LG UltraGear GP9 Review
Verdict
Ludicrously overpriced at launch, a recent l% price reduction makes the LG UltraGear GP9 gaming speaker a worthy consideration for those on the hunt for a simple, minimalistic one-stop solution for headphone-less gaming.
Pros
- Wide soundscape for more immersive gaming
- Gamer artful
- Built-in microphone
- Compact build
Cons
- Poor music playback
- Significantly overpriced RRP
Key Features
- Customisable RGB lighting Allows yous to alter the colours of the RGB lighting on the speaker
- Built-in mic with noise cancellation Can use the speaker to chat to your friends online, while blocking out groundwork racket
- Upwards to 5-hr battery life Tin be placed out of attain of a plug socket thanks to internal bombardment
Introduction
More than a decade of testing and reviewing tech has, I admit, turned me into a far more than cynical critic than the optimistically eager, younger version of me that gazed upon every new gadget with adoring eyes.
Had my young cocky come beyond the LG UltraGear GP9, he'd accept been sucked in past its "XTREME GAMER" marketing and aggressive, angular looks. And, of course, the RGB lighting. There was no such thing every bit too much flashy LED action back then (and, depending on your perspective, in that location still isn't).
Now, years on, my firsthand impression of a product such every bit the GP9 is that of cautious cynicism. The tendency of releasing tech injected with stealth-bomber design DNA and slapping a "Made for Gamers" tag on information technology has become all too prevalent, and likewise oftentimes better performance can be elsewhere, albeit in more "boring"-looking packages.
Having said that, the UltraGear GP9 gaming speaker has plenty going for information technology. Information technology promises to drag your gaming experience with a crisp, vast soundscape, with a plethora of connectivity options, and even a congenital-in mic for comms to boot. All of this is wrapped in a meaty package that neatly sits under your screen – and information technology's even battery-powered, if you wanted it to double upwards as a Bluetooth speaker.
However, with an middle-watering RRP of £499 it'southward priced as high, if not higher, than some top-notch desktop speakers that outclass its audio capabilities in every conceivable way. While the likes of Currys has recently slashed that toll in half (strongly supporting our mode-overpriced theory), it's still a off-white chunk of change to function with – which is the reason I spent a few weeks with it as our chief speaker to requite you lot the full lowdown.
Blueprint
- Gamer aesthetic
- Built similar a tank
- Delightfully compact
While some people might prefer a plain black box sitting on their desk (which is more than off-white enough), looks are completely subjective, and I applaud what LG'southward design squad has done hither.
The aggressive, angular wait of the LG UltraGear GP9 is striking, and its trapezium-esque shape and slanted front grilles, consummate with RGB lighting, admittedly nails the coveted gamer aesthetic. It won't be everyone, but if this is the sort of look you're afterwards to complement your RGB setup and have an in-your-face gaming monitor, the GP9 volition feel correct at home.
Despite being made from plastic, the GP9 feels every bit sturdy as a rock– and weighty enough that you lot wouldn't want to lug it around for an extended period of time, nor accidentally drib it on your toes. Bar the headphone jack, all of the rear ports are hidden behind a big rectangular safe flap, while two bass ports on either side are cleverly hidden from the front end by the angled corners.
Every bit for the RGB lighting, information technology's most prominent in the gamified LG logo on the front of the speaker, likewise as at the superlative of the slanted grilles. Regardless of which colour you choose (set via LG's Xboom app), the effect in the dark is quite striking, with low-cal haemorrhage out of the grilles and spilling across your desk-bound. If you have a specific colour theme in your boxing-station setup, the GP9 volition comfortably alloy in.
Features
- Multiple connectivity options (although no AUX in)
- Adjustable EQ in the LG Xboom app
- Built-in microphone
The LG UltraGear GP9 packs in multiple connectivity options, offering some welcome flexibility in the form of USB-C audio, optical and Bluetooth. If you're rocking a gaming PC then USB audio makes the nigh sense, specially since there's a USB-C cable included in the box.
Bluetooth volition primarily be used with a smartphone for music, especially since the congenital-in two,600mAh battery lets it double upwards every bit a portable Bluetooth speaker. Given its weight, long shape and questionable music performance (more on that in the next department), however, y'all'd exist better off with an actual dedicated Bluetooth speaker for on-the-get listening.
Information technology'southward worth noting that if you take a PS5 or Xbox Series X, and so you might meet problems depending on your setup. Since both side by side-gen consoles have dropped optical output, you'll have to connect the GP9 to your TV/monitor via an optical cable instead. This isn't a problem, unless your panel is hooked up to a monitor. If that's the instance, yous're essentially out of luck, since monitors don't have optical or USB-C outputs. They exercise tend to have AUX outputs, though, which would work, except the GP9 rather shockingly lacks an AUX-in port.
