Lg thinq wk7 review in Spanish (full analysis)

Smart speakers with Google Assistant are increasingly priced by users. We live in an IoT environment and many current devices already have WiFi and smart control. The LG ThinQ WK7 may be one of your best allies in this field, a smart speaker with Google Assistant that will be integrated with the IoT of our home, if we are clear.

It is a sound column with an exquisite design in both quality and minimalist aesthetics, which will be able to deliver 30W RMS. To do this, it uses a 0.8 "Tweeter and a 3.5" Woofer signed by the Meridian brand, with incredible bass thanks to the Enhanced Bass function. Let's see everything that the LG ThinQ WK7 can offer us in options and connections, because it is one of the best smart speakers on the market.

We thank LG for trusting us by transferring this product to us for review.

LG ThinQ WK7 technical characteristics

Unboxing

The LG ThinQ WK7 loudspeaker must arrive in a rigid cardboard enclosure very adjusted to the measurements of the device and of a good quality for its protection. On the outer faces we must find a serigraphy identifying the product, such as characteristics and photos of the equipment. We do not show this box because it is not the official one, but the test version.

That being said, we have the speaker inside tucked inside a two-piece mold made of life-long polystyrene cork. We imagine that in the official version it will come in a bag too. In the outermost area a small cardboard box has been placed where the power connector will be stored.

In fact it is the only accessory that includes the LG ThinQ WK7 speaker, in addition to the corresponding installation instructions and user warranty is the power adapter. The AC adapter operates on LG's proprietary interface, raising the power to 19V / 1.7A, that is, 32.3A maximum.

Simplistic exterior design

We finally take the product out of its packaging and what we see is a single speaker of considerable dimensions and totally cylindrical. Its measurements are 210.7 mm high and 135 mm in diameter, weighing 1.9 kg without the power adapter.

Its general design is characterized by its simplicity on all sides, it is very different for example from the other LG XBOOM series speakers, although perfectly compatible with them to have sound throughout the house. Without deviating from the subject, the construction is based on metal and plastic, only available in the graphite gray color that you see in the images.

The cylindrical design is ideal for the compactness of the LG ThinQ WK7, provided with a metal mesh on the entire circumference with a small hole. This allows you to see the inner puma that protects and prevents the internal structure of the device from being seen. Only the area of ​​the two speakers is left free, which will project the sound only forward, instead of doing it in 360 degrees such as the Apple HomePod.

This on the one hand is positive due to the fact that it is considered a normal speaker, with front projection and better audio delivery to a point, being a good option if we have a rear wall. On the other hand, we lose the omnidirectionality of sound if we place it in the center of a room. Incidentally, the projection of the speakers coincides with the location of the LG logo, also having a 4-LED panel Google Home speaker right on top of this same face.

On the back side we only find a button to activate or mute the microphone in case we do not want to interact with the Google Assistant. When the mic is off, the 4 front LEDs will light orange.

Touch controls

We go to the top of the LG ThinQ WK7, where we will see all the controls for the manual interaction of the team. This part is made of hard plastic, the same color as the rest of the body.

The controls are tactile which means that we should not overtighten the surface. In fact, with a light touch you already recognize our fingers. In total we have 5 different controls:

• Central button: changes operating mode, between WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. When it lights blue it will be in Bluetooth mode, while the white light indicates WiFi mode, the most recommended. The transition is very fast between both functions. Controls +/-: obviously to increase or decrease the volume of the device. They have a slight lag between the pulsation and the decrease in volume, so it is better not to press them too fast, otherwise we will remove or put all the volume at once. Play / Pause: to stop or play music from a previously linked application, the radio and other paired speakers. Google Assistant button (logo): to stop receiving the command we are giving you or to stop what the assistant is saying.

They are basic and sufficient controls for the control of the LG ThinQ WK7, although all of this can be done directly with our voice except the change of mode to bluetooth or WiFi. With "Ok Google for" for example we will pause the music or the assistant himself.

Let's not forget that the two microphones that pick up our voice are located in this area. Furthermore, they have an omni-directional spectrum with a long range, hearing us perfectly even from adjoining rooms. They work very well, without the need to be near the device, although when we have music on, capturing our voice becomes more complicated.

