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The LG SJ8 is a slim 4.1-channel soundbar that won’t block the bottom of your screen, and in 2026 it’s worth buying only at a used or refurbished price. LG packed a surprising number of features into a bar just 1.5 inches tall: it pairs the bar with a compact wireless subwoofer, adds built-in Chromecast for music streaming, and passes 4K video through to your television (TV). This LG SJ8 soundbar review explains what the bar does well, where reviewers found it lacking, whether you can still buy one, and which current LG and rival soundbars on Amazon make more sense today.
Quick verdict: The SJ8 delivers punchy, room-filling movie sound for its size, plus Wi-Fi streaming, 4K pass-through, and high-resolution audio support. Reviewers found its bass boomy out of the box and its music playback short on detail, and it lacks Dolby Atmos, enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), and a dimmable display. LG discontinued it years ago, so buy one only at a used or refurbished price. Check the LG SJ8 price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A 4.1-channel soundbar just 1.5 inches tall, with a compact wireless subwoofer, built-in Chromecast, and 4K pass-through.
- Who it’s for: Buyers who find one cheaply and want a low-profile bar for a 55-inch or larger TV, especially for streaming music over Chromecast.
- Price: LG announced it at $600 in January 2017 and has since discontinued it, so as of November 2026 you’ll find it only used, open box, or refurbished. Prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: Boomy bass out of the box, music playback that lacks detail, no Dolby Atmos, no eARC, and a display you can’t dim.
- Successor: LG’s closest current equivalent, the S70TY, adds Dolby Atmos and eARC and listed for $299.99 at P.C. Richard & Son, but it has no Wi-Fi.
LG SJ8 at a glance
| Spec | LG SJ8 |
|---|---|
| Channels | 4.1 channels (soundbar plus wireless subwoofer) |
| Drivers | Four 26 x 95 millimeter (mm) midrange and bass drivers and two 20mm dome tweeters in the bar; one 6-inch subwoofer driver |
| Rated power | 300 watts (W): 2 x 65W for the bar and 170W for the subwoofer |
| High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) | One HDMI 2.0 input and one HDMI output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) |
| Video pass-through | 4K at 60 frames per second with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 2.2 |
| Other inputs | Digital optical input and 3.5mm analog line input |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, built-in Chromecast, and LG TV Sound Sync for compatible LG TVs |
| Audio formats | Dolby Digital and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) Digital Surround; no Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, or DTS:X |
| High-resolution audio | Plays lossless music files up to 24-bit/192 kilohertz (kHz) and upsamples lower-resolution audio to 24-bit/192kHz |
| Soundbar size and weight | 48 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches; about 6 pounds |
| Subwoofer size and weight | 6.7 x 9.9 x 12.6 inches; about 9.5 pounds |
| Release and status | Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2017 at $600 in the US; discontinued |
Specs come from Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, and LG’s US product page. LG lists sizes in millimeters and kilograms, so we converted them.
Is the LG SJ8 still available?
LG lists the SJ8 as discontinued, so you won’t find it new from LG or major retailers. It still turns up used, open box, and refurbished on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart’s marketplace, and prices vary widely with condition. Because the bar is several years old, check that the seller includes the remote and the wireless subwoofer, since the bar alone produces little bass.
LG’s closest current equivalent is the S70TY, a 3.1.1-channel bar with a wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDMI input with 4K and Dolby Vision pass-through, and eARC. It listed for $299.99 (down from $349.99) at P.C. Richard & Son, which makes it cheaper than the SJ8 was at launch. Unlike the SJ8, though, the S70TY has no Wi-Fi, so it can’t stream over Chromecast. If you want LG’s newest and most ambitious system, the 2026 Sound Suite H7 soundbar supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect and launched at $1,000, according to What Hi-Fi?. LG later added DTS:X and Google Cast to the H7 through a software update, according to Notebookcheck.
Design and build
The SJ8’s main selling point is its height. At about 1.5 inches tall, it sits in front of most TVs without covering the screen or the infrared receiver. It measures about 48 inches wide, so it looks best with a 55-inch or larger TV. A metal mesh grille covers the front, and LG includes a wall-mount bracket. If you plan to hang both the TV and the bar, our guide to the best TV wall mounts for 65-inch TVs covers mounts with room for a soundbar below.
The subwoofer stays compact at about 12.6 inches tall, so it can hide beside a couch or TV stand. It connects wirelessly, so it needs only a power outlet. The bar’s front display shows the input and status messages, but TechRadar found that you can’t dim or turn it off, which can distract you in a dark room.
Connectivity and features
The SJ8 offers more connections than most slim bars of its era:
- HDMI ARC: Connect the bar to your TV’s ARC port so your TV remote controls volume through HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC).
- HDMI input with 4K pass-through: Plug a streaming box, Blu-ray player, or console into the bar, and it passes 4K video to your TV. With only one input, you’ll still connect most devices directly to the TV.
- Optical and analog inputs: Useful fallbacks for older TVs and audio sources.
- Chromecast built-in: Cast music from Spotify, YouTube Music, and other apps, and group the bar with other Chromecast speakers through the Google Home app.
- LG TV Sound Sync: Pairs wirelessly with compatible LG TVs such as the LG UQ8000.
