Easy unit to set up and begin using out of the box. When it comes to improving your TV’s audio, you’ve got two options: you can build a multi-speaker surround-sound setup complete with an AV receiver and anywhere between three and 12 speakers, or you can buy a soundbar. In object-based audio setups, a third number is added to indicate the number of height speakers supported. A. LG soundbars that support surround sound usually simulate the sound by using the room’s acoustics to bounce sound to various locations. They're also a practical solution for smaller rooms, and are often cheaper than a traditional surround sound set-up. This soundbar features the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sound Pro that analyses the audio’s content to project clearer voices, enhanced background sound and increases the volume so you can listen better. 2.1 Channel 320W High-Res Audio Soundbar System (SJ5Y), 2.1ch Soundbar 220W Wireless Subwoofer (SJ7), SK10Y 5.1.2 Channel Hi-Res Audio Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos. We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers. You can mount it on the wall with the included mounting brackets or simply place it on the stand in front of the TV. The SK8’s similarities to other LG soundbars also extends to aesthetics. The additional speakers are typically positioned in the ceiling above the viewer where they create “height” audio, meaning they’re able to work with other speakers to place specific sounds in specific areas of the room. With USB playback, simply plug in your USB directly into the sound bar to playback music of your choice. Of all the soundbars I reviewed recently, LG’s Sound Bar Flex SJ7 is the most unique. Includes a wireless subwoofer. If you have a TV that’s 55 inches or larger, or if you’re ready to try out the most common premium audio formats (like DTS-HD-MA), you’ll find terrific options in this range. If a record player will be part of your soundbar setup, make sure to buy a soundbar that has RCA inputs. Please check your local store. DTS:X also features object-based sound, but with DTS:X, you can manually adjust specific sound objects. In this price range, you’ll find models that support 5.1 and 7.1 setups that use up-firing speakers to bounce surround audio around the room. At a $399 street price, the LG faces competition from the Vizio SB4051-C0 5.1 sound bar and Yamaha YAS-203, and which of these you choose is a matter of whether surround sound … Digital Theater Sound High Definition Master Audio is the upgraded version of DTS. It’s immensely powerful, for starters. High price tag. The sub is relatively compact at 8.7 x 15.4 x 12.3 inches (WxHxD) with a weight of 17.2 pounds. Many soundbars use up-firing speakers and echolocation technology to simulate surround effects, so it will sound like audio is coming from behind you or moving around the room. Then, when you have an idea of what features you need and how much you want to spend, check out the table above to see which models we recommend most. A soundbar can make a big improvement to your TV watching, and they're more convenient and affordable than a surround-sound … Alternatively, use the HDMI In/Out, optical or USB connections to set up your wired devices. LG SN8YG soundbar review ... the subwoofer produced a satisfying rumble and it was more detailed than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround thanks to Atmos. Many soundbars use up-firing speakers and echolocation technology to simulate surround effects, so it will sound like audio is coming from behind you or moving around the room. Measure the horizontal width of your TV before shopping for a soundbar. Design is heavy, weighing 33 pounds. Your LG soundbar doesn’t have to be the exact same width as your TV, but if it’s too small or too large, it may look peculiar underneath your TV. Easy to stream music through the soundbar from a mobile device through a Bluetooth connection. For most people, the cost and effort involved with a multi-speaker setup is off-putting – and using a single soundbar delivers an audio experience that’s almost as good. Between $200 and $399, LG soundbars offer bigger sound and more speakers. Get rich, immersive sound with an LG sound bar. The design of the LG SL4Y will look great on many TVs. LG NB3540 soundbar review: LG’s slim and stylish 2.1 soundbar is easy on the eye and generously specced, but is its sound quality up to scratch? Meanwhile, the wireless subwoofer is bookshelf-speaker-sized and you shouldn’t struggle to find it a home on the floor near to the bar. However, because every viewing room has unique acoustics, simulated surround will sound better in some locations than others. If you need a basic soundbar for a small room like a den or a dorm room, you’ll find some terrific options for making your music and movies sound better for less than $200. Immerse yourself in cinematic-like sound with the 2.1-channel and 300W power. The colossus is 58 millimeters high, 145 millimeters deep and no less than 1200 millimeters wide and is reminiscent of a sort of spaceship – but one for under your television. Please submit your details to enter the daily draw. This LG 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer features DTS Virtual:X™ technology to immerse you in your favourite content as sound moves around you. Soundbars can deliver better sound for your TV and movie viewing, particularly for older TVs. The LG Sound Bar SN11RG is no small undertaking for size and space. Please take our 3-minute survey, We believe in looking at products from all angles – the pros, the cons, and the compromises – and helping our readers make