LG XBOOM Go XG9QBK Portable Bluetooth Speaker

I have a few other large portable Bluetooth speakers in my collection to compare this speaker to. My personal favorite is the JBL Boombox 3, but I also have the Sony XG300, Altec Lansing Shockwave 200, JBL Charge 4 (a little smaller) and the Altec Lansing Shockwave 60 (also a little smaller). I would rank this LG XBOOM Go XG9QBK right toward the top, just a smidge below the JBL. I will be mainly comparing it to the JBL Boombox 3 for the rest of this review as it is the most direct comparison.

In terms of features, they are very comparable in their volume, size and features. Both feature a handle for portability, a battery bank for USB charging your other portable devices, and a 3.5mm aux. They are both IP67 water resistant. Both retail for $499 (though the JBL is on sale for $449 at my time of posting). The LG has a gimmicky spotlight feature that I will never use, but it is there if you might find some utility with it. It also has RGB around the side radiators, but only if you have the spotlight turned on. I wish I could have just the lighting around the radiators on, but the spotlight off. The JBL has no lighting aside from the power/bluetooth/battery indicators. Both are advertised to have a 24 hour battery life, so a draw there. The LG has a speakerphone feature whereas the JBL does not. The JBL can connect to other compatible JBL speakers, whereas the LG cannot.

The LG and JBL both have mobile apps that allow you to adjust the sound profile, including an equalizer. The LG has 6 bands to adjust whereas the JBL is more limited, only allowing you to adjust 3. Both honestly sounded great to me without tweaking, but it is there if you need it. I did raise the highs a bit on the LG as out of the box it was very heavy on the lows and mids.

My overall conclusion is that I prefer the JBL in terms of its overall clarity, as the highs sound much more clear and the bass is also more clean, though not quite as deep. The LG has very heavy bass and a powerful sound, but the highs are a bit less clean than the JBL, even after adjusting the equalizer. They are very close though, and I think if you can find the LG on sale for $300-400, it would be a great option/alternative. After being underwhelmed by the last two Altec Lansing Shockwave speakers I received, I was pleasantly surprised at how nice this speaker was. The sound quality between the JBL and LG were a lot closer than expected, I just think the LG is a little overpriced at its current $499 price point, especially when the JBL sounds a little better and is a little cheaper at this time.

Upon receiving the LG XBoom Go XG9QBK, I was immediately struck by its impressive size, making it a perfect choice for outdoor gatherings and parties alike. The build quality surpassed my expectations, with a solid yet comfortable weight that lends it a premium feel. Transporting the speaker is a breeze, thanks to the convenient rubber-style handle that ensures easy portability. Aesthetically, the speaker boasts a soft, cozy material that adds to its overall appeal.

Let’s delve into the sound performance, where the LG XBoom Go truly shines. The Big Boom feature lives up to its name, delivering thunderous sound that commands attention and immerses listeners in their favorite tunes. The audio clarity is exceptional, with every note and lyric presented with remarkable precision, allowing for the nuances of the music to be heard. For example, the subtle guitar riffs in a classic rock song or the intricate vocal harmonies of a jazz tune. Additionally, the speaker’s bass response is impressive, providing a full and rich sound that can be felt as much as it can be heard. While the availability of an app is a bonus for some, it’s understandable that many users prefer to avoid unnecessary app downloads, which often clutter our devices.

Of course, as with any product, there are a few areas that could be improved. The notable weight and size of the speaker may pose a challenge for those seeking ultimate portability. It is undeniably more suitable for large gatherings or events where its powerful performance can be fully appreciated. Additionally, the $500 price tag may be a deterrent for some potential buyers, as it requires careful consideration to justify the investment. Lastly, while the app offers added functionality, its basic features might not resonate with everyone, especially those who prefer simplicity without downloading additional applications.

In conclusion, the LG XBoom Go XG9QBK is an impressive outdoor and party-style speaker that delivers on its promises of powerful sound and excellent build quality. While the weight and size may limit its portability, it compensates with a thunderous sound and clear audio. If you’re looking to make a statement at your gatherings and prioritize top-notch sound performance, this speaker could be the ideal addition to your audio setup. However, potential buyers should consider their preferences regarding app usage and budget constraints before making a final decision.

