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LG’s xboom by will.i.am is a Bluetooth-audio partnership, not a single speaker with a universal chatbot. LG and will.i.am announced the collaboration in December 2024, unveiled the first speakers and earbuds at CES 2025, and later expanded the range. The “AI banter” described in headlines mainly refers to FYI.RAiDiO, an interactive audio service with an AI Radio Host on selected xboom models. Other AI functions, such as Stage 501’s AI Karaoke Master, are model-specific.
What is the LG and will.i.am xboom partnership?
LG announced its partnership with will.i.am on December 10, 2024, under the name “xboom by will.i.am.” The plan combined LG’s hardware with will.i.am’s music and audio involvement, including integration with the RAiDiO.FYI service.
At CES on January 6, 2025, LG introduced the first xboom Bluetooth speakers and earbuds. The launch described a dedicated button on the speakers for connecting to RAiDiO.FYI, where an AI Radio Host provides infotainment content. This is an interactive radio experience rather than evidence that every xboom speaker has a general-purpose voice assistant.
What does the AI do?
FYI.RAiDiO: the AI Radio Host
FYI.RAiDiO is the feature most closely associated with the “AI banter” wording. LG describes it as an interactive audio service in which an AI Radio Host supplies spoken infotainment alongside music and radio-style programming. In September 2025, LG said FYI.RAiDiO was available on selected xboom speaker models, naming Bounce, Grab and Stage 301 in its speaker family and also referring to xboom Buds.
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- Military Standard Grade - Use your LG XBOOM practically anywhere without worry—from beach to the mountains. Because this durable speaker seven military standard tests. High temperature, rain, salt fog, blowing dust, even water immersion and shock—the XG2T stands up to all of them.
- IP67 Dust & Water Resistant - Keep the party pumping without worry thanks to the IP67 dust and water resistance rating that makes the XBOOM the perfect choice, no matter if you're sitting fireside, poolside, or inside.
- 10 Hours Battery - Enjoy the freedom of true portability with this compact and powerful speaker that gives you up to 10 hours of continuous playback. That’s plenty of time for your pre- and post-party, and every rocking moment in between.
- Adjustable String - Enjoy added freedom and convenience while on the go. A fully adjustable string securely fastens the speaker to just about any outdoor equipment like backpacks, bike handles and tent poles. So, when setting out for the great outdoors, your music is geared for the journey.
That qualification matters: availability depends on the exact model, software and market. A speaker being branded xboom does not by itself prove that FYI.RAiDiO is supported, nor does the service turn the speaker into an always-listening conversational assistant.
Stage 501: AI Karaoke Master
LG announced a different AI feature for the portable xboom Stage 501 on July 3, 2026. Its AI Karaoke Master is described as transforming virtually any song into a karaoke track in real time. That is an audio-processing and party feature for Stage 501; it should not be treated as a capability shared by the whole xboom line.
Other personalization features
LG’s expanded CES 2026 announcement describes additional model-level updates and audio-personalization functions. The practical rule is to check the feature list for the exact model and region rather than assuming that a feature announced for one speaker applies to another.
Rank #2
- xboom by will.i.am - Elevate your listening experience to new heights with audio crafted by multi-platinum artist and tech pioneer, will.i.am. Blended with its signature sound and functional design, xboom extends beyond listening to deliver personalized interactive audio enjoyment. xboom by will.i.am is the future of sound and performance, where culture and innovation collide to create something truly extraordinary.
- Tuned to Perfection - Enjoy our most dynamic listening experience yet with sound that's vibrant and immersive. Bring the boom like never before with audio tuned to perfection by LG's Experiential Architect, will.i.am.
- Give Your Music a Major Boom - Sound and style collide to deliver an all day, all night powerful audio punch. xboom Bounce redefines your audio experience with vibrant sound and an easy-to-carry design.
