LG Atmos SJ9 Soundbar - Hands On Review

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Often when buying a soundbar, you’ll end up eschewing breadth and depth of sound in favor of value and effective space management. Not so with LG’s Dolby Atmos-enabled SJ9, which combines virtual surround sound with the distinctive Atmos ceiling-firing drivers, creating a massive, enveloping soundstage without requiring you to set up several individual speakers.
The curvy SJ9 is gorgeous, dressed in dark, silvery gray, with speaker grating that wraps around the front, as well as circular grates on top at either end. It features a scrolling digital readout across the front and some dedicated onboard control buttons (located on the front, near the left side) - though you’ll likely be using the remote instead.
The remote itself has all the basic controls you’d expect, plus a few unique ones. There’s automatic power and volume control, buttons to adjust bass and treble balance, and even a cool “night mode” function that compresses louder sounds when you don’t want to wake up the kids.
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[@togitom]

If you add in front of TV (OLED 65 B7), it blocks the remote of the TV. But if you mount it on wall according to the instruction sheet, it works fine.

[@itnogsallamon6254]

I have it and it works great!

[@robhewitt5640]

Itnog Sallamon would it be OK without a subwoofer?

[@studioedin5288]

I cant decide if im going to keep sj0 or HK Sabre 35 , both are good, but damn

[@oliviarocha5126]

How come theres no review on the lg sk8y..after so many reviews I warched on different sound bars the sk8y is the one I ended up getting,and didnt know know anything about it.great product and priced right id say

[@juniorramirez2832]

Have 75 Samsung curve and zvox 500 sound perfect

[@HarshadPandharpatte]

Does It Work With LG OLED C7 ?

[@Marlinandrejones]

I purchased this soundbar for my OLED c7p just last week, and I tell you, I am not all that impressed. There was certainly more bass and everything was punchier for sure. But beyond that, I found that it did not substantially exceed the internal TV speakers, which are also Atmos compatible. Regular TV and Atmos movies did sound somewhat better, mostly due to the bass, but again, not substantially better. I did a side by side comparison between the SJ9 and internal TV speakers on my XBox One S and the internals sounded better. Less punchier for sure but more refined. And the same was true with music. The internal speakers sounded better. The SJ9 sound was muddier and less crisp. Again, punchier though. I tell you, it feels for all the world like my TV has more speakers in play than the SJ9. Is that possible? This is a $900 5.1.2 channel sound bar we are talking about. My minimum expectation was that it would be a big step up from the TV speakers at least. I am somewhat of a fledgling audiophile, so maybe I haven't set it up properly. I currently have the treble set to 2, the bass at 3 and the woofer at 3. And again, I don't detect any truly noticeable change after tinkering with these settings. I've played music on the "music" setting, and movies on the "movie" setting. The SJ9 just doesnt stand out from the regular TV speakers in any big way (aside from bass). Am I doing something wrong? I read all these reviews about how awesome the sound is, but I am just not getting that. Someone give me some insight please.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Basically overpriced junk.

[@raymondleggs5508]

@David Mander And from a TV company at that, the only good soundbars are made by Def tech, Nakamichi, Bose etc. However for the money a good 2.1 system is a way to go. My "cheap" 2.1 system with generic floor speakers, Generic sub and Generic receiver sounds better than that LG soundbar. And basically will never be obsolete.

[@jshughes79]

3 hours spent scouring for videos to answer one simple question. You answered it in less than 90 seconds. Bra Fricking Vo man!!!!

[@zacarshad262]

Awesome

[@bargzeek]

Can i match this on my Samsung UHDTV?

[@amitagnihotri6374]

I have sk5, outstanding

[@utsavupadhyay8398]

How do you compare this with lg SJ8?

[@misaeng4816]

Man I have it sounds fill the room will give you rich sounds need optical output from your tv

[@cuneytaklselim3700]

samsung hw n650 or lg sj9?

[@sergiofreitas9674]

As caixas surround spj4 são compatíveis com a soundbar sj9?

[@TheProgWay]

Do the ATMOS speakers do anything for the standard 5.1 signal? Or is this bar pretty much just a standard 2.1 bar when a non-ATMOS signal is fed.

[@Commander_HW]

5.1.2 means 5 surround speakers( left, center, right, rear left, rear right), 1 subwoofer, 2 overheads(which will be Atmos). So when atmos is not being used, then it's a 5.1 sound bar.

[@petermaz701]

I have this sound bar and as much as the tv itself has very good sound LG oled E6. When I put the sound bar on to compare there isn’t any comparing its excellent coming out of this unit. You can hear different highs meds. and lows that are just not there with the tv speakers. Movies are exceptional. Dolby Atmos encoded bring a hole new experience.