My XG9 Xboom arrived last week, right before my Halloween party. I have owned many Bluetooth speakers, from small to large, and I was impressed when I removed this beast from the box. When I unboxed the speaker, it had enough charge to pair it up and start playing music. The pairing of the speaker was seamless and easy. The first song I played on the speaker filled the room with rich tones and bass that I could not hear anyone talking. It was the first time I experienced a portable Bluetooth speaker drowning out people’s voices. This speaker’s size and price range meet and exceed my expectations. I can’t wait to use this for many more upcoming get-togethers and events.

This is the best, loudest and clean sounding Bluetooth speaker I have ever listened to. The sound quality with heavy base is amazing. I use this Bluetooth speaker to stream playlists from my cellphone and this speaker thunders sound over a 1/2 acre at our lakehouse. The two woofer’s push the base sound out and you can feel it. The upgrade in sound volume is incredible. This sound device is engineered similar to a Bose quality but louder and more clearer which is awesome. A home run product. Five stars. Expensive but compared to the alternatives it is worth the price. So simply to use out of the box. If you want to jam, this is it.

If you want a Bluetooth speaker that brings the party, this is it! With the huge battery life, built in light settings, and tremendous sound, this speaker will leave other in awe!

This speaker is IP67 rated (dust-tight, and able to be submersed in water up to 3.28 feet of water [though I do not recommend!])

You can also charge your cell phone from this device using Bluetooth mode and the USB port on the back.

You must download the LG Xboom app for ultimate appreciation. With the app, you can set your light settings, customize the sound using the equalizer, change power settings and more!

Would you like your house to shake while at the same time spooking your neighbors to the point where they will throw a rock at the window to hear the sound of your LG XBOOM Go better? Well, this is the speaker for you. With booming rich and clear sound, LG’s XBOOM will certainly get the party going. I’ve had a chance to test this product out for a couple of days now and in this review, I will lay down my thoughts and recommendation of whether this speaker is worthy of your hard-earned bucks.

*TLDR at the bottom

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SETUP AND LG XBOOM APPLICATION:
Setup takes no time at all. Simply take it out of the box, turn it on, and connect to the XG9 with your phone using Bluetooth. AUX is also available too if needed.

The LG XBOOM app is optional, but I highly recommend it. The app has many features that allow you to customize the XG9 to your liking. Some of the features I played around with are EQ customization and stage/side lighting.

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DESIGN:
In terms of design, this is a well-built speaker. It is both IP67-rated dust and water-resistant so you will be able to have this by the pool and not worry that water will damage it. The handle is soft too and comfortable to hold. But the speaker is on the heavier side, so be wary of that. The XG9 has two lighting locations: on the front and sides. Both combined do bring neat light shows in a dark room. My only complaint design-wise is the buttons. While they are comfortable, you will have a hard time locating which button does what at night unless you have it memorized. I think having backlit buttons would’ve been a nice touch.

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SOUND QUALITY:
Now if you are looking for booming sound, this portable speaker will indeed give you that. The first day I turned it on I decided to see how loud it gets, to say the least, it blew me away. My house shook and I am certain my neighbors now love me and the booming sounds this speaker makes. Jokes aside, the XG9 is loud and will stir up whatever event you are having solo or in a group. I played all kinds of genres from Hip Hop, EDM, Latin, Rock, Metal, etc., and all of them sounded wonderful. I played with the EQ settings to get the optimal sound for each genre. Sound Boost is a feature on both the physical speaker and app that gives a “high-powered” sound for your music. While it does make your music sound more vibrant, I did find the lows to overpower some of the mids and highs. This is certainly a feature for you bass heads.

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FEATURES AND OTHER NOTES:
Now this is labeled as a portable speaker and while it is portable enough, you won’t be taking this on a plane or anything that requires minimal packing. The XG9 is heavy, and I see it more as a throw-it-in car and take it camping or to the beach type of portability. This would be great for your at-home leisure time or events you have at home too. The battery life is one of the other excellent features of the XG9. I received the XG9 at 50% charge and have yet to charge it once. LG claims 24-hour playback which is a significant amount of battery life. (probably explains the weight). There is also a USB-A port that can be used to charge your devices.

