LG XBOOM Buds review: Exclusive look at some of LG’s latest audio goodies
Dear LG, Consider this your big marketing challenge — the LG XBOOM Buds marked the company’s debut entry into the accurate wireless earbud market, where it’s a neatly titled, feature-rich offering aimed at a wide variety of listeners. Though not made for the premium heights of some of the company’s audio high-fliers, these in-ears are intended to present a decent audio experience and many functions for a significantly lower price. A significant element of their marketing is the partnership with the famed artist and producer Will. Who has consulted on audio tuning and call quality? The collaboration signifies an effort to imbue the product with a unique sonic character that ties into the current musical landscape.
Additionally, using graphene drivers — a material recognised for its superb acoustic performance because it is both stiff and light — highlights LG’s focus on quality sound. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Exynos 2200 Audio and these earbuds from the many that are on the market today is that they’re equipped with Auracast, the next-generation Bluetooth spec for audio that will enable the broadcasting of audio to many listeners at once, including public audio streaming. The XBOOM Buds is an innovative device that takes advantage of the most recent wireless audio developments.
The LG XBOOM Buds have a few key selling points. All reviews characterise their bass response as effective, hinting at a sound signature more suited to fans of rumbling lower-end response. From an audio perspective, the earbuds also come with a wide variety of features and enhancements, not the least of which comes in customisable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and equaliser (EQ) settings, meaning users can customise their experience. The design provides ample comfort and a snug fit for most users’ physical activities, so they’re well-suited for all-day wear. The battery life is also damn good, with the earbuds themselves giving you a decent playtime on a single charge and even better with the charging case. The call quality is also good, meaning that phone calls and video meetings can go smoothly and be free of issues. These features, in conjunction, cover a broad spectrum of consumer interests, ranging from technical early adopters excited about experimenting with bleeding-edge technologies like Auracast, consumers interested in powerful bass performance, gym-goers in search of well-fitting wireless earbuds, and value enthusiasts interested in a balanced feature set without the luxury markup. With these traits, LG attaches great importance to versatility for a wide variety of users in the cutthroat mid-range earbud space.
LG XBOOM Buds’ design is functional, though some reviewers say they lose the sleek aesthetics while going for utility since earlier LG models. The earbuds seem a little big in the ear and stick out somewhat, which was less appealing to users who prefer a cleaner appearance. The earbuds’ charging case and outer casing are pretty basic-looking as per their position in the rumoured price range, which is expected to be low compared to the more premium ones. These earbuds come in two colour options: white and black. They’re the “bulb design” type similar to the Samsung Galaxy Buds form factor, so many praise the “often” design for in-ear comfort and fit. This analogy could resonate with users who are already accustomed to or like that specific shape.
The ergonomic comfort of the LG XBOOM Buds has been reported to differ from user to user. One reviewer believed they felt chunky in the ear, resulting in discomfort during listening sessions over an hour. One user had no problems with the fit, saying it was comfortable and McKenzie was secure enough for walking and running. LG has also bundled multiple sizes of ear tips in the box to fit different ear sizes and shapes, a customary offering across the entire segment that ensures users can tweak how the earphones fit inside the ear for maximum comfort and seal. One crucial design feature enabling this secure fit is the almost hook-like setup of each earbud. This hook ensures the buds stay put, even during more dynamic movements, which makes them great for workouts or commutes. Whilst this feature might seem a bit awkward feature-wise to some, it’s not visible at all while the earbuds are being worn, and it dramatically aids their stability.
For its endurance, the LG XBOOM Buds bear an IPX4 splashproof rating for the earbuds alone. It means they’re safe from splashes of water and sweat so that you can wear them around the gym and in any light rain. The charging case water resistance rating is absent and should be kept from moisture. They call the LG XBOOM Buds and a charging case nice and compact for portability. The earbuds are not havocked with fiddly bits hanging out and sit pretty much flush with the ear, which makes for a clean appearance and ease of carrying. The earbuds and the charging case are small enough to slide into your pocket or bag without making you feel like you’re lugging a boat anchor around, which is a big deal for on-the-go users.
