The sub-25K price point for soundbars presents interesting tradeoffs. Often, models in this range may sound great but lack advanced features like app functionality or the modular support to add rear speakers later. The LG SQ70TY, however, aims to challenge this by offering decent app support, strong compatibility with LG TVs, and the option to upgrade with rear speakers for a full surround experience.
Table of Contents
LG SQ70TY Soundbar: Key Specs
- Total Maximum Power: 400W
- Audio Inputs: HDMI eARC, Optical, USB, and Bluetooth (5.1)
- HDMI Input: 1 (with support for 4K 60Hz)
- HDMI Output: 1 (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
- Subwoofers: 1
- Surround speakers: Optional (LG SPT8-S, purchased separately)
Design and Build
A standout design feature, particularly for LG QNED TV owners, is the included mounting bracket. This bracket allows the soundbar to be fixed flush below the TV for a clean, aesthetic look, avoiding the need for extensive drilling.
The soundbar features a plastic build that feels premium and not cheap. It thoughtfully incorporates recycled plastic on the top and bottom sections without compromising build quality. The front drivers are covered by a standard grill finish.
For Atmos effects, a single top-firing driver is positioned on the top of the bar. It is tilted slightly forward to optimise how the sound bounces from the ceiling. The bar itself is quite wide, making it a good fit for 50 to 65-inch TVs. While fairly thick, it should be accommodated in most entertainment centres.
All connectivity ports are neatly organised at the back, which aids in cable management. An HDMI cable is included in the box. The top of the bar also features touch-sensitive controls for volume, source, and other functions.
One omission is a front display to show the volume level or source. Instead, the bar uses LED lights that change colour based on volume: green (low), yellow (loud), and red (very loud). This is not a major issue, as the soundbar announces the selected source aloud. Furthermore, controls are easily accessible via the companion smartphone app.
The included subwoofer is compact, featuring a wooden finish and a fabric-covered front, allowing it to blend easily into a room. An LED indicator on the front shows its power and connectivity status. Overall, the system feels premium and is well-built.
Setting Things Up: Fairly Easy
Setting up the SQ70TY is a simple plug-and-play process. You just connect the included HDMI cable to your TV’s eARC/ARC port and plug the bar and subwoofer into a power source. The system does not support room calibration.
For more granular adjustments, the bar can be connected to the LG ThinQ app. The app allows users to change inputs, select sound modes, and finely control settings like bass and treble. However, the out-of-the-box sound is quite good, with the reviewer recommending only adjusting the bass if needed.
Remote Control
The remote control is best described as functional. It shares the glossy, curved design of many LG TV remotes, offering a good grip and in-hand feel.
It includes all necessary buttons for power, volume, mute, source, sound modes, and settings. Its simplicity and ease of use make it highly practical.
Sound Performance
The soundbar’s performance definitely punches way above its weight. The sound is clear, vibrant, and sublime, although it leans slightly on the bassier side.
This is evident in movie scenes like the opening race in Ready Player One, where the channel separation shines. You can feel cars moving from left to right, while the dedicated centre channel ensures dialogues remain very clear. This immersive experience was also noted during the dogfights in Top Gun: Maverick.
As a 3.1.1-channel bar, the single up-firing driver provides a wide frontal soundstage rather than a true overhead Atmos effect. For a full 5.1 surround experience, optional rear speakers can be added separately.
The strong performance extends to music and gaming. On the PS5, games like Spider-Man 2 sounded fantastic. In horror titles such as Dead Space and Silent Hill 2 Remake, the bar’s good range effectively captures eerie environmental details.
On the Xbox, the rock music in Doom: The Dark Ages had the right thuds of bass, and the orchestral soundtrack of Ori and the Will of the Wisps was a sublime experience. The soundbar’s slightly bass-heavy bias often enhances immersion when gaming.
For sound modes, the “Standard” preset works well for most everyday content and gaming. For native Dolby Atmos content, the “Cinema” preset is recommended, as it provides greater depth and channel separation.
Even the night mode works well, reducing the loud bangs while maintaining clarity at lower volumes, in case you need to consume content when the family is asleep or you don’t want to disturb the neighbours.
The Apple TV Issue
I encountered a specific issue when using an Apple TV streaming box. When the Apple TV was connected directly to the TV (with the soundbar connected via eARC), Dolby Atmos content was incorrectly played back as PCM and “didn’t sound right”. This issue did not occur with a PS5 connected in the same manner.
The solution is to connect the Apple TV box directly to the soundbar’s HDMI input port. This allowed the audio to be correctly recognised as Dolby Atmos. This is a viable fix because the soundbar’s HDMI passthrough port supports 4K at 60Hz and Dolby Vision, ensuring no video quality is lost.
Verdict
Currently priced at Rs. 27,990, the LG SQ70TY Soundbar is a very good option for those looking to upgrade their TV’s audio for a more cinematic experience. A key advantage is the ability to add LG SPT8-S surround speakers later (for around Rs. 12K) to create a full 5.1 system.
Also, it’s worth noting that if you don’t own an LG QLED TV, you can just save a couple of bucks and opt for the LG S70TY instead. It’s the same soundbar, but instead of the LG QNED Synergy Bracket, you get a standard wall mount.
The sound output and build quality are both good. Minor criticisms include the app’s UI, which could be “more robust,” and the aforementioned lack of a display. Despite these nitpicks, the soundbar is a very good value for the money investment to enhance your content consumption experience.
Editor’s Rating: 8.8 / 10
Pros:
- Rich, room-filling audio
- Premium build quality
- Handy, intuitive remote
- Useful app controls + HDMI passthrough
- Bass can feel overpowering
- Lacks a front-panel display
