[Mania] "Serious About Sound"... Xboom Designs Space Beyond Audio

Stage 301: Majestic Like a Concert Hall
Bounce: All-Purpose Balance Anywhere
Grab: Perfectly Portable for Outdoor Activities

A speaker that goes beyond sound to design the space itself. This is how LG Electronics' ambitious lineup of three premium portable speakers, the 'Xboom' series, can be summed up in one phrase. By applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology, these speakers deliver both intelligent functionality and rich output, and through collaboration with world-renowned musician Will.i.am, they have also established a unique design identity for the Xboom lineup. Asia Economy tested all three Xboom models in various environments over the course of a month.

'Stage 301': Concert Hall Resonance Outdoors

LG Electronics' premium portable speaker 'Xboom' Stage 301 delivers powerful concert-like sound even when used in open outdoor spaces like campsites. Photo by Heejoon Jang

The Stage 301 is equipped with a 6.5-inch woofer and a 2.5-inch midrange driver, both crafted by Danish audio company Peerless, which boasts a 100-year history. Music lovers will feel a sense of excitement from the moment they hear the deep, original sound when powering on the device. Playing "Hall of Fame" by Irish rock band The Script, featuring Will.i.am in 2012, created the illusion of being in a massive concert hall. The sound was so rich that even the textures of the keyboard and guitar strumming were clearly perceptible.

Is the powerful resonance due to the enclosed space? I took the Stage 301 to a campsite. Even in a wide-open environment, its heavy sound remained unchanged. When playing "Scream & Shout," a track Will.i.am produced with pop star Britney Spears, the clapping in the music sounded as if it were right beside me. With a high output of 120W, the speaker transforms any area into a concert-like venue, and its excellent water resistance (IPX4 rating) means there's no need to worry about rain. The battery lasts up to 12 hours wirelessly.

LG Electronics' premium portable speaker 'Xboom' Stage 301. LG Electronics

Its powerful sound is just the beginning. The AI features add intelligence to the experience. The speaker recognizes the space, adjusts the sound accordingly, analyzes the music genre, and creates mood lighting that suits the track. The dual lighting on the top and bottom of the speaker displays different colors and movements in response to vocals, melodies, and rhythms.

The product is not small. Measuring 31.2 cm wide, 31.1 cm high, and 28.2 cm deep, it is similar in size to a typical folding box used for camping. Weighing 6.5 kg, it may be cumbersome to carry without a vehicle. Considering its output and performance, it is best suited for large spaces such as live performances, party rooms, or campsites.

Indoors or Outdoors... 'Bounce' Delivers Anywhere, Anytime

LG Electronics' premium portable speaker, the Xboom Bounce model, delivers balanced sound anywhere, whether indoors or outdoors. It is suitable for both interior use and portability. Photo by Jhee Jun Jang

If you want an all-purpose speaker that adapts to any space, the LG Xboom Bounce could be the answer. Tuned with meticulous care by Will.i.am, the Bounce offers a balanced, warm tone with dynamic beats.

When playing "Die For You (Remix)," a track recommended by LG Electronics, the bass was as powerful as that of the flagship Stage 301. The passive radiator utilizes air vibrations to produce deep, heavy bass. The balanced sound particularly stood out in the high notes of Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd and Ariana Grande. The two bounce structures on the top of the device vibrate in response to the music, providing a visual effect that adds to the listening experience.

Musician Will.I.Am, who collaborated in the product design process of LG Electronics' premium portable speaker 'Xboom Bounce'. LG Electronics

The Bounce is versatile enough for everyday indoor spaces, campsites, picnics, or even store tables. With dimensions of 27.2 cm wide, 10.3 cm high, and 8.8 cm deep, its compact size makes it suitable for both interior design and portability. The magic strap can be used as a handle or for shoulder carrying.

Despite its small size, the Bounce delivers strong performance, with up to 30 hours of wireless playback on a full charge. Its excellent water and dust resistance (IP67 rating) means it can withstand both water and dust. It can even be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, making it a great companion for summer beach vacations.

Lightweight and Sturdy... 'Grab' Captures Riders and Hikers

LG Electronics' premium portable speaker 'Xboom Grab' fits perfectly on a bicycle rack. Its small size offers excellent portability, while the passive radiator and dome tweeter deliver outstanding output. Photo by Jihijun Jang

After the powerful Stage 301 and the well-balanced Bounce, the next in line is the 'youngest' model, the Grab, which focuses on portability. The Grab is ideal for outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking. Measuring 21.1 cm wide, 7.1 cm high, and 7.0 cm deep, it fits comfortably in one hand. Think of it as being about the size of a tumbler or water bottle you might take when exercising. It is also very lightweight, weighing just 700g.

If you assume its small and light build means weak output, you would be mistaken. Thanks to its passive radiator and dome tweeter, the Grab delivers surprisingly powerful sound. Riding through Hangang Park with the Grab mounted on a bicycle, the music remained clear despite outdoor noise and wind.

LG Electronics' premium portable speaker 'Xboom' Grab features excellent portability with a size similar to that of a water bottle or tumbler. Photo by Heejoon Jang

It boasts the same water and dust resistance (IP67 rating) as the Bounce, ensuring robust durability. It has also earned the 'military standard' certification by meeting U.S. military specifications. Whether cycling at high speeds or hiking rugged mountain trails, you need not worry about dropping the speaker.

The Grab is a model that defies expectations for an entry-level product. The Xboom series' AI technology, which recognizes the space and optimizes the sound, is implemented even in the smallest and most affordable Grab. Its battery, which allows for up to 20 hours of wireless playback despite its water bottle-sized form, is another advantage.

Xboom Teams Up with Will.i.am, Evolving into an 'AI Companion'

At the LG XBOOM Brand Day held in April this year at Ground220 in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Lee Jungseok, Executive Vice President and Head of Audio Business at LG Electronics MS Division, Will.i.am, and Oh Seungjin, Senior Vice President and Head of MS Marketing at LG Electronics Korea Sales Division, are having a conversation. LG Electronics

To solidify its position as a global leader in the audio market, LG Electronics has reorganized its audio business to focus on customer lifestyles. In particular, the Xboom series was launched to implement three key strategies: establishing a unique sound identity, differentiating design, and strengthening brand competitiveness.

The latest premium portable speaker lineup features 'AI space recognition' and 'AI sound and lighting' functions. By analyzing music content and usage environments, these speakers automatically adjust the sound, greatly enhancing user immersion. Collaboration with nine-time Grammy Award winner Will.i.am has shifted the focus from simply being a 'speaker' to delivering a complete 'music experience.' In terms of performance, the lineup incorporates technology from Peerless, a Danish brand with a 100-year tradition recognized in the high-end audio market, to deliver deep and powerful bass.

The innovation does not stop at rich and intelligent sound. The three Xboom models are set to evolve into voice assistants that initiate conversations. LG Electronics plans to integrate Will.i.am's interactive audio platform 'RAiDiO.FYI' app by the end of the year. Unlike conventional music streaming apps, the 'RAiDiO.FYI' app proactively initiates conversations and provides personalized information tailored to the user's interests. Users can select a persona (an independent entity with free will) to become their AI companion.

The suggested retail prices are as follows: Stage 301 - 399,000 KRW, Bounce - 288,000 KRW, and Grab - 199,000 KRW.