A LG Soundbar with wireless sub has succeeded in creating immersive audio that has transformed our living rooms into personal cinemas. The evening news and the big game suddenly had the same booming, dramatic sound reproduction as blockbuster action movies. However, sound bars are more than just a way to recreate a cinema sound experience at home.
As audio technology has advanced to the point where tiny earbuds can produce intense, highly tuned listening experiences, sound systems have responded with spatial expansion and sweeteners to heighten our sense of sound. LG has risen to the top of the pack by producing massive sound that belies their small, low-profile designs. Here are our recommendations for the best LG sound bars.
BEST LG SOUND BARS SUMMARY:
| Best Overall | LG S95QR |
| Best Upper Mid-Range | LG S90QY |
| Best Mid-Range | LG SP9YA |
| Best Budget | LG S65Q |
| Best Small | LG Eclair QP5 |
Best Overall: LG S95QR 9.1.5 Channel Sound Bar
The LG S95QR is our favorite LG soundbar. It’s a high-end 9.1.5 setup with a plethora of features, and its versatile performance makes it ideal for listening to everything from music to movies to TV shows.
The design is quite unique, with two up-firing Dolby Atmos drivers and an additional up-firing center channel. The dialogue is clear and present in the mix, and the additional center channel improves the location of the dialogue in the soundstage slightly.
However, it is not distinguishable from other bars that only have a traditional front-firing driver. It has a room correction feature, as do most premium setups, and with it enabled, the bar’s bass-heavy sound adds a lot of boom and punch to the mix. It’s a little muddy, but you can easily adjust the bass and treble to create a more neutral sound.
When it comes to movies, this soundbar stands out—multichannel content, including surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and height content like Dolby Atmos, is immersive, and sound effects appear to be coming from all around you.
When compared to last year’s LG SP11RA, its satellites have an additional front-facing driver built in, which helps to represent the action in the soundstage more accurately. While the sound does not reach as far as other premium models like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers, it is still very good.
Specs:
- Total Output Power: 810W (watts)
- Surround Type: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Surround Configuration: 9.1.5
- Subwoofer: Included
- Voice Platforms: Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Pros:
- Huge power
- 17 speakers covering nine positions
- AI room calibration
Cons:
- Pricey, but c’mon
- No flux capacitor
Best Upper Mid-Range: LG S90QY 5.1.3 High-Res Audio Sound Bar(Most Sustainable)
Check out the LG S90QY if you’re looking for a versatile LG soundbar at a lower price. This 5.1.3 setup, like the LG S95QR, was released in 2022 and comes with three up-firing channels—two of which are dedicated to height content and one that serves as a second center channel.
It has many of the same features, such as room correction, and its default sound is fairly even, particularly in the mids, where voices and lead instruments are reproduced. Its dedicated subwoofer delivers extended low-bass, resulting in plenty of thump in the mix. If you don’t have room for rear speakers in your setup, this is a good option.
This soundbar also supports multichannel content, such as Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, which can be found on a variety of streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs. However, because it lacks discrete satellites, it relies on side-firing surround channels built into the bar to represent sound effects in the soundstage.
The resulting experience is less immersive, with sound coming from speakers placed directly in front of you. Its Atmos performance is also adequate. However, if you want to improve its performance, you can always add rear speakers.
Specs:
- Total Output Power: 570W
- Surround Type: Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
- Surround Configuration: 5.1.3
- Subwoofer: Included
- Voice Platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly materials and designs
- Up-firing center channel
- Support for Tidal, Spotify and Apple AirPlay 2
Cons:
- Does not include rear speakers
Best Mid-Range: LG SP9YA 5.1.2 Channel Sound Bar
The LG SP9YA is the previous generation of the LG S90QY, and it’s a more affordable option for those looking for a less expensive soundbar. This 5.1.2 configuration has one fewer channel—while it has a front-firing center, it does not have an up-firing center like the next generation. There is a slight difference in the sound, as there is less height to the dialogue in the mix. However, recognizing the difference is difficult, and it may not be worth the effort.
In terms of sound, there isn’t much of a difference between the bars. The SP9YA reproduces clear and detailed voices and lead instruments, with an extended bass that adds rumble in action-packed scenes, thanks to its balanced performance. As a result, it’s compatible with a wide range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital. When compared to the S90QY, it has the same selection of sound enhancement tools, and while it does not come with satellites, you can always add them on separately. Finally, it’s a good buy for the money.
Specs:
- Total Output Power: 520W
- Surround Type: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Surround Configuration: 5.1.2
- Subwoofer: Included
- Voice Platforms: Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Pros:
- Integrates well with LG displays
- Many flavors of sound enhancement
- One-cable connection to TVs
Cons:
- Premium price
Best Budget: LG S65Q LG Soundbar
LG also has a couple of low-cost models, the best of which is the LG S65Q. This soundbar is a 3.1 setup with fewer features than the top-of-the-line models, but it’s still a great choice, especially if you mostly listen to music and vocal-heavy content like podcasts and TV shows. Vocals and lead instruments are clear in the mix, and the high-bass has a little extra boom to help you feel the excitement in bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM.
There’s no room correction, but there are plenty of customization options, including bass and treble adjustments and a dialogue enhancement feature. Movie fans will also appreciate that the bar supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound formats, which are common on most streaming platforms.
