There are plenty of portable Bluetooth speakers that sound good when you're sitting directly in front of them. The problem starts when you move around.
Put the speaker on one side of the room and the sound can suddenly feel less balanced from the other side. Take it outside, place it in the middle of a gathering, and people standing behind it may not get the same experience.
That's one reason the LG XBOOM 360 XO2 is worth a look.
Instead of using a conventional front-facing speaker design, LG built this one around 360-degree omnidirectional sound. The idea is simple: wherever you're sitting or standing around the speaker, you should get a more consistent listening experience.
And because it's relatively compact, battery-powered and rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, it isn't restricted to the living room either.
The 360-Degree Design Is More Useful Than It Sounds
The biggest reason to consider the LG XO2 is its unusual speaker design.
The speaker measures about 119 x 209 x 119 mm and weighs approximately 0.9 kg, so it isn't a huge piece of equipment. You can put it on a table, kitchen counter, shelf, desk or outdoor surface without needing much space.
But the cylindrical design isn't just about appearance.
LG uses an omnidirectional audio system designed to distribute sound around the speaker. That makes it particularly suitable for situations where people aren't all facing the same direction.
Imagine having friends around for a weekend gathering. Instead of putting a traditional speaker against a wall and having everyone sit in front of it, you can place the XO2 somewhere closer to the center of the space.
It's also useful at home.
You could have it on the kitchen counter while preparing food, move it into the bedroom later, and take it outside when you're relaxing. The speaker doesn't need to stay in one carefully positioned location to sound its best.
It Isn't Just a One-Driver Portable Speaker
Another interesting aspect of the XO2 is its 2-way speaker system.
LG combines a 3-inch woofer with a 1-inch tweeter, along with two passive radiators. The system is rated at 20W output.
That matters because portable speakers can sometimes make a choice between getting loud and maintaining clarity.
The two-way arrangement gives the speaker separate hardware for different parts of the audio range. LG specifically describes the design as providing extended highs, clearer mids and stronger bass.
Independent testing of the XBOOM 360 range has also found the omnidirectional approach effective, with reviewers noting that the speaker can deliver strong bass while keeping vocals and other instruments distinguishable.
That makes the XO2 more interesting than a speaker designed purely for background music.
It's capable of being your everyday music speaker while still having enough character for a small gathering.
There's Also a Reason to Take It Outside
The IP55 rating is another reason this speaker fits a wider range of situations.
IP55 means it has protection against limited dust ingress and water jets, although it isn't completely dust-tight or designed to be submerged.
In practical terms, that makes it more comfortable around places where an indoor-only speaker might be a poor choice.
You could take it to the patio, backyard or poolside without treating every splash or bit of dust as an immediate disaster.
Of course, IP55 doesn't mean waterproof. It would still be sensible to keep the speaker away from heavy rain and avoid dropping it into water.
But for a portable speaker, having that additional protection is useful.
15 Hours of Battery Life
The XO2 is rated for up to 15 hours of battery life, although LG's testing conditions for that figure involve 50% volume with the EQ and LED turned off. Actual battery life will vary depending on volume, lighting and other usage.
That's an important distinction because the headline number isn't necessarily what you'll get during a party with the lighting running and the volume turned up.
Still, 15 hours is a useful target.
It means you can take the speaker out for an afternoon and evening without constantly worrying about finding a power outlet.
Charging is handled through USB-C, and LG lists approximately four hours for a full charge. One small thing to know before ordering is that the USB-C cable is included, but LG says the charging adapter itself isn't included.
The Lighting Is More Than a Gimmick
The lighting is probably the feature you'll either love or barely use.
The XO2 has 360-degree mood lighting, allowing the speaker to add different colors and lighting effects to the room. LG's design places the lighting element above the speaker so that the illumination spreads around it.
It's not intended to replace your room lighting.
Instead, think of it as ambient lighting that accompanies the music.
