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LG S77S Soundbar Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Reviewed Nov 02, 2023 at 10:41 am
LG S77S Picture
7.3
Mixed Usage
7.7
Dialogue/TV Shows
7.1
Music
7.1
Movies

The LG S77S is a 3.1.3 soundbar with a unique, rounded design compared to other models from the manufacturer. It has a traditional front-firing center channel in addition to an up-firing center channel, each designed to improve vocal quality in the mix. It supports Dolby Atmos content, though it lacks more premium features like room correction to optimize its sound based on your room's acoustics.

Our Verdict

7.3 Mixed Usage

The LG S77S soundbar is satisfactory for mixed usage. It's a 3.1.3 soundbar with LG's unique two center channel design, both of which are designed to improve vocal clarity in the mix. It supports lots of different audio formats, though it has to downmix surround sound into stereo to play it back. Dialogue is clearly reproduced, but the bar lacks the deep thump and rumble in the bass in comparison with more premium models.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustments.
  • Dolby Atmos support.
Cons
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • No graphic EQ.
7.7 Dialogue/TV Shows

The LG S77S is good for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. This bar has a unique design with two center channels to improve vocal quality: one front-firing, and one up-firing. Its Clear Voice preset works to improve the clarity of dialogue in the mix. That said, it lacks a full graphic EQ to customize the bar's sound in the mids, so you don't have much control over its performance.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustments.
  • Dialogue enhancement tool.
Cons
  • No graphic EQ.
7.1 Music

The LG S77S soundbar is decent for music. Out-of-the-box, the bar's sound is fairly neutral, especially in the mids, where most voices and lead instruments are reproduced. You can customize its sound with its bass and treble adjustments, too. However, its sub struggles to reproduce an extended low-bass, so genres like EDM and hip-hop are lacking in thump and rumble.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustments.
  • Gets loud.
Cons
  • Some compression at max volume.
  • Lacks low-bass.
7.1 Movies

The LG S77S soundbar is decent for movies. The bar supports many audio formats commonly found on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays, like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. However, it has to downmix 5.1 surround sound into stereo to play it back, which doesn't sound as clear or real. Plus, it struggles to replicate height with Dolby Atmos content, and it lacks the deep rumble in the bass to bring more intense scenes to life.

Pros
  • Gets loud.
  • Dolby Atmos support.
Cons
  • Some compression at max volume.
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • 7.3 Mixed Usage
  • 7.7 Dialogue/TV Shows
  • 7.1 Music
  • 7.1 Movies
  1. Updated Nov 02, 2023: Review published.
  2. Updated Oct 26, 2023: Early access published.
  3. Updated Oct 13, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Sep 14, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Sep 01, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The LG S77S 3.1.3 is available in Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here.

If you come across another version of this soundbar, let us know in the forums below.

Compared To Other Soundbars

The LG S77S is a 3.1.3 soundbar available at Costco. It has a more rounded design compared to other models from the manufacturer, like the LG S75Q. While it lacks more premium features like room correction, and it lacks some low-bass, it adds more video passthrough features in comparison with older LG soundbars.

You can also check out our recommendations for the best LG soundbars, the best soundbars for dialogue, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

LG SC9S

The LG SC9S is a better 3.1.3 soundbar than the LG S77S. The SC9S is a better-built bar with a better stereo soundstage. It reproduces more low bass. It also has a room correction feature, which the S77S lacks, and it supports more wireless playback options.

LG S75Q

The LG S77S is a Costco-exclusive alternative to the LG S75Q. The S77S has a different design with more rounded edges that may appeal to some users over others. Its sound performance is pretty similar, though its soundstage isn't quite as good with stereo content. On the upside, the S77S adds more video passthrough support, including for 4k content at 120Hz.

LG S95QR

The LG S95QR is a better soundbar than the LG S77S. The S95QR is a more premium model that comes with satellites, so it offers better surround sound. It has more sound enhancement features and wireless playback options. Plus, it offers better sound, with more low-bass and a better soundstage.

