The LG S80QR was released in 2022. It's a mid-range offering from LG that's available on its own as the LG S80QY or with the LG SPQ8-S satellites added on for improved surround sound performance. Like the LG S90QY and the LG S95QR, its unique design includes an additional up-firing center channel on top of the bar for higher-quality dialogue reproduction. You also get access to lots of LG's premium features, like the AI Room Calibration tool as well as TV Sound Mode Share for improved sound with compatible LG TVs.
Our Verdict
The LG S80QR is very good for mixed usage. This setup reproduces voices and other lead instruments clearly right out of the box, making it a solid pick for lots of different music genres. With its additional up-firing center channel, it clearly reproduces dialogue in all your favorite movies and TV shows. With the added satellites, you get a pretty immersive feel with movies.
- Room correction feature.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Dolby Atmos support.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG S80QR is great for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. Uniquely, it comes with not one but two center channels, both of which are designed to improve the quality of vocal reproduction. You can easily follow along with the action on screen, and there's even a dialogue enhancement tool on hand if you want to make voices more crisp in the mix. You have lots of options if you want to stream podcasts or audiobooks to the bar, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Room correction feature.
- Dialogue enhancement tool.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG S80QR is very good for music. Since it comes with a room correction feature, it automatically optimizes its output based on your room's unique acoustics. Voices and lead instruments are clear in the mix right out of the box, so it's suitable for lots of different genres. You can adjust the bass and the treble based on your preferences. It lacks a touch of low-bass compared to other setups on the market, which is especially noticeable with bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop.
- Room correction feature.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Lacks a touch of low-bass.
The LG S80QR is very good for movies. Whether you're watching from a streaming platform or a Blu-ray disc, the bar supports lots of common audio formats, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. Plus, the added satellites improve its overall performance, so you get a more clear and real feel with your favorite films. Sound stretches into the space around your couch, so you feel like you're right in the middle of the action. That said, the lack of low-bass is a touch noticeable with action-packed scenes, especially in comparison with other premium setups on the market.
- Room correction feature.
- Dialogue enhancement tool.
- Dolby Atmos support.
- Lacks a touch of low-bass.
Changelog
-
Updated Mar 07, 2025:
We mentioned the LG S80TR in the Style - Satellites section of this review.
- Updated Apr 30, 2024: We've added a comparison between this soundbar and the Samsung HW-Q700C with SWA-9500S in Stereo Soundstage.
- Updated May 16, 2023: Added market comparison with the LG S75QR in the Stereo Frequency Response box.
- Updated Mar 27, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
You can buy the LG S80QY with only the soundbar and the subwoofer. However, the results in this review apply to the LG SQ80Y with SPQ8-S speaker kit, also known as the LG S80QR soundbar, which includes the satellites as well.
They're available in black, and you can see the label for the satellites here.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG S80QR is a 5.1.3 soundbar from the manufacturer's 2022 lineup. Compared to the LG S80QY on its own, the added satellites make for an improved surround sound experience, resulting in a more clear and real reproduction of sound effects in the space around you. Otherwise, the features offered between these bars are the same.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
The LG S80TR is the successor to the LG S80QR, and both soundbars offer nearly identical performance. The key advantage of the S80TR is its simplified setup—its subwoofer and satellites connect wirelessly to the main bar, eliminating the need for a separate wireless transmitter. If space for the S80QR’s small transmitter isn’t an issue, either model is a solid choice, so go with whichever is more affordable.
The LG S95QR is better than the LG S80QR. They're both Dolby Atmos soundbars with similar features, including AI Room Calibration and TV Sound Mode Share. However, the S95QR has a 9.1.4 setup, meaning that its satellites come with additional channels compared to the SPQ8-S speakers, which improve its surround sound and Atmos performances. Plus, it offers a better stereo soundstage.
The LG S80QR is a bit better than the LG S90QY overall. The LG S90QY is a 5.1.3 setup with phantom surround drivers built into the bar itself. Since it lacks satellites, it's great if you're low on space. However, dedicated surround speakers like the SPQ8-S noticeably improve the S80QR's performance with Atmos and surround sound content. You can also add this speaker kit to the S90QY if you want to improve its performance.
The LG S80QR is a bit better than the LG SP9YA. This is especially true if you like to watch a lot of surround sound or Dolby Atmos content since the SPQ8-S Speaker Kit improves its performance in this regard. If you don't have space for satellites, the SP9YA is a good alternative.
Test Results
