LG xboom Stage 301 review: A fun, grab-and-go party speaker

The LG xboom Stage 301 stands out with its tilt-back, wedge-style design—looking as much like a compact stage monitor as a Bluetooth party speaker. Its PA-mount and connection options hint at performance ambitions, while the RGB lighting and will.i.am branding lean more toward backyard party vibes. LG clearly aims to balance portability with performance-ready sound, but does it pull it off? Let’s find out in this LG xboom Stage 301 review.

The LG xboom Stage 301 immediately sets itself apart from typical party speakers with its wedge-style profile. Instead of a standard upright box, it can lean back like a compact stage monitor. Under the hood, it houses a 6.5-inch woofer plus dual 2.5-inch midrange drivers, and on the bottom of the enclosure, a 35mm stand mount. Dual RGB light bars add to the party vibes, and while its 6.65kg (14.7lb) weight is on the heavier side, the built-in handle makes it easy to carry. The IPX4 rating won’t save it from a full dunk, but it can handle the occasional party foul like spilled drinks and light rain. With its mix of performance-ready hardware and customizable lighting, the Stage 301 fits right in at backyards, garages, and small jam sessions.

All the primary controls sit along the top panel of the LG xboom Stage 301, and they’re both tactile and clearly labeled. Unlike many portable speakers, the Stage 301’s buttons are backlit, which is something I appreciate. It makes a real difference when you’re adjusting settings after dark. The volume ring wraps around the play/pause button, and in my testing, it feels intuitive to use without needing to look. Around the back, you’ll find additional knobs for mic and instrument levels, and it even includes built-in reverb to help you sound your best.

When it comes to the ThinQ app, I recommend downloading it if you’re using the xboom Stage 301. The app has to support a wide range of LG products, so it takes a little navigating to find the settings you want, but it offers plenty once you get there. You can adjust the EQ, customize the lighting, and even jump into DJ mode, which gives you a handful of filters and sound effects to play with.

There’s also a karaoke mode if you want to run some fun vocal effects, although its pitch correction and “MR mode” still need a bit of work. Just keep in mind that if you want true stereo playback, you’ll need a second Stage 301. You can still link with other xboom models, such as the Grab or the Bounce, but you’re limited to synchronized mono playback only.

Wireless connectivity runs through Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC and AAC, and the xboom Stage 301 includes multipoint pairing so you can stay connected to two devices at once. For wired setups, you get a 3.5mm aux input plus a 1/4-inch jack for a mic or guitar, giving the speaker some light performance capability. USB playback is also available if you prefer loading music from a drive—though I’m not sure anyone really does that anymore. There’s no built-in mic for calls, but the mix of wireless and wired options makes the Stage 301 a versatile choice for the right listener or performer.

In my testing, the LG xboom Stage 301 produces a loud enough sound to handle a basement gathering or a small jam session without noticeable audible distortion, even at its upper volume range. Listening to “bad guy” by Billie Eilish in the standard EQ mode, the Stage 301 delivers a respectable amount of bass strength with enough treble clarity to make the finger snaps easy to localize in the mix. Her breathy vocals sit forward, and the speaker maintains good presence without sounding boomy. Switching to the Bass Boost preset adds a modest bump in low-end bass strength, but doesn’t overpower the rest of the mix. The finger snaps still remain distinct, which tells me the bass precision stays intact even with the lift.

AI Sound mode is also surprisingly usable. It noticeably increases bass strength and enhances vocal clarity.  Sub-bass drops—like the ending of “bad guy”—hit hard with a noticeable resonance. That said, I do find the midrange to be under-emphasized. On something like “Knock2” by dashstar*, the synth pads don’t rise to meet the rest of the mix, so while the kick comes through with good punch, you don’t quite get the midrange body that gives the track its usual full sound.

Overall, the xboom Stage 301 delivers an enjoyable sound for its size, with good bass strength, solid clarity, and a couple of presets that genuinely add useful variation. For backyard pool parties or basement jams, it performs well within its limits.

What I don’t like about the LG xboom Stage 301

The ThinQ app is pretty busy, and because it has to support so many LG products, it takes some navigating to find what you need. You also only get a 3-band custom EQ with the Stage 301—even though the xboom Grab and Bounce both offer a 5-band EQ, which feels like an unnecessary limitation for a speaker at this price.

The karaoke features in the app also need some work. The voice-changing effects (robot, Mickey Mouse, etc.) are amusing in short bursts, but the novelty wears off quickly, and the vocal-removal tool leaves the backing track sounding muffled and indistinct. Otherwise, during regular use, your voice comes through clearly enough, and the physical volume and reverb knobs on the speaker are genuinely helpful; however, I wouldn’t buy this speaker specifically for its extra karaoke features.

Lastly, the battery life is a mixed bag. It’s great that the battery is swappable, but LG’s advertised “up to 12 hours” is based on listening at 20% volume with the lights off, which isn’t realistic for most people. If you’re busking, that doesn’t give you much performance time, and around the house, you’ll probably want to keep the speaker plugged in for longer sessions.

The LG xboom Stage 301 is certainly meant for fun, but it’s also a bit of a niche speaker. Its wedge-shaped design and connection options make it more than just a Bluetooth speaker. While it sounds good and the RGB lighting is genuinely enjoyable, its smaller size means it may struggle to keep up with a full-on jam session. That said, if you’re looking for something for casual basement hangouts, backyard BBQs, or the garage, the xboom Stage 301 is a versatile and easy-to-enjoy option.

Otherwise, if it’s volume, output, and karaoke features you’re after, consider spending the extra $50 on a Soundcore Rave 3S. You still get a built-in light show and good sound, but the Rave 3S also includes two wireless microphones, charges via USB-C, and even includes a well-functioning AI vocal removal tool that properly strips the vocals from your playlist. Find one for $349.99 at Amazon.