Sound quality:
LG's SC9S has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. In the Standard sound effect mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a touch prominent and a bit boomy. The midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat grainy, a bit hazy and etched, and a touch echoey. The treble is fairly extended, but is a bit smeared and sizzly. This model does a decent job of recovering room ambience but the echoey quality of the midrange adds a touch of artificial reverberation. The two channel sound extends somewhat above and a bit to the sides of the speaker array and lacks depth. There was no significant difference between HDMI, optical, USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth sound quality.
Multichannel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends somewhat beyond the height and width of the soundbar enclosure, but still lacks depth and there was no rear surround effect; sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material, the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; the sound stage can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect.
DTS:X
When playing DTS:X material, the width and height of the sound field is about the same as heard with 5.1channel program material.
Sound Modes
The soundbar has various sound mode settings which, depending on the type of program material being played, have a noticeable to minimal effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume.
TV ease of use: Very good overall. This model can work seamlessly with most TVs - the soundbar's volume and mute functions can be controlled by a HDMI CEC compatible TV's remote when connected via an HDMI cable. If an HDMI connection is not used the soundbar's volume and mute functions can be directly controlled by the IR remotes (the typical remote that comes with a TV) of LG and other major brand TVs. The soundbar's own physical remote is easy to use - although the source button label doesn't clearly indicate the function of the button and the volume buttons have low contrast labels, the remote has an uncluttered layout. The soundbar console was easy to use - the console display consisted of voice announcements and unlabeled patterns of lights that were persistent for input sources and momentary for sound modes. The mute display was clear and persistent while the volume display is momentary and graphical with extremely rough increments. When an info button is pressed on the remote a voice announcement from the console indicates the type of audio that is playing (including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X). All controls are easy to access; the power, volume, and WiFi play/pause controls are adequately identified but the source control uses a non-standard symbol. Use with a Bluetooth connected TV is a bit convoluted - the TV will automatically reconnect to soundbar if the soundbar stays powered on and input is changed, but if the sound bar is turned off and on again the TV has to be manually re-connected.
Features ease of use: Acceptable overall. The soundbar's physical remote is easy to use - although the source button label doesn't clearly indicate the function of the button and the volume buttons have low contrast labels, the remote has an uncluttered layout. The soundbar console was easy to use - the console display consisted of voice announcements and unlabeled patterns of lights that were persistent for input sources and momentary for sound modes. The mute display was clear and persistent while the volume display is momentary and graphical with extremely rough increments. When an info button is pressed on the remote a voice announcement from the console indicates the type of audio that is playing (including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X). All controls are easy to access; the power, volume, and WiFi play/pause controls are adequately identified but the source control uses a non-standard symbol. Use with a Bluetooth connected source device is a bit convoluted - the Bluetooth device will automatically reconnect to soundbar if the soundbar stays powered on and input is changed, but if the sound bar is turned off and on again the Bluetooth source device has to be manually re-connected.
