The LG SP8YA smart sound bar is presented as an almost mandatory companion to enjoy the latest movies, although depending on your case, it may be too much.
Yesterday we were talking about the latest generation of LG OLED televisions, with the test of the 55-inch LG G1 television ; And the readers of that article may have noticed the sound system that appeared in the photos with the television. Unfortunately, it was not mine, but was part of the experience that LG wanted me to have, to better understand what is new in its new generation of home cinema products.
Indeed, LG itself considers the G1 and this SP8YA soundbar to be inseparable , and I agree, up to a point. To demonstrate this bet, LG offers a discount of 200 euros if you complete
Great power
The SP8YA is more than just a sound bar: it is a complete sound system that allows for surround sound and great compatibility with all our devices. It is a set of sound bar with subwoofer, the latter a large box that can cause us some space problem during installation. But it is worth it, because it is thanks to that subwoofer that we will achieve the impact we are looking for in the sound.
That’s the first thing we’ll notice: the power of sound; LG boasts 440 W , a very nice figure but what really matters is what we feel, and in that sense, there is no doubt that it is capable of making us ‘rumble’. In fact, the power can be over the top depending on what you’re looking for. For example, if you live in a flat with poor insulation, you should know that using this sound bar will cause more than one neighbor to give you a bad look; And of course, you should close the windows if you don’t want the whole neighborhood to know.
But that’s not bad; what has really bothered me is the balance. By default, the subwoofer takes on too much prominence , while the bar speakers lose it. That’s what happened to me with the first movie I put on to test the system, that at times I couldn’t hear what the characters were saying well, so I turned up the volume; but of course, that in turn means a volume level that is too high for what I wanted.
Of course, all this can be changed, and it is possible to adapt the sound to the exact point you want, so it is a matter of adaptation. The ace up LG’s sleeve is AI Room Calibration , a system that uses sounds to measure the distance from walls and objects (like armchairs) to automatically adjust the sound. It is highly recommended that you follow those settings for the best result, something that can be done directly using the remote control.
The bar has several sound modes, which we can easily change with the included remote control. A front LED screen indicates the mode it is in, which interface it is connected to, and the volume; It is very easy to use and we will have no problem adjusting it to our liking.
In addition, this sound bar supports a very interesting function if you have one of the new LG televisions with Alpha 9 processor (like, for example, the G1); the processor is able to connect with the bar and improve the sound , adapting it to be clearer regardless of the different sound sources. However, this feature is exclusive to LG.
The key is in the sound quality
Surround sound is also noteworthy. This is a 3.1.2 system, that is, the bar itself has two built-in speakers pointing upwards; the idea is that the sound bounces and generates that surround effect, and therefore it is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.
The effect is very striking, although again, its operation depends largely on aspects such as the height of your living room. In my tests, I found that they cannot replace rear speakers, but they do ‘work’ and offer a superior experience to having a simple soundbar with only front speakers. In addition, LG offers a set of rear speakers for this model and the rest of the range, but they have to be purchased separately.
What is beyond doubt is the sound quality of these speakers. I especially liked the clarity of everything I listened to, and all the instruments and effects can be appreciated like never before. Developed in collaboration with Meridian, these speakers show their hand in processing and supporting high-resolution sound, up to 24-bit and 96kHz.
That’s why this bar and subwoofer set is just as good at playing music as it is at enhancing the ambience of our favorite movies. In video games it also has a lot to say, especially if we connect it to one of the new generation consoles, with games compatible with the new standards.
Speaking of connectivity, the SP8YA has more options than we’ll probably use. Highlights the HDMI 2.1 connectivity with eARC , which is what allows to transmit surround sound and in high resolution without loss, including Dolby Atmos and DTS: X; It goes without saying that it is the one you have to use if your TV is eARC compliant. We also have an optical connection for other devices.
The SP8YA is not just a soundbar – it is also a smart speaker . Thanks to its Wi-Fi connection and Bluetooth 5.0, it is able to connect with our devices and fulfill the same functions as an Amazon Echo, for example. That means it is compatible with personal assistants, both with Alexa and Google Assistant, and with all the standards we use to cast content, such as Chromecast and AirPlay 2. It is even compatible with Spotify Connect, to use our account and stream music without the need to connect a mobile.
The best if you have an LG
The LG SP8YA is an exceptional soundbar, which has everything we could want from a device like this. It not only offers great performance in movies, but also in all kinds of multimedia content such as music or video games. The included subwoofer is very powerful and, even without rear speakers, it manages to fill the entire room with sound.
Smart features are welcome, and save us from having to turn on the TV and search for the app we want; just connect your mobile and you will have access to streaming playback, personal assistant and much more.
