For the LG CX, a soundbar can be a worthwhile addition to your sound setup, but finding the right soundbar isn’t an easy task. In my experience, I’ll like to share what I’ve learned when picking a soundbar, and what aspects you should look out for such as – Dolby Atmos, and sound performance.
In all honesty, you can pair any soundbar you want with the LG CX, but I can’t promise you’ll get a valuable experience considering you can get a lot of things wrong when pairing a soundbar with a specific television. You can end up with a soundbar that sounds horrible, and doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing.
This is why I’m here, I understand how hard it is to pair a soundbar with a TV, so the soundbars down below, I’ve concluded that they are able to synergize well with the LG CX television in terms of physical and sound compatibility.
Here Is A Comparison Table If You’re In A Hurry!
Soundbar Name | Soundbar | Key Features | Star Rating | Check Price |
Samsung HW-Q990B |  |
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Sony HT-A5000 |  |
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Sonos ARC |  |
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LG SP9YA |  |
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Samsung HW-Q950A |  |
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1. LG SP11RA | Best Looking Soundbar For LG CX 65 Inch TV
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 7.1.4
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 144 x 14.6cm
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Apple Music, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Detailed and crisp sound delivery
- Sturdy and sleek design
- Easy configuration
Reasons To Avoid:
- Lacks wattage and punch
- Not suitable for large rooms
Review:
If you’re looking to match your LG CX 65-inch TV with an LG soundbar, then the LG SP11RA is a flagship option, it has a width of 56 inches so it fits well within our 50-60 inches parameter.
You have options for wall mounting the SP11RA, but that may not be ideal due to how deep it goes which is 14.6CM. It may look absurd due to it protruding further than the actual display.
Furthermore, the LG SP11RA excels in surround-sound performance as it’s able to get loud, and its high-end AI room correcting feature ensures all the settings are best for your room.
With AI calibration enabled, movies will feel more immersive due to dialogue being more prominent, and the deep bass feels more intense in action-packed movies.
Alternatively: the LG SP11RA has similar features to the LG SN11RG except for the AI calibration features, this is because the SP11RA is the successor to the LG SN11RG.
Or if you want a soundbar that’s able to get louder, then the Samsung HW-Q950A is better, additionally, it has better surround-sound performance if you’re really trying to build a home theater.
2. Sony HT-A7000 | Best Alternative For Movies
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Aux, Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI eArc, LAN (RJ-45), Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 7.1.2
- Dimensions: 51.2 x 3.1 x 5.6″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS 96/24, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Fantastic option for multiple uses
- Great room correction capabilities
- Plenty of wireless feedback options
- Sturdy design
Reasons To Avoid:
- Doesn’t get very loud
- Low bass
Review:
The Sony HT-A7000 is more of a multipurpose soundbar, it’s great at most things you can throw at it such as music, movies, and TV shows.
It’s particularly good at reproducing dialogue with its dialogue-enhancing feature, so the A7000 is great for watching TV shows.
It has a great stereo soundstage, and a room-correcting feature that optimizes audio based on the parameters of your room, so it’s pretty good at music and watching movies.
But where it falls behind is with its poor bass, and it doesn’t get very loud, so this makes for a more neutral soundbar that’s good at everything, but not perfect or misses a few key components.
As for the dimensions, it is 51 inches which means the Sony HT-A7000 will fit well with the LG CX 65-inch display.
Alternatively: the Sony HT-A7000 is more of a mid-tiered soundbar, so you can find many soundbars that are able to outperform it. The JBL Bar 9.1 is a great alternative as it has better surround sound, it gets louder, and produces better bass for movies.
3. LG SP9YA | Best Affordable Soundbar For Movies
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.1.2
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 2.3 x 5.8″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: None Built In
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Decent Bass
- Gets loud
- Dialogue enhancing features
Reasons To Avoid:
- May be too small for LG CX 65 inch
- Poor surround-sound reproduction
Review:
The LG SP9YA is another great soundbar for the LG CX 65-inch, but it doesn’t quite fit the 50-60 inch parameter as it has a width of 48″. Nonetheless, it’s still pretty close, and you can still definitely make it fit in well.
Due to the LG SP9YA having a neutral sound profile, it’s able to reproduce dialogue well making it ideal for movies and TV shows.
It also produces a deep bass which further enhances the movie experience, and it can have benefits in music listening too.
The room correcting feature will prove to be beneficial as it will find the best configuration for your room’s setup.
However, compared to other soundbars on this list, the surround-sound performance is quite lacking despite it being able to support Dolby Atmos, so you may not get the best movie experience with this soundbar.
Alternatively: if you fancy something a little cheaper, you can go for the previous version which is the LG SN9YG, but you’ll find that it won’t get as loud.
If you want a slight upgrade with better Dolby Atmos surround-sound performance, then the Samsung HW-Q900A is a decent upgrade, and it has built-in voice assistance.
