”The SC9S is constructed that will help you expertise the motion you’re watching on display screen, and with content material like Ahsoka and others, it knocks it out of the park.”
Concerning the LG SC9S
Credit score:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
The LG SC9S could be managed by the included distant or with an app in your machine.
- Worth: $999.99
- Dimensions (HWD): 2.5 x 38.4 x 4.9 inches (soundbar); 15.4 x 12.3 x 8.7 inches (subwoofer)
- Weight: 9.1 kilos (soundbar); 17.2 kilos (subwoofer)
- Audio system/drivers: Two 300W entrance audio system, one 30W heart speaker, three upfiring drivers, one 220W subwoofer
- Wi-fi connection: Bluetooth 5.2
- Wired connection: One HDMI eARC/ARC, one HDMI enter, one digital optical enter, one 3.5mm auxiliary enter, one 3.5mm stereo enter, one USB enter
- Sound codecs: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X,
- Video help: 4K HDR/Dolby Imaginative and prescient passthrough
What we like
It delivers dynamic, highly effective sound
It’s a very good time to be testing soundbars. New episodes of Ahsoka are dropping weekly on Disney+, The Flash simply grew to become out there for Max subscribers, and One Piece is now on Netflix. A lot of motion sequences to go round, and many alternatives to check the LG SC9S’ chops.
I used to be wowed by the best way the SC9S dealt with most content material, due to its well-crafted implementation of three upfiring drivers and highly effective 220-watt subwoofer. However for me, watching Ahsoka was persistently the most effective showcase of the LG’s capabilities. Lightsaber battles packed unbelievable element, dogfights between Insurgent and Empire forces had all types of top and dimension to them, and moments when the pressure was used reverberated all through my front room due to that punchy woofer. In some ways, the SC9S is constructed that will help you expertise the motion you’re watching on display screen, and with content material like Ahsoka and others, it knocks it out of the park.
That’s to not say the SC9S can’t pivot to different varieties of content material nicely. We rented No Laborious Emotionsthe surprisingly charming rom-com starring Jennifer Lawrence, which was principally dialogue-driven outdoors of some humorous motion bits. The SC9S displayed a well-balanced strategy, delivering clear dialogue with out its subwoofer creeping into locations it shouldn’t. It was there when the LG wanted it, nevertheless it primarily let the soundbar’s center-channel speaker do many of the heavy lifting there.
Options galore, due to Wi-Fi
Credit score:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
The inclusion of Wi-Fi functionality permits for software program updates over your private home community.
When you’ve learn my soundbar opinions, you understand at this level that I’m a sucker for a strong lineup of options. For me, that extends past providing Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, and even providing 4K passthrough or excessive decision audio help. The LG SC9S checks off every of these containers, however there’s one particular spec that unlocks a brand new world of utility and comfort. Wi-Fi.
As considerably of a dying breed, the SC9S has Wi-Fi in-built. That’s one of many calling playing cards of a Sonos soundbar, however more and more fewer soundbars are delivery with that form of connectivity. However this LG has it, and it positive makes probably the most of it. Amazon Alexa is constructed proper in. So is Chromecast. So is Apple AirPlay 2 help, and Spotify Join help.
Probably the most notable a part of having Wi-Fi constructed into your soundbar is the supply of standard software program updates. And that’s an vital promoting level for the LG as nicely. However a completely related soundbar provides you so some ways to stream music or, within the case of Alexa, handle your sensible house. For these causes, it’s a fantastic addition to the SC9S.
You may tinker with the app all day lengthy
Nobody’s saying it’s a must to. In truth, the soundbar does include a sturdy distant, so that you technically may get away with out dipping your toes into LG’s accompanying soundbar app. However when you have any need to customise your sound, it’s well worth the house in your smartphone.
From the house display screen, you possibly can select a particular sound impact (I often left mine on AI Sound Professional, which is supposed to optimize sound based mostly on the content material you’re feeding the soundbar), toggle into Night time Time mode for much less dynamic, extra dialogue-focused viewing, or faucet into the soundbar’s AI Room Calibration characteristic to tailor the bar’s sound to your house.
Just below that AI Room Calibration characteristic is the “Sound Settings by Speaker” tab. Right here, you possibly can alter the woofer stage, heart speaker stage, overhead/upfiring speaker stage, and rear speaker stage if relevant. A further faucet within the higher righthand nook reveals tone management, the place you possibly can broadly alter treble and bass.
It’s not probably the most in-depth sound settings tab yow will discover available on the market, nevertheless it’s surprising what number of soundbars don’t provide these important instruments for sound customization. If I needed to emphasise my top channels or get an additional oomph out of my subwoofer, I may achieve this in a matter of moments. LG understood the task with its app, and it paid off in dividends.
What we don’t like
Including encompass audio system prices $200 additional
Credit score:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
Increasing from a 3.1.3 system to incorporate encompass requires the acquisition of additional audio system for $200.
The LG SC9S just isn’t capable of natively ship convincing encompass sound in any significant manner. And not using a pair of rear audio system within the combine, the LG SC9S will downmix encompass sound audio and render the entire additional particulars that assist immerse you right into a scene nearly nonexistent.
Now, this can be a fixable downside. The LG SPQ-S wi-fi rear speaker package will connect with the soundbar and ship that candy encompass sound that’s lacking. Nevertheless it prices $200 on prime of the SC9S’s $1,000 price. That’s not fairly Sonos costly for a full setup, however it’s a heftier pressure in your pockets than different Dolby Atmos choices from Vizio, Monoprice, and even its personal relative, the LG S90QY, should you’re in search of encompass sound.
Do you have to purchase the LG SC9S?
Sure, so long as you don’t thoughts the encompass snafu
Credit score:
Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
The LG SC9S soundbar is finest for somebody trying to praise their C-Collection OLED TV.
The LG SC9S is all of the issues it professes to be. It’s a strong Dolby Atmos soundbar that capitalizes on its trio of upfiring drivers and distinctive subwoofer to provide thrilling, dynamic sound that’s positive to seize the ears of many who take heed to it. It additionally comes with a plethora of options due to built-in Wi-Fi, and sports activities an app that allows you to alter every channel of the soundbar to your liking.
Encompass sound is the lacking puzzle piece right here, however it’s a $200 repair if desired. Even with that addition, although, it’s nonetheless a cheaper ensemble than a equally specced Sonos system would demand. Granted, that Sonos setup could have an edge in sound high quality, however the hole isn’t fairly as large as you may suppose.
When you’re in search of one thing to pair along with your LG C3 OLED TV, otherwise you’re available in the market for high quality Dolby Atmos sound with a beefy price range to again it up, the LG SC9S is a standout soundbar that ought to be in your quick record.
LG SC9S Soundbar
The LG SC9S sounds nice and gives loads of worth due to a bunch of options, making it an intriguing alternative regardless of its important price ticket.
Purchase at Amazon
Meet the tester
Nick Woodard is a tech journalist specializing in all issues associated to house theater and A/V. His background features a strong basis as a sports activities author for a number of day by day newspapers, and he enjoys mountain climbing and mountain biking in his spare time.
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