✅ *GET IT HERE: **amzn.to/3tIYpEi**, **bit.ly/3IihTnh* ★ *QOTD: Where do you see the Eclair working in YOUR home?* ★ *CLICK 🔝 “SHOW MORE” in the description for answers to many of your questions* ★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*
@@SeanVedell I personally wouldn't rely solely on the Eclair if your room is larger than say 15 x 15 with 8 foot ceilings. That's just me, but then again it did work in our main room which is larger than that, so....
I bought it after your review. Am happy with it. Yes when playing dolby atmos, the dialogue is muffled but good backround surround sounds. For this, i will change to bluetooth connection, press AI sound, then change back to eARC. Then the dialogue will be clear with the surround sounds like the baseline dolby atmos.
Wow…I was researching this bar for the past few weeks and wondered when I would finally find a decent review. Giving up I went ahead and purchased the bar and actually set up last night. No joke this bar can pack a punch. Glad to see you reviewed the Eclair. Love y’all’s channel.
Yeah, as you mentioned, I’d use it in my master bedroom as a compact solution to improve my TV’s speakers. I think the demographic LG should be targeting is college kids in little dorm rooms. And I totally agree that people need to be more open to change and the advancements in technology that are inevitable! We’re in the process of getting a new house built and up until a few months ago, I was thinking traditional wired speaker system in my living room, or bust. Now I’m totally fine with having a Sony HT-A9 in our open floor plan because it just works better! Less obtrusive, and speaker placement doesn’t have to be exact. It’s all about processing capabilities, and Sony raised the bar on that front. Great review as always! 🤘
Dsp and psychoacoustics are such magic things. I wish someone made a traditional speaker system that can do the same thing on top of actual placement. If they can produce such crazy presentations with a small size, i can only imagine what it can do with more size
I don't know if it was clear or not in my segment about the LG Soundbar App and setup, but the Eclair also has BASIC auto room tuning which is shown here: 02:03
You guys are right, I immediately thought of using this in my bedroom or study when I saw this. I have a Marshall Stanmore 2 which is a chunky boy in terms of portable BT speakers. Honestly its pretty much stationary in that one room so it might as well be a sound bar. So I guess that is what the LG competes with? Large BT speakers?
Doesn't have a battery and bluetooth connectivity for dual purpose use. Seems like a missed opportunity unless LG has a wireless version of this prepared for the future.
I can confirm the Eclair is a great sound bar. It has excellent clarity, especially when you dial it in. I boosted the bass to 1, and I have the sub set to 1. It's great for tv and movies. As Andrew said, it's good for background music. My heart is still with the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Klipsch just sounds more powerful. I also prefer the Klipsch's subwoofer compared to the smaller Eclair's. Overall - A great soundbar. Try to get it on sale.
Just got an Eclair and was watching reviews and ended up here. I just wanted to say as a gamer I don’t think most gamers would use a sound bar for gaming. Many use headsets so the pass through isn’t as important for gamers. As an audiophile, it is difficult to tune to the way I prefer sound, but once I got it to where I like it, it sounds pretty good. Not as good as my Edifier speakers, but enjoyable. I appreciate your review, it was very informative and highly useful.
I think you guys were spot on with the practical usage i.e dorm rooms and limited space. I'm a Sonos guy but I wouldn't mind recommending this based off this video and the fact that it's on sale on Amazon right now for like $390 (that's a good price for a soundbar and sub in today's world). Can't wait for you to review Sonos. I love their products but I am done buying more due to price and space. Definitely a product for people who have the money and like simplicity + aesthetic and like multi-room audio. Interested in your guys take. Keep up the good work!
That Polk mini is an assassin. I heard it at Best Buy and thought it was a full size bar. The closer I got to it, the more I said "nah, there's no way...naahhhhh". I'd love to listen to THIS one soon
I love it. I agree, these kind of compact systems are the future of audio and home theater. Quick story: In my house, I’m the audiophile, and my wife is the movie lover. For my 2 channel audio system, I have a separate preamp, power amp, streamer, DAC, turntable, and CD player. I love to tweak and experiment with different things, so I like it that way. Plus I’m a DIYer, and building an all in one streaming integrated amp is no small feat for a DIYer. My wife, the movie lover, is the polar opposite. She does appreciate great sound and bass, but she also wants it to be super simple. She misses the days when TVs came with decent built in speakers. Even the soundbar system with wireless subwoofer gets annoying to her because she hates having to use 2 separate remotes. But I can’t stand the sound of just the TV speakers after getting used to a decent soundbar + sub system we have. If i had my way (and a much bigger house and budget) we’d have a full home theater with 13 speakers, multiple subs, and a nice HT receiver. But we compromised on a decent soundbar system. We’d love to have something like the Sony HT-A9 with the Subwoofer but it’s just way out of our budget. TL;DR: I (and my wife) love this type of product and we’re excited to see more options like it in the $500 and under price bracket.