[@strawberryyogurt0]

@petermazebarbie ....... is it possible to pair it with google home’s assistant to recognize voice control to turn on/off the sj9 soundbar completely independent of the tv. I’m looking for a speaker that can do this so i can use it without a remote.

[@petermaz701]

strawberryyogurt0 To be honest with you I really don’t know I sold the SJ9 and got another one it was too much my bedroom

[@pardss9737]

Is it better than the Sony ZF9?

[@jinmiculob9510]

I have question if I use my bluetooth to speaker will function.if I use my magic sing only in the left side is working.why is it like is thre mistake in my chord I used?

[@gregnettles3677]

Can u add the rear surround speakers ton this unit per lg?

[@stanleygoulding9631]

Does anyone know if the SPK8 rear speakers connect to this soundbar?

[@beadelf8158]

sorry im a bit of a noob. Ive just purchased this soundbar alongside the oppo 203 player and LG B7 Tv. I want to use dolby atmos...should I connect sound bar to player via HDMI out (Arc) i know the optical cable does not support atmos? sorry for the silly question just a little confused. Im aware I need HDMI 2 cables. thanks

[@Hadooy94]

i'm asking the same question, did you get an answer elsewhere ?

[@jinmiculob9510]

Can I buy only remote control ?

[@Steve30x]

This is more like it. I have two sound bars and a proper 5.1 surround setup here. I used the 2.1 soundbar for s few months but I just didn't like the lack of sound from the rear. All the sound came from in front of me. Then I bought a Sony HT RT3 which has wired rear speakers but the sound is lacking with it and the subwoofer is lacking low end punch. The subwoofer sounds like it goes no lower than 60 HZ. I wanted to go with a soundbar because my living room isn't that big @ 11 foot by 10 foot. Anyway I went back to my proper system with floor standing speakers and proper center speakers but compromised with using the small rear speakers from the sony soundbar and setup the Sony STR DN1020 tamp in a way that it wont overpower the rear speakers. What I am saying is even with simulated surround which my first soundbar does you can't beat a system with rear speakers if you want surround sound. It just doesn't work properly

[@jillspady6450]

Steve 30x. I'm keeping the stand alone speakers..... they are the best, aren't they?.....

[@Steve30x]

They aren't the best Jill. They are good but can be better. Saying that they sound a lot better with a proper amplifier than they dd through the soundbar. The sound output through the soundbar lacks highs and lows. Whats worse is theres no crossover for the subwoofer so it takes any type of lows like the low tones of voices and outputs it through the soundbar which doesn't sound good.

[@ThomasHannah]

Would this sound bar connect to both my PS4 and tv? I see there’s only one HDMI. Thanks

[@venomsymbiote1783]

I have it hooked to my ps4 works great I also have it connected to my xbox for the atmos sound, it also connects to your phone ..i love the system

[@honey4xi]

LG Atmos SJ9 Soundbar: I *do* hear the sounds from above such as flying planes, rains, winds; but I *don't* hear the sound from behind such as "a monster roaring from behind" in the movies.

[@lxzar1211]

Just let your mother-in-law sit behind you ....

[@studioedin5288]

how do you even enable the above speakers?

[@k12rising]

add some rear speakers and u will

[@totalplonker824]

How can you possibly get Dolby Atmos (object based audio) when all the speakers are within a couple of feet of each other? not unless you're talking about VIRTUAL ATMOS ! I have a full 5.2.4 setup with a Atmos digital reading on display and I'm finding it difficult to distinguish between Dolby Atmos and a regular surround sound formats with height effects! I'm standing to think it's all just a marketing ploy!

[@honey4xi]

@David Mander Is it a scam? I remember Monster sells their one 6ft HDMI cable for $200 which I never buy because it's over price.

[@jesusuriarte6531]

Which one is better Samsung k950 or this Lg

[@lloydthompson5734]

lg

[@mkmcdowell4648]

This...or the Samsung HW-MS750 with sub for sound quality? I realize the Samsung doesn't decode Atmos.

[@DsLmaNiaC]

Samsung's distortion cancelling technology makes a difference, I believe it has a better sound but the subwoofer + rear speakers cost a bit too much. You could get this one also with a surround speaker set.

[@touchingevil2302]

If it had 2 speakers for the back then i would have bought it , but now its just not good. I didnt hear any real surround sound. Please LG! Next year give us 2 more speakers in the pakage and then you have a deal.

