Our verdict
The USC9S is a 3.1.3-channel soundbar: three speakers facing you (including a centre channel for voices), a wireless subwoofer for bass (the ".1"), and three up-firing speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling for Dolby Atmos height effects (the final "3"). It is rated at 400W and also supports DTS:X. One HDMI eARC connection carries full-quality sound from your TV, and there is a spare HDMI input, plus Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth for music. It is designed to pair neatly with a compatible LG TV. What Hi-Fi found the sound big and cinematic but criticised flat, expressionless dialogue and bass that turned woolly at the loudest, deepest moments. £799 was the checked UK price for the Standard package on 1 August 2026.
Buy it if
- You own a compatible LG television and want the two to work together neatly
- You want a wider, more cinematic sound for films
- You are happy with the Standard retail package as it comes
Skip it if
- Your room is an awkward shape, or the TV sits where the surround effect will suffer
- Clear dialogue matters most and you cannot hear a demonstration first
- You do not have an LG TV, so the pairing adds nothing
How it would fit your home
Film nights with an LG TV
A fuller, wider sound and a wireless subwoofer give films more scale than the TV's speakers can manage.
Everyday television
Fuller sound helps with drama and sport, but listen for dialogue clarity first, because a channel count alone does not promise it.
When to look elsewhere
If your room shape limits the surround effect or you would need extra speakers, a cheaper, better-matched soundbar may be the smarter buy.
The details, in plain English
Sound for films and television
The clearest benefit is a fuller, more spacious sound than TV speakers give. A wireless subwoofer handles the low frequencies, which is what adds weight to explosions and music. Soundbars that aim for a wide, surround-style effect depend on the room, so a bar in a corner or a TV on a wall behaves differently from one in an open space. Try to hear it in a room like yours.
What 3.1.3 means, and dialogue
The first number is the speakers facing you: left, right and a centre channel meant for voices. The ".1" is the wireless subwoofer for bass. The last "3" is up-firing speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling so rain or aircraft can seem to come from above, with Dolby Atmos films. More channels do not guarantee clear speech, though: What Hi-Fi found voices flat and lacking intonation. If you often turn up the volume to follow conversations, listen to spoken scenes before buying.
Cost and the LG pairing
The £799 Standard retail package is the version this review covers. A separate subwoofer or rear kit may add cost and clutter, so check what is in the box. The USC9S is designed to work neatly with a compatible LG television, which is why it suits LG owners best. If you have another brand of TV, compare similarly priced soundbars before deciding.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 3.1.3 channels with up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos height effects, plus DTS:X
- Wireless subwoofer included, so bass needs no cable to the bar
- HDMI eARC for full-quality TV sound, plus a spare HDMI input
- Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth for music from your phone
- Designed to pair neatly with a compatible LG TV
What to watch out for
- What Hi-Fi found dialogue flat, with little natural expression in voices
- The subwoofer's bass can sound woolly at the loudest, deepest moments
- At about 98cm wide, check it fits in front of your TV
- £799 is expensive, and the LG pairing is part of the value
Compare the USC9S with similarly priced soundbars on dialogue clarity, how well the surround effect works in your room, and what extra speakers would cost. The LG pairing is the strongest reason to choose it.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 LG USC9S (this one) | Worth its £799 if you want big, room-filling film sound with a compatible LG TV, but not if clear, natural dialogue is your priority. | £999RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 LG US80TR | A good fit if you want full surround sound from one box and can place rear speakers behind your seat, but not the automatic choice for every soundbar buyer | £1,099RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | A good choice if you want wider, more cinematic TV sound from one bar with no rear speakers, provided your room and TV placement suit it | £899.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 HT-A7100 | A good pick for clear dialogue and room-filling Dolby Atmos from one bar, provided you accept thin bass unless you add Sony's separate subwoofer. | £699RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. Specifications and listening findings come from What Hi-Fi's review and the other sources listed below. We did not test it ourselves.