HomeiOSiPad Accessories The new Creative Pebble V3 are speakers for small, spherical computers, characterized by a really affordable price and an excellent companion for your Mac… and beyond. Those who like us have a Mac mini did not hesitate to buy them (as a solution to the small internal speaker which is practically useless), let's see how they behaved.
Clearly inspired
Those who have some spring on their shoulders will remember the old Apple Pro Speakers, probably the first example of USB PC speakers created by Apple (exclusively) for the Power Mac G4 and the iMac G4 (the old lamp model): at the time if he talked about them a lot and maybe they were the inspiration for this new line of Creative, of which we have already reviewed the first version here at Macitynet.
This new Creative Pebble V3 takes up its design, but adds some interesting features and strengthens its presence on the market, making it attractive both for those who have a Mac, PC or other device but do not want a battery-powered speaker (of which the market is full, this is the last one we reviewed) or even for those who have a model with integrated speakers, such as the iMac, but want something more manageable, without investing an inconvenient sum.
Control via USB-C
The two speakers, which are almost spherical elements, have a diameter of about 12 centimeters (for a total of 0.67 Kilograms): they are connected to each other by a cable and a second cable starts from one of them to end up in a device with a USB-C port. In the box, there is a USB-C / USB-A connector for older computers.
The USB connection is convenient and in any case necessary for the power supply: the Creative Pebble V3 however can also be connected to other devices via Blutooth or analogically via a stereo Jack audio cable (not included in the package).
All the control part is declined in one of the two speakers, where there is the power supply, the analog front volume control, the Bluetooth pairing button, the LED that shows the operation and the Jack connector for the analog connection (which given the chronic scarcity of USB sockets in modern computers, it could be a solution to save a port).
The box, made entirely of cardboard The contents of the box, with the speakers and the USB-C / USB-A adapter 
The back, where the bass plate is present
Preparation
Connecting to the Mac is simple, no drivers are needed and there are no supporting apps, once connected macOS sees them immediately and can be selected from the Audio panel.
A small long press of the Bluetooth button puts the Creative Pebble V3 in pairing mode and ready to be paired with a device such as an iPad or an iPhone.
Finally, another click on the same button opens to an analog connection via stereo jack.
In all ways, the USB-C cable must be connected, if not to a computer, to a 30W power supply (not included in the package but readily available): the speakers do not have an integrated battery.
When the speakers are connected via USB-C even with the audio it is possible to activate the Gain function, through a switch under the main speaker, which improves the audio quality by offering greater amplification without distortion by increasing the acoustic power of 8W RMS and the power peak up to 16W.
Music, maestro!
Creative Pebble V3 have two 2.25 ″ full range speakers really surprising for the quality / size ratio: for the test we used the Music App 1.2.140 with Equalizer off and Gain on the active speakers (with USB connection to a Mac mini).
We immediately started strong with “Archangel” first and “Star Sky” then, both of Two Steps From Hell, passing through “Shout” by Tears For Fears and “Everything Burns” by Anastacia & Ben Moody (soundtrack of the film “Fantastic Four “), Just to understand what the warrior spirit of the Creative set is like, and in fact we didn't mind.
Obviously the bass (located in the back of the spheres) is contained, given the size, but the sound body is not bad and fills a room without problems.
The angle of inclination at 45 °. We would have done it a little more vertical, but even then the answer is more than good”Komm, Süsser Too” sung by Arianne (soundtrack of “Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance”) and “Miserere”, with Zucchero and Andrea Bocelli and finally the live version of “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics offered a Interesting insight into the ability to play melodic and pop songs which is perhaps the best quality of these Creative Pebble V3s.
Finally, with “Unchain My Heart” by Joe Cocker and an acoustic version of “My Immortal” with a very inspired Amy Lee as she was in the early days of Evanescence, she surprised us by the ability of the dufflers to handle even strong vocal and difficult songs such as these, with an impressive detail, considering the market segment to which they are proposed.
In addition to the music, we did not miss a couple of game sessions in Diablo III, where the system did not disfigure, certainly it is a stereo session for a slightly dated game (but still very popular, even in the Italian community ) and perhaps for more modern titles with 360 ° audio you need more, but if you are a Sunday player as the writer, you have nothing to complain about.
The Apple Pro Speakers, a model that some twenty years ago accompanied some Power Mac G4 and iMac G4 models, an icon that has remained in the memories of older users
Considerations
When reviewing a product or software, it is good to start the evaluation starting from the cost of the product, because beyond the quality and functionality, the price is always one of the most important aspects, if not the real needle of the scale.
Having understood this, we can say that the Creative Pebble V3 are a truly extraordinary product, which obviously cannot compete with professional products such as the Genelec G One or more vertical products such as Razer's Nommo Chroma (just to mention two of the most interesting products that can accompany a desktop computer) but which can offer clear and wide musical coverage for all, or almost all, the listening needs of an average user.
The limited space, the triple connection, the ease of installation are welcome characteristics that accompany a very good sound quality, which lacks a depth that is impossible to obtain with these dimensions and with the supported market segment but which still manage to give ample satisfaction to the 'average user, whose needs are often underestimated.
Pro:
• Important price / performance ratio • Small but important • Triple connection
Cons:
• Something is missing on the bass • The listening angle is not adjustable
Price:
• € 32.99
Creative Pebble V3 is available from the Italian website of the parent company or you can find it more conveniently also at Amazon.it in the colors Black or White.
