LG SP9YA Soundbar Score Details. DT Recommended Product. The LG SP9YA Soundbar transforms any room into a Dolby Atmos-powered home theatre.Simple setupChromecast and AirPlay 2Controls for EQ and levelHi-res audio capabilities. Hardwired power cordAccess to the network music libraries is not possibleOne HDMI inputMSRP $1,000.00LG is a well-respected company that makes feature-loaded soundbars with impressive, room-filling sound. The company's latest offering in this market is the $1,000 SP9YA. It continues the 9-Series tradition of packing a lot of audio capability (like Dolby atmos and DTSX) into one soundbar and one wireless speaker. It is a great option for those who are looking for cinematic sound with a simple setup.You want to find out what LG has done with the SP9YA, and how it performs. All the details are right here.The SP9YA takes over the baton starting with 2020's SN9YG. Although the products look almost identical, LG made two important but small changes to them:Although the SP9YA does not support Google Assistant, it is still compatible with Google Assistant.The SP9YA supports AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. Chromecast was not supported by the 9YG.What's inside the box?The soundbar, wireless subwoofer, two mounting brackets, screws and a wall-mount template are all contained in the large shipping box. It also contains a remote control with AA battery, an optical cable and basic quick-start papers.LG's decision to include an optical cable and not an HDMI cable is still a mystery. However, you will need one to get the best audio quality from your TV.DesignPrevious Next 1 of 5 Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital Trends Simon Cohen/Digital TrendsThe SP9YA soundbar is 48 inches wide, just like its predecessors. It looks great positioned in front of a 50 inch or larger TV. However, it can easily dwarf a smaller one. Its small stature (2.24 inches) makes it unlikely that it will obscure any TV's lower part, no matter how big or small.LG has retained the brushed aluminum look on the top of both the soundbars and subwoofers. This is a smart decision as it reduces the size of what can be a large set of speakers. The circular up-firing grilles on the driver grilles are the only thing that disrupts the seamless design. Dolby Atmos soundbars with hidden height drivers like the Vizio Elevate and Sonos Arc are my preference, but that's a personal choice.The bar's top has a set of controls that can be used to control volume, power, source selection and play/pause. However, they are barely visible. The SP9YA is almost invisible in darkened rooms, except for the forward-facing LED display that is hidden behind the metal grille. It dims but does not completely turn off.The wireless subwoofer has a front-firing design that I find to be more efficient than down-firing units with the same power rating.One concern I have is with the soundbars hardwired electricity cord. This could make it difficult to install certain items, especially if the openings for the cord are too small to fit the size of the wall socket. The power cords on LG TVs can be detached if you remove the concealment panel. However, this is not possible with the SP9YA.Outputs and inputsThe back of the SP9YA has four ports. An HDMI input that is 4K/Dolby Vision compatible, an HDMI output ARC/eARC output and an optical input. There's also a USB port to play music stored on the device. Although I would prefer more HDMI inputs for this price, it is surprising that there aren't analog inputs or Ethernet jacks.The SP9YA's setup is easy. You can turn on TV sound by simply reaching for the remote.SP9YA treats the HDMI and optical inputs separately, which is a problem for soundbars. The HDMI input can be used to connect a streaming media player or cable box or Blu-ray player. The optical port can be used for audio sources such as a CD player or Sonos device. You can choose each source to provide a decent range of devices.Configuration and setupThe SP9YA's setup is simple. Simply plug the soundbar in your TV using HDMI or optical cables. Next, connect the wireless subwoofer to the wall and then turn the soundbar on. A solid green light will be displayed on the sub's back to confirm that the soundbar and subwoofer have established a wireless connection. Get the remote and you're ready to enjoy TV sound.There are many more options with the remote and the LG Sound Bar app.You should first consider using the A.I. The Room Calibration feature. The bar emits a series test tones that last a few seconds. The two microphones built in determine the effect of your room's acoustics on performance. The app allows you to hear both before and after sounds, making it easy to decide which one you prefer. Although I didn't notice any significant difference, it could be due to the room I was in.You can change the soundbar's Bluetooth mode at any time and pair it up with your phone, tablet or other Bluetooth device. The SP9YA can be connected to your Wi-Fi network for more audio options and deeper settings.Once you have done this, you can add the soundbar to Google Home or Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit. You can also use Spotify Connect to stream audio to your system via Chromecast and AirPlay 2. In a moment, I'll explain why this is so important.The SP9YA supports Chromecast and Google Assistant compatibility. It's amazing that LG doesn't make you do the Wi-Fi setup in the Google Home app, something we are seeing a lot with Chromecast devices such as the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage. The SP9YA can be added to the Google Home App if you wish.Apples AirPlay 2 also works as soon as you connect via Wi-Fi. No additional configuration is required.Use it quicklyThe included remote for the SP9YAs is ergonomically designed. It is easy to hold and use, but it isn't backlit making