137

LG SN8YG Review

Enrest Walugembe Avatar
Updated Dec 20, 2023 11:29 AM

True Score

66
68
8

Experts

74
0

Consumers

Expert Rankings

Producing deep extended bass, the LG SN8YG is one of the best soundbars for music, TV, and movies. Although it supports Dolby Atmos, movie enthusiasts will be concerned that this system doesn’t support surround, so it’s not very immersive.

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The LG SN8YG is a mid-range 3.1.2 channel soundbar that first made its debut back in 2020, intending to bring Dolby Atmos and Google Assistant to living rooms and home theaters. This system supports eARC, standing out among the best-rated speakers in the industry. It has a rich range of connectivity options that include full HDMI IN, HDMI ARC, HDMI OUT, and USB.

The system is good for music too, and users can also stream wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast, and it has a mobile app for managing settings. Thanks to a dedicated wireless subwoofer, it adds a boomy feel to soundtracks and films. Movie lovers will be concerned that it downmixes surround sound to audio, so the soundstage is not as immersive as for most 5.1 soundbars.

Read on to learn more about the LG SN8YG soundbar, and be sure to check out our list of the 5 best soundbars on the market today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Top critics adore the boomy sound profile and Dolby Atmos tech of the LG SN8YG soundbar, and they approve it for TV dialogue, music, and movies. Experts at Tech Hive love its dedicated subwoofer, producing bass-heavy vibes that will appeal to EDM and hip-hop music enthusiasts. During testing, reviewers at TechRadar praised its huge selection of wired and wireless connectivity options.

Testing revealed a remarkably loud sound output, which is fit for smaller indoor parties. This system has very low audio latency, so it’s pretty good with dialogue-heavy TV shows. You can also control this device with built-in Google Assistant or iOS and Android mobile apps. Sound enhancement features such as EQ presets, an auto volume mode, and dialogue enhancement enable fine-tuning the settings as needed.

Although it has a discrete center channel and supports Dolby Atmos and 5.1 PCM, it downmixes surround sound to stereo and doesn’t provide that immersive 3D soundstage that many movie buffs crave.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Bass-heavy music profile is great for movies and music
  • Huge selection of ports
  • Built-in Google Assistant and EQ presets for hassle-free customization
  • Sound system gets really loud
  • Built-in Chromecast and Bluetooth offer wireless streaming

Reason to Avoid

  • So-so surround sound performance

LG SN8YG Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth4.7"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight2.2"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels3.1.2
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantGoogle Assistant
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight9.7 lbs
WidthWidth41.7"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithBluetooth, Google Assistant, Remote Control, Wi-Fi

All Specs

Test Results

Low End Roll Off (Hz)35.125
High End Roll Off (Hz)16,491.422
Max Volume Test (db)96.4
Latency (ms)75
THD @ 80dB0.71

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Product Comparison

LG SN8YG Review

True Score

66
62
74
83

Ranking

#

137

/

149

#

139

/

149

#

111

/

149

#

15

/

149

Market Context

The LG SN8YG is a mid-range 3.1.2 channel soundbar that first made its debut back in 2020, intending to bring Dolby Atmos and Google Assistant…

The LG SN8YG is a mid-range 3.1.2 channel soundbar that first made its debut back in 2020, intending to bring Dolby Atmos and Google Assistant to living rooms and home theaters. This system supports eARC, standing out among the best-rated speakers in the industry. It has a rich range of connectivity options that include full HDMI IN, HDMI ARC, HDMI OUT, and USB.

The system is good for music too, and users can also stream wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast, and it has a mobile app for managing settings. Thanks to a dedicated wireless subwoofer, it adds a boomy feel to soundtracks and films. Movie lovers will be concerned that it downmixes surround sound to audio, so the soundstage is not as immersive as for most 5.1 soundbars.

Read on to learn more about the LG SN8YG soundbar, and be sure to check out our list of the 5 best soundbars on the market today.

With a 5.1.2 setup, the LG SN9YG produces more immersive spatial sounds than the LG SN8YG, which has a 3.1.2 setup. However, the SN8YG has…

With a 5.1.2 setup, the LG SN9YG produces more immersive spatial sounds than the LG SN8YG, which has a 3.1.2 setup. However, the SN8YG has a more bass-heavy sound profile that will appeal to EDM music and movie lovers than the more neutral sound profile of the SN9YG. Be sure to check out our LG SN9YG review for details.

Because it is compatible with eARC and Dolby Atmos content, the LG SN8YG is better for movie and gaming lovers than the LG SN6Y, which…

Because it is compatible with eARC and Dolby Atmos content, the LG SN8YG is better for movie and gaming lovers than the LG SN6Y, which doesn’t support these advanced formats. The LG SN8YG also boasts built-in Chromecast and built-in Google Assistant, unlike the 6Y, which lacks these innovations. You can learn more about the 6Y in our LG SN6Y review today.

Thanks to a dedicated subwoofer, the LG SN8YG produces deeper extended low-bass than the Sonos Arc, which doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer. It also boasts…

Thanks to a dedicated subwoofer, the LG SN8YG produces deeper extended low-bass than the Sonos Arc, which doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer. It also boasts equalizer presets and a full HDMI input, unlike the Arc. On the other hand, the Sonos Arc has a 5.0.2 setup, producing a more immersive 3D soundstage than the 3.1.2 setup of the LG device.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depth

4.7"

5.8"

3.4"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

No

No

No

HDMI ARC

Yes

Yes

Yes

Height

2.2"

2.2"

2.2"

Number of Audio Channels

3.1.2

5.1.2

3.1

Subwoofer

Included

Included, Yes

Included

Dig Deeper

LG SN9YG Review →

LG SN6Y Review →

Sonos Arc With Sub One Sl Speakers Review →

Score Card

E

Expert Score

68

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

74

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

66

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    77
    The LG SN8YG is alright for mixed use. It has a punchy, bass-heavy sound that’s… Read More

    By:

    Jake Thauvette
  • Which?
    59.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The LG SN8YG soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and is compatible with Dolby Atmos…. Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Tom’s Guide
    77.58

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The LG SN8YG offers an easy and relatively affordable way to add Atmos to your… Read More

    By:

    Michael Gowan
  • Techradar
    39

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The LG SN8YG is a great plug-and-play soundbar for folks who want a simple Dolby… Read More

    By:

    Nick Pino
  • Sound and Vision
    61.17

    Category Trust Rating

    78
    The Verdict: LG’s affordable 3.1.2 soundbar performs well with movies and music and features new… Read More

    By:

    Al Griffin
  • Consumer Reports
    19.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    A full featured sound bar with 3.1.2 non-surround channels, a wireless subwoofer, WiFi audio streaming… Read More

    By:

    Unknown

Customer Scores

  • NR

    (

    /5

    )