Full disclosure: I received the LG xboom Stage 501 for free through an LG trial program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The LG xboom Stage 501 is one of LG’s larger portable Bluetooth speakers, and it offers the volume and sound quality you should expect from a speaker of its size. It also has a few neat features that help separate it from some competing options, particularly its karaoke controls and ability to double as a guitar amp.

I already owned the smaller xboom Stage 301 before receiving the xboom Stage 501, so I’ll compare the two in a few areas where the differences are especially noticeable. Hopefully, those comparisons are useful for anyone deciding between them or considering an upgrade from the Stage 301.

Size and Portability

When standing vertically, the Stage 501 and Stage 301 take up roughly the same amount of floor space, but the Stage 501 is about twice as tall. It weighs roughly 11 pounds more, bringing its total weight to around 26 pounds.

I think the Stage 501 is just about the perfect size. It’s certainly large, but it isn’t so large or heavy that it becomes cumbersome to move around. It also has three built-in handles, giving you several ways to grab it depending on how it’s positioned or where you’re moving it.

Sound Quality

The additional size is immediately apparent once you start playing music. The Stage 501 puts out up to 220 watts when plugged into an outlet and 160 watts on battery power. It gets seriously loud either way, but plugging it in gives it even more volume and headroom.

The clearest difference between the Stage 501 and Stage 301 is the bass extension. The Stage 301 already has impressive bass for its size, but the Stage 501 reaches noticeably lower and has much more weight behind it. I’d say this is the most important difference between the two.

The Stage 501 uses two 5.25-inch woofers and two 2.5-inch full-range drivers, while the Stage 301 uses one 6.5-inch woofer and two 2.5-inch midrange drivers. The Stage 501’s dual woofers, larger enclosure, and additional power all seem to contribute to its deeper low end and larger overall sound.

I’ve also noticed better separation in the higher frequencies. Vocals, cymbals, and smaller background details sound like they have more space between them.

The Stage 301 still sounds excellent, especially for its size, but the Stage 501 simply sounds deeper and more spacious overall, which makes it a better fit for larger outdoor spaces.

Positioning and Design

The Stage 501 can be placed vertically or horizontally, with rubber feet on both the bottom and right side.

One of the smaller details I noticed while taking it out of the box was that the chrome xboom logo in the center of the metal grille can rotate, allowing it to remain upright regardless of how the speaker is positioned. It’s a small touch, but it’s neat nonetheless.

I prefer leaving mine vertical because the bass sounds slightly fuller in that position. There is a bass-reflex port near the bottom of the speaker, and keeping it closer to the floor seems to provide some additional low-end reinforcement.

Lighting

Both the Stage 501 and Stage 301 have a ton of RGB accent lighting. The Stage 501 also adds two lights that flash along with the music, which adds some extra energy when you’re listening to something fun or using the speaker at a party.

The RGB lighting and flashing lights can be controlled independently. You can use both, use just the RGB lighting, or turn all of the lighting off. The flexibility is nice because I don’t necessarily want them on every time I use the speaker.

Karaoke and Guitar Features

The Stage 501 has two microphone inputs, allowing two people to sing at the same time. Microphone volume and reverb can be controlled directly from the top of the speaker. It can also reduce or remove vocals from a normal song and adjust the key to better match whoever is singing.

I haven’t personally tested the karaoke features because I don’t own any microphones, but I have tested its usefulness as a guitar amp with my acoustic-electric guitar. I think it’s a great match for anyone who owns an acoustic-electric guitar, or even a plain old electric guitar, and wants to play along with music while keeping the amount of equipment involved to a minimum. The Stage 301 can also be used this way.

Battery and Charging

The Stage 501’s battery life is advertised at up to 25 hours. The battery is removable, so it can be swapped with a charged spare during a longer event if needed. I tend to use the speaker at very high volumes for at least two hours a day, but the battery is large enough that I only charge it about once a week. I’ve never even managed to run it down to a low battery.

There is also a USB-C output that can be used to charge a phone or another device. It will use some of the speaker’s battery, but it could be useful in a pinch, especially while camping or anywhere else far from an outlet, which is where portable Bluetooth speakers like this are at their best.