If you want a small sound bar with better Atmos effect, pick the Sonos beam gen 2, the only thing with Sonos is that it lacks of a dedicated subwoofer. But the sound is better.
I've got the Sonos Beam and two Sonos Ones as rears in our living room because it's just easy without the wires; just plug them in. I retreat to the basement where I have the old fashioned 5.1 surround sound system with 4 Mirage fronts and rears and a Klipsch center and sub.(I know, they don't match but sounds good to me). I think you'll be surprised with the Sonos sound. I've got the Move too for the kitchen.
Great review! I love my eclair and I use mine as a Dolby Atmos sound bar connected to my Mac for gaming (before I get railed on, I also do remote play with Steam Deck and GeForce Now on it), and Apple Music and Apple TV+ spatial audio. I find it perfect for a desktop sound bar due to its convenient size. I also totally agree with keeping an open minded about new generations of sound bars that are breaking the mold in design and delivering simpler, more accessible experiences for people with different use cases. For that, I think the eclair exceeds on many levels. By the way, gamers can definitely get by with this as you had mentioned connecting consoles directly to the TV first then to the eclair if their TV supports eARC since the Eclair itself is eARC capable (I don’t think I recall hearing the eARC mentioned…), so with that in mind, you’ll still definitely be able to use Dolby Atmos processing without any compromising sound quality.
7:42 I have an LG soundbar here I think it's the SJ3 and it does that too. Not only that but the hdmi ARC audio just stops working from time to time with it too. I replaced it with a SONY HT S20R a few days ago though. In some ways the SONY is a step backwards because the subwoofer sucks and it doesn't have any form of DTS support. But I still rather the SONY because of the rear speakers. I also have a DENON S216 with DTS virtual X and the DTS virtual X doesn't make it sound like there's heights or rear speakers. Not even a little bit. I have the SONY HT S20R as a stopgap for about a year until I can get an Atmos soundbar with wireless speakers. Something like the LG SN7Y which you can buy as a soundbar alone and then add the subwoofer then the wireless rear speaker kit later on. I've tried soundbars thatake claims of Dolby sound or virtual surround and none of them can properly simulate rear speakers properly.
I had a similar issue with the Vizio Elevate. But instead of hearing a wierd sound, the bar cut off sound for 2 seconds and then resume. I've notice this issue while switching from PCM 2.0 to Dolby Digital (viewing Netflix preview vs Watching the Show for example) and every time the Movie, Game or show had long silent part. I find this issue so annoying that ended up returning it.
Yes, I can’t wait until you hear Sonos So curious about what you’ll think I can remember when mini systems first came on the market. People thought that big sound from a small package was impossible back in the 90’s.
I have one in white and while impressive for its size, it's not worth the money. If you listen to stereo content, sure, it's awesome considering the size. Anything above that (surround/atmos) is simply not present. Yesterday I was watching Hans Zimmer Live in Prague (both 7.1 and 5.1 audios) and some voices or instruments simply couldn't be heard at all. I was expecting that the soundbar somewhat downmixed the audio streams or used the top firing speakers to reproduce the rear channels from the 5.1 audio setup, but no, that didn't happen. And the delay!! I can definitely notice a delay between video and sound output (using HDMI eARC). It would be AWESOME if LG released wireless rear channels to add up to the Eclair. Then this soundbar would be epic. Another annoying thing is that if you're using the soundbar in eARC mode and then decide to open the app to adjust the sound it *automatically* switches to Bluetooth mode and switches to the phone sound. Super annoying.
