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Willie Greer
- June 22, 2021
If you’re unsatisfied with your TV’s built-in speakers, chances are you want a separate audio system that can bring detailed and room-filling sound. Soundbars are meant for this purpose, but then again, not all are built the same and not all can work seamlessly with your LG TV.
Our seasoned sound engineers did all the legwork and curated the best soundbars for LG TV you can find today:
- 3D Surround Sound
- Smart TruePlay tuning
- Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Dolby Digital decoding
- For 4K and HD TVs
- Polk Adjust Technology
- Virtual surround sound
- High resolution
- 3.1 channel soundbar
At A Glance: Our Top 6 Picks for Soundbars for LG TV
- Best Overall: Polk Audio Signa S2 with Wireless Subwoofer
- Best For CX & C1: LG SN6Y
- Best For LG OLED TV: Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- LG SL5Y
- LG SP9YA
- LG SP8YA
Reviews of The Top Soundbars For LG TV
Polk Audio Signa S2 with Wireless Subwoofer - Best Overall
Known as one of Polk’s coveted audio systems, the Signa S2 is a universally compatible soundbar that will work smoothly with your 4K and HD TVs.
The Signa S2 is engineered with the Polk Adjust Technology that unlocks all the sonic nuances and details that your TV speakers couldn’t produce. This, together with Dolby Digital decoding, create customized audio production for every type of content. Whether it be crystal clear dialogues or authentic film acoustics you desire, the soundbar-subwoofer can effortlessly fine tune the audio for excellent sound quality.
Setting it up was also a breeze, thanks to the built-in Bluetooth which allows wireless streaming of music from mobile devices. You also get everything you need in the package, including all necessary cables and the manual.
What We Like
- Bluetooth built in for music streaming
- Comes with a wireless subwoofer
- Polk Adjust Technology
- Works with all 4K and HD TVs
- Easy setup
- All cables included
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Not a match with Samsung
- Average remote control
LG SN6Y
Like the Signa S2, the LG SN6Y soundbar also comes with its own subwoofer and a dedicated center channel for clearer dialogue. While it isn’t a full-fledged 5.1 system, our testers and engineers were delighted with the DTX Virtual:X which created a rich multi-dimensional virtual surround sound experience.
To further ensure that your content is portrayed with accurate detail and a balanced sound quality, the SN6Y soundbar also has AI Sound Pro, which automatically detects the audio and fine-tunes itself.
Bringing more convenience to the user, the LG soundbar is also wireless surround sound ready and has Bluetooth streaming capabilities. Pair the soundbar with your mobile device for a seamless and convenient listening experience from your favorite streaming services like Spotify Connect.
What We Like
- 3.1 channels
- Can deliver 420w of power
- AI Sound Pro
- Has a separate subwoofer for booming bass
- Wireless Bluetooth for music streaming
- Wall-mountable
- Works with a wireless speaker kit
- DTS Virtual:X
- Dedicated center channel for enhanced speech
What We Don't Like
- Isn’t true surround
- The ARC connection may be unstable at times
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
It’s a fact that not all speakers are suitable for pairing with LG TVs, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 has a universal panoramic sound feature that will surely elevate your home theater experience.
No matter what kind of media our testers played on this unit, it delivered a crystal clear audio output that complemented our desired viewing experience with this model. Its 3D surround dispersion was the best match for the TVs’ lightning-fast response time and rich display.
This soundbar is also very convenient because you can control it via the Sonos app through Amazon Alexa voice control. Users can also use smart tuning from the same app without any hassle. And with its elegant design, there’s no doubt that it will blend with any interior.
What We Like
- Works with modern televisions
- Immersive sound with Dolby Atmos
- Compact design
- Includes wireless connection
- Space-saving soundbar option
- Can be part of a multiroom system
What We Don't Like
- Moderately expensive than other brands
- Only available in two colors
LG SL5Y
In our reviews, the LG SL5Y can pack a punch even with just 2.1 channels. A total combined power of 400 watts between the soundbar and the external subwoofer guarantees an immersive life-like sound that pairs well with LG TVs.
Products with advanced technologies like Adaptive Sound Control, Bass Blast, and DTS Virtual:X can create sound that completely envelops you. With this sound quality, it’s difficult to believe that this product isn’t a 5-channel soundbar. Plus, it comes at such an affordable price.
