The LG S80TR is a 5.1.3-channel soundbar system. It's an updated version of the LG S80QR with very similar specs. The main advantage of the S80TR is that you don't need a separate wireless transmitter: the subwoofer and satellites connect to the bar itself wirelessly. But like its predecessor, the newer model has a dedicated center up-firing driver and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also offers an outstanding range of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC, Optical, Apple AirPlay, and built-in Wi-Fi that supports Chromecast and Spotify Connect.
Our Verdict
The LG S80TR soundbar is very good for mixed usage. It offers a generally well-balanced sound with warm bass and an almost flat mid-range. The treble lacks a little sparkle by default, even after tuning using the AI room correction, but it's easy to adjust the bass and treble to your tastes yourself. This system handles music, movies, and TV shows well, and gets easily loud enough to fill an average room with clear, pure audio. It comes with a range of sound enhancement features and presets, and owners of compatible LG TVs gain access to exclusive features like WOW Interface and WOW Orchestra. That said, the usefulness of features like these depends on your specific setup.
Room correction feature.
Easy bass and treble adjustment.
Gets loud without compression.
Lacks a touch of low-end thump.
Lacks some treble-range sparkle by default.
The LG S80TR soundbar is great for dialogue and TV shows. The well-balanced mid-range reproduces voices accurately, so your favorite actors sound true to life. The dedicated center channel also keeps voices focused, audible, and properly placed in the soundstage. Additionally, the 'Clear Voice' EQ preset boosts dialogue clarity even further, while the 'Auto Volume' and 'Night' modes keep speech sounding clear even at low volumes, so you don't disturb your neighbors at night. Owners of a compatible LG TV can enhance dialogue further with WOW Orchestra, which can boost vocal intelligibility for those moments 'Clear Voice' isn't quite enough.
Room correction feature.
Easy bass and treble adjustment.
Gets loud without compression.
'Clear Voice' preset enhances dialogue clarity.
Lacks a touch of low-end thump.
Lacks some treble-range sparkle by default.
The LG S80TR is very good for listening to music. Its AI Sound Calibration feature automatically adjusts its output to fit your space, ensuring a generally well-balanced sound that reproduces instruments and vocals accurately. Fans of EDM might wish for a little more low-end thump, but basslines are warm and full so most listeners will feel there's adequate bass. If you like your high percussion with plenty of detail, you'll probably want to boost the treble; both bass and treble are easy to adjust to taste. This system gets loud with minimal compression, keeping your audio pure and clean, even at higher volumes. We found the 'Standard' mode to work best for music, as it respects the original stereo panning without virtualizing your audio to the surrounds, but that's a matter of taste.
Room correction feature.
Easy bass and treble adjustment.
Gets loud without compression.
Lacks a touch of low-end thump.
Lacks some treble-range sparkle by default.
The LG S80TR is very good for movies. The frequency response has plenty of punch and warmth, making sound effects like footsteps feel immersive, but the lowest rumbles from explosions are slightly lacking. At the other end of the spectrum, effects like clashing swords are a little dull unless you boost the treble, which is easy enough to do. This system supports all common audio formats including spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The satellite speakers do a good job of creating a sense of width and depth, so it's easy to make out sounds as they pass around you. The up-firing drivers aren't as good: while they add a slight sense of verticality to your audio, you'll never truly believe that a helicopter is flying overhead. Finally, the discrete center channel helps with dialogue audibility, and you can always activate the 'Clear Voice' preset if you'd like even more vocal clarity.
Room correction feature.
Easy bass and treble adjustment.
Gets loud without compression.
'Clear Voice' preset enhances dialogue clarity.
Lacks a touch of low-end thump.
Lacks some treble-range sparkle by default.
Changelog
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Updated Dec 02, 2025:
We've mentioned the Ultimea Skywave X70 in the Popular Soundbar Comparisons section.
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Updated Aug 20, 2025:
The Center box was updated to mention the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6.
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Updated Jul 30, 2025:
We mentioned the Samsung HW-Q800F in the Height (Atmos) section of this review.
- Updated Mar 07, 2025: Review published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG S80TR is available in one color variant: 'Black.' See a picture of our soundbar's label, and here are the labels for the subwoofer and satellites.
If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG S80TR is a follow-up to the LG S80QR. The two soundbars perform very similarly, with the main advantage of the S80TR being that you don't need to find space for a separate wireless transmitter because the subwoofer and satellites connect wirelessly to the main bar. If finding space for the S80QR's small wireless transmitter isn't a problem for you, then choose whichever of these systems you can find at the lowest price, as the other differences aren't significant.
If you're looking for a slightly wider soundstage, the LG S90TR is a worthwhile consideration. It's a 7.1.3 system with side-firing drivers in the bar that makes the audio in front of you feel a bit more immersive. If it's improved Atmos performance you're after, then the TCL Q85H is a decent choice, but you'll lose out on the LG's suite of sound customization features. You can also pick up the Ultimea Skywave X70, for a system that can get a fair bit louder, with bass that extends lower.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best LG soundbars.
The LG S90TR is a more premium alternative to the LG S80TR within LG's lineup. The main difference is the S90TR has the addition of two side-firing drivers in the soundbar, which widens the soundstage. The S90TR also offers a deeper bass, giving kick drums a little more thump, and its surround speakers are a little more balanced. However, both systems only offer Atmos drivers in the bar itself, so you don't get improved Atmos performance by paying more.
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 Samsung HW-Q800D is a more compact setup than the LG S80TR, as it lacks satellite speakers and has a narrower bar that fits more easily between TV stand legs. Both bars have generally well-balanced frequency responses but excel in different areas. The LG offers a more immersive soundstage with better performance, while the Samsung delivers better Atmos support. Both include a range of sound enhancement features and get loud enough for the average living room.
The LG S80TR and the Samsung HW-Q800F have different strengths. The LG includes dedicated rear satellite speakers, which can enhance surround sound immersion. However, the Samsung holds the edge in Dolby Atmos performance, offering a more convincing sense of height. Both soundbars offer a fairly balanced sound, but the LG also provides 4k at 120Hz passthrough, where the Samsung tops out at 60Hz. Ultimately, your choice will come down to a combination of price in your region and which trade-offs matter more to you: deeper immersion via rear speakers, or stronger overhead effects and cleaner Atmos delivery.
Test Results