LG S65Q

The LG S77S is a better alternative to the LG S65Q. The S77S supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the S65Q, so you can take advantage of more content on streaming services and Blu-rays. It has a more rounded design, too, which some users may prefer. Plus, it supports more resolutions and refresh rates for high-quality video passthrough, which is handy for gamers.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style - Bar

It's a simple soundbar with rounded edges to give it a more sleek design than older models like the LG S75Q.

Design
Style - Subwoofer
Sub Wireless
Yes
Enclosure
Ported

The subwoofer's rounded edges are designed to match those of the soundbar. The port is located in the front.

Design
Style - Satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Design
Dimensions - Bar
Width 35.0" (89.0 cm)
Height 2.4" (6.2 cm)
Depth 5.0" (12.7 cm)

The bar itself is fairly wide, so it likely won't fit between the legs of a 55" TV stand. Still, since it isn't very tall, it won't obscure your TV screen unless your TV sits flat on the table.

Design
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Width 7.6" (19.4 cm)
Height 14.1" (35.7 cm)
Depth 10.8" (27.5 cm)

The sub's size is roughly equivalent to an average desktop computer. Since it connects to the bar wirelessly, you have some flexibility when placing it in your living room.

Design
Dimensions - Satellites
Width N/A
Height N/A
Depth N/A
Design
Mounting
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No

You can mount this bar to the wall using the included brackets.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

This setup has a good build quality. The soundbar and the sub are both made of solid, sturdy plastic. On the bar, metal grilles help to protect the drivers inside. There are rubber feet underneath to hold it in place on top of your entertainment stand.

Design
In The Box

  • User manual with mounting template
  • 2x Power cables (5 ft / 1.5 m)
  • Remote with 2x AA batteries
  • HDMI cable (5 ft / 1.5 m)
  • Mounting brackets with 2x screws

Sound
7.3
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
Tested Preset
Standard
Slope
0.38
Std. Err.
3.70 dB
Channels
3.1.3
Low-Frequency Extension
46.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz

The LG S77S has a decent stereo frequency response. Overall, the bar's sound is fairly neutral, especially in the mids, where most voices and lead instruments are reproduced. A dip in the low-treble hurts their comprehensibility a bit, though. Also, the sub can't reproduce an extended low-bass, so you miss out on some thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.

7.5
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
Suggested Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
1
Suggested Treble Setting
0
Slope
0.02
Std. Err.
3.03 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
45.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz

If you prefer a more neutral sound with stereo content, set the bass to +1. This adds a little more punch in the mid-bass to bring genres like EDM and hip-hop to life. You still miss out on the thump and rumble in the low-bass, though. Results can vary depending on the unique acoustics of your room; these settings proved best for our setup.

6.5
Sound
Stereo Soundstage
Crosstalk Error
2.85 dB

The LG S77S has a fair stereo soundstage. The soundstage seems to be as wide as the bar itself. Focus is good, so sound effects like voices and footsteps are localized to accurate points within in the soundstage.

7.7
Sound
Stereo Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
94.6 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.19 dB

The LG S77S gets loud enough to fill larger and more open spaces with sound. There's some compression when you push it to max volume, though.

7.5
Sound
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.44
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.86

Distortion falls within good limits when you listen to the bar at normal volumes. As expected, distortion jumps slightly when you push the bar to max volume. Still, this is quite hard to hear with real-life content.

7.5
Sound
Center
Localization
Discrete
Slope
2.27
Std. Err.
5.14 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.09

This soundbar has an unconventional design. In addition to a traditional front-firing center channel, it has an up-firing center channel to further improve the quality of vocal reproduction in the mix. So, while it's advertised as a 3.1.3 soundbar, it operates more like a 3.1.2 bar in practice since its third up-firing driver plays the same audio as the center channel instead of height content. The frequency response on both these center channels is quite bright as it lacks a lot of bass, though voices are still relatively clearly and accurately reproduced.

4.2
Sound
Surround 5.1
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.55
Std. Err.
3.53 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.48
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.92
7.1 Rears
No

Since it's a 3.1.3 soundbar, it has to downmix 5.1 surround sound content like Dolby Digital into stereo to play it. The resulting sound isn't quite as clear or real as what you get with discrete satellites. Still, the frequency response on these channels is pretty neutral, so sound effects are reproduced with accuracy and clarity.

