127

LG SL6Y Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 14, 2023 8:21 PM

True Score

72
72
1

Experts

78
120

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Expert Rankings

The LG SL6Y is an affordable pick for users who are ready for an upgrade from their typical sound speakers but don’t want to invest in a high-end sound setup. The SL6Y’s sound is great for dialogue-focused content but not for surround sound or bass.

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The LG SL6Y is a high-end 3.1-channel soundbar that was launched in 2019. It ships with a wireless subwoofer, and even though its lower bass range doesn’t match other top-shelf speakers, it comes with a center channel that ensures dialogue remains accurate.

Despite its lack of support for Dolby Atmos, its soundstage is good enough for owners to pinpoint where object sounds are coming from, and its range of inputs includes three HDMI ports and an Optical Audio in.

The best soundbars normally include an AUX port, but the SL6Y lacks this.

Still, owners will be able to stream their music through Bluetooth, and they’ll have to stick to this since it doesn’t support Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast.

The LG SL10YG is a much better alternative in this regard, as it supports WiFi and Bluetooth and has built-in Chromecast. Check it out in our LG SL10YG review.

Consensus

our Verdict

The high-quality, 3.1-channel LG SL6Y soundbar has a below-average bass performance despite coming with a subwoofer, but its dedicated center channel ensures dialogues are clear, and its sound profile is best described as bright.

Unfortunately, its surround sound is poor due to missing satellite speakers and a lack of Dolby Atmos. While wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth, its latency performance is impressive, tested at 55ms over ARC and 64ms over optical for impeccable synchronization.

The port selection is also good, with one Optical Audio In, one HDMI ARC, one Full HDMI In, and a USB port for wired connections.

Overall, the LG SL6Y is a reasonable choice for anyone who wants to upgrade their TV’s sound quality, despite its lack of surround sound support and limited wireless connectivity.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Great build quality
  • Significant improvement over TV speakers
  • Virtual surround sound technology
  • Seamless Bluetooth pairing for wireless audio streaming
  • Aesthetically pleasing design
  • Center channel for clear dialogue focussed content

Reason to Avoid

  • Subwoofer performance is not as thumpy
  • Poor surround sound performance
  • Limited wireless connectivity
  • Vulnerable to unauthorized connections

LG SL6Y Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth3.3"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight2.2"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels3.1
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDTS Digital Surround, DTS Virtual:X
Voice AssistantVoice Assistantna
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight7.6 lbs
WidthWidth41.7"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithBluetooth, Remote Control

All Specs

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Product Comparison

LG SL6Y Review

True Score

72
72
75
61

Ranking

#

127

/

149

#

128

/

149

#

118

/

149

#

146

/

149

Market Context

The LG SL6Y is a high-end 3.1-channel soundbar that was launched in 2019. It ships with a wireless subwoofer, and even though its lower bass…

The LG SL6Y is a high-end 3.1-channel soundbar that was launched in 2019. It ships with a wireless subwoofer, and even though its lower bass range doesn’t match other top-shelf speakers, it comes with a center channel that ensures dialogue remains accurate.

Despite its lack of support for Dolby Atmos, its soundstage is good enough for owners to pinpoint where object sounds are coming from, and its range of inputs includes three HDMI ports and an Optical Audio in.

The best soundbars normally include an AUX port, but the SL6Y lacks this.

Still, owners will be able to stream their music through Bluetooth, and they’ll have to stick to this since it doesn’t support Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast.

The LG SL10YG is a much better alternative in this regard, as it supports WiFi and Bluetooth and has built-in Chromecast. Check it out in our LG SL10YG review.

The LG SL6Y is a 3.1 channel speaker, while the LG SP8YA is a 3.1.2 channel speaker, and on top of that, the SL6Y has…

The LG SL6Y is a 3.1 channel speaker, while the LG SP8YA is a 3.1.2 channel speaker, and on top of that, the SL6Y has support for Dolby Atmos content, a feature that the SP8YA lacks. However, the SP8YA has features such as room correction and height level adjustment, as well as support for eARC, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Digital Plus audio formats; features and capabilities that are missing on the LG SL6Y

The LG SL6Y gets slightly louder than the LG SN6Y, but other than that, the two are the same both in terms of performance and…

The LG SL6Y gets slightly louder than the LG SN6Y, but other than that, the two are the same both in terms of performance and design.

While the LG SL6Y has a slightly larger screen than the Samsung HW-R650, the Samsung has a graphical EQ that is missing on the SL6Y…

While the LG SL6Y has a slightly larger screen than the Samsung HW-R650, the Samsung has a graphical EQ that is missing on the SL6Y and an AUX port that the SL6Y does not have.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depth

3.3"

4.7"

3.4"

3.4"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

No

No

No

Yes

HDMI ARC

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Height

2.2"

2.2"

2.2"

2.3"

Number of Audio Channels

3.1

3.1.2

3.1

3.1

Subwoofer

Included

Included

Included

Included

Dig Deeper

LG SP8YA Review →

LG SN6Y Review →

Samsung HW R650 Review →

Score Card

E

Expert Score

72

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

78

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

72

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    71
    The LG SL6Y is a decently well-rounded 3.1 soundbar. While it has a dedicated subwoofer,… Read More

    By:

    Jake Thauvette

Customer Scores