The Creative Pebble SE PC speakers are a perfect blend of style and functionality, making them an excellent addition to any gaming setup. These speakers feature a sleek, orb-shaped design that adds a touch of elegance to your desk. The built-in RGB rings at the base provide an illuminating pop of color, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your gaming space. Once you set these speakers, wipe the finger prints off, and let them shine.
Perfect for Any Setup
Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop gaming setup, including the Valve Steam Deck, the Creative Pebble SE speakers are a great fit. They can easily connect to the Steam Deck dock, making them versatile and convenient for various configurations.
Impressive Specs and Features
Design: Stylish orb shape with built-in RGB rings
Drivers: 2" full-range drivers
Passive Radiators: Located at the back for enhanced sound quality
Connectivity: USB-C cable and 3.5mm aux-in
Power Output: Up to 4.4W (2.2W x 2); Up to 8.8W Peak power
RGB Rings: React to sound with the push of a button; 7 Lighting effects
The RGB rings are not just for show; they react to sound, adding a dynamic visual element to your audio experience. This feature can be activated with a simple push of a button, making your gaming sessions even more immersive (to a degree).
Quality Build You Can Feel
When you pick up the Creative Pebble SE speakers, you can immediately feel the quality of the build. They are sturdy and well-constructed, with passive radiators on the back that complement the 2" full-range drivers. Despite the bass being a bit on the shy side, the speakers deliver a solid sound that you can appreciate up close.
Ideal for Small Gatherings... If you bring them to the Party!
While these speakers might not be the best choice for a large house party, they are perfect for small gatherings in an office, small living room, or dorm. Turn on the RGB lights, switch them to the reactive setting, and enjoy some tunes while playing spades with family and friends.
Tested and Approved
I tested the Creative Pebble SE speakers with a variety of music tracks... like those you see below:
I've also played games + watched shows that include: Metal Slug Awakening, XDefiant, and the new... Batman: Caped Crusader TV show. The audio quality was impressive, especially considering the price point of $24.99.
Room for Improvement
One area where Creative Labs could improve is expandability. Adding an option for a subwoofer would have been a great addition. However, at $24.99, the Creative Pebble SE speakers offer good value for money.
You can grab these speakers with an additional 10% off while the deal lasts. I give the Creative Pebble SE two thumbs up at this price point.
By the way... I highly recommend getting a USB-C to USB-A adapter, just incase you don't always have access to a USB-C port to power up your speakers. I also recommend a USB-C wall charger for those of you who want to free up a USB-C port on your desktop or laptop, because all it does is supply power.
Before I get started, shout out to the WB for supplying a copy of this show for our review. My opinions are my own.
Story:True Detective: Night Country is an interesting blink and you'll miss the action type of show that follows a blunt detective by the name of Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and the kinda sorta religious Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis). Set in Alaska, this psychological horror like show... is set around the disappearance of eight scientists and the investigative process. During the investigation, you will see the various ups and downs that take place in the lives of the detectives, including both of them experiencing other worldly things. When I saw a hand touch Liz, and then it was gone when she looked, I was like... "Oh hell no". The show would've been called 'Goodbye Alaska' if it were me, with a spin off called... 'Hello Florida!'.
Things start to rev up as the detectives uncover more information about the incident at the Arctic Research Station. It has a certain charm that I feel most would appreciate (especially those curious about Alaska), just keep an eye on the action or you'll miss certain key moments for sure. I mention this because when the action isn't high, some viewers may tune out, but the backstory of the characters also plays a part in the story. Speaking of which, one thing I didn't like about Liz is how selfish she can be, literally crapping on Officer Prior's relationship. She tried to be understanding, but no one wants to hear it when they're trying to keep their relationship intact while also following orders of the chief to keep their job. It wasn't the standard shift, it was her calling him and pulling him away from his family. I get it to a small degree, but not when it was completely avoidable because she couldn't put the bottle down (like... WTH?!).
