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The LG 4.1 channel 420W soundbar is the LG SJ4R, a 2017 television (TV) surround system with a wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speakers, and in 2026 it’s worth buying only used or refurbished at a low price. LG rated it at 420 watts (W), gave it High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input and output, and sold it for $399.99, though sales often cut that in half. LG has since discontinued it, so this review covers what it does well, where it falls short, and which current soundbars replace it.
Quick verdict: The SJ4R gives you true rear speakers, a punchy 180W subwoofer, and HDMI with Audio Return Channel (ARC) for a budget price. It lacks a center channel, Dolby Atmos, and 4K high dynamic range (HDR) video pass-through, and its tiny status light makes volume hard to judge. Pick one up only for well under $150, or buy LG’s current S60TR instead. Check the LG SJ4R price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: LG’s 2017 4.1 channel system with a 35-inch bar, a wireless subwoofer, and wireless rear speakers rated at 420W total.
- Who it’s for: Budget buyers who want real rear surround sound with 40-inch and larger TVs.
- Price: It listed at $399.99 and dropped to about $150 to $200 in 2017 and 2018 sales. Used prices vary in 2026, and prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: No center channel, no Dolby Atmos, and HDMI 1.4 that can’t pass 4K HDR video.
- Status: Discontinued; the SNC4R replaced it, and LG’s 5.1 channel S60TR is the closest current model.
Which LG soundbar is the 4.1 channel 420W model?
LG used the “4.1 channel 420W” label on more than one system, so the model number matters:
- SJ4R (2017): The original 420W system with HDMI in, HDMI out, and ARC. This review covers it.
- SNC4R (2020): The SJ4R’s successor, with the same 420W rating plus DTS Virtual:X and LG’s artificial intelligence (AI) Sound Pro mode.
- SLM3R (2021): A 420W Walmart model with optical and Bluetooth only. Read our LG SLM3R review.
- SQC4R (2022): A cheaper 220W system without HDMI. Read our LG 4.1 wireless Bluetooth soundbar review.
LG’s slim SJ8 soundbar is also a 4.1 bar from 2017, but it builds its extra channels into the bar and has no rear speakers.
LG SJ4R at a glance
| Spec | LG SJ4R |
|---|---|
| Channels | 4.1 (bar, two wireless rear speakers, wireless subwoofer) |
| Rated power | 420W: 2 x 60W front, 2 x 60W rear, 180W subwoofer |
| Drivers | Bar: two 20 millimeter (mm) dome tweeters and two 40 x 100mm woofers; rears: 2.5-inch woofers; subwoofer: 6-inch woofer |
| HDMI | One HDMI 1.4 input and one output with ARC and LG SimpLink control |
| Other inputs | Digital optical, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and 3.5mm analog input |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 4.0 and LG TV Sound Sync; no Wi-Fi |
| Audio formats | Dolby Digital, Digital Theater Systems (DTS) Digital Surround, and linear pulse code modulation (LPCM); FLAC files up to 192 kilohertz (kHz) over USB |
| Sound modes | Adaptive Sound Control (ASC), Standard, Bass Blast, and Cinema |
| Soundbar size and weight | About 35 x 2.2 x 3.3 inches; 5.3 pounds |
| Subwoofer size and weight | About 6.7 x 12.6 x 9.9 inches; 9.3 pounds |
| Launch price and status | $399.99 list in the US; discontinued |
Specs come from LG’s SJ4R spec page and LG’s US product page, which now marks the SJ4R discontinued. Pricing comes from 9to5Toys and Slickdeals. We converted LG’s metric sizes to inches.
Design and setup
The SJ4R bar measures about 35 inches wide and 2.2 inches tall, so it suits 40- to 55-inch TVs and stays below most screens. The subwoofer connects wirelessly and needs only an outlet. The rear speakers work differently: you wire them to a small wireless receiver box, and that box needs power. Owners on Slickdeals point out that this makes the rears “wireless” only between the bar and the receiver.
LG gave the bar a dot light instead of a real display. It glows red in standby and white when on, so you can’t see the volume level, a complaint owners raise often. If you plan to wall mount your TV, our guide to the best TV wall mounts covers mounts that leave room for a bar below.
Connectivity and features
HDMI ARC is the SJ4R’s biggest advantage over cheaper LG systems such as the SLM3R and SQC4R. Connect the bar to your TV’s ARC port, and your TV remote controls power and volume through HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC). The HDMI input lets you plug in a Blu-ray player or streaming box, but its HDMI 1.4 and High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 1.4 support means it won’t pass 4K HDR video from modern sources. Plug those into the TV instead, and use a high-speed HDMI cable for the ARC link.