Long story brusque, if you lot have either of the new consoles hooked upwards to a monitor as opposed to a TV, the GP9 volition be about equally useless as a brick (admitting a bright and flashy one). Role of the blame lies with Microsoft and Sony for not allowing their consoles to output audio over Bluetooth (which remains ridiculous); but even so, an AUX input on a speaker at such a toll is hardly a big ask – especially since it is, you know, made for gamers.
There'south some expert news when information technology comes to the Xboom app, though – information technology works well, letting y'all easily customise your RGB lighting and create a tailored EQ preset. The latter can exist activated by an EQ push button on the top of the speaker, where it'south joined by FPS and RTS buttons too. These buttons toggle your chosen fashion, depending on what you're playing.
Lastly, there's a built-in headphone jack on the speaker'due south rear if you fancy wearing headphones for a more immersive, private gaming session. Here, you'll notice a beautifully tactile and chunky volume dial, besides, which also houses the mute push for the handy built-in microphone. These features mean the GP9 is a neat option for video calls in addition to gaming, making information technology a useful tool whether y'all're bravado up aliens or going through a mind-numbing deck on a work Zoom telephone call.
Audio quality
- Immersive audio for gaming
- Poor music performance
- Decent mic
Fire upwardly a game with the LG UltraGear GP9 for the outset time and you'll be very pleased with the results. Using the FPS preset on Halo Infinite results in a beautifully clear and wide soundscape. Gunshots echo threateningly, explosions are crisp, and everything just feels more immersive.
At that place is a noticeable deviation between the regular manner and FPS way, with the latter making information technology easier to hear enemy footsteps, including the direction from which they're coming. No speaker will beat a pair of headphones for immersion, of form, but the GP9 does a superb job of bringing games to life. The RTS way flattens things out a fleck more, and even with no special modes on, gaming sound impresses across the board.
Plug in a pair of headphones and you'll be treated to a virtual 7.1 DTS headphone experience, too, which delivers top-notch positional tracking and even better immersion. The trouble is, this is a gaming speaker with a £500 RRP, and so while a nice to have, this feature seems a chip moot given the fact that you could spend less money on headphones for the aforementioned virtual experience.
The thing that really lets everything downwards, though, is the GP9'southward non-gaming functioning. It'due south all very well having a speaker that lets you know when an enemy spartan is running upwardly from behind looking to skewer you with an energy sword, but the same soundscape practical to music sounds… well, information technology's pretty awful.
Beyond unlike genres, the music experience on the GP9 isn't exactly a pleasant 1. With frequencies muddying together, imbalanced bass that often overpowers, and a general feeling of underlying tinniness and occasional clipping at higher volumes, it isn't good news. You can assist things out a bit by playing around with the equalizer settings in the app, just for a £500 speaker (or even a £350 speaker given the electric current price slash), you'd expect much, much more than.
Ending on a more than positive note, the built-in microphone works surprisingly well, although I mostly used it for work calls, as I'd much rather be using headphones for gaming with voice chat on.
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
You desire a mini-soundbar with a gaming aesthetic:
LG has nailed the look and feel of the GP9, with its ambitious styling and customisable RGB smarts.
You lot want value for money:
Looks and gaming performance aside, it makes far more sense to spend less money on similar/better-sounding products.
Final Thoughts
There'southward no two ways nearly information technology – at £500, the UltraGear GP9 is one of the most insanely overpriced products to ever grace my desk. In that location's simply no way in any believable reality where that's a off-white toll given its music performance.
With its recent cost cut at some retailers bumping the toll down to £250, though, the GP9 is obviously a scrap more appealing. After all, it offers groovy gaming functioning and aesthetics, and the built-in mic is a genuinely useful addition. If you're a hardcore gamer looking for a compact desktop speaker but for gaming that oozes RGB-fashion, at that place'southward nix else out in that location quite like the GP9.
How we test
We test every soundbar nosotros review thoroughly over an extended catamenia of time. We utilise manufacture standard tests to compare features properly. We'll always tell yous what we observe. Nosotros never, always, take coin to review a product.
Find out more than nigh how we test in our ethics policy.
Tested over several weeks
Tested with both games and music
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FAQs
Does the LG UltraGear GP9 work with consoles?
Technically, yes, but the PS5 and Xbox Series X lack the required optical connection, so you lot'll need to plug it into your TV instead. If you have a monitor that lacks that connection, you may be out of luck.
Does the LG UltraGear GP9 come with a remote control?
No, you need to use your smartphone.
Full specs
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Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/lg-ultragear-gp9
Posted by: mossdrempan.blogspot.com
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