The LG SP8YA is a 3.1.2 setup from 2021. It's the next generation of the LG SN8YG, and it comes with more EQ presets and a 2021 LG TV AI Processor that's advertised to sync up the bar with the speakers from compatible LG TVs for a more immersive sound. It also comes with other premium sound enhancement features, like an AI Room Calibration feature that can automatically adjust audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of the room you're listening in. Plus, it supports many audio formats commonly found on streaming services, like Dolby Atmos.
Our Verdict
The LG SP8YA is very good for mixed usage. With its room correction feature turned on, it offers a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump and punch to your audio, so you feel the rumble in bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. Many sound customization features are also available, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. However, it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound very immersive.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Lots of wireless playback options.
- Downmixes surround into stereo.
The LG SP8YA is great for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel, it can reproduce clear and accurate dialogue. There's also a dialogue enhancement feature to help make voices clear and crisp and an auto-volume mode to help balance the volume level between different programs. The bar offers lots of wireless playback options, so you can stream podcasts and audiobooks from your mobile device to the bar.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Lots of wireless playback options.
- Some distortion at max volume.
The LG SP8YA is great for music. It comes with an AI Room Calibration feature that automatically optimizes audio reproduction based on your listening space. With this feature on, it has a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump and punch to your audio. The rest of the range is still neutral enough to suit many different music genres. There are also bass and treble adjustments as well as EQ presets to help you customize its sound.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG SP8YA is good for movies. It gets loud, and its bass-heavy sound profile helps you feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes. Thanks to its up-firing speakers, it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content. Unfortunately, it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound very immersive.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Downmixes surround into stereo.
Changelog
- Updated Jun 13, 2024: We've added a comparison between this soundbar and the LG SG10TY in Sound Enhancement Features.
- Updated Jun 22, 2023: Updated review text for clarity.
- Updated Jun 13, 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 Mar 01, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG SP8YA comes in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you encounter another version of this soundbar, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SP8YA is a 3.1.2 soundbar that's the next generation of the LG SN8YG. Unlike its predecessor, it has more EQ presets and an LG TV AI Processor to help create a more immersive sound with compatible LG TVs. It has lots of sound enhancement features, and it also supports Dolby Atmos Music. While it supports Alexa and Google Assistant, you must purchase a third-party device to operate the voice assistants with the soundbar.
See our recommendations for the best LG soundbars, the best soundbars with a subwoofer, and the best soundbars.
The LG SP8YA is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The LG is a 3.1.2 setup with a subwoofer that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It can also get louder and supports more wireless playback options such as Bluetooth. Unlike the Sonos, it also comes with EQ presets. However, the Sonos is still a solid choice for users who prefer a more compact standalone bar. It's better built and offers better soundstage and surround performances despite its smaller size.
The LG SP9YA is a 5.1.2 soundbar that offers better performance than the 3.1.2 LG SP8YA. The SP9YA is better built, with a better soundstage performance. Also, thanks to its side-firing speakers, it doesn't have to downmix surround content into stereo to play it.
The LG SP8YA and the LG S80QY are both very similar soundbars, and their performances in terms of sound aren't very different. The S80QY is a newer model, and it comes with an additional up-firing center channel that can slightly improve the localization of voices in the soundstage. It isn't noticeable to most listeners, so you don't notice a huge difference between the two bars.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a better soundbar than the LG SP8YA. The Samsung is better-built with a better soundstage performance. It gets louder, though it has more compression at max volume, and it comes with a graphic EQ. However, the LG comes with a room correction feature and Chromecast built-in.
Test Results
