could back off a bit with EQ settings (something one would find on more expensive soundbars) for a flatter response. Ultimately, I ended up preferring to turn up the treble and bass a little bit and turn down the volume. The high frequencies on cheaper speakers and soundbars typically sound either tinny or muted, but luckily, the Creative Stage Pro has a decent amount of treble detail.
Considering the Creative Stage Pro is relatively compact, the soundstage is pretty narrow. I didn’t hear much in the way of sound effects positioning, whether in the aforementioned The Batman or other media, including some audio test tracks on YouTube.
As is anticipated at its value level, the Artistic Stage Professional’s function set is fairly minimal. There’s no Wi-Fi streaming or voice assistant assist, although there’s Bluetooth for wi-fi streaming.
What the soundbar does have for options is its varied sound presets and Artistic’s SuperWide Expertise. The 5 presets are the standard selection: Films, Music, Vocals, and Gaming. I discovered them to be a bit too refined to be all that noticeable, although after I chosen the Off choice, there was a little bit of a quantity drop.
Of the presets, I want Vocal – a mode that often helps with boosting dialogue – was extra distinguished, nevertheless it’s too small a lift to actually assist. I additionally want there have been a Night time preset much like that discovered on different soundbars that might restrict quantity peaks and increase quiet elements so you may hear what’s occurring whereas preserving the quantity low.
Artistic’s SuperWide function is extra fascinating. It has three settings, Close to, Far, and Off, with Close to or Far partaking processing that expands the audio horizontally for a little bit of a wraparound impact to create a better sense of house.
SuperWide can also be nice for adjusting the sound to be used with a pc or a TV, with the Close to setting optimized for a desktop set up. When toggling by means of the 2 modes, I did get a way of audio being nearer or farther away, relying on the setting. It’s a little bit of a gimmick, however a reasonably cool one, and substitute for encompass sound or spatial audio.
Creative Stage Pro 2.1 review: Price & release date
- Price: $139.99 / £139.99 (around AU$220)
- Date first available: July 2025
Creative has been on the budget audio train for a long time, so a price tag of £139.99 / $139.99 (AU$220) for a 2.1 soundbar system is about what one would expect from the company.
This system might have some limitations, as discussed in this review, but it is among the best cheap soundbars with a subwoofer. In any case, whenever you get all the way down to this value level, you’re both coping with a really restricted bundle, such because the much more inexpensive Majority Naga 60, a standalone soundbar that comes with its personal efficiency points. Alternatively, you’ll need to pay extra for the simply barely sub-$500 Sony HT-S2000. In fact, that 3.1-channel soundbar comes with Dolby Atmos and has higher sound high quality, nevertheless it’s virtually 4 occasions the value regardless of being our high funds soundbar choose.
Should I buy the Creative Stage Pro 2.1?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|
Features |
Somewhat limited audio quality and features, but you’re still getting a lot for the price |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
The bass doesn’t get super deep, and the soundstage could be wider, but this soundbar will be an upgrade for most TVs |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
A bit utilitarian looking, especially the sub, but it has an LED display and side-firing speakers |
4 / 5 |
|
Value |
Priced just right, especially when you consider it comes with a subwoofer |
4.5 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Creative Stage Pro 2.1: Also consider
How I tested the Creative Stage Pro 2.1
- Used regularly for several weeks
- Tested with all sorts of media
- Tested the different modes
I used the Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar regularly for a few weeks, streaming all sorts of media from old and new movies to TV shows and music. I pressed every button on the remote to check out the different sound presets as well as the Superwide Technology modes.
I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
First reviewed September 2025