[@totalplonker824]

How can you possibly get Dolby Atmos (object based audio) when all the speakers are within a couple of feet of each other? not unless you're talking about VIRTUAL ATMOS ! I have a full 5.2.4 setup with a Atmos digital reading on display and I'm finding it difficult to distinguish between Dolby Atmos and a regular surround sound formats with height effects! I'm standing to think it's all just a marketing ploy!

[@ZAPNEP]

Is it really that better than SJ8? Right now SJ8 costs roughly $200. Is SJ9 5 times better than SJ8?

[@artyTtot]

Sound bar review without playing samples is incomplete review!

[@willseetoLearn]

I agree. I watched just 4 videos from this channel and thats it, no more. Why? Not a single review has sound test ?!! Waste of time. We all have headphones. So they must stop that old excuse. Buy better mic and start posting sound tests.(this is for this utube channel not the comment😂)

[@alexandsimba]

This isn't 5.1.2. It annoys the heck out of me that LG did false advertising with product and all the major reviewers let them get away it. It's a good 2.1.2 soundbar, but definitely not 5.1.2 (I own it and tested all available Dolby Atmos demos).

[@strawberryyogurt0]

@alexandsimba .... is it possible to pair it with google home’s assistant to recognize voice control to turn on/off the sj9 soundbar completely independent of the tv. I’m looking for a speaker that can do this so i can use it without a remote.

[@freddyjuarez5602]

What do you mean the guy just mention 5 speakers

[@philaufan6]

What tv stand is this?

[@fgbraz87]

Looks like LG C7 OLED.

[@whatsnext4529]

BDI Ola - available at Best Buy

[@philaufan6]

Whatsnext? Hey thanks!

[@whatsnext4529]

no prob at all. :)

[@Librazhd76]

If you can bare with with wires never go with soundbar get the receiver and speakers the difference in sound is night and day.

[@ParveenBhardwaj679]

Agree soundbar is no where close to an actual Atmos setup. But just the Receiver itself would be double the price of this soundbar. And then cost of speakers etc. You get what you pay for.

[@oneofakindkev5259]

that and the Samsung model are too long

[@alchemicrb]

At just under $900, it's very easy to beat lol

[@JethroXP]

Look on Newegg, you'll find them listed for $699

[@JethroXP]

Nope, I mean $699. I unboxed mine last week. It was sold by Digiherd, one of the "other sellers" options. Though I just checked and they appear to be sold out, so you are correct, all the other options are currently $896.99.

[@alchemicrb]

Jason Coon Bro, seriously, get your shit right. 3rd party seller isn't newegg

[@JethroXP]

The American Soccer Guy I found it on Newegg, purchased on Newegg, and when I look at my Newegg order history, there it is. I guess you are right, it’s not Newegg, my bad.

[@JethroXP]

Never say never :-) First off, I agree with you in part. That part is when you want something, like a Dolby Atmos capable soundbar and subwoofer but you aren't keen on spending $900 so you might be tempted to go for some no-name Chinese knock-off for 1/3 the price. That is very likely to result in disappointment, and that's what I'd call bargain shopping for tech. You're right, don't do it. However when you can find name-brand quality stuff at a discount, as long as it isn't a refurb or some grey market import, why not? Paying full price doesn't impart any special status or functionality. When I found this on Newegg for $699 it took me a minute to realize it was from one of the partner resellers. I immediately became suspicious because all the other sellers on Newegg were selling at $849 (funny, the price has gone up since then). I figured it had to be a refurb, or grey market import, or the reseller was sketchy. But it all checked out. Now that it's arrived it's perfect, and exactly what I would have gotten had I paid $849 (or $896) to another seller. I'll freely admit that had I come across Digiherd in a general internet search I would have been less likely to purchase from them, but given that Newegg does some vetting of their reseller partners and they had good user reviews I was more inclined to trust them. So yeah, never say never, and don't pay full price if you don't have to.

[@MrEverisforever]

Sonos ftw

[@coloniellizardt4191]

MrEverisforever Sonos has no Dolby nor DTS decoding so. Sonos < LG

[@CEOLISSS]

No DTS-X. Pass.

[@brianbanda2975]

Don't just talk, test it.

[@Gorilla_Jones]

Yamaha YSP >>> all this other nonsense.

[@alexsmba]

Gorilla Jones lol they all sound tinny and fake. Real speakers and receiver FTW

[@bentleytran1442]

What happened to TD daily? Yall stop doing that? Unsub soon

[@KingMetaloy]

Samsung is better believe that 😂👎

[@cuneytaklselim3700]

how about samsung hw n650?

[@gregrichard9192]

Don't waste your time with a sound bar. Thank me later

[@slalhruaitluanga]

second

[@surajg3803]

First