LG GX Soundbar  Soundbar Review

Reviewed Aug 27, 2020 at 08:10am
Writing modified Apr 15, 2024 at 12:31pm
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
LG GX Soundbar
0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 
0.0
Music 
0.0
Movies 
 2

The LG GX Soundbar is a 3.1 setup from LG's 2020 lineup. It has a uniquely thin look so you can wall-mount it beneath an LG wallpaper OLED TV. It can also be table-mounted if you prefer, although it's quite tall and can obscure your screen. It comes with a wireless subwoofer, which helps to give it a somewhat boomy sound profile. While it lacks low-bass, it comes with several EQ presets to help you get the best sound for your audio preferences. It also has a dialogue enhancement feature which can further improve vocal clarity, and there are many physical inputs available. It even supports Atmos content, but it has to downmix it into stereo to play it. Overall, this soundbar is best-suited for a harmonious and aesthetically-pleasing look with LG's own TVs, but it can still deliver a good overall audio experience, even on its own.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The LG GX Soundbar is good for mixed use. This soundbar has a bit of a boomy sound profile with a touch of brightness. Although it has a wireless subwoofer, it also lacks thumpy low bass. Luckily, it has several EQ presets and a few other sound enhancement features to help you make the most out of your audio. If you like to watch movies, this soundbar also supports Atmos content. However, on its own, this soundbar has to downmix it into stereo to play it, which doesn't produce as immersive of an audio experience as a soundbar with satellites. It can also get loud enough for use in a large or crowded room, but there's some compression at max volume. On the upside, you can also stream podcasts or music to it using Bluetooth.

Pros
  • Bluetooth compatible.
  • Supports Atmos.
  • Several EQ presets available.
  • Dialogue enhancement feature available via companion app.
Cons
  • Struggles to produce low-bass.
  • Wide and tall bar.
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 

The LG GX Soundbar is great for dialogue and TV shows. It has a dedicated center channel that can produce fairly clear and accurate dialogue. There's also a dialogue enhancement feature available via its companion app if you want to further improve vocal quality. You can stream your favorite podcasts and audiobooks directly to the bar using Bluetooth. However, while it can get pretty loud, there's some compression at max volume.

Pros
  • Bluetooth compatible.
  • Dialogue enhancement feature available via companion app.
Cons
  • Wide and tall bar.
0.0
Music 

The LG GX Soundbar is decent for music. As it comes with a wireless subwoofer, it has a somewhat boomy but slightly bright sound profile that some users may enjoy. It struggles to produce low-bass, which could affect genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, if you prefer a different sound, there are a few EQ presets available to help you find a sound that best fits your preferences. The bar can also get loud enough to fill a large or crowded room. However, there's some thumping and compression artifacts present at max volumes.

Pros
  • Bluetooth compatible.
  • Several EQ presets available.
Cons
  • Struggles to produce low-bass.
  • Wide and tall bar.
0.0
Movies 

The LG GX Soundbar is decent for movies. It has a bit of a boomy sound profile, but some movie lovers may find it struggles to produce a satisfyingly thumpy low-bass. However, it has several EQ presets available to help you get the best sound for your preferences. It can also play Atmos content, although it has to downmix it into stereo to play it. It can get pretty loud too but there's some thumping and compression artifacts present at max volume.

Pros
  • Supports Atmos.
  • Several EQ presets available.
  • Can be used as a hub between your TV and Blu-ray player.
Cons
  • Downmixes surround content into stereo.
  • Struggles to produce low-bass.
  • Wide and tall bar.
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Dialogue/TV Shows
  • 0.0
    Music
  • 0.0
    Movies
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 15, 2024: We've added a mention of rear speakers, which you can purchase separately, in Style - Satellites.
    2.  Updated Aug 04, 2021: Added more information about auto-off and app device casting features.
    3.  Updated May 06, 2021: Updated the text to reflect the new app for the soundbar.
    4.  Updated Mar 26, 2021: Corrected an error in Height localization.

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    Popular Soundbar Comparisons

    The LG GX Soundbar is a 3.1 channel setup from LG's 2020 lineup. Unlike other soundbars like the LG SN6Y, it's designed to be wall-mounted with LG's wallpaper OLED TVs for an aesthetically pleasing and sleek look. It can also be table-mounted, but although it's thinner than most other soundbars, it's quite tall as well as long and can easily obscure your TV screen. That said, it comes with a subwoofer and it can support Atmos content, although it has to downmix it into stereo to play it. If you're looking for more soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars with subwoofer, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for music.