You'll see how her blunt ways affect her relationships in general, and Jodie Foster did a great job. Seeing how rugged she would act at times in this role would make me chuckle... because I've seen people just annoyed with everything at times and so they want to make every word sting (but the way she would do it was funny at times). One situation I understood completely was a certain relationship she opposed, but she needs to work on those soft skills in general (even though I understand to an extent why she doesn't care about much anymore, but... it's the wrong job to be in on that note). Eventually Liz and Evangeline hit a certain point where their beliefs bump heads too and another dot will be connected before the trail gets hot again.
This gives me 'The Outsider' vibes to an extent, but... its different. I think they try to mix one too many things in for the sake of making it well rounded, but it runs the risk of losing some viewers in the sauce. Overall it's showcasing the hectic and complicated lives of two detectives taking on one of the craziest cases they've ever experienced, and it ends on a note that a number of people will appreciate. I won't get into the details of why some may have wanted an entirely different ending, but... you'll see what I mean when you grab your copy of True Detective: Night Country on Blu-Ray.
Before I wrap this section up, I will say that i'm glad they left a certain situation regarding a particular woman... unfinished because it leaves the door open for more.
Visuals:Visually, the show serves up a cold and unforgiving atmosphere to represent the Alaskan setting. I thought "Night Country" meant that Alaska had multiple days of darkness, but you'll see what it means when you watch the show. It's fitting though, because most of the scenes were at night, and the overall show is on the dark & spooky side. You get some laughs here and there, but that cold rigid and dark theme are maintained. You get plenty of mids, some dolly shots tucked in, over-the-shoulder shots, POV, close-up's and more.
This is an undeniably nice angle.
Audio:When it comes to the audio, it's served up in DTS-HD MA & Dolby Digital 5.1. I wrestled with this one. Good audio elements were there (i.e. most of the chilling screams), but... audio didn't draw me in as much as it could have. One thing I noticed with the scenes is they were a bit hard to hear, where as others were loud or had certain elements that sounded as if they peaked out. Luckily the peak didn't occur alot, but... they could've tightened things up a bit more. I found myself increasing and decreasing the volume, especially during the intro... which was a bit annoying.
Price:True Detective: Night Country... is $29.98 on Blu-Ray and $24.98 on DVD. If you can get the Blu-Ray... the extra $5 for the visual boost is worth it. I think the sweet spot for the SRP would've been $5 less for both options, but... no worries, we have the hook up!
In addition to the standard show, you also get extras:
This is a serious blast from the past, and shout out to WB for providing a copy of this product for my review. My opinions are my own.
I've never seen this show before (like ever), but... when I heard the theme song, I was like... ohhhh. The theme song is connected to multiple things I've heard growing up, "Welcome back... Welcome back... Wel-come... baaaacckkk!", but I never knew the origin. 'Welcome Back', was created by John Sebation back in 1975 (before my time) specifically for the 'Welcome Back, Kotter' TV sitcom. Enough about the theme song though, is the actually show any good? Let's jump in and find out!
Story:I recognized a few faces in this show, which includes John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton, Della Reese, Vernee Watson, etc. Never knew this was Travolta's breakthrough role, I was thinking of Saturday Night Fever, but that came out a few years after the show started (again, before my time). 'Welcome Back, Kotter" takes place back in 1970's Brooklyn (NY)... keep that in mind, because it will feel outdated in a number of aspects (especially the singing and dancing). That 'Jeppers Creepers' performance definitely felt like something from that time (I made it through without hitting the mute button, but... I've never been crazy about singing in tv/film).
I won't say that this show isn't digestible by anyone beyond the time it came out or the location, because there are certain comedic touches that can be applied today. Horshack is a prime example. He was running his mouth trying to fit in with the other members for the Sweathogs when they were talking smack to Carvelli and Murray (but mainly Carvelli), and wrote a check with his mouth... that his butt didn't care to cash. He tried to get out of it by acting as if he didn't say anything. Some of you can relate to that via the Trolls on social media alone.
