LG SL8YG - Soundbar

Does this affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar’s performance match its lengthy features list?

In the AV world, it is acknowledged that technologies become more accessible the longer they have been around. Take Dolby Atmos: it started life in cinemas and high-end speaker packages, before being introduced to upmarket soundbars a few years back. It has now trickled down into more affordable propositions, such as this LG SL8YG soundbar. But does it belong here?

We hook the SL8YG up to our LG OLED65B9PLA and Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player via HDMI (the LG also has optical and USB sockets) and settle into Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.2 on 4K Bluray. It isn’t long before we decide that, yes, Dolby Atmos does belong here.

It isn’t the kind of 360-degree presentation offered by an Atmos speaker package, nor the immersive delivery of a higher-end soundbar, but LG’s 3.1.2 speaker and wireless subwoofer configuration does a good job of spreading Atmos soundtracks far and wide (and high).

Height advantage

The sound of spaceships extends beyond the left and right edges of our 65in TV and while the soundfield doesn’t quite reach the ceiling, there is more height here than you’d get from a standard, forward-firing alternative.

There’s also a sense of scale and immersion with the Atmos soundtrack that you don’t get from the standard (DTS-HD) version. Add LG’s optional SPK8 rear speakers, sold separately, and you’ll get a convincing surround sound experience.