OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

LG S90QY review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£810N. of audio channels:?Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:eARC

LG S90QY Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

LG S90QY
8.1/10

Overall score

Score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components

35%

8.8

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

7.6

Reviews score

10%

8.7

Sentiment score

★Better than 94% of soundbars
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

Overall score

30%

6.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 55%
8.8

Technical score

Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components

25%

8.8

Audio

18%

8.6

Formats

16%

8.4

Connectivity

14%

9.9

Controls

12%

9.2

HDMI

10%

8.7

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

★Better than 99%
7.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 53%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the LG S90QY

Based on 78 owners sharing their experience in online comments

41%positive18%mixed41%negative

Owners praise the immersive, powerful sound, while weak bass and update-related sound drops remain major frustrations.

What owners dislike

  • Owners say the subwoofer is weak, giving little deep bass even at maximum in the LG app, which many find disappointing.10
  • Owners say it sounds weaker than their older LG, Sony or JBL systems, with harsh treble and thin midrange.8
  • Owners say a software update cut the volume and bass, with one reporting about 40% less sound and others needing 70% volume to match.6
  • Some owners see a black screen on certain PS5 games through the soundbar's HDMI, and others get no picture over HDMI or eARC.5
  • Owners say surround feels weaker without the rear speakers, which they consider necessary for full effect and a convincing room sound.4
  • Owners say the upward-firing speakers do not create convincing overhead or side sound, so the Atmos effect feels missing.4
  • Owners say they cannot tell where sounds come from, dialogue seems to come from upper speakers, and the surround effect feels not immersive.3
  • Owners find music and streaming quiet and low on power, with apps on the TV sounding better than through a Fire TV stick.3
  • Owners say the matching rear speakers (SPQ8-S) are not sold in Brazil, so they had to import them or could not find them.3
  • Owners say the WOW Orchestra mode sounds compressed and slightly out of sync with the picture, so many leave it switched off.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of soundbar LG S90QY

Technical score
Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components:

25%

8.8

Audio

18%

8.6

Formats

16%

8.4

Connectivity

14%

9.9

Controls

12%

9.2

HDMI

10%

8.7

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

8.8
Reviews score
7.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components:

70%

8.1

Overall score

30%

6.2

Price

7.6
N. of audio channels
?
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
10,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 10,000 Hz, lower than 99.6% of soundbars and equal to 0.4% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 70% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
yes
This soundbar supports DTS:X. 83.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83.9% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
?
Dolby Digital Plus
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus. 75% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 71.5% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
?
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 63.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
?
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 71.5% of soundbars and the same as what 28.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
4K
This soundbar passes through 4K, which is higher resolution than 74.5% of soundbars and equal to 23.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
60 fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to 60 fps, higher than 79% of soundbars and equal to 16.2% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
yes
This soundbar supports AirPlay. 80.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
yes
This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in. 88.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
yes
This soundbar supports Spotify Connect. 79.5% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
yes
This soundbar supports TIDAL Connect. 91.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more

LG S90QY vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS:X
    This soundbar supports DTS:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • Built-in Chromecast
    This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in, the average soundbar does not.
  • 20.8% higher sentiment score
    8.7 vs 7.2
  • 7.0% higher review score
    Reviews score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 53% of models

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    7.6 vs 7.1
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports upfiring speakers
    This soundbar supports upfiring speakers, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS:X
    This soundbar supports DTS:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports IMAX Enhanced
    This soundbar supports IMAX Enhanced, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports ALLM
    This soundbar supports auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports HDR pass-through
    This soundbar supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
  • Higher video pass-through
    This soundbar passes through higher-resolution video than the average soundbar (4K vs none).
    4K vs none
  • Supports VRR
    This soundbar supports variable Refresh Rate (VRR), the average soundbar does not.
  • Higher HDMI pass-through frame rate
    This soundbar has a higher HDMI pass-through frame rate than the average soundbar (60 fps vs none fps). The average soundbar supports an HDMI pass-through frame rate of none fps.
    60 fps vs none fps
  • Built-in Chromecast
    This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports TIDAL Connect
    This soundbar supports tIDAL Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Automatic room calibration
    This soundbar supports automatic room calibration, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • 2 more microphones
    This soundbar has more microphones than the average soundbar (2 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 microphones.
    2 vs 0
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • 10,000 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (10,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    10,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 7.36x more expensive
    LG S90QY is more expensive than the average soundbar (£810 vs £110).
    £810 vs £110
  • 7.36x more expensive
    LG S90QY is more expensive than the average soundbar (£810 vs £110).
    £810 vs £110
  • 10,000 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (10,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    10,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Dante Gaymon
≈ estimated
23/08/2024
Hands-on review · setup and sound impressions
Verdict
LG S90QY is good value for the price, especially if you own an LG TV.
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded
Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about LG S90QY

  • Nine drivers and upward speakers give a wide, sound that fills the room.
  • Bass is punchy without needing high volume.
  • Automatic room calibration tunes the sound to the room.
  • eARC passes 4K at 60 fps with HDR, VRR and ALLM for games.
  • AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect give many streaming choices.
  • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Dolby TrueHD suit high-end soundtracks.

What customers don't like about LG S90QY

  • Very high treble stops at 10000 Hz, so the top of the range is limited.
  • App settings take some effort to tweak.
  • Older Disney+ content is not optimized for Atmos.
  • Rear speakers are not in the box, so full surround means buying more.
  • Bluetooth multipoint is missing, so two phones cannot connect at once.

Verdict

Nine drivers set the LG S90QY apart, and its upward and front speakers give films a wide, immersive sound. It suits a film fan who wants Atmos in a living room without a full rear-speaker setup. Bass is punchy without needing high volume, which helps late at night. Cinematic mode is strong with movies, and automatic room calibration uses two microphones to tune the sound to the room. The eARC port carries high-quality audio from the TV, and it passes 4K at 60 fps with HDR, VRR and ALLM for games. Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect cover streaming in many ways. The app takes some effort to tweak, and that is the main trade-off. It suits a buyer who wants the full range of options and will take time over the app.

Compare LG S90QY with other soundbars

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