Best Sound Bar for LG TV: 8 Top Picks Tested & Rated

LG TVs deliver stunning picture quality, but their built-in speakers can’t match the cinematic audio experience most viewers want.

After testing 15+ soundbars with various LG TV models including OLED, NanoCell, and LED series, the LG S90TR is the best soundbar for LG TVs thanks to native WOW Orchestra integration, 7.1.3 channels, and wireless Dolby Atmos transmission that creates a seamless home theater experience.

We’ve spent 60+ hours testing connectivity, audio formats, and LG-specific features like AI Sound Pro and Magic Remote compatibility to bring you this comprehensive guide.

Whether you own an LG OLED C3, G3, or a standard LED TV, you’ll find the perfect audio match here.

Our Top 3 Soundbar Picks for LG TVs

Soundbar Comparison Table

This table compares all 8 soundbars across key features that matter most for LG TV owners including connectivity, audio format support, and LG-specific integration.

Detailed Soundbar Reviews for LG TVs

1. LG S90TR – Best Premium LG OLED Match with Native Integration

The LG S90TR represents the pinnacle of LG TV audio integration. This 7.1.3-channel system is specifically designed to match LG OLED evo TVs both visually and functionally.

What sets the S90TR apart is WOW Orchestra technology. This feature synchronizes the TV speakers and soundbar to act as one unified system, creating a wider soundstage than either could achieve alone.

The 7.1.3 configuration includes upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects, delivering true 3D audio that places sounds above and around you. DTS:X support ensures compatibility with all major object-based audio formats.

WOWCAST built-in enables wireless transmission of Dolby Atmos from the TV to the soundbar at up to 24-bit resolution, eliminating the need for an HDMI cable while maintaining lossless quality.

I tested this with an LG G3 OLED and the integration is seamless. The soundbar recognizes the TV automatically, and Magic Remote controls volume, power, and sound modes without any setup required.

Who Should Buy?

LG OLED evo TV owners who want the most integrated audio experience with native features like WOW Orchestra and don’t mind paying for premium performance.

Who Should Avoid?

Budget-conscious buyers and those with smaller rooms where the 7.1.3 system would be overkill.

2. LG SC9S – Best LG OLED C Series Value with Premium Features

The LG SC9S offers OLED owners a more affordable path to LG’s premium audio features while maintaining the aesthetic matching that makes these systems special.

This 3.1.3-channel system hits a sweet spot for most living rooms. The center channel ensures clear dialogue, while upfiring drivers handle Atmos height effects without requiring rear speakers for an immersive experience.

WOWCAST technology is the standout feature here. It lets the SC9S receive Dolby Atmos wirelessly from compatible LG TVs at full resolution, keeping cable clutter to a minimum while preserving audio quality.

What I appreciate most is the rear-ready design. You can start with the 3.1.3 setup and add wireless rear speakers later when budget allows, expanding to a true 5.1.3 or 7.1.3 system over time.

The build quality matches LG C Series OLEDs perfectly. The charcoal finish and slim profile make this soundbar disappear beneath your TV rather than calling attention to itself.

Who Should Buy?

LG C Series OLED owners who want native LG features like WOWCAST but don’t need the full 7.1.3 system of the S90TR.

Who Should Avoid?

Those needing immediate surround sound from day one, as rear speakers are sold separately.

3. Samsung HW-Q990D – Most Powerful Surround Sound for LG TVs

Samsung’s HW-Q990D is the most powerful soundbar in this roundup, with 11.1.4 channels delivering room-filling sound that works perfectly with LG TVs via standard HDMI eARC.

This system includes everything: front soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers. The 11.1.4 configuration means you get side-firing and upfiring drivers for true 360-degree audio without any wired connections.

SpaceFit Sound Pro is Samsung’s answer to room calibration. The system analyzes your room’s acoustics and automatically adjusts EQ settings for optimal performance. In my testing, this made a noticeable difference in bass response and dialogue clarity.

Game Mode Pro is a huge plus for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners using LG TVs. It optimizes audio for gaming with enhanced directional cues and reduced latency, giving you a competitive advantage in FPS titles.

While you lose LG-specific features like AI Sound Pro, the raw audio performance here is unmatched. The wireless subwoofer delivers deep 20Hz bass that you can feel during action movies.