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CONCLUSION/TLDR:
Overall, this is an exceptionally well-built portable speaker. While it may not be the most portable, you will enjoy the myriad of features with LG’s XBOOM app, the booming sound, and the massive battery life. I have enjoyed using the XG9 for the past couple of days and do wholeheartedly recommend it!

What I liked about the LG XBOOM portable Bluetooth speaker is the stylish and sturdy design it’s very easy to setup and use and the sound quality is superb and the battery life is excellent it’s a good value for your money and it makes a great gift it’s a good addition to your speaker system

LG – XBOOM GO XG9QBK PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER – BLACK
SKU:6534567

HUGE SOUND BUT NOT PERFECT SOUND FOR ALL

The LG XBOOM is very well suited for large rooms and big parties, where the ability to project a huge sound field is most important, along with thumping bass. The lights are nice if you are into that sort of thing, and if not, easy to turn off, even without the app.

I have tested / reviewed many speakers. For very good, room filling sound, the LG XBOOM ranks #1. For overall sound reproduction clarity at all levels and volumes this falls a touch short. I am not at all saying the LG is bad in anyway (it is very good). It is very close to the top of my list. It is only that if near perfect sound reproduction is more important to you than shaking the walls, there are potentially other options you might want to explore.

I spent several hours switching audio between my top Bluetooth speakers and the LG with a variety of music styles. Other than “club music”, the LG always came up just a hair short of the others on my list for overall clarity. This weakness is in the upper midrange. The audio (vocals mostly) is just not exactly as crisp. Again, we are talking like “A-” sound instead of “A” sound.

PROs
– Large Powerful Sound Field
– Optional Party Light Effects
– EQ settings on APP
– Powerbank Feature to charge your other devices
– AUX Jack
– 24 Hour Battery Life

CONs
– Large Power Brick
– Only USB type “A” output for phone charging (no USB C)
– Large / Heavy
– Price / Value (it is not cheap)

SUMMARY

Overall, I like the LG XBOOM, and it will likely find a home with me for larger outdoor parties. It is a great choice for a well rounded portable speaker.

Okay this has to now be my favorite speaker just for quality alone! The sound that comes out is right, thick and dynamic as whatever you are putting through it. I was not expecting that when I got this, i was just expecting another portable speaker i can take to work with me but now this speaker is going to become my main apartment speaker.
First off size wise, this is about the size of one of those old school late 80s, early to mid 90s boom boxes, so it’s not small really, but still a portable size, just not an everywhere portable.
Second, this sucker is HEAVY! this speaker definitely has some weight behind it, making it a bit more inconvenient to carry around, it’s definitely heavier than the old school boom boxes i mentioned a couple line up. So that makes it’s portability more of a hassle.
However the sound that comes out of this is just so clean, clear, and dynamic I’m will to overlook the weight. But others may not, it’s a personal choice there i believe.
The lighting on this thing is definitely a blast, and when paired with the app for variety of effects, well it’s just awesome, i only wish that the color choices and such had deeper and much better customizability. But the functions as is are great still, but it just feels like a tease to what more can be added.
Speaking of needing this added to, the user manual, both physical and online via the app are seriously lacking a lot of info. Makes it feel like it’s still in beta testing waiting for a much bigger release.
But overall i am personally pleased with it, but still feel more could be added or tweaked.
This is definitely a fun personal buy, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy good strong audio.

I’m not the best with tech. That said, I was able to bring it right out of the box and get it going without any help from the hubby. Went to Bluetooth and it was already sitting there on the list for me to select. I had to download an app which was unusual, because I’ve never had a Bluetooth speaker require such. I downloaded it and it helps you select different settings for your spotlight. You can also create a playlist from the app. I enjoyed the spotlight feature, and I was impressed with the sound quality. Nice presentation from a box standpoint and it is a hefty weight and size. Much nicer than the Bluetooth speakers I’ve always used. I’m very pleased 😀