4. Klipsch Cinema 1200 | Best Overall Soundbar For LG CX 65
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.1.4
- Dimensions: 54.1 x 3.0 x 6.2″
- Streaming Support: Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: None Built In
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD
Reasons To Buy:
- Deep Bass
- Gets loud
- Great surround-sound performance
- Dialogue enhancing
- Great for listening to music
Reasons To Avoid:
- No DTS support
- No room correction
Review:
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is the speaker I’d use if I wanted to listen to music or watch action packed movies thanks to its high end subwoofer which is able to reproduce deep, and rumbly bass.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 also comes with two satellite speakers which you can place to further enhance the surround-sound experience, this helps when it comes to locating where the action is happening in the movie.
Additionally, the Dolby Atmos performance makes the overhead action feel even more realistic.
Something that isn’t a downside but can get overwhelming is the bass, if you’re not used to it, the deepness and rumbliness can become tiresome.
The actual downside to the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is the fact it has no DTS support which can be a huge disappointment to some users.
Alternatively: the Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar for a few reasons, it supports more channels, it has built-in voice assistant support, it has better surround sound and Dolby Atmos support, and it supports DTS. However, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is better in terms of bass.
5. Samsung HW-Q990B | High End Soundbar For LG CX 65 Inch
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 11.1.4
- Dimensions: 48.5″ x 2.7″ x 5.4″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby ATMOS, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT (*ATMOS Music)
Reasons To Buy:
- Impressive room correction capabilities
- Bass is suitable for watching movies
- Decent Atmos support
- Premium design
Reasons To Avoid:
- No Chromecast support
Review:
For the LG CX 65-inch, the HW Q990B will be able to complement it perfectly, it’s a high-end soundbar that’s able to enhance any home theater or music configuration.
In terms of the physical dimensions, the HW Q990B is 48 inches which is slightly lower than the physical recommendations for the LG CX 65 inch, however, it makes up for that with its performance.
In terms of surround sound and Dolby Atmos performance, the HW-Q990B performs exceptionally well, and the satellite speakers only make it better. The feeling you get is like you’re actually in the movie making it hyper-immersive.
The bass the HW-Q990B produce is deep and rumbly which can subtly enhance the viewing experience of most action-packed movies, but it’s not too overwhelming like the Klipsch Cinema 1200.
The HW-Q990B lacks Chromecast support which makes playing certain content a little harder, but if you’re able to work around it, everything should be fine.
Alternatively: The Q950A is another premium high-end soundbar, but the Q990B is actually an upgrade from it. The Q950A lacks the bass of the Q990B, but it still performs well in surround sound.
6. Samsung HW-Q950A | Best Q990B Alternative For LG CX 55 Inch
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 11.1.4
- Dimensions: 48.4″ x 2.8″ x 5.4″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa
- Audio Support: Dolby ATMOS, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT (*ATMOS Music)
Reasons To Buy:
- Impressive room correction capabilities
- Bass is suitable for watching movies
- Decent Atmos support
- More affordable compared to Q990B
Reasons To Avoid:
- No Chromecast support
- Dolby Atmos cant be played via WIFI
Review:
Going back in time, the Q950A is a high-end soundbar that was eventually replaced by the Q990B for very specific reasons.
The Q950A is a soundbar aimed to provide the best surround-sound experience, this is evident with its high end Dolby Atmos support, satellite speakers, and the number of channels it has.
The Q950A also has a room correcting feature which helps in adjusting the soundbar to specific rooms. This will ultimately provide the best listening experience based on your room.
The subwoofer performs just as well as the Q990Bs, but the design is slightly different, and the satellite speakers are also different in terms of design. We’d have to say just by looking at it, that the Q950A’s design is slightly older looking compared to the Q990B.
Physically, the Q950A should fit really well with the LG CX 55 inch, this is because the two widths are pretty similar. The Q950A is only 0.5 inches wider, so the difference is minimal.
The Q950A is still a competent soundbar, but it lacks in Wifi support as it cannot support Dolby Atmos over Wifi, this is where the Q990B beats it.
Alternatively: the Q990B would be a decent alternative if you’re looking for a slightly redesigned soundbar with Dolby Atmos over Wifi support.
However, if you’re looking for something a little different, then the Q950T is its predecessor, it has fewer main channel speakers (9.1.4), but it still provides a decent subwoofer.
7. Sony HT-A5000 | Decent Mid Tier Soundbar For LG CX 55
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, LAN (RJ-45), Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.1.2
- Dimensions: 47.6″ x 2.8″ x 5.5″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS 96/24, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Voice Enhancing features
- Decent room correction feature
- Sleek looking design
Reasons To Avoid:
- Poor surround-sound performance
Review:
The Sony HT-A5000 is a mid-tier soundbar whose channels are 5.1.2 configured. Although there aren’t many channels, and the surround-sound performance isn’t that great, there are still many features such as Sony Virtual surround engine to help improve surround-sound performance.
There’s also another feature called sound field optimization which is basically a room-correcting feature that is made to configure the Sony HT-A5000 to work best based on your room.
The Sony HT-A5000 is also great for TV shows as it focuses a lot of vocalization with its dialogue-enhancing features and ensures that the listener can hear dialogue as clearly as possible.
In terms of width, the Sony HT-A5000 is 47.6 inches in width which makes it 0.3 inches smaller than the 47.9 inches width of the LG CX 55 Inch display. This is the best you can get, slightly smaller is always more aesthetically pleasing.
