Verdict: The LG SK9Y is still a capable used soundbar if you find a complete, tested bar-and-subwoofer system at a distinctly low price. Its 5.1.2 layout, up-firing height speakers, Chromecast, Wi-Fi and optional SPK8-S rear kit remain useful. However, it has bright sound, limited maximum loudness, one HDMI input and ARC rather than eARC. Buy only after testing the subwoofer, HDMI connection, remote and included accessories; do not pay current midrange-soundbar money for this discontinued model.
LG SK9Y specifications
| Feature | LG SK9Y |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 5.1.2 channels with two up-firing speakers |
| Rated power | 500 W manufacturer rating; wireless subwoofer rated at 200 W |
| Connections | One HDMI input, one HDMI ARC output, optical input and 3.5-mm portable input |
| Wireless features | Wi-Fi (including dual-band 802.11ac in LG’s specification sheet), Bluetooth and Chromecast Built-In |
| Formats listed by LG | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround and LPCM |
| Video support | HDCP 2.2, HDR and 4K at up to 60 fps according to LG documentation |
| Main-unit size and weight | 1,200 × 58 × 145 mm; 5.7 kg |
| Subwoofer size and weight | 221 × 390 × 313 mm; 7.6 kg |
| Optional surrounds | LG SPK8-S wireless rear-speaker kit |
| Original TV-size guidance | 55 inches and larger in LG’s specification sheet |
Specifications come from LG’s U.S. product page and an Australian-market sheet dated April 2018. Regional packaging, power cables, firmware and warranty terms can differ. LG now marks the SK9Y discontinued in the United States.
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What you get—and what may be missing used
The normal package contains the soundbar, matching wireless subwoofer, remote and batteries, optical cable, wall-mount hardware and documentation. A second-hand listing may omit any of these. The SPK8-S rear kit was optional and is not part of the base 5.1.2 package.
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- The soundbar front, rear ports and model label.
- The matching subwoofer label and power cable.
- The remote, including its input, volume and sound-mode buttons.
- The HDMI and optical sockets.
- The front display while the system is powered and playing audio.
- Any claimed SPK8-S receiver and rear speakers.
Ask for a video showing the bar and subwoofer playing sound. A soundbar without its original subwoofer is a different, riskier purchase because the low-frequency performance and wireless pairing are central to the SK9Y’s value.
Sound quality
Dialogue
Independent testing by RTINGS found accurate midrange reproduction and a useful dialogue-enhancement function. That makes the SK9Y suitable for television, news, podcasts and audiobooks. Clearer speech does not necessarily mean a completely natural or class-leading center channel, so listeners should still audition it when possible.
Movies and Atmos height
The dedicated subwoofer and wide bar create a larger presentation than built-in TV speakers. Dolby Atmos content can produce a sense of height from the two up-firing drivers when the ceiling, listening position and room reflections cooperate. These are reflected height effects, not physical ceiling speakers.
RTINGS found limited maximum loudness compared with many high-end soundbars. The SK9Y is therefore less convincing in a large open-plan room or for listeners who want theatrical volume than its 500 W label might suggest.
Bass
The wireless subwoofer supplies substantially more impact than a bar-only system, but RTINGS described the SK9Y as relatively bright and weaker in bass than competing systems such as Samsung’s HW-Q80R. Subwoofer condition, placement and wireless-link health matter greatly on a used unit.
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Music and streaming
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Chromecast Built-In make casual streaming convenient, and LG lists support for high-resolution formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz where applicable. Tonal balance and limited loudness make it less compelling as a primary music system than as a television-oriented soundbar.
Atmos, ARC and format limitations
Dolby Atmos needs the whole signal chain
The SK9Y supports Dolby Atmos, but the logo does not guarantee Atmos from every television or source. Use HDMI rather than optical or Bluetooth for Atmos-capable playback. The source, TV, cable and soundbar must all pass and decode a compatible format.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11On the television, select HDMI ARC audio output and use a setting named Bitstream, Pass Through or an equivalent when available. PCM stereo can prevent an Atmos signal from reaching the bar. Streaming subscriptions, app support and the specific title also determine whether an Atmos track is available.
ARC, not eARC
LG’s documentation identifies HDMI ARC, not eARC. A newer eARC television may connect using backward-compatible ARC behavior, but the SK9Y does not gain eARC bandwidth. Buyers seeking lossless TrueHD Atmos, multiple high-bandwidth sources or advanced console audio should choose a newer eARC model.
DTS:X is not confirmed
LG’s published specification sheet lists DTS Digital Surround but does not list DTS:X. If DTS:X from a Blu-ray player, console or media server is a requirement, select a soundbar whose current documentation explicitly supports it.
