The LG SN8YG is a well-built 3.1.2 soundbar from 2020. Thanks to its wireless subwoofer, it has a thumpy, bass-heavy sound profile that's sure to please fans of action flicks or electronic music. You can still enjoy its sound with other audio content as the rest of its range is fairly neutral and there are also a lot of sound enhancement features that can help you get the best sound for your needs. This bar offers a lot of connectivity options, and it even has Google Assistant integrated into its setup so you can use voice commands to play your audio. On the downside, it has a poor surround sound performance and it has to downmix it into stereo in order to play it, which isn't great if you want to be really immersed in your favorite audio. However, for a 3.1.2 soundbar, its up-firing speakers and Atmos support make it a unique addition to any home setup.
Our Verdict
The LG SN8YG is alright for mixed use. It has a punchy, bass-heavy sound that's well-suited for action films as well as music genres like EDM. While some may find it too boomy or muddy, it comes loaded with a lot of sound enhancement features to help you get the best sound for your content. Its integrated Google Assistant also allows you to control your audio with vocal commands. However, its poor surround sound performance doesn't do any favors for creating an immersive sound. While can also get loud enough for you to enjoy most content, there are pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
- Lots of sound enhancement features.
- Integrated Google Assistant available.
- Can get loud but pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
- Wide bar.
- Poor surround performance.
The LG SN8YG is unremarkable for dialogue and TV shows. Although it has a very bass-heavy sound profile, the rest of the range is fairly neutral. Its dedicated center channel helps to produce clear and more accurate dialogue, and it can get loud enough for you to enjoy your favorite soap operas. There's also a dialogue enhancement feature as well as an auto-volume mode to further enhance vocal clarity.
- Lots of sound enhancement features.
- Integrated Google Assistant available.
- Wide bar.
The LG SN8YG is good for music. Its thumpy, bass-heavy sound is great for genres like EDM and hip-hop. Although it can sound boomy or muddy, if you like a different sound, there's four different EQ presets, including AI Sound Pro, and while we didn't test it, it's advertised to automatically EQ whatever content you're listening to. It has a decent soundstage, too, and this bar can get loud enough for you to enjoy favorite tunes in large or crowded rooms. However, there are pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
- Bass-heavy sound.
- Lots of sound enhancement features.
- Integrated Google Assistant available.
- Can get loud but pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
- Wide bar.
- Poor surround performance.
The LG SN8YG is decent for movies. Thanks to its wireless subwoofer, its sound profile delivers a thumpy, punchy bass that's well-suited for action flicks. While its soundstage is only about the size of the bar itself, it has a centered focus, which helps some objects to sound like they're coming from an accurate, pinpoint location. The bar can also get fairly loud but there are pumping and compression artifacts at max volume. Its surround sound performance is poor too and it has to downmix this content into stereo to play it, which can create a less immersive overall experience.
- Bass-heavy sound.
- Supports Dolby Atmos content.
- Lots of sound enhancement features.
- Can get loud but pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
- Wide bar.
- Poor surround performance.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 25, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 22, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Jun 17, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jun 11, 2020: Early access published.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SN8YG is a 2020 soundbar and is the next generation of the LG SL8YG. Unlike some other LG soundbars, it has a thumpy, bass-heavy sound, and its integrated Google Assistant feature allows you to command the soundbar with your voice. It also has an auto-volume as well as a dialogue enhancement feature, and it can loud enough for a large or crowded room. However, compared to other 3.1 setups, this is one of the few we've tested so far that has Dolby Atmos and eARC support. However, it has a similarly poor surround sound performance as them too. Check out our recommendations for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, the best soundbars with a subwoofer, and the best soundbars for movies.
The LG SP9YA is better than the LG SN8YG. The SP9YA is better-built, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the SN8YG, it also supports Apple AirPlay. That said, the SN8YG has a better Atmos performance and built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q900T is a bit better for mixed usage than the LG SN8YG. The Samsung gets louder, and it has better surround and soundstage performances. Also, its default sound profile is more neutral, which some listeners may prefer. It even comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization. That said, the LG has a better Atmos performance and more sound enhancement features like room correction and auto-volume.
The LG SN10YG is a bit better for mixed usage than the LG SN8YG. The SN10YG is better built. It has a better stereo soundstage and a better surround performance since it doesn't have to downmix surround content into stereo to play it like the SN8YG.
The LG SN8YG is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The LG is a 3.1.2 setup with a dedicated subwoofer. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has more sound enhancement features such as room correction. Unlike the Bose, it supports Atmos content and has a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. That said, the standalone Bose is better built and has a better soundstage.
Test Results
