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LG SK9Y vs Sonos Playbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
LG SK9Y
Sonos Playbar
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:53 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels3.0
Variants
- SK9Y
- Playbar
Our Verdict
LG SK9Y
Sonos Playbar
The LG SK9Y is better than the Sonos Playbar, as we didn't test the Sonos with its sub and satellites. The 5.1.2 LG is more versatile as it has a decent performance with surround and Atmos content. However, the stereo soundstage of the Sonos is wider and more immersive. On the other hand, the Sonos doesn't have any HDMI ports. The LG also supports Wi-Fi wireless playback, is Bluetooth compatible, and has Chromecast built-in.
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Standard
SK9Y
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Playbar
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SK9Y
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Playbar
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Amazon.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.3
7.2
Height (Atmos)
6.2
0.0
Audio Format Support - ARC
8.4
0.0
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
9.8
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
7.4
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
47.1" (119.7 cm)
35.5" (90.1 cm)
Height
2.0" (5.2 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)
Depth
5.7" (14.5 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.7" (22.0 cm)
N/A
Height
15.3" (38.8 cm)
N/A
Depth
12.2" (31.1 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
0.45
0.48
Std. Err.
3.16 dB
2.21 dB
Channels
5.1.2
3.0
Low-Frequency Extension
54.2 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.1
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
2
1
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-3
Slope
-0.05
-0.11
Std. Err.
3.28 dB
2.04 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
52.6 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.88 dB
2.63 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
89.2 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
0.80 dB
2.41 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.6
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.86
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.91
1.96
Center
7.8
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.83
0.44
Std. Err.
3.65 dB
1.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.0 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.71
0.67
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.61
1.83
Surround 5.1
5.3
4.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.28
0.12
Std. Err.
5.58 dB
2.51 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
88.5 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.44
1.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.80
2.53
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.2
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported
Slope
0.19
N/A
Std. Err.
3.75 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
89.4 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.92
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
10.83
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
6.2
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
No
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
2
Audio Format Support - ARC
8.4
0.0
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
9.8
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
8.0
8.8
Latency Video
ARC
76 ms
N/A
Optical
80 ms
36 ms
Full HDMI In
-16 ms
N/A
Wireless Playback
9.0
2.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
App
App image
App Name
LG Wi-Fi Speaker
Sonos Controller
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
Yes
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
No
Check Price
Standard
SK9Y
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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SK9Y
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
SK9Y
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
SK9Y
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SK9Y
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LG SK9Y
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LG SK9Y vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion
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