Gaming soundbar - Katana V2 or equivalents?

bazzabear

bazzabear

bazzabear

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My audio set-up currently is a Sennheiser GSX1000 running Edifier R2000DB speakers.

The GSX1000 was ideal connection wise when I got it. Being able to switch between headset and speakers seamlessly. But these days I have a separate USB mike - so it still works, but the connection set-up isn't quite as specific.

I'd really like to free up some desk space and make it look tidier (being in the corner of the lounge as I am). So I'm very tempted by the Creative katana V2. The connections on it very simply maintain the ability to switch quickly between the speakers and a headset (mike output on the front which mutes the speakers if plugged in).

I know that it will impact the stereo separation, and I'll probably have a drop in sound quality too. But as it's turned out, I only really use it for game playing, and it's not so important to be able to blast the sound out. If I need the stereo effects, I can switch to headset.

So - my question is:
Are there other soundbars I should consider instead?
I'd like the quality to be as good as possible within the inherent limitations. And the ease of switching to headset is very important.

Even though I know I'll probably instead get lots of answers suggesting speakers and DACs instead. :D
 
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My thoughts would go to TV soundbars. My guess is that they sell so many of these, these days, they are probably better value, and certainly there are a lot more to choose from.
 
SpellowHouse said:
My thoughts would go to TV soundbars. My guess is that they sell so many of these, these days, they are probably better value, and certainly there are a lot more to choose from.
Click to expand...
A good shout, and I've been looking at such.

A struggle to get one with a passthrough for a headset though. And very few seem to have USB as a connection possibility - which is what I was expecting to use. So that would mean I have to pass the audio through a HDMI port on my graphics card?

Oh - also they tend towards the massive! :D
A metre wide pretty much negates the saved space. :)
 
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You're going to take a substantial hit in audio quality regardless of which of the more compact soundbars you go for tbh.

Could be worth giving this a read:

www.rtings.com

The 4 Best Small Soundbars of 2025

The best small soundbar we've tested is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). This premium model has the same compact footprint as the original Sonos Beam, measuring less than 26 inches in width.
www.rtings.com www.rtings.com

Just hold in mind that for some of the TV orientated bars you might need to use workarounds to get them working, pretty sure you'd need to use TOSLINK with some of them and if you don't have that available it would necessitate an adapter of some sort.
 
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I use AVR and 2.1 system for PC system, it has headphone socket on the front, that is seamless. When you connect headphones, speakers switch off.

HDMI audio is PITA though I'd stick with optical.

Not sure how to get a "headset" to work with a AVR and PC at the same time, I don't use headsets
 
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bazzabear said:
A struggle to get one with a passthrough for a headset though. And very few seem to have USB as a connection possibility - which is what I was expecting to use. So that would mean I have to pass the audio through a HDMI port on my graphics card?

Oh - also they tend towards the massive! :D
A metre wide pretty much negates the saved space. :)
Click to expand...

I have one that uses HDMI. It's on a TV that is connected to a PC. It's fine.

Gray2233 said:
You're going to take a substantial hit in audio quality regardless of which of the more compact soundbars you go for tbh.
Click to expand...

I have a pair of Edifier R2000DB and they are a better than the soundbar on my my TV. The soundbar cost about the same. But the thing for me is that the soundbar has a much more "entertainment" oriented sound and is easier to manage. Just one hdmi cable and a power cable. No speakers on the floor or spaghetti all over the place.
 
SpellowHouse said:
I have one that uses HDMI. It's on a TV that is connected to a PC. It's fine.



I have a pair of Edifier R2000DB and they are a better than the soundbar on my my TV. The soundbar cost about the same. But the thing for me is that the soundbar has a much more "entertainment" oriented sound and is easier to manage. Just one hdmi cable and a power cable. No speakers on the floor or spaghetti all over the place.
Click to expand...

Not all monitors have HDMI ARC out. Replace the TV with a monitor and try to do what you're doing now.
 
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