The LG SP9YA is a 5.1.2 soundbar that's the next generation of the LG SN9YG. It comes with some more features and EQ presets, including support for Apple AirPlay. There are also some features we don't test, like the 2021 LG TV AI Processor, which lets you sync the bar with compatible LG TVs for a more immersive sound. With its AI Room Calibration feature, it offers a very neutral, balanced sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different audio content. It doesn't offer a very immersive surround performance, but you can also purchase satellite speakers separately.
Our Verdict
The LG SP9YA is great for mixed usage. With its room correction feature, it offers a very neutral, balanced sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. It comes with lots of sound customization features, too, including bass and treble adjustments as well as EQ presets. However, while it supports Atmos and surround content, it doesn't offer a very immersive listening experience.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Room correction feature.
- Poor surrounds performance.
The LG SP9YA is impressive for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its discrete center channel and balanced mid-range, voices are reproduced clearly and accurately. It comes with a dialogue enhancement feature to help make voices clear and crisp and an auto-volume mode to balance the volume level across different programs. There are many wireless playback options, too, so you can wirelessly stream podcasts from your phone to the bar.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Auto-volume mode.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The LG SP9YA is impressive for music. It comes with an AI Room Calibration feature that automatically optimizes audio reproduction based on the acoustic characteristics of your room. With this feature turned on, it has a very neutral, balanced sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different types of music genres. It also comes with lots of sound customization features, including EQ presets and bass and treble adjustments.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Room correction feature.
- No graphic EQ.
The LG SP9YA is good for movies. Its neutral sound profile can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, and its extended low-bass helps you feel the deep rumble in action-packed scenes. Unfortunately, while it supports Dolby Atmos and surround content, it doesn't provide the most immersive listening experience since it lacks discrete speakers.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Room correction feature.
- Poor surrounds performance.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 20, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 16, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Aug 07, 2022: Added information in the Atmos box to compare the bar's performance with the Samsung HW-Q800B.
- Updated Aug 04, 2021: Added more information about auto-off and app device casting features.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG SP9YA comes in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The LG SP9YA is a 5.1.2 soundbar that you can upgrade with satellites, sold separately. It's the next generation of the LG SN9YG, and it comes with more features, including Apple AirPlay, more EQ presets, and the 2021 LG TV AI Processor. Like other soundbars in the SP lineup, it comes with built-in Meridian Technology, advertised to help with audio reproduction.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best LG soundbars.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the LG SP9YA. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. Also, it comes with EQ presets for sound customization. However, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Also, it can be upgraded to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The LG SP9YA is the upgraded version of the LG SN9YG, and it has a better overall performance. The SP9YA has a better soundstage performance, and it gets louder. It also comes with more features, including more EQ presets and an LG TV AI Processor advertised to create a more immersive sound with compatible LG TVs. It supports Apple AirPlay too. That said, some users may prefer the SN9YG's built-in voice assistant support, while the SP9YA requires a third-party device to use the voice assistant.
The LG S90QY is the next generation of the LG SP9YA. The S90QY is a 5.1.3 setup, and it comes with one more up-firing driver for the center channel compared to its predecessor. However, the additional driver doesn't really improve its center performance in a meaningful way. Its sound profile isn't as neutral as last year's model, either. While there are some new features like TV Sound Mode Share and WOWCAST compatibility, when it comes to the sound, there isn't much of a difference between the two bars.
The LG SP9YA is a slightly better soundbar than the LG SN10YG. The SP9YA offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer over the SN10YG's more bass-heavy sound. Also, the SP9YA supports Apple AirPlay connectivity. That said, the SN10YG offers better surround and Atmos performances.
Test Results
