The LG SK1 is a 2.0 entry-level soundbar with overall sub-par performance. It doesn't have a wireless sub and it struggles to produce a low, deep, and extended bass. On the upside, it does a decent job reproducing voices, making it ideal for dialogue-heavy content like podcasts and TV shows. This soundbar is well-built, but it's lacking a lot of connectivity options. You can use it to play surround content; however, it doesn't support Atmos, so it won't provide the most immersive listening experience. It also doesn't get very loud, and it doesn't support DTS, which is disappointing.
Our Verdict
Overall, the LG SK1 soundbar has a sub-par performance. While this entry-level soundbar has a fairly neutral sound profile, it's noticeably lacking bass. It performs best with dialogue-heavy content like audiobooks and TV shows, but the lack of bass may be disappointing for movie and music lovers. It doesn't have a lot of customization features or connectivity options, either. While the bar supports surround content, it won't provide the most immersive experience. It also doesn't support Atmos.
- Some EQ presets.
- Very well-built.
- Compact design.
- Lacks bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Very few connectivity options.
The LG SK1 soundbar is decent for dialogue-heavy content like podcasts and TV shows. The sound profile is neutral and well-balanced in the mid-range, which is typically the frequencies at which voices are reproduced. It doesn't have a dedicated center channel, so it may not sound as clear and accurate as some of the other soundbars we've tested. On the downside, it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature to help make voices sound even clearer. However, it has Bluetooth capabilities, so you can stream content from your phone or tablet to the bar wirelessly.
- Supports Bluetooth.
- Neutral and well-balanced mid-range.
- Lacks bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- No dialogue enhancement feature.
The LG SK1 soundbar is sub-par for music. Overall, it has a fairly neutral sound profile, but it's noticeably lacking bass. It doesn't have a separate subwoofer, either. As a result, it may not be ideal for listening to bass-heavy music like hip-hop and EDM. On the upside, it should still do a decent job reproducing vocals. It also comes with two EQ presets, so you have some ability to customize your sound, although it's quite limited.
- Some EQ presets.
- Supports Bluetooth.
- Neutral and well-balanced mid-range.
- Lacks bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The LG SK1 soundbar has a disappointing performance for movies. Its bass doesn't extend very low, so it doesn't do a good job reproducing the deep thumps and rumbles found in movie scores and action-packed scenes. Also, this soundbar doesn't get very loud, so it isn't ideal for use in large, crowded, or noisy environments. On the upside, it does support surround content. However, it downmixes it to stereo, so it won't provide as immersive of a listening experience as a soundbar with dedicated surround speakers. It also doesn't support Atmos or DTS content.
- Supports surround content.
- Lacks bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- No Atmos or DTS support.
Changelog
- Updated Apr 06, 2021: Updated 'Auto-Volume' from 'No' to 'Yes'.
- Updated Apr 02, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 22, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Aug 07, 2020: Review published.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SK1 soundbar is a 2.0 setup from LG's 2018 lineup. This simple, entry-level setup doesn't have as many features or connectivity options as some of the more premium bars in LG's lineup, like the LG SK10Y and the LG SK9Y. It doesn't support Atmos or DTS, and it doesn't have any HDMI ports. However, unlike some of the other 2.0 soundbars on the market, it supports surround content. See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars for dialogue, and the best soundbars under $200.
The TCL Alto 5 is a better overall soundbar than the LG SK1. Both bars have a fairly well-balanced sound profile but lack deep, extended bass. However, the TCL has a slightly better bass performance than the LG, making it better suited for bass-heavy music and movies. The TCL also has a dialogue enhancement feature, which the LG lacks. Neither bar supports Atmos or DTS.
The LG SK1 is a slightly better soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6 for some uses. The Vizio only supports PCM-format content, so it doesn't support Dolby Digital or surround content. As a result, the LG is a better choice for movie fans. The LG is better-built and it can be wall-mounted, unlike the Vizio. However, while both bars are lacking a bit of bass, the Vizio has a slightly more extended bass that may be preferred by some users.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SK1. Unlike the 2.0 SK1, the 5.0.2 Arc supports Atmos content. The Sonos also has more sound enhancement features, including room correction and dialogue enhancement. It also has an eARC port, unlike the LG. The LG has less compression and distortion when played at max volume, so you might prefer this bar if you tend to crank up the volume.
The Bose Solo 5 is a better overall soundbar than the LG SK1. The Bose has a decent sound profile that lacks bass, but it still gets more bass than the LG. As a result, it does a slightly better job reproducing the low thumps and rumbles in bass-heavy music and movies. Both bars don't support Atmos or DTS. However, the LG has slightly more customization options than the Bose, thanks to its two EQ presets.
Test Results