Great review Andrew and Kristi. Seems an interesting option for a bedroom or and outdoor space without spending too much. Great that Andrew will review the Beam gen 2. As other brands, Sonos has its advantages and its drawbacks. No hdmi inputs and lack of control of each driver but otherwise, where it matters, it sounds great. Will be waiting for your review. Always interesting to get your opinions. Cheers
I just visited the parents house for xmas and I had to sleep in my old room which they made into the guest bedroom and I would say this would be a huge audio upgrade from the just having the TV speakers in that room. for the size of the room I bet this would be great.
I bought one for a second home, as per the review it is a good replacement for the standard TV speakers. Does it replace a well set up multi speaker system? No! But it works and there is little to setup or adjust for good results. I would also agree with respect to " 2 channel audio" - it lacks coherent mid-range (in my opinion). One Huge benefit is that it is "spouse" friendly, no extra wires or boxes to upset the "interior decorator"
QOTD: in my home office / computer desk. There is no good spot on my desk for stereo speakers, especially when you factor in the wall clearance required for good sound. Thank you for insisting that your viewers not only see this as a gadget for others, but actually take time to think about where they would use this. I'm actually considering this as an option now.
I would like to add a remark about the Eclair that I failed to point out in the review. For those of you who are visually impaired, the Eclair does repeat remote commands in a very pleasing voice. For example, if you hit the button for AI Sound mode the Eclair will talkback and say, "AI Sound Mode Selected". This can be defeated in the App, but it is on by default. So, if you are looking for this level of functionality the Eclair should be on your list of soundbars to consider. (EDIT) Also the Eclair is currently at its lowest price over on Amazon. Get yours here: amzn.to/3rHc3p0 Enjoy the show and thanks for watching!
As someone who is blind, that’s very interesting, thank you for pointing it out. My main system is centered around the Yamaha rxv385 receiver, and it is quite frustrating to have to wait for someone cited to be available to do something as simple as fix the speaker configuration that YAPO miscalibrated
Have you ever thought of a video about the differences between "levels" of sound equipment, for people who are looking to go from entry level to higher-end gear? After binging a bunch of your videos, I recently ordered an Onkyo TX-NR7100 - my first non-budget home audio purchase. But the idea of setting up and maintaining an AV receiver that cost more than my first car is a little intimidating. Will it make different assumptions about my level of understanding vs. budget gear? Do I need to be more careful with it in any specific way?
Love my sonos arc but happy to hear of good smaller sound bars. I’m always worried tv manufacturers who bring out new models yearly will not offer enough long term support really wish it was easier to follow how well manufactures continue to improve products. I love having a soundbar playing my game audio while I also play music from my speaker system.
If I have to choose between this one and the LG S65Q, what would be a better choice, assuming of course that I don't have any ATMOS content, so ATMOS is irrelevant.
I could see this getting loud in home offices or small apartment bedrooms where the sound has more to reflect off of. If I needed something for say, a hotel room with an ARC/eARC supported TV inside of it (just the bar as the sub might be a bit too large to bring with me😂), this would be my go to.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Maybe the sub could fit in a large size duffel bag or suitcase, but I’d personally leave it and use the bar by itself if that’s doable; but yes, if one were to bring the sub as well then planning accordingly would be necessary.👍
I have an Onkyo HT, and its subwoofer is amazing, you can really feel the bass dept. Now I'm moving from a house to a much smaller apartment, and am afraid that my downfiring active subwoofer will disturb neighbors downstairs. That's why I'm looking into this model, as it promises good enough bass with low vibration. It doesn't have to sound superb, I just want audio that is fuller that my LG CX TV can provide. I'm seeing it for the equivalent of $220 USD in Brazil, so I just might get it based on your review. Thanks!
I may put this system in a guest bedroom for occasional use, for everyday use I need some muscle and energy. Great review and happy new Year to both of you guys, I always enjoy watching your videos, comments and reviews.
Great review and great product. Although not a big fan of sound bars as substitute of multiple speakers, this one is "different", not expensive, simple to set up, not needy of too much real estate and pleasing to the eye. Atmos is not the best? So what, there was life before it and for small rooms and/or bedrooms the no Atmos choice for a better overall sound is just fine. Trust me, there will be a market for this. If I didn't have already a sound solution in my bedroom, a "recycled Onkyo receiver and Klipsch R-51M speakers, I would get it in a heartbeat.
QOTD: This would probablygo in my bedroom. I have a traditional home theater system in the living room, but I've been planning to use a soundbar mounted to the wall with my tv in the bedroom to reduce the footprint. My only concern with soundbars is that I had to get silk dome tweeters for my home theater system because I was experiencing ear pain with soft-dome tweeters.
