{"id":5072,"date":"2020-07-14T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-14T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviancetechnologies.com\/blog\/blog\/lg-sn8yg-review-a-feature-packed-soundbar-that-doesnt-neglect-the-basics\/"},"modified":"2020-07-14T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T10:00:00","slug":"lg-sn8yg-review-a-feature-packed-soundbar-that-doesnt-neglect-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviancetechnologies.com\/blog\/lg-sn8yg-review-a-feature-packed-soundbar-that-doesnt-neglect-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"LG SN8YG review: A feature-packed soundbar that doesn\u2019t neglect the basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

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LG SN8YG review: A feature-packed soundbar that doesn\u2019t neglect the basics<\/h2>\n

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The 3.1.2-channel LG SN8YG soundbar ticks many of our favorite boxes, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based sound, eARC support for lossless audio, room calibration, and built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant.<\/p>\n

More importantly, the $800 SN8YG doesn\u2019t skimp on sonic fundamentals, paying special attention to the mid-range audio that too many of its competitors tend to gloss over. While its flat sound signature won\u2019t appeal to all tastes and it lacks soundstage-boosting side-firing drives, the LG SN8YG\u2019s full, rich audio quality nails the basics.<\/p>\n

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This review is part of TechHive\u2019s coverage of the best soundbars, <\/span>where you\u2019ll find<\/span> reviews of competing products, plus a buyer\u2019s guide to the features you should consider when shopping.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Configuration<\/h2>\n

The LG SN8YG is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar that includes the standard left, center, right, and low-frequency channels (the \u201c3.1\u201d) as well as two height channels (the \u201c.2\u201d at the end) for immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound. If you wish, you can turn the 440-watt SN8YG into a full-on 5.1.2 system by adding\u00a0LG\u2019s optional SPK8-S wireless surround speaker kit<\/a>Remove non-product link<\/span><\/a>. (LG didn\u2019t supply the SPK8-S for testing.)<\/p>\n

The SN8YG\u2019s left, center, and right channels each have one 40 x 100mm woofer and one 20mm silk tweeter dome, while a pair of 2.5-inch drivers supply the sound for the height channels. Finally, the wireless subwoofer houses a 7-inch driver.<\/p>\n

The SN8YG\u2019s upfiring drivers work by bouncing sound off your ceiling, an appealingly easy and inexpensive alternative to installing height speakers in<\/em> your ceiling. There is a catch when it comes to upfiring drivers for 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, however: you need to have the right ceiling. A flat ceiling between 7.5 and 14 feet is ideal, according to Dolby, while vaulted ceilings will mar the effect.<\/p>\n

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The LG SN8YG\u2019s two up-firing drivers deliver the height effects for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main soundbar unit measures 41.7 x 2.2 x 4.7 inches, a relatively low profile that shouldn\u2019t block the bottom edge of most TVs when the soundbar is sitting in front. Even with my 55-inch LG C9 OLED TV, a notoriously low-slung set, the top of the SN8YG\u2019s housing barely grazed the C9\u2019s bottom edge, not enough to give me any bother (and I\u2019m a stickler for anything that blocks the margins of my TV screen).<\/p>\n

The design of the SN8YG\u2019s main housing is virtually identical to that of LG\u2019s 2019 soundbars, including the SL10RG that I reviewed last year. Unlike some soundbars that are covered in fabric, the SN8YG\u2019s bare shell exposes both the front speaker grille as well as the top circular grilles for the twin upfiring drivers. While the brushed top of the SN8YG looks stylish, it also tends to reflect bright images from the TV, although I never found the reflections to be unduly distracting.<\/p>\n

Setup<\/h2>\n

Getting the SN8YG up and running was, for me at least, a painless operation. You can place the soundbar directly in front of your TV or mount it on a wall; mounting brackets, a screw kit, and a mounting guide are included. I opted to simply place the soundbar in front of my TV.<\/p>\n