Creative Pebble Nova: Spheres of Sound or Plastic Problems?

Creative's new Pebble Nova speakers stand out with their substantial, grapefruit-sized spherical design, measuring approximately 5.9 inches in all dimensions and weighing 4.2 pounds each. Internally, each speaker boasts a 1-inch tweeter and a 3-inch woofer, complemented by a rear passive radiator to bolster bass response. The system delivers an average of 25W per speaker, with a peak output of 100W.

Each speaker features a distinctive light show at its base, a visual element that attempts to offset the less premium aspects of its plastic construction and the noticeable seam encircling the sphere. Designed for desktop use, the drivers are angled upwards at 45 degrees to direct sound towards the listener. The included stands are weighty, aiding stability for the top-heavy speakers, with options for pole or nub mounting.

The Pebble Nova relies extensively on USB-C for power, inter-speaker connection, and audio input, contributing to a potentially cluttered cable setup. The connection cable between the two speakers is hardwired to the right speaker, posing a risk if damaged. While Bluetooth is supported, it is limited to the SBC codec, a persistent drawback for Creative's Pebble line.

Controls are managed via capacitive touch buttons on the top right of the right speaker. Additional features include a 3.5mm auxiliary input on the right speaker, though there is no subwoofer output. Microphone and headset jacks are present but were non-functional at the time of testing, pending a firmware update.