OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:none

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications, 9 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Creative Sound Blaster GS5
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

35%

5.3

Technical score

30%

5.3

List score

25%

8.5

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▼Worse than 76% of soundbars
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 68%
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

25%

4.2

Audio

18%

4.5

Formats

16%

6.7

Connectivity

14%

7.5

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.6

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

▼Worse than 65%
8.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

8.4

Popularity

Grades by review (9)
9 videos, average 8.7/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 84%
5.3

List score

List score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (2)
List score: in 2 of 107 lists (2%)
▲Better than 77%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Creative Sound Blaster GS5

Based on 0 · 9

Reviewers like the connections, value and compact size, but say it lacks loudness and falls short for gaming.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Creative Sound Blaster GS5

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components:

25%

4.2

Audio

18%

4.5

Formats

16%

6.7

Connectivity

14%

7.5

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.6

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

5.3
Reviews score
8.5
List score
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.4
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 42.2% of soundbars and equal to 27.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
65 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 65 Hz, higher than 75.9% of soundbars and equal to 2.2% of soundbars.
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
What reviewers say
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 41.5% of soundbars and equal to 58.5% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
?
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
What reviewers say
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 75.6% of soundbars and the same as what 24.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 71.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar passes through none, which is lower resolution than 27.2% of soundbars and equal to 72.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
?
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more
What reviewers say

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • 19.7% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 84% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.4

    Popularity

    Grades by review (9)
    9 videos, average 8.7/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.5 vs 7.1
  • 19.7% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 84% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.4

    Popularity

    Grades by review (9)
    9 videos, average 8.7/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.5 vs 7.1
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • 27.4% lower list score
    List score
    5.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (2)
    List score: in 2 of 107 lists (2%)
    5.3 vs 7.3
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • No AAC support
    This soundbar does not support AAC, the average soundbar does.
  • 27.4% lower list score
    List score
    5.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (2)
    List score: in 2 of 107 lists (2%)
    5.3 vs 7.3
  • 3.2% worse value for money
    Creative Sound Blaster GS5 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7.38 vs 7.6).
    7.38 vs 7.61
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • 15 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (65 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    65 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No AAC support
    This soundbar does not support AAC, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
PomInOz Reviews
≈ estimated
11/11/2025
Unboxing and review · setup, app, remote and sound tests
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is excellent for the price, with a neat desk fit and no complaints from the creator.
9.0
Ryan IWK
≈ estimated
20/04/2025
Hands-on review · sound, RGB, app and gaming tests
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is a very good gaming soundbar for the money, though you need to watch how far you push the bass.
9.0
Dave Taylor
≈ estimated
15/02/2025
Hands-on review · sound, connections, app and RGB tests
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is not high-fidelity and has no subwoofer, but it is a solid, affordable upgrade over built-in speakers.
8.0
WEBdoze
✓ explicit
10/02/2025
Two-week use review · desktop listening and features
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 has clear sound and good features, but its display cannot be turned off.
7.0
TheGeekChurch
≈ estimated
19/11/2024
Hands-on review · setup, Bluetooth, RGB and TV connection tests
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 gives pretty good sound and nice lights, though setup was fiddly with a short cord and no remote batteries.
8.0
Best Home Gadgets Tech Reviews
≈ estimated
24/07/2025
Unboxing and first look · setup and remote controls
Verdict
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 gets a short first look that ends on praise for its sound quality.
Overview video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Creative Sound Blaster GS5

  • Bluetooth, optical and USB audio inputs let several devices connect.
  • A headphone jack makes quiet late-night listening easy.
  • The smartphone app lets you change the EQ to suit the room.
  • Remote and control panel make it easy to use without the app.
  • Bass gives films and casual games a full sound.
  • Plain, well-built design that has held up for months.

What customers don't like about Creative Sound Blaster GS5

  • The lowest point of 65 Hz leaves out very deep bass.
  • Bass can be too strong, so voices get lost in busy scenes.
  • Not suited to precise sound or competitive shooting.
  • No HDMI-CEC, so the TV remote cannot control it.
  • No Dolby Digital or DTS:X, so surround formats are missing.

Verdict

Plenty of connections and an app for tuning the sound make the Creative Sound Blaster GS5 a sensible pick for a desk. It takes Bluetooth, optical and USB audio, and a headphone jack lets you listen quietly late at night. The bass is strong, so films and casual solo games feel full, though it reaches no lower than 65 Hz. Voices can get lost in a busy scene, and the EQ in the app helps with that. Precise sound for competitive shooting is not its strength, and it has no HDMI-CEC, so the TV remote will not control it. It suits a buyer who wants a tidy, well-connected speaker for films, music and easy games rather than a home cinema setup.

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