it less useful in dark rooms.Most TV remotes can control volume and mute of soundbars if they are connected via HDMI ARC/eARC. These functions can also be controlled by streaming media devices that are connected to the soundbars HDMI input (I tested it with an Apple TV 4K, and an Nvidia Shield TV). Unless you have an LG TV, you won't normally be able control the soundbars volume via TVs connected through the optical cable. In that case, enable Sound Sync on your TV to achieve this capability.The remote can also be used for more advanced functions: A four-way pad with directional buttons lets you navigate to deeper settings, such as speaker levels. The LG Sound Bar app, however, is far more useful than the remote. You can see all available channels (subwoofers, center, overhead, side, etc. You will also find slider controls for each channel.SP9YA is a powerful system that can be used for music and movies.Music playback is the only area that is not usable. Music playback is the only area that the Sound Bar app doesn't allow you to access.You will also need to use the remote control to navigate the contents of a USB storage device if you wish to play music.Sound qualityThe SP9YA system is a powerful one for music and movies. My normal soundbar system, when I'm not reviewing them, is a Pioneer Dolby Atmos receiver with a 5.1.2 set discrete speakers. These speakers include ceiling-mounted speakers that are directly above the listening area. I have never seen a soundbar that offers this level of immersion.It is not an exact replacement for the iPhone, but it is a very attractive option, given its simplicity and price.Dolby Atmos is the show's star. The soundbar works well with most audio formats. However, if you purchase the SP9YA, it is your responsibility to search for Atmos-enabled movies on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video or any other source.The SP9YA can recreate the excitement of movie theaters, whether it's the high-speed car scenes from Mad Max: Fury Road or Ford v Ferrari or John Wick Chapter 2 or the action of a superhero in a Marvel movie. It also has convincing 3D effects thanks to its height- and sidechannel drivers. It delivers low-end bass you can feel in your chest. However, it also provides a subtle performance that doesn't overpower the rest of the soundtrack.You might want to invite your neighbours to join you if you live in a condo, or share a wall, as they will also be able to feel the explosions.Pro tip: Turn up the volume on the overhead channels using the Sound Bar app. This is how you can hear the sounds that make Atmos sound, well, Atmosy.The eight sound effects settings available for Atmos content are inactive when playing Atmos content. Music, Cinema, and Game settings can have a profound impact on the quality of non-Atmos sound. Instead of relying solely on LG's labels and assuming Cinema is the best for movies, I recommend you try all. LG's AI Sound Pro setting is supposed automatically to detect the type of audio you are listening to and select the best setting. However, it didn't always work for me.Game mode was a better option for streaming music than the Music setting. The Bass Blast mode, which is supposed to increase low-frequency sounds, did the exact opposite.I was able to get the SP9YA to produce satisfying audio from music, TV, movies, and other media. The SP9YA soundbar is an excellent choice if you're looking for a soundbar that improves dialogus clarity. Even with default settings, I found speech very easy to understand. I was able both to increase the output of the center channel and to improve the clarity of the Clear Voice mode.Wi-Fi is my favorite method for music. Bluetooth is great for guests who want to quickly access music from their phones. However, AirPlay 2 or Chromecast offer superior audio quality than Bluetooth.Our takeLG's SP9YA produces amazing sound with a single subwoofer and soundbar, making it one the most convenient ways to enjoy Dolby atmos movies and music at your home.Is there another option?It is difficult to find a direct replacement for the LG SP9YA. There are not many soundbars that offer a complete 5.1.2 channel configuration with a single speaker and subwoofer.The Sonos Arc, which costs $799, is great for Dolby atmos. It can also double as an Alexa smart speaker or Google Assistant smart speaker. In addition to providing the best streaming music and multiroom capabilities, it also offers the best streaming music. It can only be used with the Sonos Sub, a $699 wireless speaker. This combo will cost you more than the SP9YA's $1,000. An HDMI input is also missing from the Arc, which makes it less useful for people who have many HDMI source devices.The Vizio Elevate, which costs $1,000, is the most comparable. The Vizio Elevate has great Dolby Atmos, DTS:X sound, and the best soundbar remotes. However, you'll have to deal with the additional surround speakers that are hardwired to a wireless subwoofer. This is a great choice for movies, but not for music. There is no support for lossless audio or Apple AirPlay 2.Although we have not yet reviewed Samsung's $1,300 2021 HW–Q900A 7.1.2 soundbar, its specifications and reviews of other Samsung soundbars suggest that it may be the SP9YAs most difficult competitor.What will be the duration of this?Soundbars and other audio gear can last many years. After they are installed, they don't move around much and heat buildup is not a problem. LG is yet to announce how long they will keep the SP9YA up-to-date with new software. While it should work without TV audio updates, some features like AirPlay streaming could be lost over time. LG offers a standard 1-year warranty on the SP9YA.Do you need to buy it?Yes. The LG SP9YA is a great choice if you're ready to dive into Dolby Atmos immersive audio and stream movies and music in this 3D format.Editors' Recommendations
