When you think of booming Bluetooth speakers, LG isn’t the first brand to come to mind. But today the Korean electronics giant is hoping to get your attention, announcing the latest in their line of XBoom speakers, the XL5 and XL7. At 200- and 250 watts respectively, LG’s massive portable party machines are emblazoned with customizable LEDs and feature karaoke functions, IPX4 water resistance, and more.
While there were limited specs and details at press time (including pricing and availability), what we do know is that the two XBoom models announced today are in line with models of LG’s previous XBoom brand of large, portable Bluetooth party speakers, such as the RN5 and RN7, that are designed to be dropped down in any party situation complete with a sound and light show — just add a Bluetooth source.
The larger of the two speakers announced today, the XL7, is a massive 34.2-pound speaker on wheels that measures 12.2 by 27.5 by 12.4 inches, or slightly larger than a carry-on suitcase; it even has a telescoping handle for wheeling it along. That substantial body houses three drivers: an 8-inch woofer, and two 2.5-inch tweeters. The low-end sound features what LG calls the Dynamic Bass Optimizer, which it says has “punchy bass” that “guarantees listeners an optimized, well-balanced audio performance without bass distortion.”
But where things get interesting is with the XL7’s lighting effects, which are a definite upgrade from previous generations of similar XBoom speakers. First, there’s a new Pixel LED panel above the main woofer that can display images, animations, and text, plus visual EQ effects that move with the music. The woofer itself is an LED ring, too, that produces colorful lights that spin, flash, and pulse along with the music. All this is programmed via the XBoom app. The XL7 boasts a 20-hour battery that charges fully after just 3.5 hours.
Almost identical, the XL5 is slightly smaller at 11.1 by 22.4 by 11 inches and weighs in at a still-substantial 26.4 pounds, but you’re going to feel that more because, unlike the XL7, this one doesn’t have any wheels or a telescoping handle, so you’ll have to get some help carrying it. Slightly less powerful at 200 watts, the XL5 is driven by a 6.5-inch woofer but has the same 2.5-inch tweeters. The biggest difference between the two is that the XL5 doesn’t get the fancy Pixel LED panel. The battery of the XL5 comes in at almost half of the XL7’s, at 12 hours after a 3.5-hour charge.
Both XBoom speakers support Bluetooth SBC and AAC codecs and feature USB connectivity for directly connecting your devices. While specs are vague on this, they do mention that the XL5 and XL7 feature Karaoke functions as well as Wireless Party Link that allows you to connect wirelessly to another XBoom for even bigger sound.
No pricing or availability was available at press time, but we’ll update this post when we know more.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.