LG has released its Bluetooth LG Bluetooth XBOOM 360 RP4B and new FP range of TONE Free earbuds. These are high-end audio developed in conjunction with UK audio experts, Meridian.
LG Bluetooth XBOOM 360 RP4B
It is a Bluetooth (BT), 360°, mono, portable battery-operated, lantern-shaped speaker with mood lighting meaning Omni-directional sound when placed in the middle of things – don’t put it near a wall.
We have not seen or heard it yet, but the $500+ price tag suggests it is pretty special. Here is what we know:
- 120W on mains power and 80w on battery
- 2.5cm Titanium compressed horn tweeter and 13.34cm fibreglass woofer
- BT 5.0 with SBC and AAC codecs
- AUX-in (suitable for guitar and or mic) and at least one USB input (MP3 and WMA)
- Mains power or battery 7.4V/3.9A/28.68W for up to 10 hours life (depends on volume and mood lights). Five-hour charge
- 51.3cm high by 24.9m (at the base) tapering to the top carry handle x 5.8kg
- IPX4 for light water spray
- Companion Android and iOS app with a range of pre-sets, EQ, DJ Effects
- Mood lighting effects include Ambient/Nature/Party Light Modes
- Can be stereo paired or use LG Sound Sync for multi-room music
- 1-year warranty
- Charcoal Black at major retailers and online LG.com/au from November 2021.
- LG US website
It looks good and will compete with other multi-room brands.
LG TONE FP series
LG says the FP series is a considerable step up from the FN series, including a new Chonca design (somewhat like a Conch shell) that reduces the external profile and the ‘pod size’.
In a terribly oversupplied world of me-too buds, LG has a few features that make these stand out (not all features are in the three models – see table)
- Headphone Spatial Processing from Meridian Audio and 3D Sound Stage
- Larger silicon edge drivers for better mid-bass
- Three microphones per bud – one each for voice, external noise and internal noise for noise cancelling
- Whisper mode – remove one bud and whisper into without loss of volume
- UV-C LED UVnano charging case reduces speaker mesh bacteria by 99.9% in five minutes when charging wired or wirelessly. Medical-grade hypoallergenic ear gels minimise the risk of skin irritations in the ear canal.
- Up to 10-hours playback (depends on volume, noise-cancelling and content) and 14 hours in the charging case
- FP9 has Plug & Wireless. The charging case doubles as a BT wireless dongle. By plugging the case into a 3.5mm jack on a smartphone, gaming console, or other compatible devices via USB-C to AUX cable, users can low-latency sound
FP series specs
| Item | FP9A | FP8A | FP5A |
| Price | TBA | Same | Same |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Same | Same |
| UVnano | Wired charging | W wired & wireless charging | X |
| Medical-grade Ear Gels | Yes | Same | Same |
| Sound Solution | Meridian | Same | Same |
| 3D Sound Stage | Yes | Same | Same |
| Plug & Wireless | Yes | X | X |
| Microphones | 3 mics | Same | Same |
| Ambient Mode / Chat Mode | Yes | Same | Same |
| Multi Pairing | Yes | Same | Same |
| Swift Paring | Yes | Same | Same |
| Wireless Charging | X | Yes | X |
| Battery Life (ANC off) | Up to 10 hours plus Up to 14hrs case 5 minutes = 1hr | Same | Up to 8hrs plus Up to 14hrs case |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | Same | Same |
| App Compatibility | Android/iOS | Same | Same |
| Colours | Charcoal Black | Same | Same |