    LG SP8YA

    The LG SP8YA is a better soundbar than the LG GX Soundbar. The SP8YA is better-built with a more extended low-bass. It offers room correction and more wireless playback options. Unlike the GX, it doesn't have to downmix Atmos content to play it. However, the GX gets louder, and it has a better soundstage performance.

    Samsung HW-Q700A

    The Samsung HW-Q700A is a slightly better soundbar for mixed usage than the LG GX Soundbar. The Samsung is better built and offers a better Atmos performance thanks to its up-firing speakers. It comes with a graphic EQ that gives you more control over its sound profile, and it has more wireless playback options. That said, the LG gets louder with less compression at max volume, and some listeners may prefer its unique, sleek design.

    Samsung HW-Q950A

    The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG GX Soundbar. The Samsung is a better built 11.1.4 setup with dedicated satellites. It has better center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also offers more sound enhancement features, like room correction, and more wireless playback options. Unlike the LG, it has built-in voice assistant support. Also, it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.

    LG SN9YG

    The LG SN9YG is better than the LG GX Soundbar. The SN9YG is a 5.1.2 setup that's better-built with better center, surround, and Atmos performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it comes with room correction. It also has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 3.1 GX Soundbar has a better stereo soundstage.

    Show more 

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style - Bar

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    Style - Subwoofer

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    Style - Satellites

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    Dimensions - Bar
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Subwoofer
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Satellites
    WidthLockedN/A
    HeightLockedN/A
    DepthLockedN/A
    Back - Bar
    Bar Mounting
    LockedLocked

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    Back - Subwoofer
    Enclosure
    LockedLocked

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    Back - Satellites
    Mounting
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    In The Box
    HDMI Cable Length
    LockedLock m (Lock ft)
    Digital Optical Cable Length
    LockedN/A

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    Sound
    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response
    SAMPLE
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    See details on graph tool
    SAMPLE
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    Tested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Channels
    Locked3.1
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz

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    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    SAMPLE
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    Suggested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Suggested Bass Setting
    LockedLock
    Suggested Treble Setting
    LockedLock
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz
    0.0
    Stereo Soundstage
    SAMPLE
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    Crosstalk Error
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Dynamics
    SAMPLE
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    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    DRC @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    SAMPLE
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    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Center
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Surround 5.1
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock
    7.1 Rears
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Height (Atmos)
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Sound Enhancement Features
    Room Correction
    LockedLocked
    Dialogue Enhancement
    LockedLocked
    Auto-Volume/Night Mode
    LockedLocked
    Subwoofer Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Bass Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Treble Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    Surround Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Rear Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Height Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    Physical Inputs - Bar
    Optical Audio In
    LockedLocked
    HDMI ARC
    LockedLocked
    HDMI Out
    LockedLocked
    Full HDMI In
    LockedLocked
    Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
    LockedLocked
    RCA In
    LockedLocked
    USB for Files
    LockedLocked
    Ethernet
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - ARC
    eARC
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    5.1 PCM (eARC only)
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA
    LockedLocked
    5.1 PCM
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - Optical
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Latency
    SAMPLE
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    LG GX Soundbar Latency Video Sample
    ARC
    LockedLock ms
    Optical
    LockedLock ms
    Full HDMI In
    LockedLock ms
    0.0
    Wireless Playback
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Wi-Fi
    LockedLocked
    Chromecast built-in
    LockedLocked
    Apple AirPlay
    LockedLocked

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    Other Input Specifications
    4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    HDR10 Passthrough
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity - Subwoofer
    Sub Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity - Satellites
    Sat Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Additional Features
    Interface
    Display
    LockedLocked

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    Bar Controls

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    Remote
    Universal Remote
    LockedLocked

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    Voice Assistants Support
    Amazon Alexa
    LockedLocked
    Google Assistant
    LockedLocked
    Apple Siri
    LockedLocked
    App
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    Acts As A Remote
    LockedLocked
    Controls Soundbar's Settings
    LockedLocked
    Casts Device Files
    LockedLocked

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    Other Features
    Power Saving
    LockedLocked
    HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
    LockedLocked

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