LG Electronics ND8630 80W iOS and Android Dual Speaker Dock with Bluetooth Airplay and NFC

This product sounds better than most I've listened to. My wife hears crackly high-pitched noise in almost all the Bose speakers. Most others in this price range fall way short of full sound. While it doesn't sound quite as nice as the one I was looking at for $799, this one was only $279. It plays over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (both its own direct and over yours), USB, direct mini-plug stereo, Sound Sync (found on some televisions), and either dock port (Apple lightning or Android). It charges over dock or USB while in use or while off/standby. While the manual seems to imply you have to have a new Apple device with the lightning dock to change the wireless settings, I was able to do it over the USB port on the back with my iPad2 via 30-pin USB cable.I was going between this unit and the Klipsch KMC 3. I was disheartened by the specification lies on the Klipsch. It boasted 80 watts, yet it was two 15 watt amplified main speakers and something like a 30 watt subwoofer (all RMS). Turns out they were speaking of PEAK instead of RMS. LG gives theirs in direct RMS, so as not to misdirect the buyer. The Klipsch was more portable, but required 6 or 8 D-size batteries if you wanted not to plug it in. Also, Klipsch was Bluetooth, but not wireless/airplay. Airplay is basically lossless, and Bluetooth can be lossless given the right connection/compression. Klipsch does provide apps on both Android and Apple, and that might do the trick. The biggest drawback, nobody in Oklahoma City was willing to let me listen to the Klipsch. Only BestBuy had them in stock, and they were unwilling to open the box to let me listen. They told me to buy one and bring it back if I didn't like it. That's not how I do business.The remote application for LG is quite low-tech and very basic. I was not too pleased with the app. Everything I needed (mostly volume and music selection) is performed adequately through the iPad itself, so I really don't care about the app. Maybe if I was doing basic Bluetooth I'd care?

The speaker gives a strong, room-filling sound, reaching impressive volumes on AirPlay mode. Connectivity issues are infrequent with the wireless modes. The remote is frustrating to use because the device gives you no feedback as you cycle through sources hitting the "function" button without knowing which source the device is on. I quite like the light, but wish it was more dynamic with multiple color choices and a dimmer. If you're reading this, better options are out there.

This is a nice attractive (if you like big white washtub-looking gadgets) BT/Airplay speaker system, but it is fairly "boomy" without crisp highs. The speakers are too close together to get any kind of stereo effect (not a big deal), the BT volume is WAY lower than the corresponding Airplay volume, and the lightning dock does not fit phoned with any kind of a case (just about 1-2 mm too short). To connect the Airplay for the first time to any new Wifi environment, your phone will have to come out of its case to dock with the LG.Don't get me wrong, I love the Airplay aspects; better sound resolution, easier to initiate, and less hassle than BT.I'll keep it since for this price (it appears to be a 2014 model which has been discontinued), the Airplay feature is so easy to fill the room with sound. I hate sometimes using my BT speakers since I have to turn on BT, switch to the speaker in the iphone BT settings, argh. Now it just an Airplay swipe away. Nice! Im surprised that there are so few Airplay speakers around....and given the price here, this is one of the better ones.

This was a difficult review, I wasn't sure how many stars to give it.After careful consideration, I went with the one star based of the fact that the Airplay feature was the reason I selected this speaker, and it didn't pair with my network..I'm very sad, I really wanted this to work for me.After trying tor 3 hours to pair this with my network, and never getting it to pair, I have to return it.I bought it only for the Airplay feature, so it didn't make much sense to keep it.I will say, the sound was incredible, just using it as a docking station though.So, if you don't need Airplay, it's a GREAT sounding speaker.(I am computer savvy, and this should have paired easily, it never did.)

It's a nice speaker, no question. The sound is balanced and equalized; however, it's quirky. The remote on our unit, doesn't always adjust the control volume or mode (could be defective, but could be that the signal from the remote is poor), but most importantly, understand the input connections. This unit was made to accept an Apple Lightning connection and a mini-USD for a typical Android device. I purchased adapters so that I could convert the lightning connect to a 19-pin for an IPod Classic, but it doesn't stand up as there is no true horizontal support to keep it straight. The back support doesn't provide any meaningful support to any unit that I tried. Same with the other side. The unit will work with a direct USB, but again, with the remote being somewhat quirky, you are left to adjust or change tunes manually. The bluetooth mode does work, but you will need to add the LG App in order to use this. The APP is ok, but nothing to write home. For example, you have just basic commands: Volume, and next song, etc. You can't see upcoming songs or your library. Nice try LG, close -but no cigar.