Creative Sound Blaster GS5

Weighing in at 1.5kg and measuring 51 x 10.3 x 8.3cm, the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is compact enough to take up little space and easy enough to move between the PC and TV when needed. All you need is a spare power socket for the mains adapter, which comes with three different plugs (US/JP, EU and UK). A 1.5 metre USB-C to USB-A cable and a handy remote control are also included, but without batteries. Two AAA batteries are required.

Connection options

All the inputs and outputs of this sturdy looking soundbar are located on the rear. These include a USB-C port for use with a computer, PS5, PS4 or Switch. For TV, there is an optical input (Toslink) or a 3.5mm socket (AUX-In), which can also be used for playback from mobile devices.

It also supports Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity to smartphones, tablets or laptops. The audio codec must be SBC, however, as there are no higher-quality options. Bluetooth stability is pleasingly high, however, so you can easily bridge several rooms on two floors. There is also a headphone output on the right-hand side of the front panel, which can come in handy if you don’t want to disturb anyone.

Operation

For desktop use, the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 has a solid rotary knob and rubberised buttons on the right-hand side. While the knob provides power, volume and mute controls, the multi-function button switches between sources and activates pairing mode for Bluetooth operation. A second button controls the SuperWide function by switching between basic mode, near field for desktop use and far field for the living room. In addition, a lighting button allows you to switch between six different effects, while the brightness can also be adjusted directly on the unit in combination with the rotary knob.

The soundbar’s remote control is even easier to use. In addition to the settings already mentioned, the IR remote can be used to control additional functions such as playback or track navigation. The sound can also be customised by increasing either the ‘Brilliance’ or ‘Warmth’ settings. Further options are available by switching between Basic, Gaming and Movie modes, although there is currently a noticeable loss of volume in Gaming and Movie modes, which could be remedied. Finally, the output can be switched between speakers and headphones.

Creative app and desktop software

The RGB lighting on the soundbar can be customised via app connection (Android and iOS). There are six lighting effects to choose from, including waves and a peak meter, which can be adjusted for speed and brightness. Depending on the effect, a colour or colour palette can also be configured. In addition, SuperWide technology can be (de)activated and you can switch between near and far field output. Firmware updates can also be performed via the app.

Tone control is reserved for the software (Windows). This offers extensive customisation options via the Acoustic Engine and an equaliser that can be saved as settings. You can also access various presets for genres or individual computer and video games. For a detailed overview, we recommend you take a look at the user manual (link). Unfortunately, there is no Mac version available as the current MacOS software does not support the soundbar. This makes it all the more important to be able to access Gaming and Movie modes via the remote and make basic adjustments. An expansion of the app’s functionality would also be useful.

The sound

The Creative Sound Blaster GS5 features a pair of 3.35 x 2.16′ Racetrack drivers that deliver up to 30 watts of power, with an integrated resonance tube to boost the bass. With its powerful base sound, the soundbar does a surprisingly good job of differentiating itself from a standard TV output, which tends to sound thinner and more one-dimensional in direct comparison. Switching to the compact soundbar makes the sound much fuller, warmer and livelier, which is immediately more pleasing.

Even in basic mode, the sound is spacious, and the SuperWide function can be used to extend this. In both near-field and far-field modes, the sound expands noticeably, creating a more spacious listening experience that fills small to medium-sized rooms. While the near-field performance is ideal for desktop use, the far-field mode adds to the enjoyment of watching series and films in the living room. The same goes for a game night on the Switch. It is only when listening to music that the far field does not seem to be an advantage. On the other hand, better results can be achieved in the near-field range, although these vary greatly depending on the source material.

Powerful bass is a standard feature, even if it lacks the substance and pressure of larger speaker systems. As the soundbar’s imaging capacity ends at 65Hz, there is undoubtedly a lack of low bass. However, the Sound Blaster GS5 sounds quite full-bodied, and if you want a richer bass foundation for action-packed movies or games, you can use the film mode.

With both vocals and dialogue, however, it is noticeable that speech intelligibility is not optimal in basic and film mode, as the mid-range lacks a little clarity. For dialogue-heavy series and films, we recommend using the Gaming mode, which is generally brighter and offers better speech intelligibility. There are also clear advantages when it comes to locating individual sounds. The Gaming mode can reproduce orchestral soundtracks in the style of ‘Ori and the Blind Forest’ very atmospherically when the far-field output is activated.

The bottom line

If you are looking for an affordable, flexible soundbar, the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is definitely worth a look. In addition to a handy remote control and headphone output, the SuperWide function is one of the plus points. Both the near-field mode with a spacious display for desktop use on the PC and the extended far-field playback in combination with the TV and games console in the living room are successful.