A time comes, when you realize that your LG TV’s built-in sound system just doesn’t cut it. Say, you want more details when watching movies/TV shows, or a thicker, more pronounced bass while listening to your favorite music. Well, the good news is – there’s something you can do about it! There is a huge market of soundbars out there, and today we’ll take a look at the five best soundbars for LG TV.
These devices have proven to be reliable and easy to use, and you’ll instantly feel the difference in audio quality compared to the TV tweeters. Once you’re done with the reviews, don’t forget to check out the FAQ and Buyer’s Guide to master the art of picking the right soundbar. Alright without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Best Soundbars for LG TV Review
1. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control
We begin the list with Bose Solo 5 – a compact soundbar with a really great sound. Whether you like to watch a movie, play a video game, or listen to music, one thing you can be sure of is that Solo 5 will deliver a very detailed, rich audio output. The universal remote is quite handy and allows you to control the bar from the comfort of your couch. It’s kinda big and bulky, but that’s only a minor con.
Back to the pros, you’ll get access to a vast variety of inputs such as optical, coaxial, and 3.5 mm jack. Thanks to enhanced Bluetooth support, you can stream music from any of your devices and sync the soundbar with a Smartphone or a tablet. And should you walk away from your TV the soundbar will automatically shut off after a period of no activity.
The Pros:
- Compact, trendy, eye-grabbing design
- Excellent audio quality with crisp highs
- Includes a useful auto shut-off feature
The Cons:
- The remote is kinda big
Verdict
With the Bose soundbar, you can expect a decent sound quality, a modern, compact design, and an advanced auto shut-off feature. Solo 5 is available at a reasonable price and supports a wide range of wired and wireless connectivity technologies, which makes it an even better pick.
2. Polk Audio Signa S2 – Best Soundbars for LG TV
Next, we have Polk Audio Signa S2, another best-selling soundbar from a market-leading brand. The audio quality is, indeed, impressive: you can actually feel the “weight” of the sound. Signa S2 comes equipped with an HDMI connection, so, you can stop worrying about audio fidelity. The wireless connection is also good and easy to set up: you won’t notice any signal distortion.
Installation won’t take a lot of time or effort either. You’ll only need about 10 minutes to install/mount the soundbar and connect it to your TV – no special skill required. The only minor con has to do with how slow the bar is: you’ll have to wait for a while before it “comes to life”.
The Pros:
- Available at a very affordable price
- Superb audio quality through HDMI
- Takes minimal time and effort to install
The Cons:
- It takes the bar +/- 10 seconds to respond
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View on B&H
Verdict
Quick and easy installation, HDMI and wireless connection, and an above-average price – that’s what you’ll get with Polk Audio’s soundbar. It’s safe to say that you cannot go wrong with Signa S2, because, at such a fair price, it is a bargain and a great purchase for your home theater.
3. LG SN6Y Sound Bar
What is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about any audio system? The sound quality, of course. Well, this piece of hardware delivers a believable, satisfying sound, the one you’ll fall in love with instantly. It’s great for movie nights, and if you do a lot of gaming too, you can easily rely on this soundbar. The bar, along with the subwoofer does a great job delivering you that “pro” sound you’ve been looking for.
Equipped with HDMI and Bluetooth connectivity technologies, it gives you a lot of ways to connect to your TV and other devices. Oh, and you won’t have to buy a new remote, because the bar syncs up with your LG TV’s original RC. Add a generous package with a wall mount bracket plus cable management, and you’ll see why this soundbar deserves a spot on the list. The only downside: you’ll have to play around with the EQ to find the right frequency balance.
The Pros:
- Comes with a wall mount bracket + cable management
- Can be controlled via LG TV’s remote
- Fast delivery within the States
The Cons:
- A bit hard to balance the lows and highs out
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View on Best Buy
View on LG
Verdict
One word you could describe this soundbar with is quality. It comes packed with a wall mount bracket for quick installation and works with a standard LG remote. Setting the balance might take some effort, but it will be worth it.
