Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

---

This space-saving soundbar/subwoofer combo from Creative might not meet the lofty demands of an audiophile, but for anyone who wants more sound from their movies or television, it ticks a lot of boxes.

Also: This stereo amp made me feel like I was hearing my favorite band for the first time

Selling for $170 on Amazon, the Stage Pro is a midrange soundbar that does one particular thing very well: ensure you can hear every word of dialogue spoken, an issue that frustrates some to the point of watching with subtitles on. Thanks to this soundbar, though, you won't have to do that any longer.

Let's chat about what this soundbar can do. 

Best tv deals of the week

• $178 (save $70)

• $698 (save $302)

• $428 (save $20)

• $1,297 (save $1,403)

• $650 (save $350)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

My experience

First off, the bar has been set very high for soundbars in my house, thanks to the JBL Bar 1000. That soundbar produces amazingly accurate and rich sound, and I've yet to come across one to best it. Of course, the Bar 1000 sells for $1200 on Amazon, which is beyond the budget of many.

Thankfully, there are plenty of low- to midrange soundbars to choose from, and although the Stage Pro resides in the upper low-end spectrum of devices, it sounds significantly better than its price would suggest.

Also: One of the best-sounding speakers I've listened to is not made by JBL or Klipsch

As soon as I received the Stage Pro, my immediate thought was, "This is small." Because of the "Pro" name, I assumed it would be at least as large as the Bar 1000. Alas, the length of the sound bar is a mere 21 inches long. You might think that would preclude it from producing enough volume to be usable, but you'd be wrong.

I connected the Stage Pro to my TV via HDMI/eARC port, connected the subwoofer (via the attached cable), and plugged both the soundbar and subwoofer into a power outlet. I then opened Netflix. I'm currently re-binging "Travelers," so I pressed play and sat back to see how this tiny speaker did. 

Left: the JBL Bar 1000; Right: the Stage Pro subwoofer. 

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Needless to say, I was impressed. Now, let me be specific.

What immediately impressed me was the dialogue, which was very crisp, clear, and loud enough. Kudos to Creative, because we all know how much of an issue dialogue in modern movies and TV can be. The Stage Pro delivered every word spoken so clearly you might think the characters were standing in the room speaking directly at you.

Also: How a small subwoofer caught this audiophile off guard (and in the best way possible)

What a breath of fresh air.

On top of the clear dialogue, the setup and usage were incredibly easy. In fact, I would say that this was the easiest soundbar I've ever connected to a TV. Plug it in, turn everything on, and you're good to go.

The Stage Pro remote is very easy to use, but doesn't include AAA batteries.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

On the remote, you'll find a button labeled "Super Wide," which allows you to switch between far and near fields, enabling you to adjust the distance from the source. If you're watching in a small room, use the near field option. If you're in a larger room with plenty of space between you and the source, select the far field option. Believe it or not, it does make a difference in the clarity of the sound based on your watching position. 

There's also the Mode button, which allows you to select from movie, TV, audio, and gaming. I recommend you use this feature, as it also makes a difference in the sound. 

Also: These budget earbuds turned an audiophile into an open-ear believer

As far as the bass is concerned, it's not booming, but it certainly does bring out the low end of what you're watching. This subwoofer is nowhere near the quality of the Bar 1000, but at $170, I wouldn't expect it to be. That being said, the sub did impress me, especially for TV. 

With the sub cranked up (you can increase bass and treble on the remote), it gave much more depth to the voices. I've tested other soundbars that either don't include a subwoofer or don't use it properly, which equates to hollow-sounding dialogue (a pet peeve of mine). The Stage Pro avoids that pitfall and delivers rich dialogue and a bit of low-end "thump" when needed.

ZDNET's buying advice

Do I recommend the Creative Stage Pro soundbar? It depends on what you're looking for. If you're in the market for a soundbar that produces sonic booms on the low end, crisp highs, and a massively wide soundstage, the Stage Pro isn't for you. 

Also: What is EQ and why is it an important factor in improving sound?

If, on the other hand, you want a cost-effective soundbar that puts dialogue front and center and elevates it with a bit of rich bass, this soundbar is right up your alley. The Creative Stage Pro is an inexpensive soundbar that will make you think you're listening to one twice the cost. Because it's so easy to set up, anyone can enjoy this baby within minutes of unboxing.

Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar tech specs

• Frequency response - 50–20,000 Hz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio - > 85 dB
• Power Output - 2 x 20Wrms (L/R), 1 x 40Wrms (Sub) (Total 80Wrms, 160Wpeak)
• Connectivity - HDMI 2.0, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Audio, and optical.
• Dimensions - Sub: 4.53 × 10.43 × 16.54 inches, Soundbar 21.65 × 4.41 × 3.18 inches