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Creative Sound Blaster GS5

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Key specifications:

• Frequency response: 65–20,000 Hz
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 85 dB
• Output power: Total system power Up to 30W RMS, Peak power: 60W, Soundbar output power: 2 x 15W RMS
• Wireless codecs: SBC
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 510 x 102.7 x 82.6 mm
• RGB: Up to 16.8 million colors

As we can see, there is a built-in RGB light in the Soundblaster GS5 and you naturally know that it is for gaming.

A tour around the Creative Soundblaster GS5

If you, like me, have collected your own PC for many years, Creative Sound Blaster will certainly be a name you recognise. However, the market for dedicated sound cards is far from as large as in the "old days" and therefore Creative has thrown itself at other sound products such as the Sound Blaster GD5 Soundbar that I am looking at today.

On the surface, the Creative Soundblaster GS5 is a fairly discreet soundbar. You are mostly greeted by black metal mesh with a small Creative logo on the front. Behind the mesh material, there is a small digital display in the middle that shows the status of volume and connection.

When you turn on the device, there is a little more life in the cases and we can see the RGB light strip on the underside of the device. From here, RGB light is cast onto the table below the unit. The color and effect of the light can be customized either via the software or on the included remote control.

On the right side of the soundbar we find the operating options consisting of three buttons and a volume wheel which also functions as a power and mute button. In addition, there is a 3.5mm jack where you can connect a headset.

If we look at the back of the device, we can see the selection of connections along with the power plug. It is possible to connect either via USB C, optical TOSLINK or 3.5 mm input. It can be supplemented with wireless connection via Bluetooth 5.3.

A remote control is included for the Sound Blaster GS5. It offers good options for media management together with control of some of the functions on the device such as connection, sound image and RGB adaptation.

Software

If you want to customize the settings on the Soundblaster GS5, you can download a Creative App, which is available for PC, Android and iOS.

In the Creative App, you have the option to customize the sound image through a selection of predefined settings from Creative or you can create your own profile via an EQ.

In the software you can also find Creative's Acoustic Engine that offers a selection of virtual adjustments. These include virtual surround, Bass Boost, Smart Volume or Dialog+ that emphasize voices in music or movies.

If you select the gaming setting in the software, there are also a number of customized profiles for a fairly wide selection of games, including Cyperpuunk 2077, Diablo and DOTA.

Via software, it is of course also possible to adapt, or simply switch off, the RGB lighting on the soundbar. There is a selection of different effects to choose from and they can be further customized with colors and speeds.

Generally speaking, I think that the Creative App software offers some customization options and the software has worked without problems during the time that I have been testing the Creative Sound Blaster GS5.

The test

I have been using the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 for a week. I have primarily been connected to the PC via the USB connection, but have also supplemented a bit with the Bluetooth connection to my Android phone.

The content has been a mix of music, gaming and general media content such as YouTube and a single film.

The Creative Sound Blaster GS5 generally delivers a super fine sound image with a good balance between bass, midrange and high tones.

Despite having everything gathered in one unit without a dedicated Subwoofer, there is a good base in the sound, which goes really well with movies and gaming.

The flat sound profile without EQ settings or sound profiles via the software is very neutral. However, as I touched on earlier, there are plenty of options for customizing the sound via the Creatiove App software.

Not all profiles hit equally well, but a few of the customized profiles undoubtedly gave the experience an extra boost in e.g. Doom Eternal where there was plenty of slapping on the sound.

There is also an option to create a simulated surround effect via Creative's Super Wide technology. It can be set in two steps depending on whether you sit close to the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 at the table or further away if you use it with your TV.

Both parts worked fine and gave a feeling of a somewhat wider and more open sound image than you would expect from a fairly compact Soundbar.

Although the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is easily set up and used without the need for the Creative App software, I experienced some problems with the USB connection on a PC where the software was not installed.

Every time I turned off or restarted the system, the connection to the GS5 simply disappeared. It could be solved by unplugging the USB cable and plugging it in again.

The reason appeared when I installed the Creative App software and it then also wanted to install a driver for the device. After they were in place, the GS5 appeared without issue every time I booted up the system.

It's a minor detail, but still significant, as it doesn't say anything about needing a driver anywhere. Secondly, access to the Creative App software is also stored on the product page for the GS5. A simple Google search for "Creative App" does not yield any useful results.

Price

At the time of writing, I cannot find any Danish prices for the Creative Sound Blaster GS5. However, Creative itself has it listed on their website with a price of just under €70.

For that price, I think you get a good amount of sound for the money and there are not many other good offers on the market in that price segment.

Conclusion

With the Creative Sound Blaster GS5, Creative has made a super solid soundbar at a sharp price. You get an incredible amount of sound for the money and it will undoubtedly be a solid upgrade if you switch from onboard speakers in your monitor or TV.

That it can be done at the same time in such a small and compact form factor will certainly be a bonus for many.

The RGB light may not matter to many, but you can hardly include gaming in your marketing without also having to have RGB light in your product.

However, it is easy to switch off if you don't want that kind of extra lire.

What is important, namely the sound, is however super solid and provides a delicious boost for both music, gaming and media.

We end up with a final grade of 9 for an affordable and compact sound upgrade for your PC or TV.

Benefits

• Compact form factor
• Great sound
• Sensible software

Disadvantages

• Need for drivers for PC should be better signposted