The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK7 (WK7) marks the South Korean tech giant’s entry into the ever-growing smart speaker market, a category that has seen domination by Amazon and Google with their Alexa and Google Assistant respectively.
Last year, LG launched a new series of portable speakers consisting of the LG X-BOOM Go PK3, the LG X-BOOM PK5 and the LG X-BOOM Go PK7. I took a look at them earlier and spent more time with the LG X-BOOM Go PK7, this was also my first review of a product to emerge as part of the newly-inked partnership between LG and UK audiophile brand, Meridian Audio.
With the LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK7, LG seeks to establish itself in the increasingly competitive smart speaker market while leveraging Meridian Audio’s decades of experience in speaker design. Will the LWK7 fulfil its expectations and become a strong contender for individuals looking for a better sound smart speaker? Let’s find out.
Design and build
The WK7 is a blackish grey, cylindrical smart speaker weighing in at 1.9kg with dimensions measuring 135mm (W) x 210.7mm (H) x 135 mm (D). Aesthetically the smart speaker’s black grille wraps itself around the cylindrical surface in 360-degree. However, that is as much as the 360-degree design goes, the smart speaker features an aluminium dome driver and tweeter which is housed at the front of the speaker, a position indicated by the four Google Assistant LEDs. What this means is that the WK7 is meant to face a specific direction and not omnidirectional as the 360-degree grill and cylindrical design suggest.
At the top of the smart speaker, one would find a flat, circular surface with five touch controls arranged in a visually minimalist fashion. At the centre of the layout is an “F” button which stands for function, allowing one to switch between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, volume increase “+” and volume decrease “-” on either side, a Play/Pause button above which plays or pauses music or stop the Google Assistant feedback, a Google Assistant button below depicted by the Google Assistant logo for those who do not wish to evoke Google Assistant verbally.
At the rear of the smart speaker, one would find the mic mute button, useful when you desire some privacy. Moving to the bottom of the speaker, you will find a DC IN input port for one to plug in the supplied AC power cord as well as the RESET button for resetting the speaker.
Included in the box alongside the portable speaker is the AC adapter for power.
Part 1: Introduction, Design and Build
Part 2: Usability
Part 3: Sound Quality
Part 4: Product Specifications
Part 5: Review Ratings, Summary
