WK7 ThinQ is LG's high resolution take on Google Home

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 17 April 2018

LG is getting in on the smart speaker game with the WK7 ThinQ, a Google Assistant powered speaker set to launch in Australia shortly. The WK7 ThinQ is set to be a pricier but better sounding version of Google Home, thanks to LG's new partnership with Meridian Audio - a UK based firm specialising in High Resolution audio.

As such, the WK7 ThinQ supports 24bit/96kHZ audio, and can play back high fidelity formats including AIFF, WAV, and FLAC. You're able to use the it as a Chromecast receiver thanks to Google Assistant, but the WK7 ThinQ also supports playback through Bluetooth, LG's Wi-Fi Speaker App. There's no line-in input.

Since the WK7 ThinQ is powered by Google Assistant, it works much in the same way as a Google Home. By saying "OK Google", you can ask the speaker to play music (through services such as Google Play Music and Spotify), set reminders, get news updates, check traffic on your route to work, control compatible smart home appliances, and more.

"We are continuing to push boundaries and this year, it’s through our new partnership with audio experts, Meridian," said Angus Jones, LG Australia's General Manager of Marketing. "The integration of Meridian Audio into the range creates incredibly impactful and realistic sound and gives new meaning to what’s possible when it comes to audio experiences in the home."

"Our first smart home connected speaker is one of the stand-outs in this year's range – the LG WK7 ThinQ Speaker – which aligns with our focus on AI and with our mission of improving the day-to-day lives of Australians through forward-thinking technology."

The LG WK7 ThinQ Speaker will retail for $299, but a launch date has yet to be confirmed.

Select sound bars in LG's 2018 range will also feature Google Assistant. These include the SK10Y and SK9Y.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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