We have friends with a TV in every room. While this may not be the best solution for the main TV, it certainly can help many other TV placements. I personally like the voice clariffying features you spoke of. My wife is not a native English speaker so she really needs to hear dialog clearly to understand it. I wish you would focus on that feature in more reviews.
I think the question is, does this system integrate with other LG sound bars, woofers, speakers and TV's. Samsung and Sony are at that systems integration stage, is LG? Next question is how does it compare to the Sony HT- A9. I understand the HT-A9 costs a lot more but again... If all the LG Sound Bars, Woofers integrated with each other and their TV's the cost of each part adds up so you could then compare the systems... LG has to take that step in order to play in the same sand pit as Samsung and Sony or even Sonos systems.
Picked up one for my parents, I would say thank goodness for store reserve and pickup, but no one in my area seems interested in these at all. LOL!!! Great system at $500, incredible and unbelievable at $99 bucks. Even bought a 2-year warranty for $10, just so the gods who bestowed this deal upon me would not smite me. LOL!!
I hope this evolves into LG’s version of HT A9 where you can buy more of these small speakers and get full surround experience. Looking forward to Gen 2 of this.
hi andrew, i friend of mine has this bar and it has great sound she says, but it has not been giving sound lately. If she needs to reset it, which buttons does she need to press on either the soundbar or the remote?
I’m in the middle of shopping for a soundbar for my 55” LG OLED and wasn’t sure if the Eclair or the Samsung Q750B for $480 is a better option for my small bedroom (9ft.7inx12)?
I highly recommend either the Vizio M512a-h6, which is on sale for $350 right now and comes with a soundbar with upfiring drivers, a sub and 2 rear surround speakers. It's the highest rated budget Atmos system. The Polk Signa S4 is also great for $330 and has Atmos as well, but no rear surrounds. Both will be better than the two you listed, in addition to being less expensive than either as well
I'm looking to update my home theater system so i've been watching tons of your videos and i finally gotta ask... Are you Will Wheaton reviewing stuff using fake name cause i just watched all the seasons of Big Bang Theory and you sound like him and actually also kinda look like him. Also i'm thinking of getting that Sony HT-A9 so i'm not getting too much out of subject here. Love the channel!
Hi buddy, so for 4k 120hz gaming, LG éclair earc into earc on LG C1 TV and ps5/Xbox series X hdmi into TV hdmi? If yes any specific hdmi spec cable to use ?
Yes. In regard to tv with only 2 hdmi 2.1, multiple devices like ps5 / xsx may need to get plugged into the LG Eclair hdmi ports vs the LG C & G series that goes directly into the tv because of more 2.1 hdmi ports. It's perfect for the LG C & G series.
Great informative video Buddy, it surely is helping me make a buying decision. Just one question though, Can you please tell me how does it stacks up against the Sonos Beam gen 2. In India LG Eclair is available for around 200 dollars cheaper than Sonos beam 2...so what do you recommend, buying this or extending my budget and getting the Beam 2 instead ?
@@saintly_guy I agree with everything the Robinson’s enjoyed about the eclair but I also really enjoy how well it works in a smaller space where the sounds get banked off of the walls to create a nice soundstage. The atmos affects work great in the areas I’ve put my eclairs. I bought 3, one for a bedroom, one for a gaming monitor & another for my moms small living room. She really enjoys it. I use my for watching movies & playing games so I can’t comment on how well it plays music since I haven’t tried.
It does sound like this is kind of the sound quality one would want from a TV. I remember the 1990s when TVs actually sounded good (Beovision MX7000 for example). Then flat panels happened. So, ironically, this is the future of TV sound, like Kristi said. But also a reminder of how bad TV sound became with extremely thin TV panels.
"I see this as the future of audio." - Kristi. You expected some backlash at this but fortunately I'm not here to criticize. Rather, I just want to know if you see soundbars and active wireless systems such as Sony's HT-A9 replacing traditional passive speakers and separates completely, ultimately leading to the disappearance of the latter. Perhaps this is where the backlash comes from.