To play them, the bar must downmix them into stereo, which does not sound as immersive as the LG SP9YA. As with most budget bars, there is no Dolby Atmos support, which limits the amount of content you can watch while maintaining the intended immersive experience. Still, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s a solid upgrade over your TV speakers.
Best Small: LG Eclair QP5 LG Soundbar
You don’t have a lot of room in your setup? The LG Eclair QP5 is the best small soundbar we’ve tested from LG. It’s just under 12 inches wide, so it’ll fit under your TV without blocking the view.
Despite its small size, it has a good soundstage and audio that extends well beyond the bar’s edges. It’s one of the smallest bars we’ve tested that supports Dolby Atmos, though its performance isn’t as impressive as the manufacturer’s top-tier models.
Because of its balanced mid-range, this bar is best suited for listening to dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. Despite having a dedicated sub, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, and its recessed treble produces a dark and muffled sound.
There is a noticeable lack of emphasis in the bass range when watching movies and listening to music, and you don’t feel a deep thump and rumble during action-packed scenes. If you don’t have room for a subwoofer, the older standalone LG SK1 is another option, though it doesn’t support Atmos.
LG Soundbars Compared to other brands
The Good
- Very good build quality. LG soundbars, even their more affordable models, are generally very well-built. Some businesses cover their soundbars with a dark fabric that collects dust and makes the bar appear dirty. Fortunately, all of the LG soundbars we’ve tested have a more premium design, with brushed metal or textured plastic finishes that look and feel more expensive.
- Great wireless playback options. While most soundbars support Bluetooth, LG’s soundbars go above and beyond by supporting Wi-Fi wireless playback as well as built-in Chromecast.
- Lots of connectivity inputs. All of the LG soundbars we’ve tested include optical, HDMI ARC, and full-HDMI inputs, with higher-end models frequently including two full HDMI inputs.
The Bad
- No graphic EQ. To help you customize the sound of your LG soundbar, most of them include standard bass and treble adjustment features. It’s fine for casual listeners, but audiophiles who want to control frequencies across the spectrum will be disappointed by the lack of a full graphic EQ.
- Unremarkable stereo soundstages. A natural soundstage enhances the immersion of music, movies, and video games. While none of the LG soundbars we tested have a particularly poor soundstage, none are particularly good either. They’re usually about as wide as the bar itself, if not a little narrower, and sound diffused.
- Low max volume. The LG soundbars we tested were all quieter than most. Their 2018 models were the worst offenders, but even their newer models struggle to compete in terms of volume.
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How We Picked the Best LG Soundbar with wireless sub
Comparing several sound bars made by the same company is a reasonable way to go about these product comparisons. In many instances, the downmarket models and the upmarket models have similar designs and sometimes even similar technology. It is simpler to compare one sound bar to the others when you are aware that the sound bars we evaluate share a common foundation.
In order to establish a baseline for each model before making our selections in this comparison, we first looked at power ratings and speaker configurations. Then, we took into account all of the sound-shaping options and third-party additions, like Dolby Atmos, that have an effect on both audio quality and user experience. We included voice assistants in that experience because they play a significant role in many modern homes. Eco-friendliness, wireless connectivity, and other signal processing are additional factors.
Things to consider before buying an LG Sound Bar with wireless sub
Before purchasing an LG sound bar, consider the following factors:
Speaker Configuration: The number of speakers in your surround system is usually proportional to the sound quality and cost. The more of them there are, the better the performance and the lower the cost. But what about those figures? Let’s dissect it. The first number indicates the number of traditional loudspeakers in the system, while the second indicates the presence and quantity of a subwoofer, which provides low frequencies. When you see a third number, such as 5.1.2, the last digit counts the number of speakers that fire upward. These speakers are designed to bounce sound off the ceiling and back toward the listeners.
Onboard Processing: Since the days of traditional high, mid, and low adjustments and graphic EQs, manufacturers have gotten light years better at creating tone-shaping tools. Everything from psychoacoustic adjustments to AI-assisted calibration is now included. Examine them thoroughly before making a purchase.
Command and Control Functions: Many of us have grown accustomed to having computers listen to us throughout the day, so why not put their abilities to good use? As previously stated, some sound bars now allow you to pair a voice assistant to control specific system functions. Others provide remote pairing—and, hey, having one less remote control to remember is a nice consolation prize.
FAQS
Which LG soundbar should I buy?
Our preference is to recommend the best in terms of features and sound quality, but others may be willing to sacrifice some features in exchange for a lower price. While we cannot make your decision for you, we have provided you with a good starting point. Best wishes.
Do LG soundbars work better with LG TVs?
Yes, in some cases. A number of LG sound bar models have functions that are enhanced by utilizing the internal processor of an LG display.
Which soundbar has the best sound quality?
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, having an excess of speakers will not degrade sound quality; in fact, it will likely add significant sonic benefits.
What is the difference between a 2.1 and 5.1 soundbar?
The first number represents the number of speakers, and the second represents the number of subwoofers. A 2.1 system has left and right speakers as well as a subwoofer, whereas a 5.1 system has five speakers to one subwoofer.
Conclusion
LG is well-known for its wide range of TVs, but they’ve also made a number of different soundbar models in recent years. They’re generally well-made, with a variety of physical inputs and wireless playback options.
However, they do not provide the best sound performance, owing to their relatively narrow, diffused soundstages. Fortunately, the majority of the models we’ve tested have a few different sound customization features, so you can usually tweak them a little to get a sound profile you like.
