ZDNET Key Points
- The LG XBoom 360 XO2 is a great Bluetooth speaker for the professional lounger, lounger, and lounger. It retails for $197.
- Highlights include a focus on relaxing lighting and elegant design.
- Lower-than-average battery life and lack of advanced features may make this speaker too basic for some.
There’s nothing like having someone you can trust. Bluetooth Speaker Bringing portable music listening in style. Today, many Bluetooth speaker manufacturers focus on making their speakers suitable for outdoor use, opting for rugged, angular designs with dust and water resistance for use at the beach or hiking.
However, if you never take your Bluetooth speaker out of the house, you probably don’t want your new speaker’s main selling point to be that it can survive the apocalypse. I want my speaker to look like it belongs in my house, not at the local REI.
If you’re like me, you appreciate the latest information. LG XBoom 360 XO2 The Bluetooth speaker, which I’ll call the XO2, to avoid confusion with the many speakers in LG’s XBoom 360 line, has been around for a month, and I’ve been using it as the soundtrack to my nights at home, so let me explain why it’s the best speaker for homebodies and professional couch potatoes.
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The XO2 speaker sounds great and has a variety of EQ settings to customize the sound to your personal taste. You can choose from preset EQ settings or adjust the sound on the five-band equalizer in the LG XBoom companion app.
The XO2 doesn’t have the same clarity as speakers like the Apple HomePod or the Sonos Era 100, but those speakers stream audio over Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth, which helps improve sound quality. The XO2 doesn’t support fancy audio features like spatial audio, so if you want a simple listening experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Usually when I’m in the mood to relax at home and listen to music, I’ll queue up songs on Sonos Arc Soundbar. The AirPlay compatibility is convenient because notifications don’t interrupt my music. However, the Arc is very loud, making it difficult to move from room to room, and don’t get me started using the Sonos app to notify me that I’ve moved rooms.
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The XO2 has an interesting shape that resembles a small porch lantern. The flat top houses touch controls that let you play/pause tracks, control volume, and change light settings with just a short tap.
I listened to albums like John Mayer’s Space for squares, Frank Ocean’s blonde hair, and Coldplay Mylo Xyloto while I cook, clean, and read on the couch. The XO2 has a prominent bass response, but the bass lines don’t overshadow the soft instrumentals I crave during an evening relaxation session.
In spite of Heartbeat And Bose Having mastered the art of designing a humble Bluetooth speaker, the XO2 has one standout feature that sets it apart from the pack: mood lighting. Plenty of speakers offer a series of multi-colored flashing LED lights for party purposes, but the XO2 focuses on mood lighting for low-key parties.
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In the XBoom 360 app, you can choose your lighting settings, with options to simulate a soft morning sun or a peaceful sunset. There’s a candlelight option for the ultimate tranquil feel. There’s also a party light setting, but I didn’t have time to use it.
The XO2 can handle outdoor use, boasting an IP55 rating, making it water-resistant against rain or splashes from the pool. With 15 hours of continuous playback, the XO2 doesn’t have the same longevity as other speakers in its price range, so you’ll have to choose between ambient music mode or battery life.
ZDNET Buying Advice
If you want a portable speaker that can set the mood for whatever vibe you want, especially for quieter solo performances at home, then LG XBoom 360 XO2 is the right choice. Its simple design can blend in with any home decor while still providing an enjoyable listening experience.
The XO2 is perfect for listening in bed or on the couch. Its simplicity and lack of advanced controls make it best suited for people who don’t want calendars, voice assistants, or digital reminders interrupting their evening podcast listening session or solo album listening party.
If you expect more from your speaker, like AirPlay compatibility, Wi-Fi audio streaming, and voice assistant capabilities, the XO2 isn’t for you. Sonos Era 100 or Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) may suit you better, but remember that they require a power source.
If you want a speaker with a larger battery capacity, better water resistance, and a more luxurious look without mood lighting, consider The Defeat Drug (2024).
