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.
Just yesterday we were talking about the latest generation of LG OLED televisions, with the test; and the readers of that article may have noticed the sound system that appeared in the photos with the television. Unfortunately, it wasn’t mine, but was part of the experience that LG wanted me to have, to better understand what’s new in their 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’s a complete sound system that provides 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’s worth it, because it’s thanks to that subwoofer that we’ll get the impact we’re looking for in the sound.
That is the first thing we will 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 overkill depending on what you’re looking for. For example, if you live in a flat with less than excellent insulation, you should know that using this sound bar will cause more than one neighbor to give you dirty looks; and of course, you should close the windows if you don’t want the whole neighborhood to know about it.
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 supposes a volume level that is too high for what I wanted.
Of course, this can all be changed, and it’s possible to tailor the sound to exactly what you want, so it’s a matter of adapting. The ace up LG’s sleeve is AI Room Calibration, a system that uses sounds to measure the distance from walls and objects (such as 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 won’t have any problem adjusting it to our liking.
In addition, this sound bar supports a very interesting function if you have one of the new LG TVs 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 different sound sources. However, this feature is unique to LG.
The key is in the sound quality
The surround sound is also worth mentioning. This is a 3.1.2 system, meaning the bar itself has two built-in upward-firing speakers; the idea is that the sound bounces and generates that enveloping effect, and that is why it is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The effect is very striking, although again, its operation depends to a large extent on aspects such as the height of your living room. In my testing, I found that they can’t replace rear speakers, but they do pack the punch and offer a superior experience to having a simple soundbar with just front speakers. Additionally, LG offers a set of rear speakers for this model and the rest of the range, but these have to be purchased separately.
What is beyond doubt is the sound quality of these speakers. I especially liked the clarity of everything I heard, and all the instruments and effects can be appreciated like never before. These speakers have been developed in collaboration with Meridian, and their hand in processing and compatibility with high-resolution sound, up to 24-bit and 96 kHz, is noticeable. It is thanks to this that this bar and subwoofer set is just as good at reproducing music as it is at improving the setting 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’re likely to use. The HDMI 2.1 connectivity with eARC stands out, which is what allows you 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 television is compatible with eARC. We also have an optical connection for other devices.
The SP8YA isn’t just a sound bar – it’s also a smart speaker. Thanks to its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connection, it is capable of connecting with our devices and fulfilling the same functions as an Amazon Echo, for example. That means it’s compatible with personal assistants, both Alexa and Google Assistant, and all the standards we use to cast content, like Chromecast and AirPlay 2. It’s even compatible with Spotify Connect, so you can use your account and stream music. without the need to connect a mobile.
The best if you have an LG
The 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 types of multimedia content such as music or video games. The included subwoofer is very powerful and, even without rear speakers, manages to fill the entire room with sound.
Smart features are well received, 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.
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