LG SP9YA vs SP8YA Soundbar Detailed Comparison: review, sound quality, pros and cons
LG SP9YA vs SP8YA: In this post, we are going to review and compare the most selling LG Soundbars LG SP8YA vs SP9YA to find out which one is really the best LG soundbar with subwoofer for you to buy, in terms of sound quality, specs & features, design, and connectivity.
The LG SP9YA and SP8YA Both launched in 2021. The biggest difference between the two models is the SP9YA has 5.1.2 configuration with total power output is 520 watts and the SP8YA has 3.1.2 configuration and total power output is 440 Watts.
The speakers also have a subwoofer that provides deep bass sounds. The speakers also support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and lossless FLAC music files. The speakers also support Google Cast and AirPlay 2.
Both come with an LG TV AI processor that helps you connect both speakers together from compatible LG TVs for more immersive sound quality. They also have a lot of advanced sound settings that allow you to customise the audio volume level, bass enhancement, treble enhancement, etc.
These soundbars come with an impressive list of features including a built-in speakerphone, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port.
Both soundbars also come with HDMI 2.0 ports and a digital optical out port.
Let’s review both models in detail before the comparison.
LG Sp8ya Specs:
| Model | : | SP8YA with wireless subwoofer |
| Size & Weight | : |
41.7 x 4.7 x 2.2 inches, 26.90 pounds |
| Mounting | : | Wall Mountable, Tap top |
| input/Output | : | HDMI Arc, HDMI input/output, Optical Digital, USB |
| Connectivity | : | Wired/wireless, Bluetooth |
| Buttons | : | Power, Volume up/down, Bluetooth |
| Control | : | Remote, Voice control, Alexa built-in |
| Other Features | : |
3.1.2ch built-in channel, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS 5.1, DTS Virtual X |
LG Sp8ya Specs:
| Model | : | SP9YA with wireless subwoofer |
| Size & Weight | : |
48 x 5.7 x 2.2 inches, 13.90 pounds |
| Mounting | : | Wall Mountable, Tap top |
| input/Output | : | HDMI Arc, HDMI 2.1 input/output, Optical Digital, USB |
| Connectivity | : | Wired/wireless, Bluetooth |
| Buttons | : | Power, Volume up/down, Bluetooth |
| Control | : | Remote, Voice control, Alexa built-in |
| Other Features | : |
5.1.2ch built-in channel, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS 5.1, DTS Virtual X |
Features: Side by Side
| Specs and Features | LG SP9YA |
LG SP8YA |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 5.1.2 | 3.1.2 |
| Total Sound Outputs | 520W | 440W |
| Sub Woofer | Yes (Wireless) | Yes (Wireless) |
| Satellites Speaker | No | No |
| Center Sound | Yes (Discrete) | Yes (Discrete) |
| Surround Sound | Phantom (Side firing Bar), Wireless Speaker Surround Ready | Phantom (Side firing Bar) |
| Height | Phantom (Up-Firing, Bar and Satellite) | Phantom (Up-Firing, Bar and Satellite) |
| Audio Processing –Full HDMI In | DTS Digital Surround, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-MA | DTS Digital Surround, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-MA, 5.1 PCM |
| Audio Processing – ARC | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS:X (eARC), Dolby TrueHD (eARC), DTS HD-MA (eARC), 5.1 PCM (eARC) | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS:X (eARC), Dolby TrueHD (eARC), DTS HD-MA (eARC), 5.1 PCM (eARC) |
| Audio Processing – Optical | Dolby Digital, DTS | Dolby Digital, DTS |
| EQ | Presets | Preset |
| Sound Mode | AI Sound Pro, Bass Blast, Standard, Movie, Music | AI Sound Pro, Bass Blast, Standard, Movie, Music |
| Features | Meridian Technology, AI Room Calibration, Chrome Cast Built-in | Meridian Technology, AI Room Calibration, Chrome Cast Built-in |
| AV Decoding Format | WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, AIFF | WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, AIFF |
| Video Passthrough | 4K @60Hz , 4K @60Hz @ 10 bit, 4K @60Hz @ 4:4:4,HDR10 | 4K @60Hz , 4K @60Hz @ 10 bit, 4K @60Hz @ 4:4:4,HDR10 |
| HDMI In | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Out | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI ARC | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI In Support | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, Dolby True HD, DTS HD-MA, 5.1 PCM | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, Dolby True HD, DTS HD-MA, 5.1 PCM |
| HDMI ARC Support | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS:X (eARC), Dolby True HD (eARC), DTS-HD MA (eARC), 5.1 PCM (eARC) | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS:X (eARC), Dolby True HD (eARC), DTS-HD MA (eARC), 5.1 PCM (eARC) |
| USB for File | 1 | 1 |
| Optical Audio In | 1 | 1 |
| Audio Support via Optical | Dolby Digital, DTS X | Dolby Digital, DTS X |
| Analog Audio In 3.5mm | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| App | LG AI ThinQ, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | LG AI ThinQ, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
LG SP9YA vs LG SP8YA: What’s the difference
Design & Size
LG SP9YA has a more rounded shape than SP8YA, but both bars are made of plastic. Their front corners are covered by metal grilles. Both speakers have metal grilles on top of them.
