Sound quality: LG's S90QY has Fair overall sound quality - this model has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music but don't rule it out for dialog. In the Standard sound mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes deep, but is somewhat prominent and boomy. The midrange is somewhat hazy and grainy, a bit telephone-like, echoey, and plasticky, and depending on the content can be somewhat overwhelmed by the bass. Treble is extended, but the lower and mid treble are subdued while the upper treble is a bit prominent and somewhat sizzly and dry, and a bit smeared. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but the echoey quality of the midrange gives the sound a noticeable artificial "processed" quality and the overall sound is somewhat congested. When playing back stereo program material the sound field extends a bit above but not beyond the width of the speaker array and there is no sense of depth. The other sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. When 5.1 channel program material is played the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends well beyond the height and width of the sound bar enclosure. The other sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. When playing Dolby Atmos 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 up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. The other sound modes had, depending on the mode, a slight to noticeable effect when Dolby Atmos material is played back. 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 does not extend particularly high and there was no rear surround effect; sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Depending on the sound mode, the other sound modes had a minimal to noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth inputs. Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X program material can only be played through the HDMI input and through the HDMI ARC/eARC input when it is connected to a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ and/or DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD and/or DTS-HD Master Audio or DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