The inexpensive sound bar is one of the options equipped with Bluetooth wireless streaming for easy connection to different devices. This product has a sleek and modern design, making it one of the best soundbars for LG TVs.
What We Like
- 400 watts of total output power
- External subwoofer
- DTS Virtual:X technology
- Affordable price
- Features one simplified control panel on the side
- High resolution sound bar
- Bluetooth streaming
- Automatic sound level adjustments
- Sleek and lightweight design
What We Don't Like
- Best when the soundbar and subwoofer are close to each other
- No WiFi
LG SP9YA
Equipped with Meridian’s advanced DSP technology, the LG SP9YA is a product to be reckoned with when it comes to producing audio. This speaker simulates a wide soundstage that works seamlessly. This is one of the most superior quality soundbars with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual X to generate the cleanest and most expansive audio in films.
No matter where your TV is, the LG SP9YA is one that can calibrate its speaker settings to work with the room with spatial awareness AI technology.
Like other LG products, you can also connect the sound bar to your SmartHome system if applicable, or it can be easily controlled with voice control. That means you can command the soundbar with your voice and enjoy convenient hands-free navigation.
What We Like
- Meridian Technology
- AI calibration
- DTS:X
- Can be integrated to your SmartHome system
- Bluetooth support
- Comes with everything in the box
- Buildable speaker system
- Features Chromecast
- Can deliver 500w of total power
What We Don't Like
- A little bit heavy
- No Wi-Fi
LG SP8YA
The LG SP8YA soundbar is a full-range system complete with an external subwoofer that can work with wireless expansion speakers. Meridian technology meets DTS:X and Dolby Atmos to bring the cinema to your living room.
The sound bar is also equipped with AI technology, which calibrates the settings to the acoustics of the room. Not only that, the soundbar can analyze what is being played on screen and optimize the settings instantly for a more immersive home theater experience.
The SP8YA not only pairs with your TV, but with the embedded Bluetooth, it can also support movies and music from other devices. So, you can stream your favorite tunes or podcasts directly to your soundbar.
What We Like
- True surround sound
- Can connect to wireless expansion speakers
- Meridian Technology
- Dolby Atmos
- AI room calibration
- AI Sound Pro
- Bluetooth enabled
- Can deliver 440w output power
What We Don't Like
- Wider than some models
- Doesn't work with Amazon Alexa
How To Choose Among The Greatest Soundbars for LG TVs - A Buying Guide
Picking the best LG soundbars and products that go with LG TVs can be hard, especially if you’re a first time buyer. That said, we’re finishing these reviews by listing a few features you should look for in a soundbar.
Design
Searching for soundbars that fit into your space should be your first consideration. Take into account the amount of space you have and the placement options with your TV. If you don’t have much space, perhaps a sound bar without an external subwoofer like the Bose Solo 5 or the Samsung HW-N300 would be a better choice.
However, there are some things you can do to get soundbars out of the way. Mounting your soundbar on the wall can free up some extra space on surfaces [1]. Check the mounting options available on the manual. There might be a mounting kit included in your purchase.
Sound
To complement your TV’s visual quality and resolution, check the sound features and technology that the soundbar can offer.
For example, our sound engineers recommended Sonos Beam as the ideal LG C1 soundbar because of its Dolby Atmos and Trueplay tuning features that go with the C1 TV’s rich display and fast response time.
In general, though, the best soundbars should have top-notch sound with high sampling rates and bit depth. The LG brand has been at the forefront of innovative TV tech, and you would want acoustics that can catch up with high frame rates and finest displays.
LG TV owners should choose soundbars that possess Dolby DTS or Atmos 3D surround sound to further elevate the audio experience and quality when watching movies.
Having a subwoofer as well as sound modes can help enhance the audio in the right areas. There are typically different sound mode options, including music mode, movie mode, dialogue mode, and night mode that lowers the volume. However, you also want to look into the number of audio channels in products. The more channels your sound bar has, the more immersive your experience will be.
