</ img>
The LG XBOOM Go series of speakers has pleased us with its technology. They can show off control via mobile
LG XBOOM Go
A series of portable Bluetooth speakers includingsmall, medium and large models with a power of 5, 20 and 30 W respectively. All three have the function of working in tandem with another device in the series, and the two older models can be combined into a network of up to 100 speakers. The PL5 and PL7 versions feature customizable LED lighting. The older version can also work as a power bank. All speakers are IPX5 waterproof.
</ img>
5 reasons to buy LG XBOOM Go speakers:
- good sound using Meridian technology;
- all-weather version of the case with protection against water;
- the ability to use several speakers of the same model at the same time (up to 100 pieces for PL5 and PL7);
- nice dynamic lighting (only for PL5 and PL7);
- power bank operation (only for PL7 model).
3 reasons not to buy LG XBOOM Go speakers:
- you need specific functions (for example, a flashlight or FM radio);
- you are looking for a budget option without any special claims to the sound;
- A column with more serious moisture protection is required.
What's in the boxes?
The delivery set is identical for all speakersseries. It includes the device itself, a USB charging cable and documents: instructions, warranty and safety booklet. There is no charger in the box, you can use any standard charger you already have.
</ img>
</ img>
What do they look like?
At first glance, it is clear that all three columns are relatives. They are united by a streamlined cylindrical shape with a characteristic grille at the front and round diffusers on the sides.
</ img>
The youngest model is the most compact.It is available in several colors: black (as in our photo), white, yellow, green and pink. In practice, black looks more like a very dark blue. The two round elements on the sides of the XBOOM Go PL2 are more decorative in nature: they, unlike their counterparts in the older models, are immovable. At the top of the device is a control panel with a row of rubberized buttons: power on, pairing, volume control, play-pause and Sound Boost. On the back of the speaker, you can see the embossed logo and the large XBOOM name. There is also a hole for a strap, this feature is typical only for the younger model, as for the most portable of the family. The underside has a flat pad with a non-slip rubber pad.
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
Hidden under one of the side parts:USB-C charging port, 3.5mm line-in, and pairing mode button. The lid of this compartment looks well protected from moisture, just like a starship hatch.
</ img>
Models PL5 and PL7 can be found in the housingblack or white. LG XBOOM Go PL5, unlike its younger relative, is not only larger, but also differs in many details. The circles on the sides are no longer just needed for beauty, they are moving elements that vibrate noticeably during operation. The strip around the circle of each diffuser is also not a quirk of the designer, it is a detail of the LED backlight. On the top panel with buttons, the differences from the younger model are minimal; they boil down to the battery charge indicator that appears. But at the back, behind the LG logo, another control panel is hidden under a powerful rubber cover. It contains buttons for turning on paired and multi-mode modes, a backlight button, a device reset button hole, a USB-C connector and a 3.5 mm AUX port. The protective cover is attached to the body with a thick rubber band, the design looks very reliable.
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
LG XBOOM Go PL7 is the largest speaker in the line.One and a half kilos of weight, solid, stable, impressive. Externally, apart from the size, it is very similar to the PL5. The same side diffusers, LED backlighting, a rubber panel with buttons at the top and another one under the cover at the back. However, another element has been added to the rear panel: a USB-A port for using the device as a mobile battery and charging other gadgets from it. The body, like other models, is pleasant to the touch: it is practical, non-staining matte plastic with a slight soft touch effect.
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
All speakers look sturdy and solid.The only caveat is potential instability. It almost does not apply to the heaviest PL7, but lighter models can be knocked over. However, they will not roll far and will not suffer from overturning.
How to connect and configure?
To connect the speaker to a smartphone or otherBluetooth source, you need to press and hold the pairing button, and then select the appropriate name from the list of available devices (it contains the model code and numbers so as not to confuse several identical speakers). From this moment the column is ready for use.
How are they managed?
Gentleman's set for controlling the columnmoved to the top panel of buttons. With its help, we adjust the volume and pause the music without touching the smartphone. By the way, with the same button (play / pause), you can call the voice assistant, if you hold it down for two seconds. Turn on Sound Boost with a separate button and leave it in this state (I'll tell you why below). This is for all three columns. But the two older models have some additional controls on the back under a waterproof cover. The button with the image of a light bulb is responsible for turning the LED backlight on and off, a little later we will see how it is configured in the mobile application. The Dual button activates the two-column mode (it is present in all three models). If you have two columns and want to use them at the same time, then click it on both. A similar principle is used in the Multi mode (only in PL5 and PL7): one of the devices can be made master, and the others - slaves using the corresponding button.