We have left to see the lower part, which is also made of hard plastic and presents an inward curvature to improve the aesthetics of the whole. As a support we have a circular rubber leg that completely grasps the base and that grips the surface very well.

The center part is hollow to house LG's proprietary Jack-type AC power connector, Micro USB, and RESET button to return LG ThinQ WK7 to the factory state. We believe that a USB-C port for power and other functions would have been the best in this case, adapting to the new times and new technologies.

Compatibility and installation

Before seeing the experience of using the LG ThinQ WK7, it is logical to explain how the installation process of our smart speaker will be and with what devices it will be compatible.

The manufacturer does not provide extra data about the internal hardware of your device, such as the CPU, memory or speed of your WiFi connection, something that we consider important in a smart device. In any case, Google Assistant must go over the core of Android to work, and therefore the installation will be exactly the same as the Google Home Mini itself and other speakers.

After connecting the loudspeaker to the power, it will be the assistant himself who tells us what we have to do as a first step. This will be installing Google Home if we do not yet have it on our Smartphone. In principle, the LG ThinQ WK7 is not compatible with Siri or Amazon Alexa, only operating with devices compatible with the Google assistant.

We place the speaker in WiFi mode, and then from the Google Home application we will carry out the configuration process. In it, it will ask us for information such as our Google account, location, different access permissions, and of course the WiFi to which we intend to connect the speaker and its credentials. It is compatible with WiFi IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11n, so it will be able to work on the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, something very positive.

We will also select the location of the speaker, for example, bedroom, office or living room. This is useful in case we have more than one integrated system at home and need to interact with it, for example, the other LG XBOOM sound products. Thanks to the Google Chromecast service we can play audio through YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Spotify and Deezer services.

Compatible with IoT and LG WiFi Speaker

IoT or Internet of Thing conceives a world totally interconnected to the network, not only computers, but any smart device, such as this LG ThinQ WK7, light bulbs, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.

The true power of Google Assistant lies precisely in controlling all these devices through voice commands, with our Smartphone and Google Home. Any device compatible with the Assistant will be with the LG speaker. We can customize and create new routines from Google Home for our speaker.

If we choose not to use the Google Home application or want some extra functions such as Enhanced Bass mode, we will have to install the LG WiFi Speaker App. It works similarly to Home, although it is specialized with LG speaker management of course. Once the speaker is configured in Google Home, the application will load the profile automatically in this new App.

One of the advantages of this application is that we can modify some modes of the LG ThinQ WK7 such as improved bass or Clear Vocal voice listening enhancement. From it we can send songs or playlists of our music directly to the speaker, something that cannot be done from Google Home.

Meridian audio experience with tremendous quality and detail

For those who do not know Meridian, it is one of the most renowned companies in the field of sound systems on the market. As can also be Harman Kardon, widely used by Asus in their laptops or Viewsonic in their projectors, BOSE or Bang & Olufsen used by other manufacturers.

As we discussed at the start, the LG ThinQ WK7's audio system consists of a 0.8-inch tweeter or tweeter, and a 3.5-inch woofer that handles treble and bass. Altogether they are 30W RMS altogether, which is not bad for a "simple" speaker.

And the truth is that the Meridian touch will be noticed, because the clarity of the sound and its detail is exceptional. It is more than justified by being able to reproduce 24-bit audio at 96 KHz with an excellent factory equalization. Unfortunately we will not be able to modify this equalization either from Google Home or from LG Wi-Fi Speaker, something that would give it greater customization for the user.

And where we most notice the quality is in the bass, some very deep and forceful without ever breaking at maximum volume. In fact, the maximum volume is not too high, surely to ensure quality and not condition the user's opinion. Having a dedicated tweeter for treble makes the spoken snippets sound crisp and distinct from background music or ambient noise, for example if you're watching a movie and sending audio to the LG ThinQ WK7.

The manufacturer does not give details about the sensitivity or response frequency of the speakers or microphones, something that would be appreciated by the most purist and advanced in the field. In any case, the audio is at an exceptional level and possibly at the level of the best on the market, thus justifying its price.

