In the manual it only mentioned what setting can out Dolby Atmos. The rest didn't mentioned. Haha. You can get the manual here https://www.lg.com/us/support-product/lg-SK9Y

I think optical had limit to 2 channel even they is Dolby support. I not so sure. But pretty sure Dolby Atmos required direct connect device to soundbar HDMI in only.

They is sound delay when connecting device to TV HDMI in and later ARC to Soundbar. I Google seems this is common issue especially if your content is 4K which make it very obvious. That probably the reason why they is delay setting for you to adjust.

They is no sound delay issue when direct connect device to Soundbar HDMI in.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 15 2019, 10:07 PM

I didn't try optical. No idea. Probably only HDMI in at soundbar no delay.

Ya TV box is a must for full enjoyment in movies now.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 16 2019, 08:44 AM

For LG, they is special setting for Atmos and it do sound different. It is more immersive compare with content not in Atmos mode. The Atmos mode is hidden and cannot activate manually.

It auto change to Atmos sound effect when detect source as Atmos. This Atmos profile is never a selection if no Atmos detect. Also others sound effect is gone when in Atmos.

Subwoofer is wireless.

SK9Y is 5.1.2 and big differences in sound quality compare with SK8Y.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 17 2019, 11:46 AM

Not many title in DTS:X, mostly is Dolby Atmos or DTS-HD only.

Actually not that important as long the output is awesome.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 18 2019, 03:05 PM

Oh ok.

Netflix and iTunes Dolby Atmos title is no way to compare to actual Dolby Atmos title from 4K UHD blu-ray because it is compress version, Stream version from Netflix and iTunes is Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos.

I had test same title and it is big differences. I don't said Netflix and iTunes are bad but once you compare then you know they is differences there.

I think you need to have 2.0 soundbar or 5.0 soundbar, any good soundbar with .1 (sub-woofer) can make neighbor complain. Haha!

Is your TV Netflix support Dolby Atmos as it depends on the playback device as well.

If your TV Netflix not support Dolby Atmos then you won't get Dolby Atmos output even though the Soundbar support it.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 19 2019, 10:57 AM

Your TV not support Dolby Atmos, actually most TV not support Dolby Atmos.

I had check the 1st one Okja and that title is Dolby Atmos title and you are correct it won't show you Dolby Atmos as label if they is no Dolby Atmos support in your system.

You can ask the shop test connection LG SK9Y with Samsung NU8000 to confirm working or not. No one can answer you this unless they is a person have NU8000 + LG SK9Y.

Most TV not support Dolby Atmos. From https://my.sharp/products/tvav/lc60ua6800x mentioned Dolby Audio which normally is Dolby Digital, if the TV support Dolby Atmos, I believe it will get big advertise about it.

From Netflix website, it mentioned following is support Dolby Atmos.

• Apple TV 4K (requires tvOS 12 or later) <-- I am using this, I can confirmed the Neflix app inside this TV Box support Dolby Atmos.
• LG OLED TVs (2017 or newer models)
• Panasonic TVs (2019 or newer models) <-- My model is 2018 and I also can confirmed my TV Netflix not support Dolby Atmos.
• Pixela 4K Smart Tuner
• Roku TVs (2018 or newer models)
• Sony BRAVIA Android TVs (2018 or newer models)
• Toshiba TVs (2019 or newer models)
• Vizio TVs (2018 or newer models)
• Windows 10 computer or tablet (requires Windows 10 RS3 Build 16299 or later)
• Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/64066

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 19 2019, 11:08 PM

To get Dolby Atmos in Netflix, you need either of following.

1) TV with Dolby Atmos support + Dolby Atmos Soundbar.
2) TV without Dolby Atmos support but with TV Box that support Dolby Atmos (currently only Apple TV 4K support) + HDMI in at Dolby Atmos Soundbar.
3) TV without Dolby Atmos support but with gamer device support Dolby Atmos (currently only Xbox support) + HDMI in at Dolby Atmos Soundbar.

They is no Android TV Box support Netflix in Dolby Atmos included Nvidia Shield even though Nvidia Shield can support Dolby Atmos in others apps but not in Netflix apps because Netflix not support it, not because Android TV OS not capable.

So you only have 3 options now for Netflix in Dolby Atmos
1) Buy Apple TV 4K
2) Buy Xbox
3) Buy New TV

* I exclude Pixela 4K Smart Tuner because that box is Japan country tuner box even though this box is running Android TV OS but I doubt you can get it or fully utilize it, the tuner part sure won't work but others apps in Android TV possible can but cannot guarantee if they set country specific.

Or don't buy anything now, wait for eARC, off course you need to get a new TV and also Soundbar using eARC that required HDMI 2.1
With eARC, they is no compromise of sound output as it is big enough bandwidth to pass thru Dolby Atmos in Dolby TrueHD even you connect your device to TV and later to SoundBar. For the moment the reason why device need connect to soundbar HDMI-IN instead of TV is due to bandwidth issue at HDMI 2.0, I read further TV Dolby Atmos support is compress version of Dolby Digital Plus instead of Dolby TrueHD. Anyway Netflix is only running compress version of Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus not Dolby TrueHD.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 20 2019, 01:58 AM

SK8 sound not good, the sound a bit break in SK8. SK8 only have 3 speakers (2x Front and 1x Sub) but SK9 got 8 speakers (2x Front, 1x Center, 2x Side Surround, 2x Up Firing, 1x Sub). It is difference. As for Sony CT800, sorry I didn't test it, no idea.