A downside to the Sony HT-A5000 is its lack of bass for movies and its poor surround-sound performance. The lack of bass has a huge impact on how impactful action-type movies are, when you’re listening with the A5000, action scenes don’t feel as they should.
Alternatively: a better soundbar in terms of surround sound, dialogue reproduction, and Atmos performance would have to be the Sonos Arc. It will perform better in TV shows and movies, but you may have to purchase a subwoofer as it doesn’t come with one.
But if you’re looking for a soundbar that comes with a subwoofer, then you could pick up Q800B. It’s also a 5.1.2 soundbar, just better in most aspects.
8. Sonos ARC | Mid-High End Soundbar For LG CX 55 Inch
Specifications:
- Connectivity: HDMI eArc, LAN (RJ-45), Optical, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.0.2
- Dimensions: 48.5″ x 2.7″ x 5.4″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Apple Music. Google Play Music, Sonos App, Spotify, Tidal
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD
Reasons To Buy:
- Great dialogue enhancing
- Extended Atmos support
- Decent surround-sound performance
- Premium design
Reasons To Avoid:
- No HDMI IN
Review:
Overall, the Sonos ARC is a great mid to high end soundbar as it’s got amazing multipurpose capabilities. Our favorite aspect about the Sonos ARC is its decent stereo soundstage which makes the soundbar feel like it’s penetrating every corner of the room.
The room correcting capabilities are pretty good, you’re able to get it on your IOS device, but it may not be available on Android.
The Sonos ARC dialogue capabilities are pretty impressive, when used, voices are reproduced to be clear and high quality. For me, dialogue capabilities are one of the most important features of a soundbar because it helps me understand and keep up with TV shows and movies accurately.
As for the design, it’s one of the better looking soundbars on the list, it’s sleek and durable making it aesthetically pleasing. Also, the width of the Sonos ARC fits perfectly within our set parameters for the LG CX 55 inch, it’s slightly smaller so that’s a huge plus
One potential downside to the Sonos ARC is that it has no HDMI IN which is a huge turn off for some individuals. Also, the room correcting capabilities are only exclusive to IOS making it unavailable to a large portion of users.
Alternatively: you may prefer the Sony HT-ST5000 over the Sonos ARC for its dedicated subwoofer, HDMI ports decent dialogue reproduction, and Atmos performance. However, the Sonos ARC is better for surround-sound, and it has a better soundstage.
FAQs
What Is A Soundbar?
A soundbar is a speaker system that is designed to sit in front of your TV. It is usually composed of multiple speakers and a subwoofer, and it helps to improve the audio quality of your TV. It serves as a great alternative to a real surround-sound setup because it’s small, and affordable.
What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Soundbar?
As previously stated, it’s a great alternative to surround-sound, but it also has other benefits. Soundbars usually have built-in amplifiers which will greatly improve the audio quality of your TV. Another benefit is that it’s small, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
What Are The Different Types Of Soundbars?
There are soundbars, soundbases, and soundplates. Soundbars are the most popular type, and they are designed to sit in front of your TV. Soundplates are similar to soundbars, but they are designed to be placed under your TV. Soundbases are designed to be placed under your TV, and they usually have a built-in subwoofer.
Verdict
So, the best soundbar for movies would have to be the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 as it offers great value for its price, and it also has support for Dolby Atmos which is essential for an immersive experience. It’s quite affordable, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
There is also the Samsung HW-Q950A, but it is quite expensive. However, it offers a great surround-sound experience with its 11.1.4 configuration. If you’re looking for the best of the best, then this is the soundbar for you. But, if you’re on a budget, then the Polk Audio Signa S2 is an entry point.
So What Should You Look Out For When Buying A Soundbar?
Surround sound support – Ensure that your soundbar supports at least 3 channels if you’re going for a home theater setup. 2 channel soundbars are okay, but they’re pretty outdated and won’t give you the full surround-sound experience. You will often find out you’re missing where the action is happening.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – Multidimensional sound technology such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are known to vastly improve the surround sound experience. For home theaters, we have to say that these features are probably a must have, because they add a great deal of immersion to the mix.
Dolby Atmos will actually give the viewer the impression that the sound is coming from above, they add height channels that add a massive improvement to the soundscape. DTX:X also aims to create height channels, and is often seen as more flexible, but it may come down to personal preference.
Wireless Connectivity – Soundbars with wireless connectivity will make your life easier. They’ll connect to the LG CX display via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and some of the more premium models will even come with their own subwoofer that you can place around the room wirelessly. This allows for a much cleaner look, and easier installation.
HDMI Connectivity – For the LG CX, you’re going to want a soundbar that has HDMI connectivity. This is so you can take advantage of the 4K and HDR support that the LG CX offers. Make sure that your soundbar supports at least HDMI 2.0 so you can get the most out of your display.
Quick Tip! Active soundbars are probably the best option for most people as they come with an amplifier built in. This means that you won’t have to worry about connecting it to an external AMP. This will save you time and money, also it will keep things neat and tidy.
Also Read: Is Surround Sound Worth It
Also Read: Best Soundbar For LG C1