I for one would like to see manufacturers eschew speakers from high end TV models and instead pair them with soundbars like these. It's embarrassing the amount of people who buy $2-3K and listen to the teeny speakers on them. This is a nice in between step that will definitely upgrade the sound of those who never would themselves, and also introduce them into the world of soundbars. My thinking is that if people automatically see the TV as the display, and the soundbar as the audio, they might be more open to upgrading the audio down the line. Food for thought.
Hey Andrew! Thanks for all the great videos! I purchased one of these and when I turn on my cable box that is synced with my LG Oled c2 it takes about 25 seconds for the Sound bar to power on. I have an HDMI CABLE running from the earc connection on the Tv and it’s connected to the earc connection on the eclair speaker. Any thoughts? P. S. All of my devices like my LG U4K blue-ray, apple 4k tv and my cable box are all plugged into different HDMI ports on the TV.
Nice review. I think the Sony HT-A9 is probably the biggest trendsetter in terms of having just 4 wireless speakers create a 360 immersive home theater. Now, everyone is trying to create something new and special.
I think they're both pretty great! If space is tight and you want Atmos support, the LG. If you have a little room for a bigger bar and better sub, the Klipsch Cinema 600 all day.
A sound bar can make a difference on how you enjoy watching TV. Most TV's don't have good built in speakers. A sound bar can make a substantial improvement.
Andrew. I have the eclair connected to my LG oled 55C1 to the earc input. I also have an ln bluray, apple tv and our cable company box connected to the other hdmi inputs on the LG tv. When I turn on the Apple TV, the HDMI input detection, repeat, and causes the sound output to be delayed for almost a minute. It is very frustrating
I’m impressed they built such a small soundbar with actual upward firing speakers. If I were to buy something like this I would probably put it on a desk with a gaming PC (like you would with the Creative Katana). How would the Eclair sound up close, at just over arms length?
Kristi wondered about this post review, would the Eclair work in the near field. I did not test this, and unfortunately my office setup DOES NOT allow for this type of configuration so I'm afraid I don't know. If it were me, I think the LG would sound "better" on a floating shelf just above your monitor so as not to block those upward firing drivers.
I was thinking the same thing until I saw the subwoofer. Also, I'm guessing here, but the up firing speakers probably wouldn't be able to bounce off the ceiling as well used on a desk in close range.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I heard that the subwoofer doesn't vibrate the floor as much as others, making it great for apartments. Do you feel that as well? Thanks
The bedroom, for me this type of speaker fits perfectly in a small Soundstage and in bedrooms you have less space so you need something that sounds decent and doesn't take a lot of space and this looks great. I don't like the MSRP but after this review I check and saw that it was discounted and at 400 it is much better. The direct rival would be the beam Gen 2 and I've read you are going to do a review soon so I'm looking forward for it, the only problem that I see is the lack of sub because getting an 800 sub it's just too much for something that you want to use occasionally on the bedroom.
A good, honest review as always. Thanks. Looking for a short sound bar that fits on my tv stand. Still not sure what to buy though, lol. Thinking of the JBL 9.1, but the fact you can't tinker with the sound much, and no app support kind of puts me off a bit for the price.
I wouldn't use this one but I like and want to try the idea of it in 3.2. Left center right with left and right subwoofers. Good luck finding a "Head unit" like that though. But if you know of one off the top of your head please feel free to mention it.
Nah. You bought a $2000 tv, it deserves a comparable audio solution. Your putting A1 on wagyu. This review is ..... questionable. I 100% guarantee you will be very disappointed with the voicing of that device when watching anything from streaming services. Meaning u will be watching shows with subtitles. Just my opinion but beware reviewers who like 99% of the items they review.
@@damienlahoz Would a high end system sound better than a $700 sound bar? What do you think? Owning an LG C1 and owning a high end home theater (SVS ultras, Denon 4700), contextually, I am 100% impressed by LG's AI Sound Pro technology in the C1. It's a legitimate sound technology that improves dialog channel clarity, offers room filling sound and reasonable low end extension, this is just TV speakers. You have to appreciate this tech in context. There was a time where TVs couldn't manage this. Same with this sound bar. The AI Sound Pro on this, I have no doubt, is pushing the capabilities of this sound bar just as it is on the TV and I don't know if it's part of the licencing agreement with Dolby or a limitation of AISoundPro processing that the Atmos suffers. If it weren't for the poor Atmos performance, I'd consider it but the Eclair 2 or a firmware update might solve the Atmos problem.