To get the most of your controlspeakers, you need to download the LG XBOOM mobile application for iOS or Android. It works directly with the device via Bluetooth, so it does not require any cloud accounts. Here you can:
- use the built-in audio player;
- flexibly configure LED backlighting;
- combine several speakers into one "network" playing the same music;
- see the battery charge as a percentage and adjust a number of parameters (equalizer, power management, sensitivity settings)
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
To switch from the speaker to the built-in speakers of the smartphone, you can activate the characteristic gesture (shake the smartphone), and you can also update the firmware of the speakers.
How are they at work?
The most noticeable feature of XBOOM Go PL5 and PL7 isThis is dynamic RGB lighting. It’s hard not to notice it when it’s on, but when it’s off, it doesn’t give itself away. This is convenient when you want to do without lighting effects. And when it is appropriate, you can not only turn on the illumination (there is a separate button on the back panel for this), but also configure its behavior in the mobile application. There are three presets available (Party, Water, Forest) and the ability to customize your own by choosing the speed and color scheme. You can also synchronize the dynamics of backlight changes with music. Looks impressive.
</ img>
</ img>
</ img>
Let me draw your attention once again to the functionmultiplay. More than once I had the desire to connect several Bluetooth speakers to one smartphone at the same time, and somehow I couldn’t believe that there was no mass universal solution for solving such a simple problem. If you know it, then welcome to the comments, and here we have a solution that is not universal, but extremely simple to work with. Both XBOOM Go PL5 and PL7 can play together with each other, but only speakers of the same model work in pairs - this is how the Wireless Party Link function works, allowing you to connect up to 100 speakers simultaneously. Another interesting use case is connecting two speakers to an LG TV as an alternative to a soundbar for surround stereo sound. By the way, there is a Multipoint function, and one speaker can be controlled from two devices at once.
</ img>
In appearance, rubberized buttons andplugs, one would assume that the speakers can be listened to almost underwater. But this is not true, the guaranteed level of protection is only IPX5. Which, however, is quite enough to protect against the rain that suddenly covered the party.
The older model LG XBOOM Go PL7 has a functionrecharging other devices and USB-A connector for their connection. True, the capacity of the built-in battery is relatively small, only 3900 mAh. For a column, this, of course, is enough with the head, but as for a power bank, it is not enough, it is more of a backup solution than a permanent one.
How do they sound?
You probably noticed that on all threethe columns have the Meridian logo. This is a British company that has been manufacturing hi-fi equipment for over 40 years, and now applies its technology to some products of the more mainstream segment.
</ img>
Collaboration with LG has yielded good results:The sound from all three speakers turned out to be quite impressive. There is no magic button that activates some secret Meridian technology, but there is a Sound Boost button. I suspect that it is needed specifically to demonstrate sound improvement technologies. Because, after playing with turning it on and off several times, you will simply leave it on forever. The sound immediately acquires volume and color; it seems that the speaker has been replaced with another one of a higher class.
</ img>
Dual Action Bass technology provides especiallyexpressive low frequencies. The effect is most pronounced in the largest model, the PL7. The cabinet does an excellent job of suppressing vibrations, but the sound can be literally seen with the eyes thanks to the sides of the speaker
</ img>
What about autonomy?
Autonomy of the three tested modelsdiffers in proportion to their dimensions. The flagship XBOOM Go PL7 boasts 24-hour charging independence (a nice figure, but this is with the backlight off, at half volume and other favorable conditions). Models PL5 and PL2 are designed for 18 and 10 hours of autonomy, respectively. In real life, the results roughly correspond to those stated, but, of course, it all depends on the conditions under which the speakers are used.
Three things to know about the LG XBOOM Go speakers:
- These are Bluetooth speakers united by a common design and collaboration protocol;
- the sound part was developed in collaboration with the Meridian brand and is especially effective in the Sound Boost mode;
- The middle and older models are equipped with customizable RGB lighting.
Specifications
LG XBOOM Go PL2
LG XBOOM Go PL5
LG XBOOM Go PL7
Dimensions, mm
126x82x80
201x79x79
245x98x98
Weight, g
350
620
1460
Output power, W
5
20
thirty
Speakers
1x1.75″
2x1.75″
2x2.3″
Battery capacity
3.7 W, 1500 mAh
3.8 W, 3900 mAh
7.4 W, 3900 mAh
Maximum autonomy, h
10
18
24
Housing protection
IPX5
Wireless linking of devices
Dual mode
Dual mode, Multi mode
Bluetooth
5.0
Interfaces
AUX 3.5 mm, USB-C
AUX 3.5 mm, USB-C
AUX 3.5 mm, USB-C, USB-A
For those who want to know more
- Lamp sound: a review of the JBL Pulse 3 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker with lamp
- Make it louder! Review of Bluetooth-speakers UE Boom 2
- Review withBluetooth-speakers Logitech X100
- Guest from the future. Review of the phone in the watch LG Watch Phone GD910
- LG Tone + HBS-500 stereo headset review