- Bass You Can Feel - Experience bold and clear sound on the go, even outdoors. Powered by a racetrack woofer, dual dome tweeters and xboom radiators for louder, more immersive sound that you can feel.
- IP67 Dust & Water Resistant - Keep the music flowing without worry in any environment. From the beach to the park, or even if you're caught in the rain --- IP67 dust & water resistance gives you the protection that you need.
Can an xboom speaker talk to you?
Some compatible models can play the AI Radio Host experience through FYI.RAiDiO, so you may hear spoken introductions, commentary or infotainment in a radio-style format. That is not the same as a universal, free-form assistant that can hold an unrestricted conversation, control every smart-home device or respond identically on every xboom speaker.
Use the product page, LG app information and the instructions for your market to confirm whether FYI.RAiDiO is enabled. The announcements do not establish continuous conversational behavior for the entire product family.
How will.i.am contributed to the sound
will.i.am’s role includes collaboration on sound tuning. In a January 2026 TechRadar interview, he described giving technical feedback at the frequency level and said of work on the 501: “Yeah. For example, before we came to CES, I went to Korea. I flew to Korea to do the 501, and I’m like ‘Wow, this is great’.” That is an account of his collaboration, not an independent laboratory test or a claim that he alone engineered the speakers.
Rank #3
- xboom by will.i.am - Elevate your listening experience to new heights with audio crafted by multi-platinum artist and tech pioneer, will.i.am. Blended with its signature sound and functional design, xboom extends beyond listening to deliver personalized interactive audio enjoyment. xboom by will.i.am is the future of sound and performance, where culture and innovation collide to create something truly extraordinary.
- Gripping Sound on the Go - Grab your xboom and hit the town with portable and bold sound. Its ultra-durable design, with up to 20 hours of music playback, keeps you listening to your favorites, without interrupting your day.
- Gripping Sound on the Go - Grab your xboom and hit the town with portable and bold sound. Its ultra-durable design, with up to 20 hours of music playback, keeps you listening to your favorites, without interrupting your day.
- Bass You Can Feel - Experience vibrant sound on the go, even outdoors. Powered by a racetrack woofer, dome tweeter and xboom radiators for louder, more immersive sound that you can feel.
- IP67 Dust & Water Resistant - Keep the music flowing without worry in any environment. From the beach to the trails, or even if you're caught in the rain --- IP67 dust & water resistance gives you the protection that you need.
Which xboom models are in the expanded lineup?
The family has grown beyond the first 2025 products. LG’s announcements identify models with different sizes, use cases and feature sets. The table below summarizes the distinctions established in those announcements; specifications not stated by LG are intentionally omitted.
| Model | Position in the range | AI or notable function identified by LG | Availability note |
|---|---|---|---|
| xboom Bounce | Portable Bluetooth speaker | Named by LG in its September 2025 list of models with FYI.RAiDiO availability | Confirm support in your market and software version |
| xboom Grab | Portable Bluetooth speaker | Named by LG in the same FYI.RAiDiO availability announcement | Confirm local availability |
| xboom Stage 301 | Stage/party-oriented speaker | Named by LG as a selected model for FYI.RAiDiO | Model and service availability can vary by region |
| xboom Stage 501 | Portable Bluetooth party speaker | AI Karaoke Master, announced July 2026, processes songs into karaoke tracks in real time | Check the exact regional release and software support |
| xboom Blast | Larger portable Bluetooth speaker | LG’s August 2026 launch release describes two 5.25-inch neodymium woofers and two 20-millimeter tweeters | Global launch began in select markets; specifications and stock are region-sensitive |
| xboom Mini and Rock | Smaller models reported in the later lineup | No universal AI function established by the cited announcements | Availability and prices depend on market |
| xboom Power 5000 and Power 9000 | Higher-output models in the expanded lineup | Check each model’s announced feature list | What Hi-Fi? reported UK availability expected in early October 2026, with prices not yet confirmed in that report |
How the newer lineup differs from the first 2025 launch
More distinct form factors
The CES 2025 introduction established the xboom by will.i.am identity across Bluetooth speakers and earbuds. The later announcements broadened the family with additional portable and party-focused models, so “xboom” now covers a wider range of sizes and use cases rather than one uniform speaker design.
