For the last few years, I have been searching for a new Bluetooth speaker that is not only portable, but one that also delivers on exceptional battery life, durability and sound quality while remaining portable enough to toss in my tech bag without taking up too much space. LG’s new xboom Grab speaker, made in collaboration with music artist will.i.am, aims to deliver a superior listening experience while incorporating various AI enhancements to make your listening experience even better, while coming in at a competitive price of $199.99 CAD/149.99 USD.
Breaking the trend of traditional “boxy” designed speakers, the LG xboom Grab is cylindrical in shape with speakers on either end, along with 2 speakers built into the length of the body. This was not only a nice change, but additionally fit the aesthetic of my entertainment setup when paired with my JMGO PicoPlay projector that I find myself using on a regular basis. Coming in at about the same size as my 20-oz travel mug, the LG xboom Grab is easily able to slide into my backpack without taking up much space. I even occasionally found myself placing it in the water bottle pocket to listen to music without having to secure it to the bag separately.
Along the top of the speaker, you find an array of media controls, power, and pairing buttons, as well as a favourite button that can be set to play a playlist or music station of your choice with a single press of a button. The front features the ”xboom” logo as well as an RGB lighting strip subtly placed just below it, more on that later.
You won’t find much more than just the offset USB-C charging port on the rear, although around either end of the body, you find an aspect of the LG xboom Grab that separates it from most other portable speakers, elastic straps, to attach the speaker to bags, bikes, or other gear of your choosing.
“…the LG xboom Grab is easily able to slide into my backpack without taking up much space.”
To my enjoyment, the LG xboom Grab had exceptional sound quality, delivering a very rich and clear listening experience. Bass and low tones were very deep and punchy, while mids and high tones were clear and crisp, making for one of the best listening experiences I have heard from a Bluetooth speaker in quite some time.
All music genres I listened to sounded incredible, and even when using the xboom Grab as a mini sound bar when watching movies, the sound had me immersed and truly amazed at just how great the sound quality was. From the rumble of engines to the roar of storms, movies sounded much better than the stock speaker built into my projector, adding a whole new depth to what I was watching.
With the help of the LG ThinQ app, available for both iOS and Android, users can tune the EQ and listening modes in the app to further enhance their listening experience, although I generally found myself sticking to the AI Sound mode as I found it catered to my needs the best. While in the LG ThinQ app, users can also set the RGB lighting strip to perform a variety of different strobe/flash patterns or set the strip to just a solid colour.
Users can additionally adjust the speaker volume from the app, update firmware, download ambient music to assist when sleeping, meditating, or even just relaxing while wanting background music. I was honestly surprised at how much better I was able to sleep when using the different sleep tracks, and continue to use them each night, to get a better night’s sleep.
Of course, what good is a Bluetooth speaker if it isn’t durable or won’t last long enough to enjoy when on the go? Thankfully, the LG xboom Grab more than has you covered in both aspects. When it comes to battery life, LG claims the xboom Grab can give you up to 20 hrs of listening time, although my listening time was a little lower, generally closer to 18-19 hrs. This could be because of my use of AI settings, though. Durability-wise, like many other waterproof Bluetooth speakers, the LG xboom Grab is IP67 rated, meaning you can take it wherever you’d like to go, whether it be at the beach, going camping or a late-night bonfire.
The LG xboom Grab has transformed the way I listen to music and movies, not only when at home but on the go. It delivers excellent audio quality while being rugged enough to stand up to any conditions that may come its way. I look forward to seeing what adventures the LG xboom Grab will join me on and make better thanks to everything it has to offer.
- xboom by will.i.am – Elevate your listening experience to new heights with audio crafted by multi-platinum artist and tech pioneer, will.i.am. Blended with its signature sound and functional design, xboom extends beyond listening to deliver personalized interactive audio enjoyment. xboom by will.i.am is the future of sound and performance, where culture and innovation collide to create something truly extraordinary.
- Gripping Sound on the Go – Grab your xboom and hit the town with portable and bold sound. Its ultra-durable design, with up to 20 hours of music playback, keeps you listening to your favorites, without interrupting your day.
