Creative’s Stage Pro might lack Dolby Atmos, but it’s still a versatile compact soundbar
Featuring two listening modes for near and far field listening, and a mode that boosts soundstage.
Creative’s Stage family of entertainment and work-focused soundbars has, for a while, been topped by the Stage 360, the most feature-filled (and most expensive) speaker in the lineup. But while the gulf between the Stage 360 and the rest of the Stage speakers has been pretty wide in terms of features and pricing, that changes with the release of the Stage Pro, a 2.1 channel soundbar with a subwoofer system which fills that “second place” role quite nicely.
The Creative Stage Pro has two listening modes, Near Field and Far Field, meant for desktop and TV usage respectively.
For instance, it ports over the Stage 360’s Near Field and Far Field listening modes, pushing the Stage Pro into all-rounder territory. Near Field is calibrated for desktop usage – such as placing it under your monitor – while Far Field is tailored more towards TV and living room speaker use cases.
It also makes use of Creative’s proprietary SuperWide technology, which can boost the soundstage of the speaker. SuperWide has made an appearance before in the Stage SE and SE mini, as well as the gaming-focused Sound Blaster GS3 and GS5. Perhaps its inclusion on the Stage Pro makes up for the lack of Dolby Atmos, which is still the defining feature on the Stage 360.
As for the hardware, you’ll find full-range racetrack drivers measuring 2.17 x 3.35 inches. Bass is supported by a long-throw subwoofer, with the woofer driver measuring 5.25 inches. The rated peak power output on the Stage Pro is 160W, not quite the 240W found on the Stage 360, but on par with the Stage V2. The Stage Pro soundbar itself measures 550 x 112 x 81mm, so it’s not especially long, but it does have a slightly longer width compared to other Stage soundbars. The subwoofer measures 115 x 265 x 420mm.
The drivers on the Stage Pro mini soundbar are supported by a subwoofer with a 5.25-inch driver. Image: Creative.
As for connectivity, the options are fairly extensive. You can find the standard AUX port and USB-C port for USB audio; other wired options include HDMI, with support for CEC and HDMI ARC if you plan to use it for consoles or your TV, and even optical TOSLINK input. The Stage Pro also supports Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless use.
All told, considering the lower peak power output and lack of Dolby Atmos compared to the Stage 360, it might not be the be-all-end-all for cinematic home entertainment setups. But it could potentially see use as an upgrade to basic TV speakers, or as a replacement for a pair of desktop speakers. It’s likely to be immersive enough for a smaller and more intimate setup, at least. The Stage series of speakers is, after all, what Creative fondly classifies as “under monitor soundbars” to denote their more petite size to accommodate smaller and more personal setup and consumption needs.
Considering that it’s priced just below the Stage 360, it might also be for someone looking for a capable, higher-end soundbar, but who has no need for Dolby Atmos.
Pricing and Availability
The Creative Stage Pro is available now on Creative’s website here, and goes for S$199. This puts it squarely below the S$239 Stage 360, though it’s also a step above the Stage V2, which retails for S$129. Should you want to upgrade to the best compact soundbar option from Creative, go straight to the Katana V2.