LG S80QR Review: The perfect soundbar for the 4K era

Most new generation televisions manage to offer impressive specifications when it comes to optimizing picture quality at high dimensions, but very few achieve the same “Premium” performance in the field of sound. That ‘s where sound bars and options that don’t skimp on details like the LG S80QR come into the picture .

LG MERIDIAN S80QR is a high-end sound bar that allows you to enjoy a “Premium” configuration arranged in 5.1.3 channels and a total power of up to 620W. With its AI algorithm-focused audio advancements, as well as support for the latest industry standards and built-in wireless connectivity, there’s nothing you can’t achieve with this model.

Eco-friendly and high-quality design

Official dimensions of each part of the LG S80QR

When talking about LG products, you can rest assured in regards to the quality of the materials chosen for their manufacture, and on this occasion a line of design has been thought of that complements what is seen in the most recent LG televisions. to combine with each other and add points to the general style of the home.

On the other hand, the “Global Recycled Standard” organization has certified that part of this sound bar has been made from plastic bottles , creating more sustainable products that care for the planet. It is even considered an ecological model thanks to an internal packaging process that is made from EPS foam (polystyrene) and pulp molded from recycled plastic bags, thus leaving a positive trace for the care of the planet.

As can be seen in the images, the main sound bar has a classic format that meets official dimensions of 1000 x 63 x 135 mm, while it is accompanied by a main subwoofer of 201.7 x 407 x 403 mm as well as two other speakers. smaller 100 x 140 x 100mm secondaries and finally a 175 x 61 x 175mm rear wireless receiver.

Power in an immersive environment

As stated above, LG S80QR is capable of 620W omni-directional power and 5.1.3 channel distribution (even above the LG SP9YA ), which means that any room can be transformed into a true movie theater or a dream. game lovers. The idea of ​​its configuration is to place the bar below the TV and next to it the main subwoofer, while the other two speakers next to the receiver go behind the user’s position so that the sound arrives from all sides.

It is worth noting that the composition of the main bar already has three vertical Atmos speakers that improve the enveloping sensation by recreating a broader soundstage, distributed both to the sides and in the center of the main unit. Meanwhile, the two wireless rear speakers have the ability to play up to 32 meters away with more than twice the reception sensitivity .

Advanced audio technologies

LG MERIDIAN S80QR is ideal for large rooms

If you have a television from the same LG firm at hand, it is possible to increase the advantages of using this product, since technologies such as “ TV Sound Mode Share” come into action by using the sound processor on the screen to analyze the content through intelligence artificial and reproduce a clearer and sharper sound in series, movies, sports or video games.

As is logical, users can use the famous “Magic” remote that comes with the Korean brand’s televisions to directly manage actions such as the volume and sound modes of the bar in order to forget about being surrounded by multiple controls on the screen. room.

As if that were not enough, LG MERIDIAN S80QR supports Hi-Res High-Resolution Audio that reproduces 96 kHz / 24-bit sampling rates for more accurate sound, while its compatibility with Dolby Vision and HDR dynamic range standards HDR10 makes it possible to enjoy minimal quality loss in today’s media players as well as video streaming services and game consoles.

Finally, the LG bar supports technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) to even out changes in frame rate and reduce image fragmentation that help take advantage of lower levels of blur. motion and ghosting when playing fast-paced action titles.

Next-generation connectivity

LG S80QR aims for use in 55 and 65-inch TVs

LG MERIDIAN S80QR allows an optimal installation regardless of the particularities of each room , because thanks to the “AI Room Calibration” system it is possible to automatically select the best sound bar configuration for each room using the internal microphone that analyzes the surrounding space. .

Also, thanks to a total of two HDMI inputs and another HDMI 2.0 output, in combination with a USB port for playing multimedia files and an optical audio input, there are no compatibility problems with new generation devices. If it’s your wireless connectivity that matters, there’s both support for Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-frequency (2.4G + 5G) Wi-Fi .

In conclusion, users can make use of the most recognized AI services on the market including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, take advantage of Spotify Connect to directly play streaming music, share content stored on Apple devices through AirPlay 2 and even play directly from Android phones and computers thanks to the integrated Chromecast technology.

PROS:

• Surround distribution with three wireless speakers
• Use of artificial intelligence to optimize sound based on room and content
• Compatible with UHD TVs, as well as HRD, VRR and ALLM
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with support for multiple playback technologies

CONS:

• Price

 

Specifications