Final Thoughts

For anyone looking or a Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use, the Stage 501 feels like the right balance between size and performance. It produces powerful sound and gets extremely loud, but it’s still easily manageable for one person to move around.

I still think the Stage 301 is a great choice when compact size and lower weight are the main priorities, but the Stage 501 makes more sense if you want deeper bass, greater output, and better battery life.

For my own needs, the Stage 501 is a great size for a portable speaker. It has plenty of power for my garage, backyard, and home gym. I generally subscribe to the idea that larger is better when it comes to speakers. There is obviously a practical limit before a speaker can no longer be considered portable, but the Stage 501 is still easy enough to move around that I’m not inclined to leave it in just one room.

*I received this product for free from LG as part of a promotional event. While I was asked to share my review, all opinions are entirely my own.*

I recently received the LG StanbyME 2, and I wanted to start by going over the unboxing process, setup, and my first impressions of the overall design.

The box is understandably pretty large since it includes the 27-inch screen, rolling stand, Folio Cover, remote, and the other small accessories. Despite the size of the box, there really isn't much assembly involved. The only part that needs to be put together is the stand and base, which are secured using four included Phillips-head screws. After that, everything else is basically ready to use. The screen clicks onto the stand, and the Folio Cover attaches directly to the screen.

I've personally been using the StanbyME 2 on its main stand most of the time. The stand is one of the most important parts of the entire design because of how much adjustment it offers. You can raise or lower the screen, tilt it upward or downward, swivel it left or right, and rotate it between horizontal and vertical orientations. I've mostly kept mine horizontal since I mainly use it to watch YouTube videos and movies, but being able to rotate it vertically gives you quite a few other options.

https://preview.redd.it/q20x5d7fzyjh1.png?width=675&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d58981e27f773c6edeb974a89673f4aed49b4bd

The StanbyME 2 also comes with a built-in leveling tool. It shows whether the screen is sitting completely level, which is a huge help after rotating or adjusting it. Without it, I would probably spend way too much time trying to straighten the screen by eye.

The base comes with wheels, so the entire setup can easily be rolled around. Also included are four stationary feet that can be installed if you don't want it to roll.

The stand also charges the screen whenever it's docked. The regular power cord plugs into the base, so you don't need a cable running directly to the screen while it's on the stand. The box also includes a USB-C cable that can plug directly into the display when it's detached.

The included Folio Cover gives you a much smaller alternative to the full stand. The screen detaches from the main stand and connects to the Folio Cover and rear kickstand, allowing it to sit on a table or bed more like a large tablet. It also folds over the display when you aren't using it, which helps protect the screen and makes the entire setup much more compact.

https://preview.redd.it/rirttb3izyjh1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf29e78da72052152b04bd1652b6137a80e400b6

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The StanbyME 2 comes with a normal remote, which is magnetic and can attach to either side of the screen's top edge. It can also attach to the Folio Cover, so there is always a convenient place to keep it. The device is also touchscreen, and I tend to use that more when it's attached to the Folio Cover since I usually have the screen closer to me.

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The screen has built-in speakers on both the left and right sides, providing stereo audio, and they work well on their own. LG also makes the StanbyME Speaker XT7, which is designed specifically to pair with the StanbyME and can be combined with the stand. That could be worth considering if you want improved sound quality or need more volume.

I've instead been connecting mine to an LG xboom Stage301, which happens to fit perfectly on the base of the rolling stand. I also recently got my hands on the larger LG xboom Stage501, and that fits on the base as well. If you already have one of these two speakers, it's a great fit and definitely something to consider pairing with the StanbyME 2.

There is also another option if you don't want to use the rolling stand or Folio Cover. LG sells the StanbyME 2 Carry Strap & Wall-Mount Holder, which allows the screen to be mounted on a wall.

My first impression of the StanbyME 2 is overwhelmingly positive. The stand, Folio Cover, touchscreen, magnetic remote, charging options, and different mounting positions all feel like parts of the same system. It feels very cohesive.

I'll go further into how I've actually been using it around the house in my next post, along with how I plan on bringing it with me in my camper on trips.

I received this product for free from LG as part of a promotional event. While I was asked to share my review, all opinions are entirely my own.