For a quiet evening, you can use a softer setting. For a gathering, you can make the lighting more noticeable.
And because the lighting can be controlled through the LG XBOOM app, there's more flexibility than simply switching a light on or off. The app also provides access to EQ settings and other speaker controls.
Bluetooth 5.3 and Multipoint Make It Easier to Share
The XO2 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports multipoint connectivity.
Multipoint is particularly convenient if two people regularly use the speaker.
Instead of having to completely disconnect one phone before another can connect, compatible devices can remain connected.
That's a small feature, but it's the type of thing that becomes useful once you start using the speaker regularly.
There's also support for wireless party linking, meaning compatible LG speakers can be connected for larger listening setups.
So if you eventually decide that one speaker isn't enough for a larger space, you don't necessarily have to replace the original one.
It Works Indoors Too
The word "portable" can sometimes make a speaker sound like something that's primarily intended for outdoor use.
The XO2 doesn't really fit that description.
Its design actually makes it quite attractive as an indoor speaker.
Because it produces sound around itself, you don't have to dedicate an entire section of a room to positioning the speaker toward your seating area.
Put it on a side table and continue going about your day.
Move around the room and the sound remains relatively consistent.
That makes it particularly interesting for kitchens, bedrooms, home offices and smaller living spaces.
What About the Sound?
This is ultimately where the speaker has to justify its place.
LG's design puts a lot of emphasis on producing sound in all directions rather than making the speaker louder simply for the sake of volume.
The larger XBOOM 360 models have already received positive attention for their sound and omnidirectional design, and the XO2 follows the same basic philosophy in a much smaller package.
It isn't designed to replace a large home stereo system.
If you're looking for extremely deep bass that shakes an entire house, you'll want something considerably larger.
But that's not really the point.
The appeal here is getting a compact speaker that sounds good throughout the space rather than only from one listening position.
That's a much more useful proposition for everyday listening.
Who Is the LG XO2 Best Suited For?
This speaker makes particular sense if you want one device that can move between different parts of your life.
It could work well for:
Music around the house
Kitchen listening
Bedroom or bedside use
Home offices
Small gatherings
Outdoor listening
Poolside use
Travel
Podcasts and audiobooks
Background music while working
People who don't want a large speaker taking up space
It's also a good option if the appearance of your electronics matters to you. The XO2 has a considerably more decorative design than many conventional rectangular Bluetooth speakers.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
There are a couple of compromises worth knowing about.
First, the 15-hour battery figure is a maximum under specific testing conditions, so don't assume you'll always get 15 hours at high volume with the lighting turned on.
Second, IP55 is water-resistant protection, not full waterproofing. It's suitable for splashes and outdoor conditions, but you shouldn't treat the speaker as something that can be submerged.
And finally, if your priority is maximum volume and huge bass rather than portability and 360-degree sound, a larger party speaker will probably be a better fit.
Those aren't really flaws with the XO2. They're simply things to consider when deciding what kind of speaker you actually need.
Is It Worth Considering?
The LG XBOOM 360 XO2 is one of those products that makes more sense when you think about how you actually use a speaker.
You don't always sit directly in front of your speaker.
Sometimes you're cooking. Sometimes you're working. Sometimes you're sitting outside. Sometimes friends are standing around the room in completely different directions.
That's where the 360-degree design becomes useful.
Add the 20W two-way speaker system, 15-hour advertised battery life, IP55 protection, Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity and customizable 360-degree lighting, and you get a portable speaker that can comfortably move between indoor listening and outdoor occasions.
If you're looking for a compact speaker that can fill a room without requiring you to constantly think about where everyone is sitting, the LG XBOOM 360 XO2 is definitely worth putting on your shortlist.
And if the current price is attractive, this is one of those products where checking the latest Amazon deal before making a decision makes sense.
See the LG XBOOM 360 XO2 on Amazon and check the current price: View the LG XBOOM 360 XO2
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