I think the story can be appreciated by newcomers aswell, especially teachers... because Mr. Kotter returns back to James Buchanan High School for the purpose of making a positive impact on the slackers. He takes a creative approach to connecting with the class for the purpose of engaging them, and teachers of today come to mind because the saga continues for a number of reasons. It could potentially be inspiration to connect with the students even more and gain more inspiration for the sake of helping them reach the finishline. I wouldn't say let your students trade off the way Kotter did, but... he wasn't uptight to the point where they weren't receptive.
Although the show revolved around Mr. Kotter and the Sweathogs, there were other aspects that challenged work/life balance for the teacher... because he was also a husband and father. It was good to see that addition added in there to give more depth.
Visuals: Visually speaking, the show was cleaner than I assumed it would. It wasn't super grainy, the colors pop... and if you're cool with visuals that primarily consist of mids, longs, and closeups, enjoy! Speaking of visuals, I think you'll get a kick out of seeing the fashion from that time.
Speaking of visuals, it's too bad Afro's like Boom Boom's are deemed a fad a lot of the time. I rarely ever see them. It's not a fade, it's... natural.
Audio: The audio is good. It's nothing that wowed me, but it's what I would expect. Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
Price: Pricewise... the SRP for the 'Welcome Back, Kotter' complete DVD series is $74.99. But... you can get the hook up here for $55.99. You get all four seasons (95 episodes), which delivers a total of 35 hours & 30 minutes. If it were me, I would've added a fake gag mustache (similar to Mr. Kotter's) to the package. Overall, not a bad show at all and... I could see people crowding around the old telly back in the day. I think it's a good show for those of that time who want to revisit it, those who are curious and want to get a dose of that era + teachers and other faculty.
Story: Season 7 revolves around Rick for the most part. You will see it unfold with various episodes, and he even goes to therapy (we're getting deeper). Episode 1 kicks off with the family sitting at the dinner table complaining about Mr. Poopy overstaying his welcome.
How Poopy Got His Poop Back... is a nice start to the season. Rick and... the boys are challenged with doing an intervention for Mr. Poopy, but as you'd safely assume with this show... it doesn't exactly go as planned (but it's packed with fun). This episode is a trip, it features Hugh Jackman, and it wraps up with vibes that remind me of the end of... Boyz In The Hood. The references don't stop there (you already know).
Let the credits roll though... let the credits roll, there's a nice addition at the end of this episode. If you pay attention to the episode, you will get the connection.
Episode 2 is a twist on the relationship between Rick & Jerry... literally. I didn't see this coming. Rick & Jerry get closer than ever (not exactly Captain Planet close, but... almost). Not sure which episode I like more... between episodes 1 or 2, but the season is off to a great start.
Episode 3 is action-packed and is almost similar to Invasion of the Body Snatcher (vs... invasion of President body snatcher). You'll see what I mean. I would've dialed up the final battle between both sides a bit more, but I'm not mad at it because it unfolded in a comedic way.
Episode 4 is the theme you see on the cover art, just make sure you don't watch it on spaghetti night. My daughter saw the box and asked me what it was... and it's indeed spaghetti, but she isn't old enough to know how it's made in this episode. Now that's... Amorte! The way this episode was rounded out... it ended in a strategic way. It was cool to see how a certain simulation played out, and then they brought you back into the realm of Rick & Morty to wrap things up. Let the credits roll.
Episode 5 gets you back in the game with Rick taking on Rick Prime, but... I'll leave this one alone. It's a kickass episode, but I'd rather you watch it yourself to get the scope. By the way, Rise of the Numericons: The Movie is... sweet, and features Ice-T (as the father of Ice-T) who is better known as... Water-T. It's basically letters vs numbers, and if it wasn't heavy on the ridiculousness I'd be tempted to let my daughter see this episode (you gotta see it). Let the credits roll! Episodes 5 & 8 are my faves.
Episode 6 is quite comical, it's full of clips presented by an Observer and objections on top of objections... challenged by solid points that... also get objections. I thought this episode was clever. There were other episodes in this category, but I thought this was more clever than action-packed. If you think I'm wrong, I'll object to that!
