Best Soundbar For Lg Tv to consider (January 2024)
If you’re looking to improve your TV watching experience at home, then investing in a soundbar is a great option. A soundbar connects to your TV and significantly enhances the sound quality compared to relying on your TV’s built-in speakers alone. In this guide, we will explore the top options for the best soundbar for LG TVs and the key factors to consider when making your purchase.
Buying Guide for best Soundbar For Lg Tv
Compatibility: The most important factor is ensuring the soundbar you choose is compatible with your specific LG TV model. All major brands like Samsung, LG, Sony etc. offer soundbars designed to seamlessly pair with their TVs.Sound Quality: Consider how many drivers or speakers the soundbar has and what audio formats it supports like Dolby Atmos. More drivers will provide a richer, more immersive soundstage. Look for support for lossless formats like Dolby TrueHD.
Design: Soundbars come in various sizes to fit below different sized TVs. Make sure the bar will fit in your setup space. Also consider if you want simple sound only or one with streaming apps built-in.
Ease of use: Connectivity options matter – look for HDMI ARC/eARC for audio return from the TV. Controls should be simple to understand. Extra features like voice assistants can add convenience.
Power: Decent soundbars will have a power rating between 30W and 100W depending on room size. More watts doesn’t always mean better sound quality, but it does mean the ability to get louder.
Best Soundbar For Lg Tv
Despite being simple, small, and affordable, this soundbar outperforms many larger, more complicated competitors. But the package doesn’t include surround speakers.
You might not expect much from the Polk MagniFi Mini AX, which is very small. But in our brand-hidden tests, where people couldn’t tell what size it was, this soundbar did better than bigger, more feature-packed models that cost hundreds more. The soundbar is only 14.5 inches wide, but its digital signal processing (DSP) technology made the surround sound effect sometimes sound more realistic, if not as dramatic, than on soundbars with separate surround speakers.
The package comes with a small subwoofer that worked better than its size would suggest, creating deep, punchy, pleasing bass. When playing music, the system sounded better than most soundbars. For realistic sound, the MagniFi Mini AX works with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It can also stream sound over Wi-Fi using Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, as well as via Bluetooth.
There is HDMI eARC, optical digital audio, and analog audio, which are all good connection choices, but there isn’t a specific HDMI input to connect a source directly. Surround speakers can be added as an option.
Runner-up
Vizio M-Series Elevate
This system includes dedicated surround speakers and motorized upward-firing speakers to produce more immersive sound from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks.
If you want a truly immersive surround sound experience, the Vizio M-Series Elevate is the right choice for you. Our listening group thought this system gave them a more cinema-like experience, even though it was more expensive and difficult than our top pick. It didn’t sound as good with music, though.
The soundbar has motorized speakers inside that tilt up and bounce sound off the ceiling to make the experience more real. On each side, a purple-lit sound vent pulls out to make the surround effect even better. The system also has separate speakers in the back that connect to the incredibly powerful 6.5-inch subwoofer via cords.
One standard HDMI input, an HDMI eARC jack, optical and analog audio inputs, Bluetooth, a lot of sound-tuning controls, and a signal-sensing input that lets you connect an Amazon Echo Dot so that the soundbar works as a smart speaker are some of the features it has.
The only thing it doesn’t have is Wi-Fi so you can play music directly through AirPlay or Chromecast, which is something you usually get at this price.
Budget pick
Yamaha SR-C30A
The Yamaha SR-C30A sounds much more natural than most inexpensive soundbars, even if it can’t match the volume and envelopment of more expensive models.
The Yamaha SR-C30A is the best soundbar we’ve heard for less than $300 if all you want is a simple, low-cost soundbar to make watching TV better every day. It sounds natural and comfy, which isn’t often found in soundbars of any price. However, it lacks the bass power and immersive surround-sound effects of our more expensive picks.
This two-channel (stereo) speaker is pretty small, measuring only 23.5 inches across. It’s not strong enough to shake your couch, but the subwoofer does add enough kick to movies and games that you like. It sounds nice when you play music, but it doesn’t have the same bass power or effects as our other picks.
This TV has Bluetooth, two optical audio inputs, one analog audio input, and one HDMI eARC port, which is the usual set of features for a TV in this price range.
Upgrade pick
LG S95QR
The S95QR includes a powerful subwoofer, surround speakers, five upward-firing Atmos speakers, and lots of inputs and audio streaming options.
You can get a music experience that is similar to having an AV player and surround-sound speakers with the LG S95QR, but it is easier to set up. This soundbar is advertised as having 9.1.5 channels, and it does. It has three upward-firing immersive speakers built into the top of it, as well as one more upward-firing speaker built into each of the wireless surround speakers.
With movies recorded in the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, this system’s extra upward-firing speaker and IMAX Enhanced feature make the sound even more immersive than our runner-up pick, the Vizio. It also plays louder without straining. Deep bass from the subwoofer is strong and sharp, and it really wakes up the room (and your feelings).
Voice control works with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa on this full-featured system. It can also send music via Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Alexa, and Bluetooth. Along with two HDMI inputs and an optical digital audio input, the S95QR has an HDMI eARC port. However, it does not have an analog audio input.
FAQs
Can I use a soundbar with multiple TVs?
Yes, many support switching between TVs either via separate inputs or HDMI-CEC control.
How do I connect a soundbar to my TV?
HDMI is preferred for best quality. Use HDMI ARC/eARC port on TV and soundbar. Optical is another option but lacks newer formats.
Will a soundbar improve all content?
AIt greatly enhances movies and shows but may not improve all TV shows as much since quality varies. Dialog clarity is almost always improved.
How big is room coverage for a soundbar?
Most are designed for small to medium size rooms, up to around 15×15 feet. Larger sizes may have additional drivers/subwoofers for whole home coverage.
What else do I need besides the soundbar?
In most cases just the soundbar, but you may want a wireless subwoofer for deeper bass or surround speakers for true surround sound.
Conclusion
Investing in a quality soundbar is a budget-friendly way to instantly boost your TV viewing experience at home. Be sure to do your research to find the right compatible model for your specific LG TV with great sound quality and the key features that matter most to your needs. An affordable soundbar can make a huge difference in audio clarity and immersion.
For over 30 years, Nicolas Fonte has explored the great outdoors and tested all manner of gear. Through tireless adventures hiking the most remote trails and climbing the biggest walls, he has become the expert on rugged, reliable equipment. Now in his late 50s, Nicolas’ gear reviews are the most trusted resource for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.