Haha!

Ya, ARC required high speed 18Gbps HDMI cable, else it keep failing. I face it also as I left only a normal speed cable that time and it is not working at all. So I change to high speed one and all settle.

Haha!

Optical cable don't give you Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos only can pass thru HDMI cable, others all won't work. Optical only do normal DD and DTS.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 20 2019, 12:32 PM

Yup, true, that why I don't go for lousy cheap one as not only ARC required, 4K HDR in Full RGB also required it.

So far my current 3 high speed 18Gbps cable is working well, one from Panasonic 4K UHD blu-ray player bundle, one is Belkin brand, last one is Prostar.
But I do waste 2 previously, one is unknown brand and it don't work at all, another is bundle by Xiaomi Mi Box, broken after some times.

The first shop telling you the truth. One of the highest end soundbar by Samsung is design with Harmon kardon. This model is rate No.2 best soundbar for year 2019 by reviewer and it support everything include DTS-X. Too bad it cost too much. This model is RM 4.5K

https://www.samsung.com/my/audio-video/hw-n950/

No.1 best soundbar for year 2019 by reviewer is Bose Soundbar 700 which cost RM 3.7k the bar itself without the sub-woofer and even though it not even support Dolby Atmos but it get the best sound quality.

Yamaha always good in sound, this brand should nothing much to worried.

LG wise I read from internet, earlier firmware when just release got connection issue but in latest no issue. So far it working in my Panasonic TV. But got issue in Samsung TV or not, I not sure.

What brand HDMI good, I not really brand specific, as long it work, but I find Berlin very good build quality. Any high speed HDMI with ethernet in 18Gbps bandwidth will run fine.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 20 2019, 09:45 PM

This is not a good solution provide by the sales person, only using optical if the TV don't have HDMI ARC.

Optical only support 2 Channel Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS Digital Sound and DTS-ES.

Optical not support 5.1/7.1 Multi-channel PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA, DTS:X and also Auro3D Audio and required HDMI due to Optical bandwith not enough issue.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 22 2019, 02:41 AM

I can't said it is support, it is required, you need connect your multimedia devices to the Soundbar HDMI-IN and later Soundbar HDMI ARC to TV ARC.
Direct connect device to TV ARC then not support.

eARC wise is implemented even direct connect to TV eARC also work, not necessary connect to Soundbar HDMI-IN as the bandwidth is enough for it.

I get Dolby Atmos TrueHD when connect directly connect my 4K UHD Blu-ray player to Soundbar HDMI-IN and the Soundbar is showing it as Dolby Atmos.
As for Apple TV 4K local movie playback, it is decode by the Apple TV 4K as Multi-channel PCM and later pass thru Soundbar.

The sound differences is obvious it is TrueHD or DD.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 22 2019, 12:06 PM

Ya, ARC is still very rubbish, not only it can't pass thru any lossless sound, it also have sound delay issue, need eARC for solving all this issue and run proper returning. Haha!

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 22 2019, 01:45 PM

If you can't tell, advice you test the same movie but different audio format. Then you will easier spot the differences.

Compression from Dolby is like MP3 where they is shaking noise there.

Compression from AAC wise is very ok and more closed to lossless track but still there is differences on it.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 22 2019, 07:33 PM

Today I decide re-tune my LG SK9Y Soundbar with more options of movie selection and now I am very satisfied with it.

Really not easier to get the balance of 5.1.2 sound output.

Below is my new setting

• Sound Effect: ASC
• Woofer Level: 6
• Center Speaker Level: 2
• Overhead Speaker Volume: 2
• Rear Speaker Level: 5
• Rear Speaker Output: Surround
• Treble: -5
• Bass: 5

The main changes was Center Speaker Level from previous 0 to 2 and this give strong and clear vocal, Overhead Speaker volume also from previous 0 to 2 and this make more immersive and every single tiny sound clarity. Also I had return back Rear Speaker Output as Surround as I notice they is no sound from Overhead Speaker if I choose original sound setting and this is clearly mentioned in the user guide.

Now my output came with strong and clear vocal, deep and strong bass, immersive surround with high clarity background sound, no more over kill of high treble and over noisy background but with every single tiny sound clarity. It just simply nice and fit any type of movie.

Tested movie included

• Blade Runner 2049 - this movie sound quality is mine blowing! Astonishing!
• Arrival - the alien part sound is true deep.
• The Greatest Showman - finally the singing part is enjoyable
• Planet Earth II - it is so enjoyable listening to those animal, bird & insect voice
• Pocahontas - finally it sound it suppose.

In summary, LG SK9Y is ounstanding Soundbar but need some tune as the default setting by LG is very bad except the Dolby Atmos sound setting where only activate when received Dolby Atmos signal.

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Apr 24 2019, 12:23 AM

I am satisfied with it. Normally I survey first before I buy.