5.6
Sound
Height (Atmos)
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.23
Std. Err.
4.41 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
3.46
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.32

The LG S77S is advertised as a 3.1.3 bar, but in practice, it operates more like a 3.1.2 setup. That's because only two of the up-firing drivers play height content, while the third plays the same content as the center channel. Unfortunately, the frequency response on these height channels is a bit uneven. There's overemphasis in the mid-bass that adds punch to the mix, while a dip in the high-bass reduces the overall warmth. A peak in the high-mid to low-treble adds a harsh quality to voices.

Besides our tests, we subjectively evaluate the bar's soundstage with height content. Overall, it offers an okay experience, with a noticeable improvement over traditional TV speakers. In particular, the Cinema and AI Sound Pro modes improve the soundstage and offer a better listening experience than Standard mode. Still, the bar's performance isn't quite as impressive as more premium Dolby Atmos bars on the market. It lacks height, which is especially noticeable in scenes where objects come from overhead, like the race scene in Ready Player One. Sound effects like King Kong smashing through the city seem like they're just coming from in front of you, rather than around and above you. It reduces the sense of scale, which takes away from the overall immersion in the scene.

7.1
Sound
Sound Enhancement Features
Room Correction
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
EQ
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes

The LG S77S has a decent selection of sound enhancement features, which is typical for bars in this price range. You won't find a room correction feature, so its sound varies a bit depending on the acoustics of your listening space. You can make up for this a bit manually, thanks to its bass and treble adjustments. Preset modes like AI Sound Pro, Standard, Cinema, Clear Voice, Sports, Music, Game, and Bass Blast are also on hand for easier customization. Most of these features are accessible through the LG Sound Bar companion app.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Optical Audio In
1
HDMI Out
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
RCA In
No
USB for Files
1
Ethernet
No
Subwoofer Output
No

You can connect the bar to your TV using HDMI or Optical connections. Since it has a Full HDMI In port, you can use it as a hub between devices like a PC and a TV, too.

10
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
DTS
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1

This soundbar supports lots of different audio formats that you're likely to come across on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays via ARC.

10
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
DTS
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1

Over HDMI In, the LG S77S supports many common surround sound formats like Dolby Digital as well as lossless and object-based formats like Dolby Atmos.

10
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: Optical
Dolby Digital
Supported
DTS
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0

Via Optical, the bar supports Dolby Digital and DTS content. Dolby Digital is more common on streaming platforms, while you're more likely to come across DTS content on Blu-rays.

8.6
Connectivity
Latency
ARC
56 ms
Optical
51 ms
Full HDMI In
19 ms

Latency falls within good limits over all connections. When you watch videos and movies, audio appears in sync with the visuals on screen. Some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, though. If you have any issues, the app's AV Sync feature lets you manually compensate for latency.

9.0
Connectivity
Video Passthrough To TV
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes

This soundbar can passthrough many common resolutions and refresh rates, which is great if you want to use it as a hub with PCs or gaming consoles. In an improvement over previous models like the LG S75Q and the LG S95QR, it can passthrough 4k content at 120Hz at 4:2:0 color space. Plus, it can passthrough high-quality video signals like HDR10+ content, which is an improvement over the LG S75Q and ideal for those who want to connect to devices like an Apple TV.

6.0
Connectivity
Wireless Playback
Bluetooth
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Chromecast built-in
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Spotify Connect
No

This Bluetooth-compatible soundbar makes it easy to wirelessly stream content from your mobile devices.

Additional Features
Additional Features
Interface
Display
No

The bar doesn't have a display, but three colored LEDs on the front of the bar flash and change colors to indicate its status.

Additional Features
Bar Controls

A few touch-sensitive controls on top of the bar let you change basic settings. You can power the bar on/off, change the source, adjust the volume, and activate Bluetooth.

Additional Features
Remote

The bar comes with a standard LG remote. You can access many of the same settings through the LG Sound Bar app as well.

Additional Features
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Google Assistant
No
Apple Siri
No
Microphone Mute
No