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LG 3.1-Ch 420W Soundbar System

LG 3.1-Ch 420W Soundbar System

By LG · Soundbars · Desk & Streaming Setup · More from LG

  • 420W total output
  • 3.1 channel system
  • Wireless subwoofer
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
  • 4K video passthrough

Price not listed

New
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Used, refurbished, open-box

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Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A 2020-generation LG 3.1-channel soundbar with a real center channel, 420 W rated output and a wireless subwoofer, aimed at TV dialogue and everyday listening rather than Dolby Atmos. Check the subwoofer before buying used: it does not decode Atmos or DTS:X, and owners report the wireless sub can drop out.

Strengths

  • A real 40 W center channel anchors dialogue better than 2.1 bars that mix speech into left and right.
  • Bass, treble and sound modes let you tame boomy output or make speech clearer; RTINGS found high loudness with compression only at extreme maximum.
  • Flexible 2020-era connections: HDMI ARC with CEC, optical, a dedicated HDMI input for suitable older sources, Bluetooth audio and USB file playback.
  • The separate subwoofer adds low-frequency weight a TV cannot, though RTINGS found deep rumble limited.
  • LG’s SPK8-S kit can convert the 3.1 into a 5.1-style system if you find the discontinued rear kit complete.
  • Best Buy’s exact-model customer summary reports positive speech, sound, easy setup and price, but these are self-selected reviews, not a controlled comparison.

Weaknesses

  • No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, despite virtual 3D marketing; with no rear kit, effects project from the front bar.
  • The HDMI path is old: HDCP 1.4 and 1080p per the regional sheet, so modern protected 4K HDR sources should connect straight to the TV.
  • The 41.7-inch bar crowds a compact stand and the 15.4-inch-tall sub needs floor space and an AC socket.
  • Bass emphasis is not deep bass: RTINGS heard a bass-heavy default with limited very-low rumble, and voices can sound forceful.
  • The discontinued SPK8-S rear kit needs a powered receiver and wires to both speakers, so secondhand kits may be incomplete.
  • Subwoofer pairing can fail or take several attempts; a persistent absence of the green LED complicates setup.

Verified specifications

ModelLG SN6Y / SN6Y.DUSALLK, US UPC 719192637443, launched 2020; Best Buy SKU 6402205, B&H manufacturer model SN6Y. S41R, SL6Y, SN5Y, SN7Y and S40TR are different products.
Channels3.1 — left, right, dedicated center and wireless active subwoofer; 7 physical speaker units.
Power420 W rated total — 80 W front left, 80 W front right, 40 W center, 220 W subwoofer. This is a rated amplifier figure, not continuous wall draw.
FormatsDolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, DTS Virtual:X, stereo LPCM and music-file codecs. No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, no up-firing drivers, no eARC, no Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD passthrough.
Inputsone HDMI IN, one HDMI OUT (TV ARC), one optical TOSLINK IN, one USB-A for music playback, Bluetooth 4.0 (SBC/AAC). No analog AUX, Wi-Fi or AirPlay 2. HDMI is HDCP 1.4.
Videothe manufacturer’s regional sheet specifies HDCP 1.4 ports supporting 1080p; protected 4K HDR/60, Dolby Vision or HDCP 2.2/2.3 through HDMI IN is not promised.
ControlsAI Sound Pro, Standard, Bass Blast/Bass Blast+, DTS Virtual:X, manual bass/treble/center/subwoofer, Auto Volume Leveler, Dynamic Range Control and Night Mode; remote included, with an Android smartphone remote option (iOS not guaranteed).
Expandabilitycompatible with the LG SPK8-S 2.0-channel 140 W rear kit, sold separately and now discontinued.
Dimensionsbar 41.7 × 2.2 × 3.4 in (1060 × 58 × 85 mm), 7.6 lb; subwoofer 7.1 × 15.4 × 11.5 in (180 × 393 × 290 mm), 11.7 lb. The 262 lb shipping weight on the US page is a transcription error; B&H quotes 25 lb for the complete packaged unit.
Subwooferoriginal companion is the SPN5B-W, which needs its own AC mains connection.
Power draw38 W soundbar plus 33 W subwoofer when active, under 0.5 W standby each.
Adapteroriginal bar adapter DA-50F25 or MS-Z2000R250-050D0-P, 25.0 V DC at 2.0 A (50 W), 100-240 V input.
In the boxremote, batteries, optical cable, wall-mount bracket, warranty card; the regional sheet also shows the mains adapter and mounting guide. A supplied HDMI cable is not verified.
Remotedesign matches AKB75595331.
Warrantyone year parts and labor from original delivery under LG’s written terms.
Full research notes and sources

Subwoofer reliability

Another owner reported a subwoofer with no red or green power or pairing LED after about 18 months, and a different owner found an app firmware update restored the link. These are individual reports and do not show what share of units are affected.

The official pairing procedure is to connect both units to AC, press PAIRING on the subwoofer until its indicator quickly blinks green (hold if needed), then turn on the bar; solid green means linked. Keep the pair more than 1 m (3.3 ft) from routers or microwaves. A shop quoted $55 to diagnose a bar that played only through the sub, but that is one anecdote, not a general amplifier defect. Do not open the AC-powered sub or replace boards on forum speculation, including an unverified radio-card part number.

Repairs, parts and running costs

Expect to keep the remote, sub and adapter with the bar; there are no routine consumables. An original remote AKB75595331 costs $26.95 from LG Parts USA, a non-OEM VINABTY replacement asks $7.80 on Best Buy Marketplace, and Remotes.net sells an SN6Y-specific replacement for $34.90. The original 25 V 2 A adapter was listed at $39.99 but sold out. A used SPN5B-W subwoofer has been offered at $144.99 shipped, and an untested one sold for $67.49 plus $30 shipping. The SPK8-S rear kit was $179 at its 2020 launch, historical only.

The system uses no subscription and no proprietary consumables. LG rates 38 W plus 33 W active and under 0.5 W standby each; if it truly drew 71 W for four hours daily and 1 W for twenty hours standby, that is 110.96 kWh, or $22.19 at $0.20 per kWh. Actual draw depends on volume and utility rate. No prescribed service fee or documented typical lifespan was found.

Is it worth it?

At $100.99 clearance (now unavailable in new condition) or a $82.97 used bundle with no remote and cosmetic damage, a carefully tested complete unit is a strong value at $65-90 with remote, sub and working HDMI/optical, reasonable at $91-120 with returns, and only worth $121-150 in unusually clean tested condition with local pickup. Above $150, a new Hisense HS5100 5.1 at $179.99 with physical rears and center, LG’s newer S40TR 4.1 at $199.99 sale ($279.99 comparison) with rears but no physical center, or Samsung’s HW-B650F 3.1 at $249.99 promotional ($349.99 comparison) with a newer warranty are worth checking. LG’s own 2020 MSRP was $399 and B&H shows no current new stock.

Which model this is

This page covers the 2020-generation SN6Y soundbar, hardware model SN6Y.DUSALLK, sold as a 3.1 system with a wireless subwoofer. Retailers use part numbers such as Best Buy SKU 6402205. Do not confuse it with the LG S41R 4.1 system, which the seed wrongly linked, or with SN5Y, SN7Y, SL6Y and S40TR.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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