The LG SC9S is a 3.1.3 setup released in 2023. Similar to the manufacturer's 2022 models, this soundbar has a unique design with three up-firing channels— two are designed for Dolby Atmos content, while the third acts as an up-firing center channel to elevate voices in the mix. It's designed for easy integration with compatible LG TVs, with an included bracket that pairs the bar right underneath your television screen for a sleek look. Dolby Atmos support allows you to take advantage of more immersive audio formats on your favorite streaming platforms and Blu-rays, too.
Our Verdict
The LG SC9 is very good for mixed usage. This 3.1.3 bar has two center channels to ensure that dialogue is clear in the mix with both movies and TV shows. A dedicated subwoofer brings the thump and rumble in action-packed scenes as well as bass-heavy music. With lots of customization options, you're able to switch up the sound to your liking, too. That said, the bar has to downmix surround sound formats like Dolby Digital into stereo, resulting in a less immersive experience. You'll have to add on a separate rear speaker kit to improve its surround sound.
- Lots of sound customization features.
- Dolby Atmos support.
- Downmixes surround sound.
The LG SC9 is great for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. It boasts a unique design with not one, but two center channels, each designed to improve the quality of vocal reproduction in the mix. Dialogue is clear and accurate, and the Clear Voice Pro dialogue enhancement mode is a great way to make voices even easier to follow. With relatively low latency, you don't notice issues with lip-synching, either.
- Lots of sound customization features.
- Relatively low latency via ARC, HDMI In, and Optical.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG SC9 is great for music. As with most premium models on the market, it has a room correction tool to automatically optimize its sound to your room's unique acoustics. Plus, it has bass and treble adjustments so you can manually adjust its sound. That said, out-of-the-box, its sound is already balanced enough to be suitable with most genres. Voices and instruments are clear and detailed in the mix, and its sub brings plenty of rumble in the low-bass.
- Lots of sound customization features.
- Gets loud.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG SC9 is decent for movies. It supports many of the audio formats commonly found on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays, such as Dolby Atmos. Dialogue is clearly reproduced, and there's enough rumble in the bass to bring action-packed scenes to life. However, it has to downmix 5.1 surround sound content into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound quite as immersive.
- Lots of sound customization features.
- Gets loud.
- Dolby Atmos support.
- Downmixes surround sound.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 29, 2024: Updated Stereo Dynamics results with new methodology from Test Bench 1.3. Added text to Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
- Updated Aug 28, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Aug 05, 2024: We've added the LG Soundbar C as a variant in Differences Between Sizes And Variants.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: Added market comparison with the LG S77S in the Build Quality box.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG SC9S is available in Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here. You can also purchase this soundbar at Costco under the name 'LG Soundbar C'; it's functionally the same as the LG SC9S.
As always, if you run into a different version of this soundbar, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments so we can update this review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SC9 was released as part of the manufacturer's 2023 lineup. It's a more premium alternative to the compact LG SE6, also released in 2023, with more features as well as a dedicated subwoofer included in the box to bring out the thump and rumble in the bass range. Both models are designed for easy integration with certain LG TVs, as the included brackets let you attach them right underneath. This bar is one of the few LG models with a second center channel as well, designed to improve the quality of vocal reproduction in the mix. Sure enough, dialogue is clear and easy to understand, but you won't notice much of a difference between this bar's performance and that of other bars with only one center channel.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best LG soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
The LG S80QY and the LG SC9S are both 3.1.3 setups, but the SC9S is the newer model. It offers better overall performance and more balanced sound, especially in the treble. Its unique mounting bracket is designed to attach the bar to a compatible LG TV, which you may also find useful if you own an LG TV. Plus, it has a better stereo soundstage.
The 5.1.3 LG S90QY is better than the 3.1.3 LG SC9S. They're both unique setups from the manufacturer that include an additional up-firing center channel for better vocal reproduction in the mix. However, the S90QY comes with additional side-firing surround channels, meaning that it doesn't have to downmix this content into stereo like the SC9S. The resulting sound is more clear and real with this content.
The LG SC9S is a better 3.1.3 soundbar than the LG S77S. The SC9S is a better-built bar with a better stereo soundstage. It reproduces more low bass. It also has a room correction feature, which the S77S lacks, and it supports more wireless playback options.
The LG SC9S is better than the LG S75Q. It comes with more features, including a room correction tool to calibrate its sound based on your room's acoustics, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay capabilities. It also has a better stereo soundstage and a better low-frequency extension to bring more thump and rumble to the mix. Plus, there's an additional up-firing center channel designed to improve vocal reproduction in the mix.
Test Results