Bluetooth 4.0 streams music from your phone, and LG TV Sound Sync connects compatible LG TVs wirelessly. The USB port plays MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC files, including high-resolution FLAC up to 192kHz, according to LG’s SJ4R spec page. There’s no Wi-Fi, voice assistant, or app beyond LG’s basic Android remote app.
Adaptive Sound Control analyzes what you watch and adjusts the sound automatically, and Cinema mode widens the soundstage. You can adjust the rear level from minus 6 to plus 6 and the subwoofer from minus 15 to plus 6, which helps you balance the system in small rooms.
Sound quality: what owners report
We found no major lab review of the SJ4R, so owner feedback carries the most weight. One owner on Slickdeals called it a strong apartment system and found the surround effects convincing on Netflix shows with 5.1 audio. Retail listings at the time showed a 4.4 out of 5 average from more than 150 buyers, according to 9to5Toys.
The common criticisms follow from the design. Without a center channel, voices come from the front left and right drivers, so dialogue can sink under loud effects. One commenter quoted a Best Buy reviewer who called it “really just a 2.1 system with two rear speakers,” since stereo sources play mostly from the front. The rears come alive with true 5.1 content from streaming apps, Blu-ray discs, and cable. The 180W subwoofer has plenty of punch for a small or medium room, and you can turn it down for apartment listening.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer
- HDMI input, output, and ARC
- Decodes Dolby Digital and DTS
- Adjustable rear and subwoofer levels
- High-resolution FLAC playback over USB
Cons
- No center channel for dialogue
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- HDMI 1.4 can’t pass 4K HDR video
- No volume display
- Rear speakers need wires and an outlet
- Discontinued
LG SJ4R vs. current alternatives
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the SJ4R’s successors and several budget surround systems. Here’s how they compare:
Compare similar soundbars on Amazon
| Soundbar | Channels | Rated power | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG SJ4R | 4.1 with rear speakers | 420W | Cheap surround with HDMI ARC | Check price |
| LG SNC4R | 4.1 with rear speakers | 420W | The SJ4R’s successor with DTS Virtual:X | Check price |
| LG S60TR | 5.1 with rear speakers | 440W | LG’s current budget surround system | Check price |
| Vizio V-Series 5.1 (V51x-J6) | 5.1 with rear speakers | Not listed | Frequent low sale prices | Check price |
| Hisense AX5100G | 5.1 with rear speakers | 340W | Dolby Atmos on a budget | Check price |
- LG SNC4R: It keeps the SJ4R’s layout and 420W rating and adds DTS Virtual:X and AI Sound Pro, according to LG’s SN4R spec sheet for the closely related SN4R. LG now lists the SNC4R as discontinued too.
- LG S60TR: This 2024 system adds the center channel the SJ4R lacks. It listed at $400, and Best Buy sold it for $249.99 in November 2025, according to Slickdeals. See the LG S60TR on Amazon.
- Vizio V-Series 5.1: A popular budget 5.1 system with HDMI ARC. Read our Vizio V-Series 5.1 soundbar review.
- Hisense AX5100G: It adds Dolby Atmos processing and rear speakers at a budget price.
If you’d rather skip rear speakers and get a stronger front soundstage with Atmos, read our LG SP8YA review or Samsung A650 soundbar review.
Who should buy the LG SJ4R?
Buy the SJ4R used or refurbished if it costs well under $150, your TV has HDMI ARC or optical, and you want real rear speakers in an apartment or bedroom. Check that the listing includes the wireless receiver box, the subwoofer, both rear speakers, and the remote. Skip it if dialogue clarity matters most, if you want Atmos, or if you need 4K HDR pass-through. The S60TR fixes the dialogue problem with a center channel and comes with a warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Does the LG SJ4R have HDMI ARC?
Yes, the LG SJ4R has HDMI ARC. It offers one HDMI 1.4 input and one HDMI output with ARC, so your TV remote can control the bar through HDMI CEC.
Is the LG SJ4R a true surround system?
The LG SJ4R is a 4.1 surround system with real rear speakers, but it has no center channel. The rears carry discrete sound with 5.1 sources, while stereo shows play mostly from the front bar.
Can the LG SJ4R pass 4K HDR video?
No, the LG SJ4R can’t pass 4K HDR video from modern sources. Its HDMI 1.4 ports support HDCP 1.4 only, so connect 4K devices directly to your TV.
What replaced the LG SJ4R?
The LG SNC4R replaced the SJ4R in 2020, and the 5.1 channel LG S60TR is the closest current model. The S60TR adds a center channel and keeps wireless rear speakers.
Final verdict
The LG SJ4R delivered real rear surround sound, a strong wireless subwoofer, and HDMI ARC for a budget price, and it still works well with 5.1 content. Its missing center channel, lack of Atmos, and outdated HDMI show its age. Buy one only cheap and complete; otherwise, the LG S60TR is the better buy. Check the current LG SJ4R price on Amazon.