The SP8YA has an elbow-shaped corner, and the SP9YA has a curved corner.
The SP9YA is larger than the SP8YA, but the dimensions are pretty much similar.
Audio/Sound Quality
Both of the LG SP9YA and SP8YA have great stereo frequency response, covering up to 19.9 kHz. Their sound covers up to 30 Hz, and almost all frequencies that are humanly audible can be produced by them. So they are great. Thanks to their AI room calibration, they both have neutral sound profiles, and they can produce clean dialogue as well as add extra thump and power to the audio produced.
If we talk about sound quality then both soundbars have almost the same features. with 2 big differences,
The most noticeable difference between both LG soundbars is their speaker’s power output, LG sp9ya has 520watts speakers audio output whereas LG sp8ya has 440watts speakers output.
That makes Lg sp9ya more louder.
Except that, LG sp9ya has a built-in channel system with a 5.1.2 (5 prime speakers, 1 inbuilt subwoofer, 2 up/side-firing speakers).
LG sp8ya with 3.1.2 (3 prime speakers, 1 inbuilt subwoofer, 2 up/side-firing speakers) built-in channel system that can be extended to 5.1 channels with extra LG speakers. But you need to purchase them separately.
And all other sound features are the same even though both have big size LG wireless subwoofers to provide deep and powerful bass.
Both have similar audio technologies- Dolby Atmos, and DTS Virtual:X to give a surround and 3D sound experience.
Surround Sound Performance
The LG SP9YA comes with 5.1.2 configuration while the SP8YA does not.
As a result, the SP9YA produces better surround sound than the SP8YA. However, even though the SP9YA has a dedicated surround channel, it does not have a discrete surround speaker. Instead, it uses side-firing speakers to produce surround sound.
Therefore, the sound produced by the SP9YA tends to be heard coming from in front of you.
Winner: Lg SP9YA soundbar
Subwoofer
Both soundbars come with their separate wireless Lg subwoofers which are stylish in looking and easily connect automatically because they are not bounded with wire so you can easily set them up anywhere you want.
These subwoofers can easily connect via Bluetooth and give powerful bass, so that you can feel the subtle rumble of distant thunder and earth-shattering sounds as they pound the air around you.
Believe me, these speakers + subwoofer combo fill the room with an amazing sound performance.
Their subwoofers are very quite similar. They are made of good plastic and have dimensions of around 22cmx39cmx31cm. It has a port at the back where there is an input power cord. The air holes are at the centre bottom of their backs.
Connectivity
Both of the LG SP9YA and SP8YA are equipped with 1 HDMI out, 1 HDMI in, and 1 HDMI arc.
But for this case, their HDMI Arc port is shared with HDMI Out, and their HDMI In supports most of the audio formats including high-quality audio formats such as Dolby Atmo, DTS HD-MX, Dolby True HD etc.
Meanwhile, their HMDI ARC also can pass most high-quality audio formats, including those that can be passed by eARC like Dts:x, Dolby true HD, DTS: HDMI, and 5.1 PCM. That is not only that, but their HDMI Out also pass some video signals like 4k@60hz, 4k@60hz@10bit, 4k@60hc@60hz, and 4k@30hz.
Both speakers support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. They allow users to stream music wirelessly. They’re also equipped with a Chromecast and an Apple Airplay.
LG SP8YA vs SP9YA (2022): Side by Side Features Comparison
-
- Overview
- Review
- General
- Audio Features
- Subwoofer
- Streaming Services
- Connectivity
- Controls
- Supports
- Multichannel Audio Formats
- User Manual
- Dimensions
- Power Supply
- Specification
Final Conclusion -Winner
The LG SP9YA is $200 more expensive than SP8YA. The real advantage that offers is that it comes with a lot more channels and higher total power output than the SP8YA.
As we have reviewed before, the SP8YA comes with three speakers and a subwoofer, while the SP9YA comes with five speakers and two subs.
However, if you already own an LG TV, there is a chance you might not need all those extra speakers. You could always just buy a separate satellite speaker for your TV.
The SP9YA is a great option if you want a high quality system with built-in speakers.
LG SP9YA 5.1.2 520W Soundbar
- 520 watts speakers, Best for bigger size rooms
- High definition sound & Powerful bass
- Sound setting with Easy control
- Wireless Lg Subwoofer
- Simple setup – plug, play & enjoy
- Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
- Remote, App and Voice Control
However, if you want more affordable speakers, then go with the lower model (SP8YA). Both models include Dolby Atmos & DTS:X.
FAQ – Most Asked Question related to LG SP9YA vs SP8YA?
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Is LG Sound Bar compatible with any TV?
Yes, LG works well with ant TV until it has supported connecting ports.
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What sound bar is best with LG TV?
Best Soundbars for LG Tvs
– LG SP8YA
– LG SP9YA
– Bose Smart Soundbar 700 -
What is the difference between a 3.1 and 5.1 sound bar?
3.1 soundbar includes two speakers, normally left and right channels and a inbuilt subwoofer. And if it has up/side horn sparker then it will be 3.1.2 ch.
A 5.1 soundbar includes five speakers, usually, front left, front right, front centre, surround left, surround right, and a inbuilt subwoofer.
