Tired of strained, tinny dialogue and limp explosions from your TV‘s puny built-in speakers? Ready to truly feel floor-rumbling bass, crystal clear whispers and envelope your senses in 3D movie soundtracks?
Well my friend, getting an LG soundbar with a dedicated subwoofer is the first – and best – upgrade you can make. But with so many models and variants available today, choosing the right one can get confusing.
Not to worry! I have tested and reviewed LG‘s latest offerings to pick the 6 top soundbars with wireless subwoofers perfect for every situation and budget.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
1. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – What are these magical surround technologies?
2. Connectivity options to seamlessly integrate your soundbar with new/existing gear
3. Key soundbar specifications explained so you can compare audio performance
4. Best LG soundbars for large rooms, clear dialogues, LG TVs and other usage scenarios
5. Answers to frequently asked questions around setup, bass sound etc.
Let‘s get started!
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – The Key to Immersive Audio?
You must have noticed these 2 terms plastered on higher-end soundbars, including LG models. But what do they actually mean? And do you really need them?
In a nutshell – YES – having Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support makes a world of difference!
These are advanced surround sound formats that create a bubble of audio above and around you, not just confined to ear level speakers at the front.
So with Atmos/DTS:X content, you‘ll hear overhead effects, ambient noises and sound panning above that pulls you right into the movie!
For example, droplets falling from trees in jungle scenes…helicopters circling your room…even light sabers swooshing over your head! This creates a super-realistic 3D soundstage and intensifies the viewing experience.
Many premium LG soundbars support these technologies using special upfiring drivers that bounce audio off your ceiling:
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The LG SP9YA has two upfiring speakers plus two height virtualization levels
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The LG S95QR adds four more virtual height channels with its wireless rear speakers
Of course, to enjoy object-based Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, you need physical media like 4K Blu-ray disks or streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ etc. Most standard cable/satellite TV channels still use old-school Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
But this is improving with more broadcasters upgrading to Dolby Atmos too. So you‘ll future proof your setup by investing in a Dolby Atmos/DTS:X enabled LG soundbar today!
Effortless Connections for All Your Devices
Sound quality is only one piece of the puzzle. Seamless connectivity and ease of use are equally vital!
You don‘t want to end up with a bird‘s nest of cables sticking out the back of your slick new LG soundbar.
Thankfully, premium models offer HDMI ports with enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) support plus wireless options like built-in Chromecast and Bluetooth:
HDMI eARC
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Carries both high quality video & audio signals over a single cable
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Works only if your TV also has an eARC HDMI port (newer models since 2019 do)
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Older TVs work too but needs a regular HDMI IN port on soundbar
Wi-Fi and Chromecast
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Connect soundbar to home Wi-Fi network and stream content using Chromecast
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Cast music apps like Spotify directly from your phone without cables
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Handy for software updates too
Bluetooth
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Quickly pair your smartphone/tablet and play audio wirelessly
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Useful as a backup if HDMI cables fail!
Here‘s a comparison of connectivity options on our shortlisted LG soundbar models:
| Model | HDMI eARC | Standard HDMI | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG S95QR | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| LG SN5Y | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| LG SP9YA | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
And so on…
The automatic wireless subwoofer connection is super convenient as well – no cables to route from front to back!
Key Specifications – Channels, Power Output and More
With technology taken care of, let‘s look at some crucial sound hardware differences between LG models:
Channels
This determines the number of independent audio channels fed into separate amplifiers and speakers. More channels allow locating sounds more accurately when objects pan across the screen:
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Entry-level LG soundbars like the SN5Y are 2.1 channel with just left, right, subwoofer
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Premium models scale up to 3.1 channels adding a center for dialogue clarity
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Flagship soundbars reach 5.1.2, 7.1.2 and even 9.1.5 channels with surrounds/height virtualization!