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AI is split by product
The early AI story centered on the FYI.RAiDiO connection and its AI Radio Host. Later products add separate functions, such as Stage 501’s karaoke processing. Treat these as separate services: interactive radio is not the same feature as AI Karaoke Master.
Rank #4
- xboom by will.i.am - Elevate your listening experience to new heights with audio crafted by multi-platinum artist and tech pioneer, will.i.am. Blended with its signature sound and functional design, xboom extends beyond listening to deliver personalized interactive audio enjoyment. xboom by will.i.am is the future of sound and performance, where culture and innovation collide to create something truly extraordinary.
- Tuned to Perfection - Enjoy our most dynamic listening experience yet with sound that's vibrant and immersive. Bring the boom like never before with audio tuned to perfection by LG's Experiential Architect, will.i.am.
- Bring the Boom to Your Hustle - Whatever your game, the xboom Bounce kicks out up to 29 hours of audio to keep you moving. Waterproof, dustproof¹ and passed 7 military tests, its durable design is ready for anything, so you can bring the boom anywhere.
- A New Radio Experience Powered by AI, FYI RAiDiO - Introducing FYI RAiDiO, a revolutionary AI-powered radio experience envisioned by LG xboom’s experimental architect, will.i.am. FYI RAiDiO, delivers a smarter and more immersive experience with music and news through a variety of AI personas and interest-based stations. will.i.am’s FYI has earned recognition for its innovative technology and reliability through collaborations with global leaders.
- Discover AI Personas: Diverse DJs with Unique Cultural Backgrounds and Personalities - Experience the joy of choosing an AI DJ that matches your mood, the moment, or the atmosphere you love. Each persona brings its own unique cultural perspective and personality, offering not just music and news, but also the fun of discovering different cultural nuances through their style and expression.
Hardware scales up
Blast illustrates the move toward larger party-speaker hardware. LG specifies two 5.25-inch neodymium woofers and two 20-millimeter tweeters for that model. Those figures describe Blast only and are not a standardized measurement of the sound quality of the entire range.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying
- Identify the exact model. “xboom” is a family name; Bounce, Grab, Stage 301, Stage 501 and Blast do not have identical functions.
- Verify the AI service in your country. FYI.RAiDiO was announced for selected models, not every speaker and not necessarily every market.
- Match the feature to your goal. Choose a compatible FYI.RAiDiO model for AI-hosted radio-style content, or Stage 501 if real-time karaoke processing is the specific attraction.
- Check physical specifications. Compare portability, driver layout, durability claims, battery information and connectivity on the local LG product page. The announcements do not provide one independent, apples-to-apples sound test across all models.
- Confirm current stock and price. Launch announcements are not proof of current inventory. Prices are especially market- and date-sensitive.
UK prices reported in September 2026
For a time- and territory-specific reference, What Hi-Fi? reported UK prices on September 7, 2026 of £40 for Mini, £60 for Rock, £450 for Blast and £500 for Stage 501. The same report said Power 5000 and Power 9000 were expected at the start of October with prices still to be confirmed. These figures are UK-market reports from that publication date, not worldwide or permanent prices; check the current listing before purchasing.
The practical answer to “LG xboom speakers with will.i.am”
LG xboom by will.i.am speakers are a growing family of Bluetooth products shaped by a music-focused collaboration. will.i.am contributes to tuning, while LG builds and markets the hardware. The AI element is conditional: selected models can connect to FYI.RAiDiO’s AI Radio Host, and individual products can introduce their own processing features, such as Stage 501’s AI Karaoke Master. There is no evidence that every xboom speaker continuously chats or includes the same AI assistant.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