But of course, having extra speakers result in better audio reproduction and sound performance. For instance, an external subwoofer produces a more robust sound profile by delivering deep bass. Adding rear speakers further results in a great performance and more volume. If you’re looking at lower price points, however, soundbars with passive radiators should give enough punch.
Thankfully, products with these tech options don’t have to be expensive all the time because there are pretty affordable Dolby Atmos soundbars if you know where to look. After all, if you do have a great soundbar, you might not want rear speakers or a subwoofer anyway.
Bluetooth/WiFi
Bluetooth is a pretty basic wireless function most soundbars have. Aside from allowing you to stream music and audio content directly from your phone or tablet, Bluetooth also allows you to pair your soundbar to the TV to minimize unsightly wires.
However, despite being a common feature in soundbars, Bluetooth is not available in other models, including older ones such as the Bose Solo. So if this is an important feature you like, make sure to check the wireless specs of the soundbar.
Connections
How does your soundbar connect to your TV? Before you buy soundbars like the Sonos Ray, make sure there are compatible connection options on both the TV and the soundbar. It would be a bummer if you buy a feature-packed soundbar only to find out it has compatibility issues with your TV.
Digital and analog connections are two common ones, with digital being the better option. It’s best to have an optical input and one or two HDMI inputs. Most models today have a digital optical port and at least one HDMI input, so you won’t have trouble finding one. That said, we do recommend HDMI ARC for the best sound quality and support for new audio formats.
In some models, you may also find a USB port for music playback. Stereo RCA is also a pretty common connection.
As for wireless connections, some models have Wi Fi connectivity. Wi Fi could unlock a bunch of extra features and convenience for you as well.
You can also check if your soundbar can be connected to a receiver for amplified sound. A quality receiver is great if you want to boost the details each speaker or channel can produce. Check out these best AV receivers below 500 which can be compatible with your soundbar and TV.
Setup
How easy is it to set up LG soundbars? If the product comes with everything you need in the box, then set-up should be very simple. Depending on the connections, some items you’d typically find include the digital optical cable, HDMI cable, the power cord, and the remote. If you’re lost or if you need to troubleshoot, a user manual must be available to help you out.
The remote control should be easy to use as well. And while most soundbars have an included remote control in the package, some soundbar models allow the use of a universal remote control, like the Bose Solo 5. Remember to check the soundbar itself during the setup, as there might be LED lights or a screen that tells you about the current settings.
FAQ
Are LG soundbars any good?
Yes, LG soundbars are very good, even basic models like SNC4R. Similar to their TVs and other electronics, it can be a very reliable device.
What is the best soundbar for LG TV?
The best soundbar for an LG TV is the Polk Signa S2. It pairs seamlessly and comes with an array of advanced audio technologies like Polk Adjust Technology.
Do I need a soundbar for LG OLED?
No, you do not need a soundbar for LG OLED. However, the addition of a soundbar will enhance your viewing experience and bring high resolution sound right into your living room.
What is the best soundbar for an LG OLED TV?
The best soundbar for an LG OLED TV would be the Yamaha YAS-108 soundbar. This soundbar goes well with many TVs and can enhance all sounds being played.
What soundbar is compatible with an LG TV?
Most, if not all, soundbars are compatible with LG TVs. Just make sure that the two devices share the same connections (HDMI ARC, digital, analog) to ensure seamless pairing.
Can I connect a Samsung soundbar to an LG TV?
Yes, you can connect a Samsung soundbar to an LG TV. You would only need to make sure that both devices share the same form of connection.
How do I get my soundbar to work on my LG TV?
You can get your soundbar to work with your LG TV by connecting via HDMI ARC for wired connections or take advantage of LG Sound Sync, which pairs your soundbar to the TV wirelessly.
Our Top Pick: Polk Audio Signa S2
Following our tests and evaluation, our audio engineers have unanimously chosen the Polk Audio Signa S2 as the best soundbar for LG TVs. The affordable price plus the additional subwoofer really places this soundbar sub combo in a league of its own. It comes complete with Polk Audio’s Voice Adjust Technology to clarify vocals and dialogue. With this soundbar in your home entertainment system, you’d be enjoying your movies and music the way they’re meant to be heard.
There are more options to familiarize yourself with if you have an awesome, booming viewing experience. Check out our review of the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra that comes with 9.2 channels.
