The LG SP7Y is a 5.1 setup from LG's 2021 lineup. This well-built soundbar offers a slightly boxy and boomy sound profile with its 'Standard' EQ preset, which adds a little extra punch in the bass range. If you prefer a different sound, there are some EQ presets and bass and treble adjustments available. Unfortunately, it doesn't reproduce a very extended low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump or rumble in action-packed movies or bass-heavy music. Also, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, which can be disappointing for some movie fans.
Our Verdict
The LG SP7Y 5.1 is decent for mixed usage. With its 'Standard' preset, this soundbar offers a slightly boxy and boomy sound profile that adds a little extra punch in the bass range. Though it comes with many sound customization features, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in bass-heavy music or action-packed movies. It supports surround content, though it doesn't offer a very immersive listening experience. Also, it doesn't come with height channels, so it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- EQ presets.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos content.
The LG SP7Y 5.1 is good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel, it can more accurately localize voices to a pinpoint location in the sound image. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce voices clearly, though the underemphasized treble can make higher frequencies a bit dark or dull. There's a 'Clear Voice' EQ preset that helps make voices more clear and crisp.
- EQ presets.
- Very good center channel performance.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The LG SP7Y 5.1 is satisfactory for music. With its 'Standard' preset, this soundbar has a slightly boxy and boomy sound profile that adds a little extra punch in the bass range. While you can customize it using its EQ presets and bass and treble adjustments, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass. As a result, you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music. It also doesn't get as loud as some of the other soundbars we've tested, although there isn't much compression when you push it to max volume.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- EQ presets.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The LG SP7Y 5.1 is adequate for movies. Though it supports surround content, it doesn't offer the most immersive listening experience. Also, it doesn't support object-based formats like Dolby Atmos. It even struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in action-packed scenes. That said, with its 'Standard' preset, it reproduces dialogue pretty clearly, though it can also sound a bit dark or dull. Fortunately, there are some sound customization features available.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- EQ presets.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos content.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 14, 2023: Added market comparison to the LG SP7R to the Style - Satellites box.
- Updated Jun 19, 2023: Added additional information to the Video Passthrough to TV box following TBU 1.2.
- Updated Jun 19, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated Apr 06, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG SP7Y Soundbar comes in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version of this soundbar, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SP7Y soundbar is an entry-level 5.1 setup from 2021. While it's well-built, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content like some of LG's more premium 2021 soundbars, like the LG SP8YA or the LG SP9YA. It also lacks an AI Room Calibration feature, so it may sound a bit different depending on the room you're listening in. That said, it also comes with built-in Meridian Technology, advertised to help create a more immersive listening experience, though we don't test for this.
See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best LG soundbars.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the LG SP7Y. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It offers more wireless playback options, and it has a graphic EQ. That said, the 5.1 LG offers a better surrounds performance thanks to its discrete surround channels.
The LG SP7R is better than the LG SP7Y for most uses. The SP7R comes with rear speakers designed to bring a clearer and more life-like feel to multichannel content like Dolby Digital. As a result, it's better for surround sound. However, the bar can't implement these formats properly like the LG SP7Y, so effects meant for the right and left surrounds play on the rears instead.
The LG SP7Y is better than the LG S65Q. The SP7Y is a 5.1 setup that offers better soundstage and surround performances. It comes with more sound enhancement features, too. However, if you mostly listen to stereo content, the 3.1 S65Q is a solid choice.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SP7Y or the LG S75Q. The SP7Y is a 5.1 setup with better soundstage and surround performances. However, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content like the 3.1.2 S75Q. If you watch a lot of surround content, the SP7Y is better, but you can always add rear speakers to the S75Q if you want Atmos support.
Test Results