The bar doesn’t include a built-in voice assistant, so you can’t talk to it directly. Owners report that a separate Google speaker can still send music to it through Chromecast. TechRadar also found that you need several LG mobile apps to reach every setting, which makes the app experience clumsy. A high-speed HDMI cable helps if your TV sits a few feet away.
LG’s Adaptive Sound Control analyzes what you watch and adjusts the sound, for example by boosting voices during news and adding bass during action scenes. The Auto Sound Engine aims to keep the tonal balance consistent at different volume levels. The upsampling feature converts standard 16-bit/48kHz audio to 24-bit/192kHz, though upsampling can’t add detail that wasn’t in the recording.
Sound quality: what reviewers found
Trusted Reviews described the SJ8 as “a boisterous listen” with “surprisingly lithe and muscular bass” from the compact subwoofer. It also found the bass “a tad boomy” out of the box and had to lower the subwoofer level. The site praised the bar’s cinematic impact but said rival bars sound more refined, and it noted limited maximum loudness.
TechRadar reached similar conclusions. Its reviewer wrote that “explosions rock the room” and that the small subwoofer punches above its size, but also found the bass “overbearing out of the box” and turned it down two notches. Cinema mode widened the sound and kept voices clear, yet the reviewer said the SJ8 sounds more like a good 2.1 system than true surround sound, and music playback lacked detail.
In short, the SJ8 suits action movies and TV more than critical music listening. Tame the subwoofer level during setup, and you’ll get a big, lively sound from a very small package.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Ultra-slim bar that won’t block your TV screen
- Compact wireless subwoofer with strong bass
- Wi-Fi with built-in Chromecast and multiroom grouping
- HDMI input with 4K pass-through
- High-resolution audio playback and upsampling
- Wall-mount bracket included
Cons
- Bass sounds boomy until you adjust it
- Music lacks detail and refinement
- No Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or eARC
- Display stays on and can’t be dimmed
- Setup spreads across several LG apps
- Discontinued
LG SJ8 vs. current alternatives
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the SJ8’s modern replacements and several strong alternatives. Here’s how they compare:
Compare similar soundbars on Amazon
| Soundbar | Channels | Dolby Atmos | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG SJ8 | 4.1 with wireless subwoofer | No | A slim bar at a used price | Check price |
| LG S70TY | 3.1.1 with wireless subwoofer | Yes | LG’s current midrange equivalent | Check price |
| LG Sound Suite H7 | Expandable with Sound Suite speakers | Yes (FlexConnect) | LG’s newest flagship system | Check price |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Single bar, expandable | Yes (virtual) | Wi-Fi streaming and multiroom audio | Check price |
| Polk Audio Signa S4 | 3.1.2 with wireless subwoofer | Yes | Atmos height effects on a budget | Check price |
| Samsung HW-B630F | 3.1 with wireless subwoofer | No | Clear dialogue for less money | Check price |
- LG S70TY: It adds Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, eARC, and Dolby Vision pass-through at a lower price than the SJ8’s launch price, but you give up Wi-Fi streaming. See the LG S70TY on Amazon.
- LG Sound Suite H7: LG’s 2026 system lets you add wireless speakers and subwoofers over time, and FlexConnect adjusts the sound to where you place them. It costs far more than most people need for a bedroom or small living room.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2): The best pick if you liked the SJ8’s Chromecast streaming. It skips the subwoofer by default, but you can add one later.
- Polk Signa S4 and Samsung HW-B630F: Two budget options with wireless subwoofers. For more budget options, see our Samsung A650 soundbar review and Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review.
Who should buy the LG SJ8?
The SJ8 suits buyers who find one cheaply and want a low-profile bar for a 55-inch or larger TV, especially if they stream music over Chromecast. It also pairs neatly with LG TVs through Sound Sync. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos, eARC for lossless audio, or a warranty, since a current model such as the S70TY costs less than the SJ8 did new and covers those features.
Frequently asked questions
Does the LG SJ8 support Dolby Atmos?
No, the LG SJ8 doesn’t support Dolby Atmos. The SJ8 decodes Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround but has no up-firing drivers and no Atmos decoding. LG’s S70TY is a current, affordable LG bar with Atmos.
Does the LG SJ8 work with Alexa or Google Assistant?
The LG SJ8 doesn’t work directly with Alexa or Google Assistant, since it has no built-in microphone or assistant. Because it supports Chromecast, owners report that a separate Google speaker can cast music to it, but it doesn’t support Alexa.
Can you wall mount the LG SJ8?
Yes, you can wall mount the LG SJ8. LG includes a wall-mount bracket in the box. If you need a replacement, search for a universal soundbar wall mount bracket.
How big is the LG SJ8?
The LG SJ8 soundbar measures about 48 inches wide, 4.1 inches deep, and 1.5 inches tall and weighs about 6 pounds. The subwoofer stands about 12.6 inches tall.
Final verdict
The LG SJ8 still offers a rare combination of an ultra-slim design, a punchy wireless subwoofer, Chromecast streaming, and 4K pass-through. Its boomy default bass, average music performance, and lack of Atmos and eARC show its age. Buy it only at a clear discount; otherwise, the LG S70TY gives you more modern features for less money. Check the current LG SJ8 price on Amazon.