LG xboom Moves to AI EQ and Karaoke — CES Preview 2026

• AI-powered EQ and ambient lighting land across LG’s new xboom speakers.
• Stage 501 adds vocal removal, pitch control and 220W output for parties.
• Blast, Mini and Rock prioritize battery life, portability and ruggedness.
• All four models will be shown at CES and are due in 2026; pricing TBA.

What LG revealed

LG unveiled four new xboom models ahead of CES 2026, continuing a collaboration with will.i.am, who’s credited as an "experimental architect" on development, design and marketing.

The lineup shares a common thread: on-device AI that adapts audio and lighting to the environment and content.

AI-driven audio and lighting

Each speaker uses an algorithm to analyze incoming audio and the listening space, then automatically tune EQ settings.

Several models also include an ambient lighting algorithm that matches colors and patterns to the music being played.

Party-ready Stage 501

The xboom Stage 501 is positioned for parties and karaoke. LG says it can remove vocals from "virtually any song" and adjust pitch to suit the singer.

It produces up to 220W, uses dual woofers and full-range drivers, and features a five-sided cabinet for flexible vertical or horizontal placement.

Battery life is rated around 25 hours and the speaker can run while charging — a practical choice for extended gatherings.

Blast: modern boombox with long runtime

The xboom Blast is a rugged boombox-style model with a 99Wh battery for up to 35 hours of continuous playback.

Design touches include edge bumpers and a side rope handle for transport, signaling LG aimed for outdoor durability and easy carrying.

Mini and Rock: small but capable

The Mini is a compact unit intended for flexible placement. It offers roughly 10 hours per charge and a built-in tripod mount and strap for versatile use.

The Rock follows as a palm-sized, rugged speaker with a 10-hour battery and durability tested to "seven military standards" to handle challenging outdoor environments.

The Rock upgrades LG’s previous XG2 model with tougher construction and the new AI tuning features.

When and where you’ll see them

LG will display all four xboom models at its CES booth in Las Vegas (January 6–9, 2026). The company said the speakers will ship in 2026 but did not list prices or exact availability windows.

Why it matters

LG’s move to bake AI into speakers reflects a broader trend: manufacturers are adding content-aware tuning and lighting automation to differentiate hardware.

For buyers, the key questions will be how well the AI EQ performs in real rooms, whether the Stage 501’s vocal-removal is accurate, and how price points compare to competing portable and party speakers.