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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
Have a Sony hcd-ec77 from 2007 that is still going strong & is fantastic, but in 2008 Sony updated it with a dedicated subwoofer and that always left me wondering how much better it could've been. When I saw this LG XBoom system, it reminded me about the aforementioned situation. I figured this LG would be a current equivalent to Sony's subwoofer version ec77 (gx99 I think, both are relatively inexpensive shelf units that edge out cheap stuff but aren't competitive with cheap high-end equipment either).
The Sony model is marketed as 380w, and each channel is rated at 95w. The power consumption listed on the unit states 190w.
This LG XBoom states 700w, no idea the claimed wattage of the sub(probably 150w) or either speaker. The power consumption rated listed on the unit states "80w".
The Sony hovers around 30w and goes up to ~80-150w with moderate volume, the XBoom sits at under 12w and only uses around 30w with the same audio and approximately same volume level, you have to crank it to just under max volume for it to make jumps towards 80-110w. Whether these power consumption numbers are just indicative of DOE implementing new minimum efficiency standards for appliances like these or the capability of this shelf unit; I am unsure.
I noticed that this unit does not like to utilize the sub or even the mid range speakers a whole lot unless you really turn the volume up more than you'd like. I don't know why because it does in fact have the guts for it. Using this with a pc you can use a combination of Window's settings and the "bass" equalizer to finally trigger some breadth or timbre (you know what I mean), bringing them to life. All in all I don't think this stereo is in the same bracket as the Sony despite it seeming to try and fill that exact niche. I think it's a stereo that is made to look beefed-up so it can be considered among other well priced shelf systems. I don't use the "you get what you pay for" idiom a whole lot, seeing as it can vary WIDELY, but it fits here for the XBoom. The doesn't mean it's crap and that's why it's cheap. This is $150 worth of sound and because it's not a portable speaker (big/bulky/wasteful), you get a heck of a lot more 'volume' out of it; since it doesn't have to rely on well engineered crossover circuitry/sound imagery/ and whatever goes into making SMALL low wattage bluetooth speakers (for example) sound like full shelf systems. This isn't the Sony gx99 type stereo that it appeared to be, Sony doesn't even seem to have a model that fills that niche at the moment, this XBoom is more of a budget stereo that has a sub which isnt powered on its own and instead is just there to help the whole "hi-fi system" limp along.
It's also hideous and immature looking with the fake carbon fiber texture and just awful design features, seems catered towards teens which should be an indicator as to what you're getting. The aux input seems a bit finicky but it could be the cords, don't feel like checking atm.
The bluetooth is good enough but its an older standard, I forgot which but I think I saw 2.1 (that seems way too old).
The app or apps that can be used with it are actually fantastic and give you control of the things you'd want control over wirelessly, sure you have the remote but a phone is always on you plus it provides a graphical interface which is nice compared to just buttons. It does have a nice full featured remote though.
Haven't messed around with usb or supported file formats, don't expect it to really shine here anyway.
Packaging was good.
Systems like this, for the purpose that they will be bought/used for, are really obsolete at this point. If your buying something for budget hi-fi (pc or tv) you're going to get one of the many surround sound systems out there, these shelf stereos were useful when your teen or young adult needed a universal sound system for blasting music but also to jerry rig to a pc or tv at some point with an aux cord for more sound than supplied desktop speakers etc. These days it doesn't make since there are hundreds of bluetooth speakers that are portable but have been properly engineered to utilize every watt of power to maximize the sound it produces and extend battery life, while there is still ample selection of stationary hi-fi & surround systems for homeowners who can shell out more $ for a proper sound arrangement. These big bulky 'universal' 'middle of the road' stereos are just kind of silly now and don't offer anything other than loudness.
The Sony model is marketed as 380w, and each channel is rated at 95w. The power consumption listed on the unit states 190w.
This LG XBoom states 700w, no idea the claimed wattage of the sub(probably 150w) or either speaker. The power consumption rated listed on the unit states "80w".
The Sony hovers around 30w and goes up to ~80-150w with moderate volume, the XBoom sits at under 12w and only uses around 30w with the same audio and approximately same volume level, you have to crank it to just under max volume for it to make jumps towards 80-110w. Whether these power consumption numbers are just indicative of DOE implementing new minimum efficiency standards for appliances like these or the capability of this shelf unit; I am unsure.
I noticed that this unit does not like to utilize the sub or even the mid range speakers a whole lot unless you really turn the volume up more than you'd like. I don't know why because it does in fact have the guts for it. Using this with a pc you can use a combination of Window's settings and the "bass" equalizer to finally trigger some breadth or timbre (you know what I mean), bringing them to life. All in all I don't think this stereo is in the same bracket as the Sony despite it seeming to try and fill that exact niche. I think it's a stereo that is made to look beefed-up so it can be considered among other well priced shelf systems. I don't use the "you get what you pay for" idiom a whole lot, seeing as it can vary WIDELY, but it fits here for the XBoom. The doesn't mean it's crap and that's why it's cheap. This is $150 worth of sound and because it's not a portable speaker (big/bulky/wasteful), you get a heck of a lot more 'volume' out of it; since it doesn't have to rely on well engineered crossover circuitry/sound imagery/ and whatever goes into making SMALL low wattage bluetooth speakers (for example) sound like full shelf systems. This isn't the Sony gx99 type stereo that it appeared to be, Sony doesn't even seem to have a model that fills that niche at the moment, this XBoom is more of a budget stereo that has a sub which isnt powered on its own and instead is just there to help the whole "hi-fi system" limp along.
It's also hideous and immature looking with the fake carbon fiber texture and just awful design features, seems catered towards teens which should be an indicator as to what you're getting. The aux input seems a bit finicky but it could be the cords, don't feel like checking atm.
The bluetooth is good enough but its an older standard, I forgot which but I think I saw 2.1 (that seems way too old).
The app or apps that can be used with it are actually fantastic and give you control of the things you'd want control over wirelessly, sure you have the remote but a phone is always on you plus it provides a graphical interface which is nice compared to just buttons. It does have a nice full featured remote though.
Haven't messed around with usb or supported file formats, don't expect it to really shine here anyway.
Packaging was good.
Systems like this, for the purpose that they will be bought/used for, are really obsolete at this point. If your buying something for budget hi-fi (pc or tv) you're going to get one of the many surround sound systems out there, these shelf stereos were useful when your teen or young adult needed a universal sound system for blasting music but also to jerry rig to a pc or tv at some point with an aux cord for more sound than supplied desktop speakers etc. These days it doesn't make since there are hundreds of bluetooth speakers that are portable but have been properly engineered to utilize every watt of power to maximize the sound it produces and extend battery life, while there is still ample selection of stationary hi-fi & surround systems for homeowners who can shell out more $ for a proper sound arrangement. These big bulky 'universal' 'middle of the road' stereos are just kind of silly now and don't offer anything other than loudness.