Overall, you get the idea, lots of action, explosions, movie references, comedy, more explosions, a Pokeball, commendable trash talk, plenty of booze + a dash of uncertainty. You can't go wrong with season 7, the episodes keep the good times rolling for the most part (and the story progresses forward in a meaningful way). There is a twist that you won't see coming, but you'll appreciate it for the most part. You might find yourself binge-watching with ease.
Visuals: Visually speaking, the art style remains tried and true to what we're accustomed. Certain episodes give you not-so-familiar art styles, like Rise of the Numericons: The Movie (although this is technically a return from season 2, "Get Schwifty") & Fear No Mort (the ghoulish spirits), but they fit right in.
Audio: Audio in season 7 is what you'd expect, nice and clean, and enjoyable explosions. For the most part I found myself trying to follow what was going on and what was being said... but I appreciate the sound effects. Rick and Morty: Season 7 features DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 & Dolby Audio.
Before I get started, shout out to the 1More Team for supplying these headphones for review. My opinions are my own.
I wasn't sure what to expect with these open earbuds, especially when you consider the fact that they sit on the ear canal instead of being inserted within it. These are meant to be the ideal headphones for fitness, hence "Fit" is in the name, but... do they check out? Let's jump in and find out after this unboxing!
Save even more... below!
Quality + Comfort: I have to speak on the quality of this packaging first. 1More S50s basically come in a hardbound case (basically a hardbound bookcover) keeping them safe and... sound. This has been a trend that 1More has maintained for well over a decade for their higher-quality headphones and it definitely makes the case worth keeping (which works great for those upgrading, because the case won't fall apart ahead of a future reselling).
Now as far as the clamshell charging case, it's a durable plastic shell with an additional layer on the interior top and bottom. The connection point is nice and open for cleaning too, which is great if things begin to get a little gunky in there... especially if you're working out consistently. There's space to run a Q-Tip and get them nice and cleaned up for a clean connection so that they can properly charge. If you've owned earbuds before... you know exactly what i'm talking about.
Now in terms of the earbuds, you get earhooks that keep the earbuds in place quite well.
The 1More Fit S50s themselves surprised me in regards to how they fit, because they sit on the ear canal, so... I was (honestly) unsure how they were going to remain on my ears while working out. The only thing I didn't do to test these was... roll around on the ground or flip, but pushups, walking, jogging/running around with my daughter at the park (and running across a wall or two on occassion)... didn't result in them falling out or getting loose. Leaning my head from side to side and rotating it to stretch my neck (btw great for headaches caused my neck tension) didn't cause them to fall out either... but I did a slight adjustment to push them back over the ear canal if I was doing something on my side.
For the most part, the built-in memory wire in the ear hook does its job well... and I'm glad it's flexible because that aids in the comfort instead of a stiff piece of plastic.
Speaking of comfort, my tolerance for these headphones was strong... except for the times I attempted to sleep with them on. They stayed for the most part, but the comfort level wasn't there for me to get zzz's with them on for the full night so I took them off. It wasn't discomfort on my ear canal, it was the earhook. I think it's an okay trade-off when you compare it to in-ear earbuds at times (at least for me) because if I feel any itchiness in my ear canal during workouts... they have to come out. These weren't made for sleeping (at least for me), so they check out for use other than calling the cows home.
Sound: In terms of sound, I want to touch on a few things here. I'll skip the obvious one for now, so that I can speak on the open-air tech that allows you to hear the world around you. Situational awareness is a must when you're out and about being active... but I was concerned about the audio. Luckily, I've tested it... and the quality of the sound isn't affected for the most part.
The only thing that you may not be thrilled about when it comes to hearing the outside world a bit more... is when you are listening to ASMR, so make sure to find a quiet room and your good.
By the way, Luca Bignardi was the sound engineer on these too, which also serve up 12 studio-level EQ presets from Sonarworks. Basically what that means is that a grammy award winning sound enginner tuned these earbuds to deliver a natural, authentic sound. Plus... the 10+ Authoritative Music Industry Award winning Sonarworks software, delivers presets recommemnded by grammy award winning sound engineers that are also used by over 200,000 studios.
