LG XBOOM XL7S review: life of the party

If you enjoy taking the party wherever you go, the LG XBOOM XL7S is worth checking out. It is a massive yet portable party speaker that delivers a bass-heavy sound, along with Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in battery that promises up to 20 hours of playtime, and suitcase-like wheels for effortless movement. The LG XBOOM XL7S comes with a few ports, including ones for connecting a guitar and mic, funky LEDs, and an IPX4 rating.

Keep reading to discover what works and doesn’t work for the party speaker in this LG XBOOM XL7S review.

Design and build quality

The LG XBOOM XL7S features a bulky and hefty design, typically associated with a party speaker. The speaker weighs roughly 15.5kg, making it slightly difficult to lift and carry around. However, the company has addressed this by adding wheels to the speaker, along with a retractable handle, so it can pulled and moved around on the floor. The XBOOM XL7S is fashioned out of good-quality plastic, which should resist scratches to a significant extent. The speaker measures 310mm x 700mm x 316 mm in dimensions, allowing you to fit it in a car or the footrest of a scooter.

The front end of the speaker sports a metal grille, while the edges flaunt XBOOM branding and a nice texture, creating a striking contrast. In addition to the bottom edge, there are a few anti-skid pads on the left spine should you want to place the speaker horizontally. All the controls are on the top edge along with that handle, whereas the rear end of the speaker is equipped with a flap that opens to reveal I/Os, including a USB Type-A port for storage devices like a USB flash drive, as well as a couple of 6.5mm jacks to connect a guitar and microphone for karaoke nights. The flap securely attaches magnetically to the back of the speaker, preventing it from hanging loosely. Another well-thought-out aspect of the XL7S is the small pocket on the rear panel for storing smartphones or other compact items.

Overall, it is a well-designed product, which is even IPX4-certified to withstand minor splashes.

Features

The LG XBOOM XL7S offers wireless connectivity with Bluetooth v5.1, ensuring a decent range. Once connected, you can control the speaker either via your device or using the built-in controls. The XL7S boasts a set of large, clicky buttons on the top edge, enabling you to power the device on/off, adjust volume, pause/play music, toggle between USB and Bluetooth modes, boost bass, and control the LED lights.

Speaking of the LED lights, they are what makes the LG XBOOM XL7S stand apart from a range of other party speakers. They support multiple colours to further elevate the overall party experience, giving you a club-like experience in a dimly lit environment. Of course, the LED lights can be turned off to save battery or when not needed. Furthermore, they can be customised via the app available for download for both Android and iOS users. More about the app later.

For now, it is worth mentioning that the speaker boasts an animated Pixel display that scrolls through a range of default and customisable emojis and text.

App support

The companion app for the XL7S, aptly named the LG XBOOM app, is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store for devices running Android and iOS respectively. While the app has received mixed reviews on the app marketplace, my personal experience with it was largely positive. All functions operated smoothly on the app. Moreover, the XBOOM app is intuitively designed and offers a range of features beyond controlling the Pixel Art Display and multi-colour ring lighting. You can adjust the EQ settings between Standard and Sound Boost or customise it using three bands: 100Hz, 1kHz, and 10kHz, according to your preference. While I didn’t have a mic to test the Karaoke mode within the app, I spent considerable time with the DJ mode, which comes with turntable scratch sounds and drum sample hits. Additionally, the XBOOM app helps you keep track of the speaker’s battery.

Sound quality

Audio-wise, the LG XBOOM XL7S gets plenty loud, which isn’t surprising given it appeals to party enthusiasts. While being loud, the speaker also offers a thumpy sound quality, along with a crisp sound output. This could be attributed to the 2.1 channel format, featuring 2.5-inch cone-shaped tweeters and a sizeable 8-inch woofer, capable of supporting up to 250W power output. 

The speaker is capable of producing punchy bass, which is further assisted by Sound Boost. While it might not do justice to sub-bass in songs like ‘High End’ and ‘Top Notch Gabru’, the XL7S can rattle both your furniture and bones even at moderate volume levels. At maximum volume, it is capable of keeping your neighbours awake. These low frequencies can also be felt at low volumes, enabling you to keep the music to yourself without sacrificing the rhythm. This also helps you to achieve a cinematic experience when streaming audio from your favourite TV shows, web series, and movies through the speaker.

It will be futile if you are asking for a preset EQ setting prioritising vocals and other high-frequency sounds. The LG XBOOM XL7S isn’t for a purist, but for partygoers who like their music with abundant bass.

Battery life

The battery life of the LG XBOOM XL7S party speaker depends entirely on your usage. The company claims that the speaker could provide up to 20 hours of backup between charges at 50 percent volume and without lighting. In my experience, with Sound Boost, lighting, and volume levels set between 50-80 percent, I averaged nearly seven hours of playtime. While the speaker uses a proprietary cable to charge, it remains operational, ensuring an uninterrupted experience. The speaker can take anywhere between three and a half to four hours to achieve a full charger from 0-100 percent, which looks relatively slow in today’s fast-paced world.

Verdict

The LG XBOOM XL7S doesn’t come cheap. The speaker is listed on the official LG website with a discounted price of Rs 37,990, down from its MRP of Rs 52,990. Among the competitors are the JBL Partybox 310 and Sony XRS-XV800, which come with a similar set of features as the LG party speaker. 

However, if the current asking price is anything to go by, the LG’s XL7S is more affordable than its counterparts. While it may not deliver the balanced sound a purist would seek, the speaker excels in providing an immersive, bass-driven audio experience tailored for party enthusiasts. Additionally, its LED lights add flair to any event, and the accompanying app allows for the customisation of EQ settings and lighting effects.

Editor’s rating: 8 / 10

Pros

• Bass-heavy sound.
• Gets plenty loud.
• Customisable LED lights add ambience.
• Respectable battery life.

Cons

• Pricey.
• Slow charging speeds.

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