I have now been using my pair of LG Sound Suite M5 speakers for two months or so as part of my living room audio setup, and they recently received an important software update, so I figured I'd write a short follow-up review. In case you missed it, you can read LG's full Reddit announcement here.

More Lighting Customization

They still sound great. The room calibration is still fantastic, and nothing about the speakers seems to have been negatively altered by the update. One change I noticed is the expanded control over the RGB accent lighting. Before the update, I believe there were only three or four color options. Now, you can choose practically any color you would like using either the Palette or Slider controls.

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https://preview.redd.it/ege31nuh9fgh1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=753a19b39bf69ab760aa110de79fc843b498a9df

The brightness is adjustable, and you can save up to three lighting presets. You can still turn the RGB accent lighting off entirely, which is how I usually keep mine. If you love RGB accent lighting, you now have more adjustability. If you don't love it, you can simply turn it off. Everyone wins.

Connectivity and Multi-Speaker Improvements

The update is also said to improve Dolby Atmos FlexConnect setup speed, connection stability, and general multi-speaker reliability, along with some other minor bug fixes. I personally haven't experienced any connectivity or reliability issues with my M5s, but I recommend that anyone having problems with their Sound Suite speakers check the LG ThinQ app to make sure their software is fully updated.

There are also several additions that don't apply to the M5s on their own, allowing users to build a more complete high-end speaker setup with additional Sound Suite components. The H7 soundbar received two Clear Voice Pro+ levels for greater control over dialogue enhancement, along with the ability to manage Sound Suite settings directly through a compatible webOS TV. H7 owners can also synchronize the soundbar’s lighting with connected M5 or M7 speakers using the new Group Lighting control.

Future Sound Suite Updates

In the announcement, LG revealed that a future update will allow the H7 to connect to two W7 subwoofers simultaneously. W7 lighting synchronization is also planned.

Overall, this update adds some welcome improvements to an already great pair of speakers. If you have any of the Sound Suite products, make sure that the software is up to date. I only have good things to say about it.

I’m planning to order a custom pair of TopBoxer Aliens in 10 oz hook-and-loop. I’m pretty set on the metallic blue/silver color palette, but I’m stuck between two eagle designs. If anyone has a preference or suggestion, I'm all ears.

Both are based on American Silver Eagle coins. The first uses the older heraldic eagle reverse, which is based on the Great Seal. The second uses the newer reverse, with the bald eagle carrying a branch.

For those who have used TopBoxer gloves, what padding would you recommend? I’m leaning toward fiber-filled, but I’d appreciate thoughts on any of the padding options.

The images were thrown together using ChatGPT, but I think they’re good enough to get the idea across.

I’ve been testing the LG Sound Suite M5 speakers for about two weeks, and so far, they’ve beaten my expectations. I received this product for free from LG as part of a promotional event. While I was asked to share my review, all opinions are entirely my own.

The M5 speakers are connected to my 77" LG C5, and they work in conjunction with the built-in TV speakers. I currently have the speakers sitting on two small end tables, but I’ve purchased speaker stands that are on the way. I’d buy a new TV console that’s wider (and lower), but I’m looking to remodel in the near future, so I don’t want to drop the money on a new console until then.

The speakers are surprisingly bassy, which is definitely a good thing. At a decent volume, you can actually feel the bass, which is very nice. I’m not sure what the exact frequency response is, but they get much lower than I expected, especially for the actual physical size of the speakers. Stereo separation is also great since you can place the speakers as far apart as you want. Soundbars and TV speakers really can’t compare in that regard. Not on their own, at least.

These are my first truly wireless speakers, and it’s pretty neat only having to deal with power cables. This is also my first setup using Dolby Atmos FlexConnect (DAFC). Cable management is extremely easy, and the whole setup looks much cleaner overall than a traditional wired speaker setup. Each speaker only needs one cable: the power cable. It’s pretty awesome.

Now I’m going to have to look into buying the H7 soundbar, M7 speakers, and W7 subwoofer. I'd love to complete the setup.

I've attached a video of the Interstellar docking sequence playing through the M5 speakers. I’ll put a picture of the back side of the speaker in the comments to show off the simplicity of the wiring.

Please feel free to ask me any questions.