Sound quality:
LG's S70TY has acceptable overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Standard sound effect mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and somewhat boomy. The midrange is fairly even, but is a bit grainy and somewhat hazy, and a touch echoey. Treble is fairly extended, but lower and mid treble is subdued and upper treble is bit smeared and somewhat sizzly. It does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but the echoey quality of the midrange can give the sound an artificial "processed" quality, and the overall sound is somewhat congested. The two channel (stereo) sound field extends somewhat above and not much to the sides of the speaker enclosure and lacks front to back depth. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two-dimensional.
5.1 channel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Standard sound mode the sound field may extend somewhat past the sides and well above the soundbar, but still lacks depth. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can somewhat fill the front end of the room; but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional.
DTS-X/b>
When playing DTS-X material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend somewhat above from the front of the room but not directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Acceptable overall.
