Sound quality: Creative's Stage V2 has acceptable overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. With the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact, but is a bit prominent, somewhat tubby, and deep bass is lacking. The midrange is fairly even, but is a bit soft, hazy, grainy, dark and congested. The treble is extended but is somewhat subdued and smeared, and a bit sizzly. This model does a decent job of recovering room ambience but the overall sound is a bit congested. The two channel sound stage extends a bit above but not much to the sides of the speaker array and lacks depth. When 5.1 channel program material is played back the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends somewhat beyond the height and width of the soundbar enclosure. Regardless of the type of program material being played the various sound modes had a noticeable but not major effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. There was no significant difference between HDMI, optical, analog, USB, and Bluetooth sound quality.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
