Comparing LG S80QR and Bose Smart Soundbar 600, all pros and cons of devices become clear. We fairly judged the compared soundbars for their performance and both received a 8.4 out of 10 points.
Each of the compared models received 8 points for the audio features.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the S80QR and the Smart Soundbar 600.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the S80QR has 5.1.3 channels, while the Smart Soundbar 600 has 5.1.2 channels.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 5.1.3 | 5.1.2 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 490 (overall) | N/A |
Separate speaker (in package) | 2 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | has not |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The S80QR comes with an external subwoofer. LG S80QR has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Bose Smart Soundbar 600 only has wired connections.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wired |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The S80QR received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Smart Soundbar 600, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in S80QR.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus | ✖ |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS Digital Surround | ✖ |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. The streaming services category rating is the same - 10 out of 10 points.
The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars. The streaming audio from Pandora, SoundCloud, it is possible to listen to each of soundbars.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✔ | ✔ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, SoundCloud | Pandora, SoundCloud |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: LG S80QR was rated 10 out of 10, and Bose Smart Soundbar 600 was rated 9 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The competitors in this comparison has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✔ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/1 | 1/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✖ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Smart Soundbar 600 has its own remote control application. Only Bose Smart Soundbar 600 has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✔ |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
S80QR | Smart Soundbar 600 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 100x6.3x13.4/39.4x2.5x5.3 | 69.3x5.6x10.3/27.3x2.2x4 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 4.4/9.9 | 3.1/6.9 |