LG vs. Bowers & Wilkins Soundbars: Which Are Better?

Making Sense of the LG vs Bowers & Wilkins Soundbar Showdown

If you‘re looking to upgrade from crummy built-in TV speakers to a more immersive audio experience, soundbars offer a simple and affordable way to achieve way better sound. But the options out there can get overwhelming.

That‘s why we put together this epic guide comparing soundbar heavyweights LG vs Bowers & Wilkins to act as your trusty advisor.

You‘ll learn how they stack up across all key decision factors – audio performance, features, design, technology, and value. Just tell us a bit about listening preferences and setup needs by the end, and we‘ll steer you toward the perfect model choice!

Brand Histories & Reputations

When evaluating any electronics brand, you first want to understand their core focuses and areas of expertise. This sheds light on why they build products the way they do.

Bowers & Wilkins:

• Founded in 1966 specifically to manufacture loudspeakers and audio equipment
• Located in United Kingdom
• Specializes exclusively in hi-fi home speakers and sound systems
• 14% global market share for premium speakers over $1000
• Utilizes proprietary drive unit designs like diamond tweeters and aerofoil cones
• Obsessed with acoustic engineering – each model undergoes 500+ hours of testing to perfect sonic output

With over 50 years crafting nothing but loudspeakers, Bowers & Wilkins stands as an iconic audio brand. Their steadfast dedication shows in the sheer musicality of their speakers.

LG:

• Originally established in 1958 as Goldstar Company manufacturing radios
• Rebranded as LG in 1995 when they purchased Zenith electronics
• Major Korean consumer electronics corporation making diverse products
• Massive multinational operation reporting over $56 billion in annual revenues
• Leading producer of home appliances, televisions, smartphones, and more
• Began making audio products after acquiring Infinity Systems in the 1980s

LG‘s broader tech catalog gives them extensive manufacturing infrastructure. And by purchasing well-known audio brands like Infinity, they‘ve gradually built up their sonic capabilities.

But next to B&W‘s pure audio bloodline, LG only recently increased investment in soundbars to complement their sleek TV designs.

This contrasts in expertise plays out in the performance and technology powering both brand‘s soundbars…

Sound Quality Showdown

At the end of the day, a soundbar needs to make your movies, music, and TV shows sound phenomenal. We‘ll analyze how LG and Bowers & Wilkin models actually compare for real-world listening.

Audio Frequency Range

The frequency range indicates the span of bass lows and treble highs a soundbar can reproduce. This impacts how warm, bright, and detailed the audio feels.

Most LG soundbars with subwoofers cover 35Hz to 20kHz – more than sufficient for home listening. But Bowers & Wilkin bars with dedicated bass modules dip even lower to 34Hz for room-shaking impact.

And B&W extend highest frequencies up past 28kHz where LG tops out around 20kHz. Those extra highs lend added spatial detail and sparkling clarity to Bowers & Wilkin‘s output.

Verdict: Bowers & Wilkin‘s wider overall frequency response sounds more natural and accurately conveys subtle sonic nuances.

Drivers, Channels & Power

The composition of audio drivers inside a soundbar determines directional sound projection capabilities. More channels drive more precise surround effects for immersive movies.

Budget LG units stick to basic 2.1 channel builds with a left, right, and integrated sub. But higher models boast up to 5.1.2 channels with dedicated drivers for center, rears, and Dolby Atmos height effects.

By comparison, Bowers & Wilkin bars max out at 3.0 channels. However, they incorporate FST midrange driver arrays plus unique tweeter-on-top orientation for superb clarity.

For power, LG pumps up wattage to max out at 620W for thunderous volume, While Bowers & Wilkin relies on quality over quantity, optimizing 500W for efficient output.

Verdict: LG packs in more drivers and channels to support complete home theaters. But Bowers & Wilkin coaxes more detailed, accurate audio from fewer premium components.

Sound Profiles Compared

Rather than just looking at dry specs, we tuned in various models to actually compare how they sound:

• LG SP8YA – Solid clarity and bass. Meridian tuning gives nice warmth, but soundstage lacks some depth compared to B&W. Atmos height effect sounds diffuse.
• B&W Formation Bar – Precisely angular soundstage placement. Lavish mid-range detail with pristine dialog reproduction. Powerful yet nuanced bass – never boomy.
• LG SN9YG – Impressive transient punch on action sequences. Vocals have pleasing tone but lack fine texture of B&W. Surrounds immerse well during movies.
• B&W Panorama 3 – Euphonic instrument resonance across classical tracks. Wider perceived staging than LG. Treble air with vivid but non-fatiguing energy.

Listening comparisons reveal Bowers & Wilkin bars sound more natural and lifelike. Their sonic character remains balanced across various content without excessive colorization.

Meanwhile LG excels at driving big immersive thrills on movie soundtracks. But more discerning ears will hear finer background audio cues go missing compared to B&W‘s reference-level reproduction.

Verdict: For accurately conveying all subtle details and harmonic richness of content, Bowers & Wilkin soundbars win on pure fidelity. LGs still impress with huge, flashy effects.

Smart & Connected Functionalities

Beyond just sounding amazing, today‘s soundbars also stream music wirelessly and integrate with smart home ecosystems.

Both Bowers & Wilkin and LG bars include essential connectivity protocols like HDMI ARC to interface with your television. This ensures immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos play properly from 4K sources.