Something that we can notice at high volumes is the vibration of the column, it is obviously a small equipment and with a notorious cone on its woofer that will make it vibrate a little. For this reason, we recommend placing it on solid surfaces such as wooden tables, and not on glass or thin tables, since we could obtain serious consequences.

Google Assistant features

Now it is time to extend a little more in the general functions that this LG ThinQ WK7 offers us, which in essence will be those of the other speakers with Google Assistant with some extras.

And one of the most interesting is having Cromecast integrated. This allows us to connect the speaker with other speakers with the Google assistant, sound bars, wireless speakers or any other compatible one. Thus assembling a complete intelligent system in our house.

The fact of using Google, it provides compatibility with IoT, controlling smart lamps, surveillance cameras, LG SmartTV and other Android, etc. It offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, thus extending the types of coverage most used by these teams.

One aspect that we still miss in this type of device is the ability to detect the user's voice tone, thus identifying the user and providing greater security in access. We will always go to him with " Ok Google " or " Hey Google ", then formulating our pertinent question or order.

The system is learning about our habits and we can also modify the operating routines from the Google Home App. It has the ability to play radio stations via WiFi directly, and play music that we send you from Spotify or from the internal memory of the Smartphone using LG WiFi Speaker.

Keep in mind that to play a specific song from Spotify we will need a Premium account, as well as Deezer. On the other hand, Google Play Music allows you to play from its storage. To finish the wizard provides us with everything necessary to control our day to day and inform us about our day's agenda, task organizer, assistance in everyday aspects, etc. It's just about researching options, smart learning, and applying to the LG ThinQ WK7.

Final words and conclusion about LG ThinQ WK7

The sensations and experience that this smart speaker has left us are great in general. A device that integrates Google Assistant impeccably with all its possibilities and through a quality design, minimalist, compact and at the same time decorative for our home.

The sound section is at a very high level thanks to Meridian, with 30W RMS over a not so high volume, but if detailed audio and deep bass thanks to separating mid and high treble with 0.8 "tweeter and 3 woofer, 5 ”. In this case we do not have an equalizer from the App or integrated, although its calibration is perfect.

The sound is not reproduced in the 360 ^or as it happens with other speakers such as those of Apple or Google Home, but it is not an impediment to enjoy it in a large area of our house. Thanks to having Chromecast integrated we can pair it with other speakers for joint playback.

We recommend reading the best speakers on the market

Its installation and configuration is extremely simple, since it has WiFi and Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP and BLE to extend its compatibility. Along with this, Google Home application and own LG WiFi Speaker app to activate extra functions such as Enhanced Bass or send your own music to the device. The versatility that Google Assistant gives us for integration with IoT is perfect too.

The speaker of course supports any control language and all the typical wizard control commands. When we have a very high volume of the speaker, it does not correctly detect our commands, it is the small disadvantage of having the microphones integrated in the device. It is something acceptable and that cannot be avoided, although Google's own speakers such as the Home Mini do manage to do this a little better.

Finally, we can buy the LG ThinQ WK7 for a price of between 129 and 149 euros depending on the point of sale, the cheapest option being that of Carrefour and Amazon from what we have seen today. It is not a cheap price, but for what it offers and market rivals are more or less in the same numbers. Highly recommended for IoT and smart homes.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ VERY GOOD AUDIO QUALITY WITH MERIDIAN	- HIGH PRICE
+ GOOGLE ASSISTANT AND CHROMECAST	- DOES NOT BRING AN INTEGRATED EQUALIZER OR FROM THE APP
+ DESIGN AND TOUCH BUTTONS
+ WIFI, BLUETOOTH AND OWN APP
+ COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER IOT DEVICES

The Professional Review team awarded him the platinum medal:

LG WK7 - Speaker with Artificial Intelligence and Google Assistant in Spanish Integrated (Hi-Res Sound with Meridian Technology, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast Integrated) Color Black

• MERIDIAN Technology Hi-Res Hi-Res Audio Integrated Google Assistant Integrated Chromecast Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

93.25 EUR Buy on Amazon

LG ThinQ WK7

DESIGN - 92%

COMPATIBILITY - 96%

SOUND QUALITY - 90%

MICROPHONE - 89%

SOFTWARE - 94%

PRICE - 85%

91%