SINGAPORE – 22 June 2015 – Creative Technology Ltd
today announced the launch of a brand new variant of the critically acclaimed Sound Blaster® Roar portable Bluetooth® wireless speaker − the smaller, lighter, sexier Sound Blaster Roar 2.
The all new Sound Blaster Roar 2 portable Bluetooth wireless speaker retains the same 5 speaker drivers, electrical design, and battery life as the Classic Sound Blaster Roar − but is now 20% smaller and 10% lighter. And it is available in black or white.
Encased in a stylish sleek housing that exudes the understated sophistication of a well-designed audio instrument, the smaller-lighter-sexier Sound Blaster Roar 2 continues to impress, whether it is used at the office, in a designer home, or at a party.
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 also comes with two all new features not found on the original Sound Blaster Roar:
- Increased flexibility with additional placement and acoustic options
Users can choose between placing the speaker horizontally for room-filling and balanced audio, or vertically for louder and more directed audio. - Beautifully machine-finished pulsating passive bass radiators
The Sound Blaster Roar 2’s passive bass radiators are unobstructed and beautifully machine-finished. They pulsate mesmerizingly − users can now not only hear the bass, but they can actually feel and see the powerful bass in action.
“The original Classic Sound Blaster Roar was an amazing feat of audio engineering. It was truly a speaker that defied the laws of acoustic engineering. We razed through countless designs and overcame seemingly impossible design obstacles. In the end we created a portable Bluetooth wireless speaker with powerful killer audio and kickass thumping bass in a size no larger than a booklet.” said Mr Wong Hoo Sim, Creator of the Sound Blaster and CEO of Creative Technology Ltd.
“But that was just the beginning. With the all new Sound Blaster Roar 2, we have upped our game and taken the feat of speaker miniaturization to the next level. The main design intent of the Sound Blaster Roar 2 was to create a smaller-lighter-sexier version of the Classic Sound Blaster Roar while retaining its sonic DNA. This is even more daunting than the designing of the original Sound Blaster Roar, because by the law of physics, great audio simply requires a larger enclosure. By further pushing the envelope of high-powered portable speaker design, we have again achieved a new ‘impossible’.
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 retains the same mind-blowing 5 drivers, the same electrical design, and the same battery as the Classic Roar, but is now 20% smaller. Not only smaller and lighter, we have made it sexier. By revealing the pulsating machine-finished bass radiators, your music now becomes an aurally, visually and sensually appealing experience. And by re-orienting the speaker in a vertical position, you can get a new audio profile that is louder and more directed − great for a noisy party or an outdoor environment.”
Like the Classic Sound Blaster Roar, the Sound Blaster Roar 2 comes packed with a whole host of useful features:
- Integrated MicroSD WMA and MP3 player
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 features an integrated MicroSD WMA and MP3 player that allows users to play audio directly from a MicroSD card, so users do not need to always commit their smartphone to play music. The player even allows users to skip music folders so that they can navigate to their songs faster without having to tediously cycle through all their individual tracks. - Speakerphone Teleconferencing
With its built-in high quality microphone providing for clear 360° voice pickup, the Sound Blaster Roar 2 is able to take calls when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. - Integrated Voice Recorder
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 features an Integrated Voice Recorder that utilises the speaker’s built-in microphone, allowing for versatile one-touch recording of all kinds of audio − calls, external voices, or streamed music − directly to an insertable MicroSD card. The feature is ideal for recording voice memos, lectures, interviews, teleconferencing sessions, and business/corporate meetings. - NFC-Enabled Bluetooth with Multipoint and HD Audio Codec Support
The speaker is able to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, and utilises the aptX® and AAC codecs for the highest quality audio and lowest possible latency. The sound booklet also features the latest Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing users to quickly and easily connect to Bluetooth devices, requiring only a simple tap from an NFC-enabled smart device to the speaker to pair and establish a connection. Users can also connect two Bluetooth devices to the Sound Blaster Roar 2 simultaneously. - Bedtime Mode
In Bedtime Mode, the Sound Blaster Roar 2 gradually reduces its volume before automatically shutting down. The feature allows users to be gently and gradually lulled to sleep, and at the same time preserves the speaker’s battery by turning it off after a predetermined time, instead of leaving it switched on for the whole night. Parents of young children would also appreciate the feature − they can record themselves reading out a bedtime story, and play the recording back to their children as they are falling asleep. - USB Audio With Sound Blaster Enhancement
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 is not just a wireless speaker for smart devices. Users can connect it to their PCs or Macs via USB to enjoy clear digital audio for their desktops or laptops. Connecting the speaker via USB enables advanced PC audio processing via the downloadable software, Sound Blaster Control Panel, and full access to the SBX Pro Studio™ suite of technologies that intelligently enhance audio in real time. - Dual Purpose Battery
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 also features a Dual Purpose Battery. The large, built-in 6000 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery can be used to charge smartphones and tablets, beyond providing up to 8 hours** of audio playback.
SBX Pro Studio™ Features*:
- SBX Crystalizer™ − Restores the “highs” and “lows” that are compromised during audio compression to create and audio experience as the original artist intended
- SBX Smart Volume − Intelligently minimises abrupt volume changes by automatically adjusting the loudness of audio playback
- SBX Dialog Plus − Intelligently enhances voices in music and movies for drastically clearer vocal range
- SBX Bass − Dramatically improves the sound experience by expanding the low frequency tones
- SBX Surround − Creates unprecedented levels of audio realism by producing virtual speakers around, above and below the listener
* Sound Blaster Roar 2 functions as an external Sound Blaster sound card when connected to a PC/Mac via USB.
** Actual battery life will vary with use and settings and environmental conditions.
Pricing and Availability
The Sound Blaster Roar 2 portable Bluetooth wireless speaker, priced at GBP199.99, will be available at the online store at www.creative.com.
For in-store availability, please refer to local authorised dealers.
For more information on Sound Blaster Roar 2, visit creative.com/roar2.
What we think:
The ROAR 2 looks like an impressive little speaker with many features packed into it’s compact form – we cannot wait to get our hands on it!