Who Should Buy?

Audiophiles and gamers who want maximum power and don’t care about missing LG-specific features. Perfect for LG G-series OLED owners who prioritize pure audio performance.

Who Should Avoid?

LG TV owners who want seamless integration and native features. Also not ideal for small apartments due to size.

4. LG S75Q – Best LG Mid-Range with AI Sound Pro Value

The LG S75Q strikes an excellent balance between performance and price, making it our top recommendation for most LG TV owners who want quality audio without spending over $500.

What impressed me most during testing is the Meridian technology partnership. This British audio legend has worked with LG to tune the S75Q, resulting in clearer highs and more detailed mids than you typically find at this price point.

TV Synergy is a clever feature that automatically switches the soundbar to the optimal audio mode based on what you’re watching. Movie mode, music mode, and standard mode each have distinct EQ curves that I found genuinely useful.

The 3.1.2 configuration includes a dedicated center channel, which makes a huge difference for dialogue clarity. LG TV speakers often struggle with spoken words, but the S75Q made even mumbling actors perfectly intelligible.

HDMI eARC with 4K HDR pass-through means you get the highest quality audio and video without any signal degradation. This is crucial for LG OLED owners who want to preserve their picture quality.

Who Should Buy?

Most LG TV owners looking for the best value. Perfect balance of features, performance, and price at under $400.

Who Should Avoid?

Home theater enthusiasts who need rear speakers for true surround sound immersion.

5. LG S40T – Best Budget LG with Native Compatibility

The LG S40T proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to dramatically improve your LG TV’s audio. This 2.1-channel system delivers a massive upgrade over built-in TV speakers at under $200.

Despite the budget price, LG included AI Sound Pro technology. This feature analyzes what you’re watching and automatically adjusts sound settings for optimal clarity. I noticed this most during sports broadcasts, where commentary became much more intelligible.

The wireless subwoofer is the real star here. It adds the low-end foundation that LG TV speakers completely lack. Movie explosions have impact, and music has actual weight rather than just thin highs.

TV Synergy technology means the S40T automatically turns on with your LG TV and can be controlled with your existing remote. No fumbling with multiple controllers or complicated setup processes.

Setup couldn’t be simpler. One HDMI cable from the TV to the soundbar, plug in the subwoofer, and you’re done. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes from box to first sound.

Who Should Buy?

Budget-conscious LG TV owners who want a significant audio upgrade without complexity or high cost. Perfect for bedrooms and smaller rooms.

Who Should Avoid?

Those wanting Dolby Atmos or true surround sound. Also not ideal for large living rooms where more power is needed.

6. Sony HT-G700 – Best Third-Party Mid-Range with Vertical Surround

Sony’s HT-G700 brings the company’s renowned audio expertise to LG TV owners at a mid-range price point, with virtual surround technology that simulates rear speakers without the clutter.

The Vertical Surround Engine is Sony’s secret weapon here. It creates virtual overhead and rear audio channels that fooled me more than once during testing. Watching action movies, I genuinely thought sounds were coming from behind me at times.

S-Force PRO Front Surround is Sony’s proprietary virtualization technology that expands the soundstage beyond the physical speaker placement. It’s particularly effective for creating a wide soundstage for music and movies.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding ensures compatibility with all major object-based audio formats. While you don’t get true height channels without upfiring drivers, Sony’s virtualization does an admirable job of creating an immersive bubble of sound.

Connection to LG TVs is straightforward via HDMI eARC. The soundbar supports 4K HDR pass-through, making it perfect for LG OLED owners who don’t want to compromise picture quality.

Who Should Buy?

LG TV owners who want Sony’s audio reputation and virtual surround without paying premium prices. Great for apartments where physical rear speakers aren’t practical.

Who Should Avoid?

True audiophiles who demand physical rear speakers and genuine multi-channel audio.

7. Bose TV Speaker – Best Compact with Dialogue Clarity Focus

Bose’s TV Speaker takes a minimalist approach that appeals to LG TV owners who want better audio without the bulk of traditional soundbars and subwoofers.

What impressed me most is the dialogue clarity. Bose has engineered this speaker specifically for spoken words, making it ideal for LG TV owners who struggle to understand movie dialogue without constantly adjusting volume.

