Sleek design, with multiple connection options and excellent low-end sound, the Creative Sound Blaster seems to hold the aces, but we find out if there is more to it than meets the eye
Wireless speakers have become a must have device nowadays and Creative’s latest Sound Blaster portable speaker plans to stir up the party. The Sound Blaster Roar SR20 boasts of many useful and convenient features, which make it more than just a portable speaker.
Sound Blaster Roar’s design might be simple brick like, but the gun metal finish gives it a rich, premium feel. We love the smooth rounded edges with silver trim on the sides. This speaker weighs 1.1kg, which is quite light. The controls are straightforward and easy to use. On top are power, Bluetooth/Call Answer/End, Volume Up/Down, and the volume-enhancing Roar mode buttons. There is also an LED indicator lights for battery power, Bluetooth connectivity and Roar mode. It has an inbuilt Near Field Communication (NFC) sensor, which lets you easily connect with two Bluetooth devices within 40 feet in range.
A master stroke by Creative is that the Sound Blaster comes with multiple connection options like auxiliary input, 2.0 USB, micro USB, and microSD card slot. The microSD card slot, apart from storing your favourite tunes, lets you also have an option to record audio. The advantage of having a USB port is that the SR20 can be connected to your PC, Mac or laptop and substitute your computer’s speakers. And if that wasn’t enough, it can double up as a charging port for smartphones via USB thanks to its in-built 6,000mAh battery.
The Sound Blaster plays crystal clear music in low volume range and manages to catch each note. But what makes it quite remarkable is that it manages to perform well in bigger living rooms, thanks to the Roar option, which gives the volume a major boost. But you need to check the sound levels, because as you near 75-80% mark, the sound tends to distort. Also keep in mind, Roar lacks bass punch in low range. The sound quality differs between Bluetooth and wired devices. The latter definitely has a better balance while the Bluetooth connected devices have increased treble at high volumes.
We love the build quality of the Sound Blaster as it is simple yet classy. At low volume levels, the Sound Blaster has rich and clear sound, the sub-bass though could have been better as it falls flat. The option of plugging it to your laptops and phones makes it very practical for wanderlusts as this lets them listen to their playlists anywhere. The Sound Blaster also lets you charge your phone, which is a major plus. The microSD slot is a smart move and, the internal mic lets you chat on speaker mode with clear sound. At Rs.15,999, it is priced on the higher side, but with so many features, it does give you a lot of options.