4. Sonos Playbar – The Best Soundbar for LG TV
Although the Sonos Playbar is not the soundbar you can call affordable, the audio quality is arguably the best on the list. The low frequencies, for example, are quite impressive and make bass-heavy tracks “pop”. The design of the soundbar also deserves our attention. It’s a bit unusual but stylish, and it does stand out. The bar can be controlled via the Sonos app (aside from the remote), which is quite handy.
It’s very easy to set up, and within moments you’ll have a beautiful sound system in your room all ready to go. I also want to mention how accurate the Dolby simulation is with this bar. It creates a believable surround image for a true 3D experience. Plus, it can establish its own Wi-Fi network and bring all the devices in the house together.
The Pros:
- Superb audio quality (lows, mids, and highs)
- Creates an immersive, true 3D/Dolby experience
- Creates a Wi-Fi network of its own
The Cons:
- Switching from the TV to a phone doesn’t always work
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Verdict
What we have here is an expensive yet high-quality soundbar with a rich sound all over the range. If you’re not short on money and appreciate premium audio quality, take a closer look at this soundbar. Switching between audio sources doesn’t always go smoothly, though.
5. SAMSUNG HW-Q950A TV Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
Last, but not least, we have the Samsung HW-Q950A TV soundbar. It comes in 12 configurations – you’ll definitely find your perfect one here. But the one thing that all these configurations have in common is decent audio quality. This is hardly a big surprise, considering it’s Samsung we’re talking about. Another thing worth mentioning is the RC (remote control): it’s robust, compact, and incredibly fast.
The overall style is somewhat strict, which is a good thing if your living room is designed in a classic style. Now, this isn’t a particularly cheap bar; in fact, it’s the most expensive entry on the list. On the bright side, it’s crafted from premium materials and will serve for a very long time (up to a decade, or more).
The Pros:
- Full-fledged, feature-packed remote control
- 12 different configurations for all occasions
- Market-leading build/engineering quality
The Cons:
- The most expensive bar on the list
View on Best Buy
Verdict
A well-known brand, superb manufacturing quality, and lots of configurations – that’s the best way to describe the HW-Q950A soundbar. Samsung engineers did a wonderful job with this piece of hardware, that’s for sure. However, it will cost you a pretty penny.
How to Choose the Right Soundbar for my LG TV?
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Connectivity Options. Make sure the bar has the right connections to plug/sync it with the TV. Most modern TVs have all the necessary inputs and outputs, but better be safe than sorry. Check for HDMI ports: that should be enough to establish a connection. But if your TV is outdated, you may need a 3.5 mm jack or a coaxial port. And for streaming, there’s Bluetooth: it’s supported by most soundbars on the market.
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Dolby Atmos support. If surround sound is what you’re in for, check for Dolby Atmos support. While the bar won’t sound like a true 5.1 or 7.1 setup, this technology is pretty great at simulating a 3D sound atmosphere, especially in a relatively small room.
Can I connect a Samsung Soundbar to an LG TV?
LG TVs are compatible with a wide range of devices including soundbars. As long as your TV has the necessary inputs/outputs, it should not be a problem. HDMI ports are preferable as they provide the best quality possible. But coaxial, 3.5mm, and optical connections are not so bad either in case your TV doesn’t have HDMI. Sometimes, it’s pretty hard to impossible to notice the difference.
As for wireless connections, Bluetooth is ruling the show with soundbars; with that said, some advanced devices also support Wi-Fi. So make sure the Samsung soundbar and your LG TV both have some inputs/outputs in common and it’ll take just a couple of minutes to connect the bar to your TV then.
What Soundbars are Compatible with an LG TV?
The answer to that question is pretty obvious: almost any soundbar is compatible with an LG TV. Again, pay attention to the inputs and outputs on both your LG TV and the soundbar of your liking. The general rule here is both the TV and the soundbar must support the same connectivity technologies. If it’s HDMI you’re going for, make sure the TV has an HDMI port.
The same applies to the soundbar. If you want to enjoy a wireless connection through Bluetooth, both the TV and the bar must support this technology. Also, make sure you have all the right cables. Sometimes, the manufacturer packs a cable or two with the bar, but you shouldn’t solely rely on their generosity.
What does the Best Soundbar for an LG OLED TV look like?
