I thought these $70 orb-shaped computer speakers from a 'legacy brand' were just a gimmick — but I was blown away when I turned them on

Opinion
By published

The cheapest way to upgrade your sound setup

Black Creative Pebble Pro computer speakers
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Computer speakers rarely come cheap. Well, good ones, at least. I've been using computer speaks since I was a child. I still remember the off-white speakers that set either side of my parents' computer when I was 10 years old, and I remember them not sounding particularly great — but back then, when I didn't know any better, I made my peace with it.

Since then, technology has come a long way, and I've tested my fair share of computer speakers — from cheap ones like the SteelSeries Arena 3, to premium ones like the Edifier QR65. Outside of the realm of computer speakers, I've reviewed cheap Bluetooth speakers, some as cheap as the Tribit StormBox Mini+. Never did I imagine I would test a pair of super cheap desktop speakers that actually behave like $200 ones... and then I unboxed the Creative Pebble Pro.

Creative Pebble Pro
Creative Pebble Pro: $69 at Amazon

If you’re short on space while also on a budget, few speakers are better than the Creative Pebble Pro. For their size, they pack meaty bass and characterful vocals. These tiny orb-shaped speakers also look cute and premium, with RGB lighting that lights up the surface they’re sitting on. You get plenty of connectivity options too, including USB-C wired playback.

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The Pebble Pro are part of Creative's extensive lineup of computer speakers — and there are plenty to choose from, from very cheap sub-$20 ones to ones that cost nearly $200. The Pebble Pro sit somewhere in the middle. I was a little skeptical at first, given the sub-$70 price, but I was quickly proven wrong when I unboxed the speakers. If you're wondering whether or not it's worth buying these speakers, I'm here to help make that decision easier.

Surprisingly meaty and desk-rattling bass

Black Creative Pebble Pro computer speakers

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Let's talk about the most important thing that won me over while testing the Creative Pebble Pro: the sound quality. I'm very picky when it comes to how my favorite artists sound through audio gear I'm testing. There's no point in buying a pair of computer speakers if they're going to make me dislike Pink Floyd and Linkin Park. Thankfully, the Pebble Pro make music sound beautiful — for the size and the price, at least.

When plugged into a wall socket, the Pebble Pro deliver an output of 60W, delivering the speakers' full acoustic capabilities. They're powered by two 2.25-inch full-range drivers with passive radiators which work in tandem with Creative's BassFlex and Clear Dialog technologies to deliver meaty bass, crisp treble, and bright vocal clarity.

In ‘Brush Me Like A Horse’ by JJerome87 (Alt-J’s frontman’s solo project), Joe Newman's elastic and nasal vocals sounded clear and characterful. The upper-mid frequencies never once sounded shrill, even in ‘Just Two Girls’ by Wolf Alice. Meanwhile, the treble and percussion in ‘So Young’ by Portugal The Man sounded like it had a metallic sizzle, just as the artist intended.

Black Creative Pebble Pro computer speakers

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Pebble Pro's ability to reproduce powerful bass is what left me astounded though. I listened to the entirety of Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory, and not once did I feel like the bass-heavy album overwhelmed the speakers. The driving basslines always worked in conjunction and harmony with the snappy kickdrums and record scratches to deliver a well-rounded and refined listening experience.

Distortion at high volumes wasn't a problem either, and I was very surprised by this. The audio became fuzzy only when the volume was pushed past the 80% mark — it's unlikely you'll be listening at that high a volume when you're sitting at your desk.

And they're good-looking too

Black Creative Pebble Pro computer speakers

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

In addition to sounding downright fantastic for their price, the Creative Pebble Pro are a pair of good-looking speakers. If you don't want a pair of very flashy speakers (like the Edifier G2000 Pro) but you don't want really bland-looking ones (like the SteelSeries Arena 3) either, the Pebble Pro are a happy middle. The Goldilocks of computer speakers.

The Pebble Pro strike a great balance between minimalism and style with their orb-shaped design. They're available in black, white, and green. I tested the black model with gold accents — and it looks sublime. Regardless of the model you get, each speaker is fitted with RGB rings at the bottom, and the speakers light up the surface they're sitting on. Via the button and dial on the left speaker, you can adjust the effect and brightness of the lighting too.

Adding to the Pebble Pro's minimalism is a set of equally minimalist (and straightforward) controls. Each button and dial gives good tactile feedback when pressed or turned. Also, thanks to the simple plug-and-play interface, it really couldn't be easier to use the Pebble Pro.

What are the trade-offs?

Black Creative Pebble Pro computer speakers

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Of course, all of this isn't to say that the Creative Pebble Pro are perfect. These speakers cost $69 / £55 at Amazon, which means that some compromises have naturally been made.

The Pebble Pro do have a companion app... but it doesn't do anything. Well, it enables you to update the speakers' firmware, and test the left and right channel. But that's about it. You can't adjust the EQ, and you can't customize the RGB lighting any further than via the basic onboard controls. Zilch.

The Pebble Pro sound really good straight out of the box, so you don't necessarily need custom EQ, but it would have still been nice to have for those of us who want to tailor the sound to our liking. At the end of the day, though, the Pebble Pro cost less than two tickets to the movies. Given that, I'm finding it really hard to fault these speakers.

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Nikita Achanta
Nikita Achanta
Senior Writer, Reviews

Nikita is a Senior Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she's a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro. You can follow her photography account on Instagram here.

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