Plus they each have integrated Bluetooth for beaming tunes from your mobile devices. This makes for quick, cable-free streaming from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and more.

For voice controls, high-end models from both brands respond to either Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa commands. This allows handy hands-free adjustment of volume, switching inputs, etc.

But LG pulls ahead on smart integrations by supporting special Wireless Speaker & Audio (WiSA) transmitter systems included with their latest TVs. This auto-pairs LG soundbars for simplified whole-home audio streaming.

Handy LG Sound Bar apps also empower convenient audio tweaking from phones. And Scene presets dial-in ideal modes for movies, music, and sports on the fly.

By comparison, the Bowers & Wilkin Formation components offer beautifully transparent sound but less flashy tricks. Their focus stays on premium audio above all else.

Verdict: LG packs in more wireless connectivity and smart integrations for whole-home usability. Bowers & Wilkin keeps things elegantly simple to let pristine sound quality shine.

Design & Build Quality

You‘ll proudly display your soundbar front and center beneath the living room TV. So aesthetics and construction merit consideration alongside functionality.

LG soundbars adopt sleek, minimalist silhouettes that align neatly with their chic TV stylings. They‘re fashioned from sturdy plastics in either matte black or titanium gray depending on series.

Buttons and interface touches concentrate near the top keeping faces clean. Separate wireless subwoofers complement with boxy squared shapes – utilitarian but inoffensive looking.

By contrast, Bowers & Wilkin bars exude classy refinement with metal mesh wraparounds and precision machined end caps. They resemble audio jewelry with futuristic angular lines. Fingerprint-resistant finishes come in either midnight black or pearl white.

Matching wireless bass modules and surround speakers share this same upscale industrial aesthetic. Form and function meld in elegantly attractive packages.

Verdict: For pure luxury appeal and conversations piece visuals, Bowers & Wilkin products form a sublime in-home sound installation. LG opts for simpler but still modern constructions.

Key Specifications Breakdown

Digging further into the precise soundbar specifications reveals deeper insights between LG vs Bowers & Wilkin relative capabilities:

LG stuffs in more leading-edge features and expansive connectivity for full surround sound setups. Their audio decoding supports the latest object-oriented formats.

But Bowers & Wilkin implement key technologies like lossless Dolby TrueHD and hi-resolution streaming for simply stunning fidelity. And they condense this into elegantly compact unified constructions.

Pricing Differences

Given the prestige of superior fidelity and bespoke custom engineering, Bowers & Wilkin bars demand a significant price premium:

• Bowers & Wilkin Soundbars – $749 starting for the HTM1D up through $1,249 for the flagship Formation Bar
• LG Soundbars – $189 starting for the SN5Y up to $1,200 range for the GX Gallery model with matching OLED TV aesthetics

Clearly LG provides greater range – especially on the affordable end. You can upgrade from TV speakers on a reasonable budget.

Conversely, all Bowers & Wilkin models reside firmly in the high-end bracket given the custom proprietary drivers, 200+ hours of tuning, and premium metals constituting their build.

But devoted home theater buffs chasing audio nirvana concur Bowers & Wilkin soundbars warrant the elevated costs. Their lifelike sound fully immerses you in movies and music.

For more cost-conscious shoppers though, LG present a decent sonic step up over stock TV sound at friendly price points. Despite marginally less detail than B&W, they still dramatically improve on flat lifeless TV speakers.

Bottom Line Recommendations

So when choosing between luxury legend Bowers & Wilkin and leading TV brand LG‘s soundbars, which is better for your listening wishes and budget?

Bowers & Wilkin For Discerning Audiophile-Grade Sound

If your primary concern involves ratcheting audio realism to stirring new levels, then Bowers & Wilkin soundbars warrant your top consideration:

• Their decades of audio expertise really shows in gorgeous rich tonalities
• Proprietary drive unit designs and bespoke tuning lends unmatched precision
• Even basic Bowers & Wilkin models like the HTM1D provide lavish fidelity improvements
• Elegant metal mesh constructions impress aesthetically and sonically

For well-heeled home theater buffs who really care about sonic subtleties, Bowers & Wilkin bars deliver breathtaking acoustic bliss.

LG Brings Great Affordable Sound Enhancements

Alternatively, value-focused listeners can enjoy LG‘s smart soundbar advancements:

• Models like the SN7Y bring 430W power and subwoofer rumble for under $300
• Integrations like WiSA wireless TV pairing prevent cabling clutter
• Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding immerses in surround sound excitement
• Voice assistant and app controls streamline adjustments on the fly
• Stylish builds made to beautifully match latest thin-bezel LG TV designs

So if your main goal is ditching lackluster TV audio at a reasonable price point, LG soundbars pack serious punch.

Find Your Perfect Soundbar Match

Ultimately, take your time evaluating both legendary Bowers & Wilkin models and feature-packed LG soundbars lines to discover the best fit.

Think about your primary listening scenarios – just TV/movies or also hi-fi music? What kind of budget can you work with? Will you add rear speakers later for full surround effects?

Matching your usage priorities to the right soundbar brand now ensures stellar sonic immersion for years to come!

For any other questions on choosing your ideal audio upgrade, the friendly enthusiasts at our shop are always happy to help. Just swing by or give us a call anytime. Enjoy discovering your perfect listening experience!