The LG S65Q is a mid-range 3.1 setup released in 2022. It's a simple bar with a discrete center channel to improve vocal clarity with dialogue in movies and TV shows, and you don't have to worry about fitting satellite speakers into your living room. Unlike the 3.1.3 LG S80QY, there's no Dolby Atmos support. You won't find LG's higher-end features like AI Room Calibration or TV Sound Mode Share, either. However, there are still a wide range of features available, including lots of EQ presets such as 'Clear Voice' and 'AI Sound Pro'.
Our Verdict
The LG S65Q is decent for mixed usage. Out-of-the-box, dialogue is clear and present in the mix thanks to its balanced mids, and higher-pitched sounds are bright and sparkling. There's a little extra boom in the high-bass, and bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound. Unfortunately, you don't get the deep rumble in the low-bass with action-packed scenes and bass-heavy music. Its surround performance isn't very impressive, either, and there's no support for height content.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No Dolby Atmos support.
The LG S65Q is good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows and podcasts. Since it's a 3.1 setup, there's a discrete center channel that reproduces dialogue with clarity and accuracy. You can also use its 'Clear Voice' mode to enhance voices, as well as a Night Time feature to balance the volume level when you don't want to disturb those around you. However, podcast listeners are limited to Bluetooth when it comes to wirelessly streaming to the bar.
- Good center channel performance.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG S65Q is decent for music. In our subjective tests, we found the bar has a slightly v-shaped sound profile that adds extra boom in the high-bass, while higher-pitched vocals and instruments are bright and sparkling. The mids are still quite balanced, though, so lead instruments are clear and present in the mix. If you want a different sound, you're able to use its bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound. That said, it's not able to get the deep and rumbling low-bass in genres like EDM and hip-hop, unfortunately.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- No graphic EQ.
- Lacks low-bass.
The LG S65Q is fair for movies. Dialogue is clear and present in the mix, though you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed scenes. It supports surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS which are often found on streaming platforms, but it has to downmix it into stereo in order to play it. There's no Dolby Atmos support, either.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No Dolby Atmos support.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: Added market comparison with the LG S77S in the Video Passthrough to TV box.
- Updated Jun 13, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated Mar 20, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 16, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG S65Q is available in 'Black', and the label for our model is here.
If you come across another version of this soundbar, let us know in the discussions below so we can update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG S65Q is a mid-range 3.1 model that doesn't support Dolby Atmos content. It's ideal for listening to vocal-centric content like TV shows thanks to its discrete center channel that improves vocal reproduction. However, it lacks low-bass and doesn't offer a very immersive sound with surround sound content.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars for dialogue, and the best LG soundbars.
The LG SP8YA is better than the LG S65Q. The SP8YA is a 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the S65Q. It's able to reproduce a more extended low-bass, too, and it has more premium features like room correction.
The LG S75Q is better than the LG S65Q. The S75Q is a 3.1.2 setup, and it supports Dolby Atmos content found on lots of streaming platforms, unlike the S65Q. The 3.1 S65Q is still a solid pick for you if you just watch TV shows and music.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the LG S65Q. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the LG. It has a better stereo soundstage and a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box that reproduces clearer and more accurate dialogue.
The Samsung HW-Q60B is better than the LG S65Q. They're both 3.1 setups, but the Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the LG. It also comes with a few more customization tools, including a graphic EQ.
Test Results