Rank #3
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- 3 X Up-Firing Height Effect Drivers
4K HDR passthrough
LG documents HDCP 2.2, HDR and 4K/60 support. The single HDMI input limits the SK9Y’s usefulness as a switch for a modern system with several consoles and streamers. Do not assume support for HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K/120, VRR or ALLM; they are not established in the cited specifications.
Recommended setup
- Connect the TV’s ARC-labelled HDMI port to the SK9Y HDMI OUT/ARC port.
- Enable HDMI-CEC (called SIMPLINK on many LG televisions) or the equivalent control setting.
- Choose HDMI ARC as the TV’s audio output.
- Set Pass Through, Bitstream or the manufacturer’s equivalent instead of forced PCM where available.
- Play a known Dolby Atmos title and check the soundbar’s information display or mode readout.
- If the TV app fails, connect a source directly to the SK9Y’s HDMI input and test again.
Menu names vary by television brand, firmware and region, so there is no single universal settings path.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting
No sound
- Confirm the cable is in the television’s ARC port, not an ordinary HDMI socket.
- Select HDMI ARC or the correct input on the soundbar.
- Enable HDMI-CEC on both devices.
- Ensure the TV is not forcing PCM stereo and that the source uses a supported format.
- Power-cycle the television and soundbar, then try another known-good HDMI cable.
- Test optical audio; if optical works while ARC does not, the fault is likely in the HDMI path or settings.
Atmos does not appear
- The title, app or subscription may not include Atmos.
- The TV app may output stereo or compressed audio.
- The connection may be optical or Bluetooth.
- The TV may be set to PCM, or its ARC implementation may restrict the format.
- The source may be connected through an incompatible HDMI route.
- The content may be ordinary Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus without an Atmos layer.
Weak subwoofer or bright sound
Try Standard, Movie, Music and Adaptive Sound Control modes, then adjust the user EQ for bass, treble and subwoofer. Move the subwoofer into open space and test several programmes before diagnosing a hardware fault. RTINGS’ bright tonal description is a performance characteristic and room-interaction issue, not proof that every unit is defective.
Can you add rear speakers?
Yes, but only with the compatible LG SPK8-S wireless rear-speaker kit identified by LG. Do not assume that another LG wireless kit will pair. With no rear kit, the system is a soundbar, subwoofer and up-firing/processed surround arrangement—not a complete discrete surround package.
How it compares with alternatives
| Alternative | What the evidence indicates | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| LG SN9YG | RTINGS rates it louder, better built, stronger in bass and somewhat better in center and surround performance; it adds eARC and DTS:X through its full HDMI input. The SK9Y has an advantage in height performance in that comparison. | A safer same-brand used buy when only modestly more expensive and in equally good condition. |
| Samsung HW-Q80R | RTINGS finds a more neutral sound and deeper bass with stronger overall results in several uses, while the LG can have surround advantages. | Potentially better overall sound, subject to age, price and condition. |
| Sony HT-Z9F | More premium construction and deeper low bass; the LG offers stronger Atmos/surround behavior and more customization in the comparison. | Choose according to whether build and low bass or height/surround effects matter more. |
| Samsung HW-Q800F | A current 2025 5.1.2 system with wireless Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony and SpaceFit Sound Pro. Samsung’s page showed a $1,099.99 listing but also indicated no delivery or pickup at the captured time. | Modern processing and support, if available at a price you accept. |
| Sonos Beam Gen 2 refurbished | The captured certified-refurbished page showed $299 reduced from $399 with a one-year warranty and testing. | Smaller rooms, dialogue, streaming and a supported multi-room ecosystem—not a direct subwoofer-and-5.1.2 replacement. |
Captured prices and availability can change. They should be compared with the complete SK9Y system’s actual asking price, shipping cost, condition and return rights rather than with the SK9Y’s original launch positioning.
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Used-buying checklist
- Verify the model is SK9Y, not SK8Y, SK10Y or another LG series.
- Confirm the original matching subwoofer is included and pairs reliably.
- Test HDMI ARC with your television if possible; test optical as a fallback.
- Confirm every driver produces sound and check for distortion, random restarts, overheating and wireless dropouts.
- Test remote input, volume, mute, subwoofer and sound-mode controls.
- Check that power cables suit your country and that the seller will accept a return.
- Calculate shipping carefully: the long bar and heavy subwoofer are vulnerable to damage and expensive to send.
Final verdict
Buy the LG SK9Y when the complete, working package is substantially cheaper than a supported modern Atmos soundbar and your system needs only ARC, 4K/60 HDR and Dolby Atmos. Its dialogue performance, Chromecast, up-firing speakers and dedicated subwoofer remain useful. Skip it when the seller is charging current midrange prices, the subwoofer or remote is missing, HDMI ARC is unreliable, or you need eARC, DTS:X, HDMI 2.1 gaming features or guaranteed long-term support.
Quick Recap
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