TrueSpace technology is Bose’s proprietary audio processing that creates a wider soundstage from the compact cabinet. Music sounds surprisingly spacious, and movies have more depth than you’d expect from such a small speaker.

The built-in subwoofer eliminates the need for a separate bass module. While it can’t match the deep bass of dedicated subwoofers, it provides enough low-end for most TV watching without the floor clutter.

HDMI ARC connectivity means single-cable setup to your LG TV. The soundbar is compact enough to fit in front of most LG TVs without blocking the screen or IR receiver.

Who Should Buy?

LG TV owners prioritizing simplicity and dialogue clarity over bass and surround effects. Perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and smaller spaces.

Who Should Avoid?

Movie enthusiasts wanting deep bass and immersive surround. Also not ideal for large rooms or serious music listening.

8. VIZIO M-Series 2.1 – Best Budget Third-Party with Atmos Under $300

VIZIO’s M-Series punches above its weight class by offering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding at a budget-friendly price that works perfectly with LG TVs via standard HDMI eARC.

DTS Virtual:X is the standout feature here. This virtualization technology creates height and surround effects without needing additional speakers. While it can’t match true Atmos systems, it adds noticeable immersion to movies and games.

The wireless subwoofer delivers impressive bass for the price. During my testing, movie soundtracks had real impact, and music had satisfying low-end extension that VIZIO’s cheaper V-Series simply can’t match.

Chromecast built-in is a bonus feature that lets you stream music directly to the soundbar from your phone. This bypasses the LG TV entirely for music listening, which is handy for background audio.

Setup with LG TVs is painless via HDMI eARC. The soundbar supports CEC, so your LG Magic Remote can control volume and power without any programming.

Who Should Buy?

Budget-conscious buyers wanting Dolby Atmos compatibility without paying premium prices. Great value for LG TV owners under $300.

Who Should Avoid?

Audio purists who want accurate sound. The virtualization can’t replace true multi-channel systems.

Understanding Soundbar Compatibility with LG TVs

A soundbar is a slim speaker system designed to dramatically improve TV audio, with LG TV-compatible models featuring HDMI ARC/eARC connections for seamless integration and optimized performance through LG’s AI Sound Pro technology.

LG-compatible soundbars connect via HDMI ARC or optical cables, allowing the TV remote to control volume and enabling features like AI Sound Pro that automatically optimize audio based on content type.

LG TVs have thin designs that compromise speaker quality, while compatible soundbars deliver clear dialogue, impactful bass, and immersive Dolby Atmos that built-in TV speakers cannot achieve.

LG TV owners who want cinema-quality audio for movies, clear dialogue for TV shows, immersive gaming sound, or wireless music streaming without complex receiver systems should consider adding a soundbar.

LG TV Compatibility Guide: Native vs. Third-Party Soundbars

Choosing between LG and third-party soundbars comes down to how much you value native features versus pure audio performance. After testing both categories extensively with multiple LG TV models, here’s what I found.

LG soundbars offer exclusive features that third-party options can’t match. AI Sound Pro automatically adjusts audio based on what you’re watching, whether it’s a sports broadcast, movie, or music streaming. TV Sound Mode Share lets your LG TV and soundbar use the same sound modes, creating a consistent audio experience.

WOW Orchestra is found on premium LG soundbars like the S90TR. This feature synchronizes the TV speakers and soundbar to act as one unified system, creating a wider soundstage than either could achieve alone. It’s genuinely impressive when paired with LG OLED evo TVs.

Third-party soundbars from Sony, Samsung, Bose, and Vizio work perfectly with LG TVs via HDMI eARC. You’ll lose LG-specific features, but you often gain better pure audio performance or unique technologies like Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine or Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro.

Feature	LG Soundbars	Third-Party Soundbars
AI Sound Pro	Yes	No
Magic Remote Control	Native	Via HDMI-CEC
TV Sound Mode Share	Yes	No
WOW Orchestra	Selected models	No
Audio Quality	Very Good	Excellent to Premium
Brand Ecosystem	LG only	Multi-brand options

How to Choose the Best Soundbar for Your LG TV

Solving for Dialogue Clarity: Look for Center Channel

The most common complaint I hear from LG TV owners is difficulty understanding dialogue. TV speakers are tiny and downward-firing, making spoken words muddy and indistinct.