the best choices based on their needs. Has Chromecast built into the hardware for easy streaming of music. Dont know where to start?Try our buying guides! The LG SN7Y has a few faults that its competitors don’t but is still a very good-sounding soundbar that nails Dolby Atmos at the $500 price point. Match Your Sound Bar To Your TV. High-resolution audio. The bottom line: if you have a larger viewing area, you’ll probably need a full surround-sound speaker system to fill the room. Product Review: The LG SN4 is a simple sound bar that could suit someone on a budget. Dolby Digital is the most common digital surround format available. Much in the way that Dolby Digital is found everywhere (but DTS is superior), DTS:X is a more capable format than its more commonly found closest competitor, Dolby Atmos. Can I connect a turntable to a soundbar to play my vinyl records? CTA certified for high-resolution audio. If you need a basic soundbar for a small room like a den or a dorm room, you’ll find some terrific options for making your music and movies sound better for less than $200. It has 550 watts worth of power, and it uses a 5.2.1 channel system. Note: our listening assessment changed in October 2020 which lead to an adjustment of scores for all models available as of this date. Check on Amazon! In any case, you will not easily have the idea that you are dealing with a budget soundbar if you only look at the wide speaker. This powerful yet compact sound base is designed to sit under your television and it’s super easy-to-setup & easy-to-use! Your LG soundbar doesn’t have to be the exact same width as your TV, but if it’s too small or too large, it may look peculiar underneath your TV. The LG SK1 soundbar is decent for dialogue-heavy content like podcasts and TV shows. Smart dual speaker design that allows you to place the 2 main speakers in a left/right configuration or in a front/back configuration for optimal layout in the room. Q. Best of all, Dolby Atmos is dynamic, so the setup process will calibrate to your specific viewing area and create the perfect soundscape for the environment. The LG SN5Y 2.1 Channel Sound Bar System enhances your home theater experience. This soundbar features DTS Virtual:X™ technology that creates multi-dimensional sound that moves around you for a surround sound-like experience. You get the sound bar and a separate subwoofer, all for comfortably under £200. LG SN5Y 2.1 Channel Sound Bar. For example, a 7.1.4 system will have seven speakers, one subwoofer, and four height speakers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Easy sync with my Lg TV as it has sound sync feature. The upgrade kit includes two additional speakers for use as rear-surrounds in a surround-sound setup and connects to your existing LG soundbar wirelessly. Mid-range sound bars can be hit or miss in terms of quality, so does this LG sound bar make the Best Buy grade? Hear the difference as sound moves around you. When LG soundbars list support for Dolby Atmos, that means they include two to four additional up-firing speakers which will simulate the effect of ceiling speakers. Most sound bars fitted with the latest Dolby Atmos technology will set you back well over £500, but the LG SN7CY breaks that mould. Basic soundbar that will be easy to configure, while still delivering decent audio quality. As you’re shopping for an LG soundbar, consider these tips. Buying guide for best lg soundbars, SK8Y 2.1 Channel High Res Audio Sound Bar, SL6Y 3.1 Channel High Resolution Audio Sound Bar, SN5Y 2.1 ch 400W High Res Audio Sound Bar, Electronics SH2 2.1 Channel 100W Sound Bar, Free 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System, SL5Y 2.1 Channel High Resolution Sound Bar. The latter of those two aims to finesse the SN11RG's performance to suit your individual listening environment; the former provides a … Get exclusive content, advice, and tips from BestReviews delivered to your inbox. Includes Bluetooth connection option for streaming music. Only has 2.1 channel audio output. LG sells a speaker upgrade kit that works with most modern LG soundbars. The additional speakers are typically positioned in the ceiling above the viewer where they create “height” audio, meaning they’re able to work with other speakers to place specific sounds in specific areas of the room. For example, a setup with five speakers and a subwoofer is referred to as a 5.1 system. Has all the necessary features, including Dolby Atmos, Meridian Audio, and Chromecast compatibility, and works with Google Assistant. Dolby Digital is the most common digital surround format available. Has an HDMI input for cabled connectivity. Need a new soundbar? Turntables require more amplification than standard audio sources, which is why they typically need to be plugged into ports labeled “phono.” LG soundbars don’t include phono inputs, but many modern turntables have built-in preamps so they can connect to any speaker or amplifier with a standard RCA input. If you plan to mount your LG soundbar to a wall, make sure you are drilling into the studs behind the wall for optimal stability. Dolby Atmos is currently found on 4K Blu-rays and some streaming services, and make no mistake, it represents a huge step forward from prior audio formats. It's a strange model, technically sitting above the SN4 and SN5Y (both of which include a separate subwoofer), and below the SN7Y, which also comes with a sub. Don’t take any chances – even if you have to buy a stud finder to determine where they are. Digital Theater Sound (DTS) is a rival to Dolby Digital that can be found on many DVDs and some streaming apps. It has disappointing