How do these open HiFi earbuds sound to me? These are some damn good earbuds according to my ears. Right out of the gate, I played:
Gerald Albright - What you see is what you get... it's just one of those songs that should have a "Play in HiFi" label on it or something... because the instruments deliver a beautiful combination of awesome that put me in vacay mode every time I hear the track. These headphones pick up the various instruments and their placement when recorded. I hear Gerald on the sax front and center, the vocalists (left, right, and center), maracas or shakers to the left, the thump of that bass and... everything in between. By the way, the Eastrock stainless steel shaker set and the Kandu Clever shakers are pretty cool instruments.
From there I made a shift into ASMR based on the time. So I utilized a nice quiet space to kick back and indulge in what I consider as the headliners for my ASMR experience. There are different styles and approaches, and these are the ones I prefer:
Tingting ASMR, Gentle Whispering ASMR, and Frivolousfox ASMR... are my faves because they take the quality of their productions seriously. Their soft sound takes advantage of the diamond-like carbon diaphragm of these headphones that picks up subtle details well (trust me).
I've listened to ASMR for well over a decade now, and you can tell who aims to deliver without unwanted background noise, quality sound through a good 360 mic (using ambisonic technology)... and they know what they're doing. They aren't harsh with the mic or mics, they keep things gentle and pleasant for great results, and... I salute that by... (ummm) going to sleep.
Once I got up, I hit continue on the party by listening to:
mr.&mrs. smith... is an interesting show, with some hot & cold audio. Not hot and cold bad, but instrumentals and sound effects kick up at various points and they like to zero in on elements of combat (i.e. gun shots). The earbuds don't mesh up the audio, you can hear the separate sounds and where they are in the environment thanks to the PurePower Driver that boosts those suble nuance sounds. I could hear movement in the background (behind me) with these headphones... which increases the immersive spatial audio experience. I know some people don't see the value in anything above a base audio set up, but... (good luck with that) you don't know what you're missing.
SWAT... starring Shemar Moore, has some action packed audio too. I think I noticed more boom and thumps from gun fire in the episodes of this show.
Fun fact: I know Shemar's friend... Romeo, he's a pretty cool dude. He's the reason I know... Keybeaux.
I also had the pleasure of playing, Pacific Drive and listening to the audio with these headphones. This was an enjoyable experience for sure. Not every game or track delivers the same quality, but the ones delivered with quality in mind... will stand out with HiFi audio like the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50. Also another plus is if you're pressed for time and the tech juice is running low, fast charge comes to the rescue. You can get 2 hours out of a 5 minute charge... to work out.
By the way, I heard the guitar strumming the melody more to the right side in the Mink Slide track... which I think stood out in a pair of headphones that were 2 to 3 times the price of these. Some headphones don't pick these things up, but despite the specs of these headphones I was still surprised that the sound is as clear... despite the openess. I thought that I'd get a potential sound loss for the sake of them not being in-ear and being open.
Last but not least... the calls are clear ladies and gentlemen, even with my lower tone of voice. I can be heard, and I was able to hear without asking or being asked to repeat. The AI noice reduction most likely has something to do with that. It picks up the human voice with the goal of minimizing background noise that isn't identified as such through the 4 MEMS microphones. Even when it comes to a crowd at the store (like the ones who have yet to implement self check out), it can reduce the background noise by 30dB.
The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 use an AI Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology to make your calls that much clearer by weeding out what shouldn't be in the call basically. I'm not fully familiar with the tech and the layered structure it follows regarding data... so I won't even attempt to try, but I haven't had to repeat myself in calls that've I've made using these earbuds. If DNNs sound familiar, you may have heard about it regarding self-driving cars, drones, games, and things of that nature.
Tuned by Multi Grammy Award Winning Sound Engineer
Open-Air Tech for Situational Awareness and Safety
Price:There's currently a sale for these headphones on the 1More site for 33% off, bringing them from $149.99 down to $99.99. Great price, but... after doing some digging, if you use the coupon, and the promo code, you can save $43... here. That brings the total down to $86.99 before taxes, but... you're still saving over $7 bucks after taxes.