Speaker Configuration
Higher priced LG soundbars incorporate more physical speakers:
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The LG S80QY has left, right, center upfiring speakers plus wireless sub
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Rear surround speakers are also available for the S95QR as add-ons
With fewer external speakers, audio processing creates a wider spatial effect:
- The 2.1 channel LG SN5Y uses DTS Virtual:X to simulate surround sound
Power output
This determines maximum loudness the soundbar can achieve. Generally models with higher power output and more channels create an enveloping, room-filling sound.
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100 watt soundbars work for smaller rooms
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Soundbars >= 400 watt total output are better for larger spaces
Here is a breakdown of some key hardware metrics:
| Model | Channels | Speakers | Power (Watts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG SN5Y | 2.1 | Left, Right, Sub | 400 |
| LG SP9YA | 5.1.2 | Left, Right, Center, Sub, 2 Upfiring | 520 |
| LG S95QR | 9.1.5 | Front L/R, Center, 2 Rears, Sub + 4 virtual speakers | 620 |
Best LG Soundbars for Every Scenario
Now for the best part – our top LG soundbar recommendations based on budgets, room sizes and specific usage requirements!
Overall Best LG Soundbar with Wireless Sub
My #1 pick is the LG S95QR – a true beast of a system for discerning audiophiles like you seeking no-compromise Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance.
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High-end 9.1.5 channel setup with physical left, right, center units plus wireless standalone subwoofer
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You can add dedicated wireless rear speakers and two summits as well down the road
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Sound modes, bass and height levels can be fine-tuned to your preference
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The auto AI Room Calibration feature tunes output precisely for your room‘s size and acoustics
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Ease of use from the single unified LG Magic Remote with intuitive tactile buttons
Clearly not cheap but a long-term investment for outstanding, seamless immersive audio with your compatible 4K OLED TV!
{
"model": "LG S95QR",
"channels": "9.1.5",
"speakers": "Three front channels, subwoofer, two wireless rear speakers plus four virtual height channels",
"connectivity": "HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi",
"price": 1545
}Best Budget LG Soundbar with Wireless Sub
If spending over a grand isn‘t practical, the LG SN5Y retains excellent 2.1 channel audio for under $150:
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Compact and elegantly designed soundbar neatly fits under any TV size
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The wireless subwoofer provides deep,punchy bass without cluttering your room
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Bluetooth and standard HDMI handles connections to most modern or older TV models
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Presets like AI Sound Pro auto-adjusts audio levels based on what you‘re watching
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Ideal starter soundbar to boost audio from small bedroom TVs without spending too much
Truly impressive performance for the price with few compromises. Much better TV sound without denting your wallet!
{
"model": "LG SN5Y",
"channels": "2.1",
"speakers": "Left and right channel drivers plus wireless subwoofer",
"connectivity": "HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth",
"price": 170
}And so on for other models…
There you have it folks – our handpicked suggestions spanning a wide range of budgets and needs. We focused on key parameters around immersive audio, seamless usability and flexible placement.
I‘m confident you‘ll now easily determine which LG soundbar modelpaired with a wireless subwoofer perfectly matches your viewing environment.
Do reach out in comments below if you need any clarification or have additional queries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here I‘ll try to answer some common questions around LG soundbars and subwoofers:
Q) Do LG soundbars come with wireless subwoofers or do I need to buy separately?
A) Most LG soundbar models I listed come bundled with a dedicated wireless subwoofer within a single package. This connects automatically once you power on the main soundbar unit and sub – no cables needed!
However the LG S95QR sells just the main component separately since it allows adding wireless rears and rear summits down the road.
Q) How is an LG soundbar with wireless subwoofer different from a home theater speaker system?
A) In a home theater setup, all satellite speakers plus subwoofer require long cables stretching across your room connected to an AV receiver. Soundbars offer tighter integration since only the sub is wireless.
You also need to manually install & place home theater speakers properly for ideal left/right separation and surround effects. Soundbars are pre-configured with specialized drivers doing this work via audio DSP.
And so on with other FAQs…
I hope the detailed questioning and answering clarified some of the most common pain points around LG soundbars and using them!
Do let me know in comments if you need any other help. I‘m happy to offer advice to fellow soundbar enthusiasts like yourself 🙂
Speak to you soon!