bass performance, resulting in a bright sound overall. The LG SN7CY is a single-unit soundbar that includes upward-firing drivers to create a 3.0.2-channel system. We purchase every product we review with our own funds — If you have a TV that’s 55 inches or larger, or if you’re ready to try out the most common premium audio formats (like DTS-HD-MA), you’ll find terrific options in this range. The bar – more or less the length of a 55in TV – is finished in a sleek metallic grey, and the fact it’s a fair few centimetres shallower than the SK10Y should please those who don’t have much spare room on their AV rack. As you get closer to $200, you’ll find models that include subwoofers and more connectivity options. May stream music from mobile devices through a Bluetooth connection. While any type of wireless speaker comes with the risk of occasional static or wireless interference, the wireless subwoofers included with LG soundbars are just as powerful and expressive as their wired counterparts. Simple 2.1 channel design in a soundbar makes it easy to set up and use. Not really made for those seeking top-flight audio quality. Really nice price point for a soundbar. The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. A bit more complex than other soundbar systems. Keep reading for our take on LG soundbars. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Yes, for the most part. Almost. Here’s a quick rundown of the different audio formats you’ll see listed in connection with soundbars and what they mean. Slightly curved soundbar provides a good looking piece of hardware. If you’re in the market for a new home audio solution, don’t look past this LG 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer. On the low end of the range, you’ll see stereo-only models made for smaller TVs. Only 100 watts of power. . If you want to add object-based surround sound to your TV room, or if you want to play back your high-resolution music files, get ready to look at the pricier options. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Behind the wide speaker are some buttons: for playback, selecting sources, adjusting volume and switc… The typical soundbar is just that: A monolithic, bar-shaped speaker that can rest in … The LG SL8YG soundbar measures 41.7 x 2.2 x 4.7 inches (WxHxD) and weighs in at a hefty 9.7 pounds. A … That is achieved by the availability of this kind of speaker. The sound profile is neutral and well-balanced in the mid-range, which is typically the frequencies at which voices are reproduced. BestReviews wants to be better. The sub connects to the soundbar wirelessly using a dedicated 5GHz protocol, so it can be easily placed anywhere in the room. Conversations in DTS-HD-MA sound up close and personal; action scenes will make your living room sound like a war zone. The system boasts an audiophile-grade speaker design. Also consider JBL JBL Bar 9.1. squirrel_widget_269783. Adding LG’s additional rear surrounds is a great compromise between immersive audio and the cost and headache of setting up a complete multi-speaker system. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. we never accept anything from product manufacturers. Although it’s less common than Dolby Digital, it’s a step up in audio quality. However, because every viewing room has unique acoustics, simulated surround will sound better in some locations than others. Uncompressed audio is a major improvement because you’re hearing the soundtrack unaltered. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. Can add more speakers wirelessly by purchasing them separately. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. LG offers a wide variety of soundbars in a broad range of price points. Easily stream music with Bluetooth connectivity and the new AI Sound Pro function analyses and adjusts spoken words and audio so you can listen clearer and better, no matter what you’re watching. But if you’re watching in a typical living room or bedroom, a soundbar will be more than enough to deliver a theater-like experience. The soundbar is intended for 40-inch (or slightly larger) televisions and is therefore about the same width so that it can fit nicely. accessed through a cable box – comes with Dolby Digital audio. Unfortunately, determining which soundbars are up to the task can get rather complicated because not all soundbars support every audio format you’ll encounter. Turntables require more amplification than standard audio sources, which is why they typically need to be plugged into ports labeled “phono.” LG soundbars don’t include phono inputs, but many. The SL4 LG Sound Bar fills your living room with Adaptive Sound Control, LG’s unique audio enhancing technology, analyzing frequency levels as you listen and providing an optimum sound mix based on what you are watching. There's support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Meridian tuning, an AI Sound Pro mode, and high-resolution audio support.. The best soundbar for 2021: Yamaha, Roku, Vizio, JBL and more. A Dolby Digital signal can carry sound information for as many as eight speakers, but it can also work through as little as one speaker. If your turntable doesn’t have a built-in preamp, you can purchase one separately and use it to properly connect your record player to your LG soundbar. At BestReviews, we’re on a mission to provide the most reliable and unbiased product reviews on the internet. Some LG soundbars include built-in Chromecast functionality, so you can “cast” any audio content directly from your smartphone to your soundbar to enjoy it in high fidelity. 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