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 SJ3 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£?N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:N/A

LG SJ3 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 5 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

LG SJ3
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 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
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components

35%

6.1

Technical score

30%

?

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

25%

8.1

Reviews score

10%

8.0

Sentiment score

â–²Better than 71% of soundbars
?

Value for money

Value for money
✕
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
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

?

Price

Price not known yet
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 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
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

25%

7.1

Audio

18%

5.0

Formats

16%

5.9

Connectivity

14%

9.0

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

â–²Better than 61%
8.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.1/ 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–² Better than 50% of models

80%

8.1

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
5 videos, average 8.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 50%
?

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 reviewers say about the LG SJ3

Based on 0 · 6

Reviewers agree the sound quality is good, but are split on the bass, which some enjoy and others find lacking.
Praised
Mixed views
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the LG SJ3

Based on 98 owners sharing their experience in online comments

36%positive10%mixed54%negative

Owners praise the sound and bass, but many are frustrated by low volume, weak bass, and reliability or connection problems.

What owners dislike

  • Owners find the volume low compared with the 300 W rating, often needing the TV volume near 45–50 for loud sound.15
  • Owners report the soundbar or subwoofer stopping working, sometimes within months. Some needed a motherboard repair, and one whose subwoofer died has been unable to get it fixed.12
  • Owners say bass is weak over Bluetooth and with some optical or aux setups. Some found the subwoofer very quiet until they changed the app's bass settings.11
  • Owners say Bluetooth often needs a PIN, pairs once and then drops after the soundbar is switched off, and can cut out or be interfered with by other devices.6
  • Owners say the 300 W figure is misleading, since the subwoofer is about 33 W and the bar about 27 W, and real loudness is much lower.5
  • Owners report trouble connecting the optical cable, and say the supplied cable sounded poor until replaced with another optical cable.3
  • Owners say the TV sometimes can't find the soundbar, or it disconnects from the TV each time the TV turns off, and audio doesn't route to the soundbar.3
  • Owners say the TV remote only changes volume, or doesn't control the TV volume when the soundbar is used. Some other remotes don't work with it at all.3
  • Owners say the subwoofer can lose its pairing with the soundbar and needs re-pairing, and they are unsure how to reconnect it.3
  • Some owners find the bass too strong and ringing in small rooms, so they turn the subwoofer down.3

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

Loading category ranking...

Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #78 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar LG SJ3

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 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
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components:

25%

7.1

Audio

18%

5.0

Formats

16%

5.9

Connectivity

14%

9.0

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

6.1
Reviews score
8.1
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 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–² Better than 89% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

?

Price

8.1
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 42.2% of soundbars and equal to 27.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
?
Show more
What reviewers say
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 41.5% of soundbars and equal to 58.5% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
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
N/A
HDMI ARC type
N/A
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 71.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
N/A
HDMI pass-through frame rate
N/A
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% 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
?
Show more

LG SJ3 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, 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.
  • 14.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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–² Better than 50% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 videos, average 8.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.1 vs 7.1
  • 5.9% better value for money
    LG SJ3 has better value for money than the average soundbar (8.05 vs 7.6).
    8.05 vs 7.6
  • 14.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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–² Better than 50% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 videos, average 8.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.1 vs 7.1
  • 5.9% better value for money
    LG SJ3 has better value for money than the average soundbar (8.05 vs 7.6).
    8.05 vs 7.6
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, 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.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

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

9.0
Lone Ranger
≈ estimated
12/07/2021
Personal review · three-track audio test and weeks of use
Verdict
LG SJ3 is seen as the best soundbar for the price, with a smooth experience so far.
8.0
VFM
≈ estimated
14/06/2021
Hands-on review · sound, features and value tests
Verdict
LG SJ3 is a clear, pleasant 2.1 soundbar with no real problems, worth buying when the price is right.
9.0
7EVEN
≈ estimated
16/06/2020
Long-term review · design, sound and connectivity
Verdict
LG SJ3 offers great sound for the price with Dolby and DTS, though HDMI ARC is missing.
7.0
Prince Harvine Bartolome
≈ estimated
03/01/2021
Unboxing · first look, with a shopping haul
Verdict
LG SJ3 looks like a decent, budget-friendly soundbar for beginners.
8.0
TechPlexus
≈ estimated
02/11/2020
Short review · sound quality and inputs
Verdict
LG SJ3 suits buyers who want no fuss, though the missing HDMI ARC is a drawback.
8.0
7EVEN
≈ estimated
01/09/2020
Sound test · music and movie playback
Verdict
LG SJ3 sounds clear, with good bass and effects, judged by ear in a room.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about LG SJ3

  • Auto volume leveling evens out sudden jumps in loudness.
  • Clear sound with no lag over Bluetooth.
  • The wireless subwoofer gives a solid low end without a cable.
  • The app lets you change the equalizer.
  • Dialogue enhancement helps voices stand out.
  • The matte finish and solid build look tidy in a living room.

What customers don't like about LG SJ3

  • Deep bass is limited, so the low end will not feel strong.
  • Volume drops noticeably in night mode.
  • There is no HDMI ARC, so the TV connects by optical or Bluetooth.
  • There is no display for volume or settings, only an indicator.
  • The bar is quite long, which can be awkward on a small shelf.

Verdict

Clear sound with a wireless subwoofer in the box is what the LG SJ3 brings to a living room. Auto volume leveling is the feature that sets it apart from other 2.1 bars. The 6 in driver in a wooden enclosure gives the bass some punch, though deep bass is limited. Voices come through clearly, and the auto volume leveling keeps loud ads from jumping out at you. The app adds an equalizer, and the bar works with optical, Bluetooth and a USB stick. The trade-off is that there is no HDMI ARC, the display is only an indicator, and the bar is quite long. It suits a buyer who wants clear, pleasant sound for music and everyday TV, and who does not need deep bass or a display.

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