LG and will.i.ams combined effort looks to supply supreme sound, effective ANC and unique style factor.
And for the price of $99 / 119, that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
Lets start by tackling sound the thing that matters most for us in our hunt for thebest earbuds.
Bass is responsive, controlled and capable of going pretty deep.
But with the right tuning, the xboom Buds certainly sound clean enough for the price.
Something that, for me, reduced my enjoyment when listening though was the fit.
They feel a little chunky in-ear and protrude a fair bit, making for a not-so-elegant appearance or security.
Theyre also IPX4 splashproof, ensuring theyre workout-ready.
Theres no UVnano tech for keeping your buds bacteria-free either, which was pretty nifty on the T90S.
But back to the positives: ANC is proficient at nixing excess noise.
Theres also a transparency mode thats great if you want to let a few ambient sounds through.
Another positive is battery life.
In the end, though, these are let down by sub-par style and comfort.
But one of the flagship inclusions here isAuracast.
Just download the LG xboom Buds app and you’re able to access any nearby broadcasts.
The app also opens the door to some classic features like EQ options and adjustable ANC.
That means customizable touch controls, multi-point and voice alert, for reading messages received aloud to you.
But unfortunately, youll also lose out on a few top-class inclusions from the T90S.
But that doesnt mean these buds dont have a strong set of features in their own right.
And thats not to mention the fact that the xboom Buds actually have superior battery life.
Right off the bat, I switched into a custom EQ with more tempered treble.
Making that small alteration, made a world of difference.
Treble sounded much more controlled and mids became a lot clearer too.
But as the xboom name suggests, theres some serious attention paid to low-end sounds.
The xboom Buds also handled bangers with imposing sub bass pretty well too.
One more sound-related aspect I want to touch on is mic quality.
Firstly, they look a little bulkier in-ear than the sleek and elegant-looking T90S.
They protrude out a fair bit too, meaning theyre not the most discreet buds on the market.
I tested the white variant, though these are also available in black if youd prefer.
On the upside, these are IPX4 splashproof.
Well, at least the buds are youll want to keep the case away from water.
That means theyll be well suited to workouts or use in light rain.
Of course, these buds are a totally different proposition.
Theyre not designed for the most high-end audio experience and take away that focus on spatial, three-dimensional sound.
Theyre also a bit more bare-boned with no UVnano tech or Plug & Wireless.
But theyre regularly available for less than $100 / 80.
I think theyre worth that extra cash.
Thats not to mention that $99 / 119 is by no means cheap for wireless earbuds.
Should I buy the LG xboom Buds?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Flurry of features including effective ANC, EQ options, Auracast, touch controls.
4.5/5
Sound quality
Big bass output, relatively clear all-round sound, but require some EQ tweaks.
4/5
Design
Not the most comfortable or sleek, but secure and splashproof.
3/5
Value
Feature rich mid-rangers outdone by similarly priced competitors.
Theyre also IPX4-rated, making them both sweat and splash resistant.
Just fire up the LG xboom Buds app and youll be able to tune into any nearby Auracast broadcast.
Easy as you like.
But theyre not the most talented in the audio department either, sometimes lacking in instrument separation and detail.
Read our fullSony WF-C700N review.
Nothing Ear (a)These unorthodox looking buds are still a firm favorite of ours here at TechRadar.
They offer stellar sound with LDAC, admirable noise cancelation and wonderful in-app experience.
No wonder theyre still sitting pretty as our best mid-range option in our best wireless earbuds guide.
Read our fullNothing Ear (a) review.