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Lightweight, compact design. Apart from the sound characteristics, soundbars are expected to meet other demands such as design, size, and weight. Luckily, most if not all bars look nice and fit pretty much any room’s vibe – no need to hide them behind the TV. The weight varies from model to model and there are some really heavy bars, but there are a lot of lightweight models in the market too.
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Easy installation. How easy is it to install or mount the bar and connect it to the TV? Well, that’s another thing you should pay attention to. The easier it is to install and connect the soundbar you just bought, the better. See that you’re getting a mounting bracket with screws in the package.
Can I Control an LG Soundbar with my LG TV Remote?
If your soundbar and TV aren’t from the 20th century, then yes, you can. Thing is, it has become some sort of a trend lately to make universal remotes, which means you can control several devices from one single RC unit. They even make apps for that to use on phones and tablets. But to be absolutely sure, better check with the instructions that come with the bar and the TV.
And if for some reason you don’t have access to those instructions, don’t hesitate to reach out to customer support and have them explain this to you. LG is known for its swift, client-oriented support service.
How do I Connect an LG Subwoofer to my Soundbar?
Usually, there are two ways you can do it. Wired and wireless. Wired connections are done mostly via coaxial cable, so check if your bar has such an input. As for a wireless connection, make sure your soundbar supports Bluetooth. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule, but most of the time that’s pretty much how it goes.
Sure, a wireless connection is preferable, as none of us likes to have a bunch of cables lying around. And fear not, there won’t be a drop in audio quality if you connect through Bluetooth. Besides, establishing a Bluetooth connection takes just a couple of minutes, if not seconds.
Buyer’s Guide
Alright, now that we’re done with the frequently asked questions, let’s see what sets an average-at-best sandbar from a premium-quality audio device. We’ll go over pricing, packaging, frequencies, and more.
#1: Pricing + Package
Pricing is a significant factor when choosing a soundbar. Make sure it fits your budget. Usually, decent soundbars cost about 70-100 dollars – that’s the entry-level price. As for the premium segment, the sky’s the limit. Today we reviewed five soundbars with different price tags, so we’re confident that you’ll find the right device that meets your needs. Another thing to keep in mind is the package.
Sometimes, pricey bars come with cables, mount brackets, and a generous guarantee. Other times, it may be free delivery, which means no additional payment on your side is required. And then we’ve got expensive soundbars that come with a subwoofer that fills out your room with thick bass.
#2: The Frequency Response
Good soundbars can handle mids and highs quite well, but when it comes to the low-end, they’re mostly rendered helpless. Yes, there will be lows in your music, but they won’t be as satisfying as the mids and highs unless you’re the proud owner of a really expensive bar. So, what are your options here?
To fill the gaps, you need a subwoofer – a good one if you love “oomph” in the bass. With it, you’ll get crisp audio all over the frequency range. Just make sure you don’t put your subwoofer in the corner, or too close to the wall! For soundbars, 65 Hz-20 kHz is a decent frequency response (some go down as low as 40Hz), with the woofer handling the low-end.
#3: Build Quality
A soundbar must be designed, constructed, packed, and assembled properly. So, pay attention to the materials, check how well each component fits, and look at the overall engineering quality. Any decent product, soundbars included, should not look or feel cheap. So, if there are any doubts about the quality of the bar (like maybe it was made in China), better choose another one.
There are thousands of soundbars on the market waiting for you. That means you’ll definitely find the one you need – just give it enough time. It’s also a good thing to read customer reviews, too. People got something to say, and they will, especially if there is something wrong with the soundbar, like, say, poor material quality, average-at-best manufacturing, or something like that.
Conclusion
So, that’s about it for our guide into the world of the best soundbars for your LG TV. As we learned today, a decent-quality unit can be yours for a relatively low price. If you’re on a limited budget, go with Polk Audio Signa S2. It’s a good soundbar, not too expensive but with a decent sound. Next, we’ve got the Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with a sleek, compact design.
LG’s SN6Y SoundBar is the golden middle: not too expensive, but satisfying for the ears. Samsung is all about premium engineering. And if you aim for the top, then the Sonos Playbar may be the right choice for you. This is a high-end audio system that comes at a steep price but also sounds great.
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