In the fiercely competitive market of Dolby Atmos soundbars, it is challenging for a product to distinguish itself. LG has attempted to stand out with its latest SC9S soundbar, featuring a third upfiring driver in the center. The intention behind this addition is to enhance dialog clarity and emphasize the overhead effects, contributing to the creation of an immersive dome of sound synonymous with Atmos and other 3D formats.
In terms of achieving this goal, the design of the SC9S is undeniably successful. The dialog comes through with exceptional clarity, while the phantom channel appears to amplify the impact of overhead effects. However, despite the growing prevalence of Atmos content, the number of effects occurring above the listener remains limited. A significant portion of the action in movies and TV shows takes place on the ground, and this is where the SC9S falls short compared to competitors like Sony, Sonos, and Bose, which incorporate side-firing speakers to effectively create a rich and immersive soundstage from a single unit.
Nevertheless, the SC9S boasts an impressive array of features, including seamless compatibility with the latest LG C-series TVs through the Wow Orchestra system. Additionally, users with any TV will benefit from various modern features such as extensive audio format support, advanced gaming capabilities, and an accompanying wireless subwoofer – a feature lacking in many competing products. Despite these advancements, the question remains: is the SC9S the ultimate choice for an Atmos soundbar?
The setup of the SC9S is largely straightforward, albeit involving a few additional steps due to its special mounting bracket designed to complement LG’s C2 and C3 TVs. For an optimal setup, following LG’s provided instructions is essential, as it dictates the specific order of connecting the HDMI cable, subwoofer, and the soundbar. Failure to adhere to this sequence may result in additional manual configuration, as experienced during testing.
Utilizing LG’s Soundbar app facilitates a user-friendly setup and firmware update process, allowing for easy Wi-Fi connectivity and calibration. However, the AI Room Calibration mode appeared to have little discernible impact on the sound quality, despite its deafening volume.
One of the standout features of the SC9S is its integration with LG’s C2 and C3 TVs, enhancing the viewing experience through ecosystem-specific functionality. In a similar vein, the soundbar offers HDMI 2.1 passthrough via its spare HDMI port, catering to users’ gaming needs with support for high frame rates, VRR, and ALLM. This aligns with a growing trend in the A/V space, epitomized by Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature that harmonizes its flagship soundbars with its latest TV speakers.
Furthermore, the SC9S delivers comprehensive format compatibility, accommodating Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, and DTS-HD Master Audio, among others. It also supports various streaming features, including AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity. While the soundbar is compatible with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, this functionality is solely accessible through the app interface.
The app also provides a convenient platform for adjusting settings, including EQ adjustments, sound mode selection, and channel level modifications. While it may not offer the extensive functionality of competing apps from Sonos or Bose, it proves to be intuitive and stable during usage.
