LG’s new party speaker uses AI to “delete” vocals for karaoke

LG is expanding its xboom by will.i.am speaker range for 2026 with four new models: Stage 501, Blast, Mini and Rock. Here’s what’s new, including AI karaoke, longer battery life and tougher builds.

LG xboom by will.i.am adds Stage 501, Blast, Mini, Rock

LG is expanding its xboom by will.i.am lineup at CES 2026 with four new speakers aimed at different use cases: loud parties, outdoorsy weekends, and everyday listening. The headline features are AI Sound, AI Lighting, Space Calibration Pro, and deeper integration with FYI.RAiDiO for “two-way” interactions and on-the-fly music curation. The new models — Stage 501, Blast, Mini, Rock — roll out globally sometime in 2026, with CES demos running January 6–9.

LG is adding four new xboom by will.i.am speakers for 2026: Stage 501, Blast, Mini, and Rock.
The big theme is AI-driven personalisation, including FYI.RAiDiO with “AI Personas and DJs”.
Stage 501 is the party one, with AI Karaoke Master trained on 10,000+ songs, plus a swappable battery.
Blast targets outdoor use with up to 35 hours of battery and a rugged build.
Mini and Rock are smaller options with up to 10 hours each, and Rock adds LE Audio Auracast for sharing.

AI personalisation is the whole point this year

LG is leaning hard into the idea that your speaker should “get you”, not just play music.

FYI.RAiDiO integration with “AI Personas and DJs”
Two-way conversational interactions (via a dedicated button or app)
Location-aware personalisation depending on context and moment
AI Sound that adjusts EQ based on what you’re listening to
AI Lighting that syncs multi-colour bar lights to the music
Space Calibration Pro to keep sound consistent indoors and outdoors

That’s a lot of AI talk for a speaker, but the practical bits are simple: it should auto-tune sound, match the vibe visually, and reduce fiddling in the app.

(If you’re following LG’s wider CES run, here’s our recent coverage of its CES 2026 TV announcements: LG’s new Gallery TV turns your wall into an art display and LG Micro RGB evo: LG’s most advanced LCD TV yet.)

xboom Stage 501 is built for karaoke and big rooms

Stage 501 is the “party speaker” in the new lineup — loud, flexible to place, and designed for group chaos.

AI Karaoke Master trained on 10,000+ songs
Can remove or adjust vocals from “virtually any” song
Can adjust pitch so you don’t have to strain
Up to 25 hours of playback with a 99Wh swappable battery
220W plugged in, 160W on battery
Five-sided cabinet that can sit vertically, horizontally, tilted, or on a tripod
Speaker hardware includes dual woofers, full-range drivers, and Peerless tweeters

In normal-human terms, it’s trying to be the one speaker you take to a villa gathering, plug in when possible, and still keep going when you’re running on battery.

xboom Blast is for outdoors, long battery, and less babying

Blast is the “adventure” model, built to survive the stuff that happens when you take speakers outside in the UAE.

Up to 35 hours playback (99Wh battery)
220W output
Three passive radiators for bigger low-end presence
Rugged design with edge bumpers
Tested to military-standard durability
Side rope handle for vertical carrying in crowds
Rubber top handle for quick grab-and-go

This is the one that makes sense for beach days, camping, or a backyard setup where sand, heat, and accidental drops are just part of the plan.

xboom Mini and Rock are the smaller “always around” options

If you don’t need 220W power and a cabinet the size of a small suitcase, Mini and Rock are the compact picks.

xboom Mini

Up to 10 hours playback
Compact cube design
Sound Field Enhance for clearer sound in open spaces
IP67 water and dust resistance
Magic Strap for easier placement
Tripod mount support
Tactile physical controls

xboom Rock

Up to 10 hours playback
Tested to seven military standards
Upgraded from the former XG2 model
Power increased to 6W
Sound Field Enhance
LE Audio Auracast for easier multi-speaker sharing
A smart button for quick app control

Mini feels like the “kitchen/balcony/desk” speaker. Rock is the “throw it in the bag and stop worrying” one, and Auracast sharing could be handy when everyone wants to connect without the drama of pairing.

CES 2026 and availability in the UAE

LG says the new xboom speakers will be shown at CES 2026 (January 6–9) in Las Vegas. You can see the official CES dates here: CES 2026 event info. LG’s announcement is also up on its newsroom: LG global newsroom post.

On display at CES: January 6–9, 2026
Global rollout: 2026 (timing and pricing not shared yet)
For the UAE: expect regional availability details after CES, as usual

FAQ

What are the new LG xboom by will.i.am speakers for 2026?

LG announced four new models: xboom Stage 501, xboom Blast, xboom Mini, and xboom Rock, aimed at parties, outdoors, and everyday use.

What is AI Karaoke Master on the xboom Stage 501?

It’s a karaoke feature that uses deep learning trained on 10,000+ songs to remove or reduce vocals and adjust pitch, so you can sing along without special karaoke files.

Which model has the longest battery life?

The xboom Blast is rated for up to 35 hours of playback. The Stage 501 is rated for up to 25 hours with a swappable 99Wh battery.

What does Space Calibration Pro do?

LG says Space Calibration Pro analyses the surroundings and adapts audio output so the speaker delivers more consistent sound indoors and outdoors.