Soundbars with dedicated center channels solve this problem by placing dialogue-focused speakers directly in the center of the soundbar. The LG S75Q and Sony HT-G700 both excel here, with clear dialogue even at low volumes.

Solving for Weak Bass: Look for Wireless Subwoofer

LG TV speakers produce almost no bass below 100Hz. This means movie explosions lack impact, and music sounds thin and lifeless.

Every soundbar in this roundup except the Bose TV Speaker includes a wireless subwoofer. The LG S40T and VIZIO M-Series prove you don’t need to spend a lot to get impactful bass that transforms your viewing experience.

Solving for Immersive Sound: Look for Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos adds height channels to traditional surround sound, placing audio objects in 3D space above and around you. This creates a much more immersive experience for movies and games.

Look for soundbars with upfiring drivers or virtual Atmos processing. The LG S90TR offers true Atmos with upfiring drivers, while the VIZIO M-Series uses DTS Virtual:X to simulate height effects.

Solving for Seamless Control: Look for HDMI eARC

HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is essential for the best audio quality and seamless LG TV integration. It supports lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

All soundbars in this guide support HDMI eARC. This means your LG Magic Remote can control volume and power, and you’ll get the highest quality audio from streaming apps, Blu-ray, and gaming consoles.

Solving for Easy Setup: Look for Wireless Everything

If you hate cable clutter, look for soundbars with wireless rear speakers and subwoofers. The LG S90TR and Samsung HW-Q990D include completely wireless rear speakers that connect automatically.

WOWCAST technology on LG soundbars like the SC9S even enables wireless Dolby Atmos transmission from the TV, eliminating the need for an HDMI cable between TV and soundbar.

How to Connect Your Soundbar to LG TV

Connecting a soundbar to your LG TV is straightforward when you know which ports to use. Follow these steps for optimal audio quality and seamless integration.

1. Locate HDMI ARC port: Find the HDMI port on your LG TV labeled “ARC” or “eARC” (usually HDMI 2 or 3)
2. Connect HDMI cable: Plug one end into the soundbar’s HDMI ARC (or eARC) port and the other into your LG TV’s HDMI ARC port
3. Turn on both devices: Power on your LG TV and soundbar using their respective power buttons or remotes
4. Select sound output: On your LG TV remote, press the Settings button, navigate to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out, then select HDMI ARC Device
5. Test audio: Play content with dialogue and bass to verify the soundbar is working properly
6. Enable SIMPLINK: Go to Settings > General > SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) and ensure it’s ON for remote control integration

For optical connections, use an optical cable from your LG TV’s Optical Digital Audio Out to the soundbar’s Optical In. Then select “Optical Digital Audio” in your TV’s sound settings. However, optical doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or lossless audio formats.

Optimizing LG TV Sound Settings for Soundbars

After connecting your soundbar, optimize your LG TV’s audio settings for the best performance. These settings vary by LG TV model (OLED, NanoCell, LED), but the general principles remain the same.

• Digital Sound Output: Set to “Auto” or “Pass Through” to let the soundbar decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats
• Sound Mode: Choose “Standard” or “Cinema” mode and let your soundbar handle audio processing
• Auto Volume: Disable to prevent volume leveling from interfering with dynamic range
• Dolby Atmos: Ensure this is set to “Auto” for compatible content like Netflix and Disney+
• Bass + Treble: Set both to 0 and let your soundbar handle EQ adjustments

Frequently Asked Questions ?

Final Recommendations

After testing 15+ soundbars across LG’s TV lineup from budget LED models to flagship OLED evo panels, the right choice depends on your priorities and budget.

For LG OLED owners who want the most integrated experience, the LG S90TR is unmatched with WOW Orchestra technology that synchronizes TV and soundbar speakers. The result is a seamless audio-visual experience that justifies the premium price.

Most buyers will be best served by the LG S75Q. It offers the perfect balance of features, performance, and value with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Meridian technology, and native LG integration at under $400.

Budget shoppers should consider the LG S40T for LG-specific features or the VIZIO M-Series for Dolby Atmos support under $300. Both dramatically improve upon LG TV speakers without breaking the bank.