Overall, we would say that the LG XBOOM Buds are clear-sounding and have a booming bass. The earbuds have a “Natural EQ” setting that boosts deep bass and treble. The bass response is repeatedly described as punchy, fast and powerful, reaching even deep sub-bass. At the same time, the default treble had some reviewers complaining of its over-forward nature, which was unpleasantly so (especially at more significant volumes). This indicates that, although the overall sound isn’t too muddy for what it costs, it would be helpful for users to go into the equaliser settings in the companion app to find a more balanced sound profile. The tuning by will.i.am was designed to provide a more neutral audio profile with warmer tones. This ties into the notion of these as having a bass-heavy tonality with the dark signature enabled by weightier bass rather than lower midrange, which could very much be the case, leaning towards a consumer-seeking, bass-friendly overall signature rather than an ultra-neutral one.
The LG XBOOM Buds do not have the sort of detail retrieval and instrument separation exceptional in some higher-end earbuds; however, the audio quality is considered very good in general for day-to-day listening and should likely be respectable for non-audiophiles. This is partly due to the lack of higher-resolution audio codecs such as LDAC; the earbuds support the AAC codec but not aptX Adaptive. Consequently, the soundstage might be somewhat less extensive and more nuanced than earbuds with higher specification codec assistance. However, vocals and other components inside the mix are said to be clear enough, if not necessarily well-defined. With bass-heavy tracks, the earbuds have some nice rumble and depth, though I did notice a bit of a compromise in audio fidelity at maximum volume levels (approximately 90% – 100%). This means the volume can be pretty deafening, but running it a few clicks below max may be best for the best sound fidelity. The LG XBOOM Buds do very well across various music genres, with a strong bass emphasis helping out genres that rely heavily on bass presence. At the same time, more instrument-rich pieces might miss out on some finer details and separation that audiophiles tend to look for.
In terms of features, we got a full suite of features with the LG XBOOM Buds. One of the standout features is Auracast compatibility. This function allows users to connect to audio broadcasts from nearby compatible devices such as a phone or TV using the LG XBOOM Buds app. This makes them early adopters of a technology that could change how we consume audio in public settings. The companion app also unlocks several additional features, such as adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which allows users to set their desired noise-blocking level. The ANC is said to be competent at minimising ambient sounds like chatter and vehicle noise, though it’s unlikely to be as near-silent as some premium earbuds. A transparency mode lets users still hear their surroundings while keeping the earbuds in, an important safety and situational awareness feature.
The LG XBOOM Buds allow users to tune the touch controls via the app. This degree of customisation improves the controls’ usability and helps the user streamline their usage to the actions they use most. Then, regarding connectivity, the unseen version of a Bluetooth protocol is not hidden within the short description information (still hint it may be 5.3) but the LE Audio specification, on which Auracast relies on it. Pairing is said to be incredibly simple, and once paired, the earbuds stay connected. The XBOOM Buds also include a game mode that reduces latency rates for better audio-visual synchronisation for gamers and video watchers. The audio output is efficient; thus, the battery lasts longer, coupled with a fast charging ability.
Aside from the core features, LG XBOOM Buds also have many secondary functionalities available via the companion app. That includes a fit test to help listeners get the best in-ear fit for optimal listening and ANC performance. A whispering mode is built for clarity when making voice calls in quiet settings, and wind noise detection aims to reduce wind interference while listening. Find My Earbuds can play sounds to help locate lost earbuds and voice alerts to read received messages to the user. They also support multipoint connection for pairing with two devices at once. The LG XBOOM Buds do miss some of the more premium features, such as multipoint, of more top-end models such as the Tone Free T90S, though — like UVnano bacteria cleaning tech or Plug & Wireless (streaming from a wired source that’s plugged into the charging case). These features are likely what make the XBOOM Buds more affordable.
The battery life of the LG XBOOM Buds is impressive, delivering close to ten hours of playtime on a single charge while disallowing ANC and giving around 7.5 hours, roughly, with ANC on. Most users will find this level of performance sufficient for daily use, and it ranks favourably against many competitors in the market. Combined with the lightweight charging case, the total time before running out of battery extends to an incredible 30 hours (with ANC off) and 24 hours (with ANC on). These vast numbers for total playtime make the earbuds a travel companion and a good use for longer without much repeated charging. The charging case itself is charged via a USB-C cable, too. ( You also are not mentioned for wireless charging, which indicates that the LG XBOOM Buds do not have this functionality, which could be a simple cost-cutting move on LG’s part. The research material also fails to mention the exact charging speed for the earbuds and the case. Despite this, the reported battery life figures indicate that the real-world performance is close to what the manufacturer states. However, it is worth noting that actual usage times can differ based on factors such as volume levels and the intensity of ANC usage.
Comfort during long-term use seems a bit subjective regarding the LG XBOOM Buds. While one reviewer found the “chunky” design a little uncomfortable during long listening sessions, another user had no such problems and found the fit comfortable enough for daily movement. This difference emphasises how much ear shape and size individually affect which earbuds will fit comfortably. Providing multiple sizes of ear tips is essential to helping users find the best fit. A considerable part of this increase in stability is the inclusion of an ear hook on the design, which means the earbuds stay put whether you’re running, commuting, or doing something with a lot more movement. This makes them an especially ideal choice for users seeking a snug fit while exercising. The included accessories, like extra ear tips, are usually practical since they allow the device to adapt to the size of the user’s ears, indirectly making the headset sound the best it can and allowing for maximum noise isolation.
Inside the LG XBOOM Buds are three integrated microphones intended to ensure clarity during phone calls. Microphones help eliminate background noise, making the user’s voice perfectly audible in phone calls and virtual meetings. Two beamforming mics are used for direct voice pickup while further cutting out any surrounding noise to enhance clarity on the receiving end. One reviewer mentioned that the microphone quality was reasonably clear for voice notes but was slightly tinny when they used it for video calls. That said, another review did note that the call quality is pretty good, so it seems that the microphone system does its job well most of the time. Noise suppression, however, appears to be the defining quality of the microphone design, and that would ideally ensure a good calling experience, even in noisy environments.
The LG XBOOM Buds companion app, with many customisable features, isn’t too shabby either. The app is easy to use, allowing users to switch through numerous settings. One of the prominent customisation features here is the equaliser, with multiple presets for Natural, Immersive, Bass Boost, and Treble Boost. The app also features an eight-band equaliser that enables listeners to create and save two customised FR EQ profiles for fine-tuning the audio frequencies. A user can customise the level of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) through the app, using the tool to adjust the noise reduction for their needs. Moreover, the earbuds’ touch controls may be customised by an app, allowing users to assign various tasks based on taps and gestures. The app also incorporates features like the fit test to confirm the proper ear tip selection, Auracast, whispering mode, wind noise detection, Find My Earbuds, game mode for reduced latency, multipoint connection and voice alert setting. The snippets multipoint does not show this information specifically. The wireless earbuds’ companion apps enable firmware updates, allowing manufacturers to improve and add new functionality over time. The fact that the LG XBOOM Buds app is extensive and well-received by light users suggests how much it contributes to the overall experience.
You’re up against a competitive set of well-known brands with time to establish themselves, and the LG XBOOM Buds are among them. The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, Sony WF-C500, and JBL Tune 230NC are direct competitors within the same price bracket.
If you want ANC, then the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are often available for even less than the price I listed, and they have a smaller form factor, though some users also criticise their sound quality. The Sony WF-C500 are a super-budget pair of true wireless earbuds with balanced, adjustable sound for the price but do not support ANC or Bluetooth multipoint. The JBL Tune 230NC features ANC and a TRMOD multipoint price as the LG XBOOM Buds (currently 39.9 multipoint buy), plus longer battery life. The LG XBOOM Buds stand out with Auracast, a technology not typically seen in this price category. However, other reviews indicate that better value may be found, and consumers should compare the unique features and performance of each in terms of their needs and budget.
Overall, the LG XBOOM Buds have a mix of pros and cons. Some key advantages are their strong bass output, support for rare Auracast, and excellent companion app with lots of customisation. Thanks to the ear hook design, they offer adequate ANC, a comfortable and secure fit and a long battery life. However, the design may not suit everyone, and for certain types of users, the comfort of in-earedness might not be ideal for super-prolonged periods. The treble can be tricky without tuning, while lacking support for high-resolution audio codecs may disappoint some listeners. Some other notable absences are premium features like wireless charging and the UVnano cleaning.
If you’re a tech geek who wants to try out Auracast technology, a basshead who wants their low end to sound glorious, or an active human who needs an earbud not to fall out, the LG XBOOM Buds are a solid buy. They also target consumers looking for a feature-rich experience that includes customisable ANC and EQ at a low price point. But if sleek looks, audiophile-grade sound quality with high-resolution codec support or cutting-edge active noise cancellation are priorities for you, better options are available. Those readers who were put off by the “chunky” feel described in some comments might want to try the size before buying. They can compete with the competition and provide unique features to differentiate themselves in the crowded mid-range wireless earbud market.
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