I was drawn to this sound bar because of the low vibration sub woofer. It lived up to this, but... The centre speaker is just so weedy. There's no weight to voices and they sound very boxy. Not a pleasant listening experience. I expected a narrow soundstage, but not one that sounds like they are talking through a toilet roll tube.
I confirm, listened to this in a shop and this was the worst, flattest, dullest bar along with Hisense HS214. And I am no audiophile, I just happen to have ears.
✅ *GET IT HERE: **amzn.to/3tIYpEi**, **bit.ly/3IihTnh*
★ *QOTD: Where do you see the Eclair working in YOUR home?*
★ *CLICK 🔝 “SHOW MORE” in the description for answers to many of your questions*
★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*
Wrong link? Sony HT-SF150 in there
Not sure what you mean @funashimi. The links are correct but here they are for your convenience: amzn.to/3tIYpEi, bit.ly/3IihTnh
Bedrooms. Watching to see how big a room you think it will be hefty enough for.
I saw that Sony flash 🤣
@@SeanVedell I personally wouldn't rely solely on the Eclair if your room is larger than say 15 x 15 with 8 foot ceilings. That's just me, but then again it did work in our main room which is larger than that, so....
I bought it after your review. Am happy with it. Yes when playing dolby atmos, the dialogue is muffled but good backround surround sounds. For this, i will change to bluetooth connection, press AI sound, then change back to eARC. Then the dialogue will be clear with the surround sounds like the baseline dolby atmos.
Wow…I was researching this bar for the past few weeks and wondered when I would finally find a decent review. Giving up I went ahead and purchased the bar and actually set up last night. No joke this bar can pack a punch. Glad to see you reviewed the Eclair. Love y’all’s channel.
So glad to hear from someone who has this bar! Very happy to know you share in our experience. Thanks for watching, Jacob!
😂😂 couldn't help but laugh when Andrew spoke about the subwoofer and flashed Sony for a blip second,lol love from Nigeria🇳🇬
😉 We have fun here.
Oh! My lunch will be so enjoyable today, thanks to this new video! Always a celebration when a new one drops.
Yeah, as you mentioned, I’d use it in my master bedroom as a compact solution to improve my TV’s speakers. I think the demographic LG should be targeting is college kids in little dorm rooms.
And I totally agree that people need to be more open to change and the advancements in technology that are inevitable! We’re in the process of getting a new house built and up until a few months ago, I was thinking traditional wired speaker system in my living room, or bust. Now I’m totally fine with having a Sony HT-A9 in our open floor plan because it just works better! Less obtrusive, and speaker placement doesn’t have to be exact. It’s all about processing capabilities, and Sony raised the bar on that front.
Great review as always! 🤘
Thanks for watching, Ealan!
Ealaaannnn ! Great to see that you too follow Andrew !
@@arshbirsingh6375 Of course! 😊
Dsp and psychoacoustics are such magic things. I wish someone made a traditional speaker system that can do the same thing on top of actual placement. If they can produce such crazy presentations with a small size, i can only imagine what it can do with more size
I don't know if it was clear or not in my segment about the LG Soundbar App and setup, but the Eclair also has BASIC auto room tuning which is shown here: 02:03
Morning everybody!! Thanks for joining us today.
You guys are right, I immediately thought of using this in my bedroom or study when I saw this. I have a Marshall Stanmore 2 which is a chunky boy in terms of portable BT speakers. Honestly its pretty much stationary in that one room so it might as well be a sound bar. So I guess that is what the LG competes with? Large BT speakers?
The LG definitely competes with larger BT speakers, while offering more or greater functionality.
Doesn't have a battery and bluetooth connectivity for dual purpose use. Seems like a missed opportunity unless LG has a wireless version of this prepared for the future.
I can confirm the Eclair is a great sound bar. It has excellent clarity, especially when you dial it in. I boosted the bass to 1, and I have the sub set to 1. It's great for tv and movies. As Andrew said, it's good for background music. My heart is still with the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Klipsch just sounds more powerful. I also prefer the Klipsch's subwoofer compared to the smaller Eclair's. Overall - A great soundbar. Try to get it on sale.
Those who dismiss soundbars, which admittedly includes me at times, need to remember that this hobby on every level is about having fun.
Thank you, Bob. Very important to remember!
Does it include trolling?
Just got an Eclair and was watching reviews and ended up here. I just wanted to say as a gamer I don’t think most gamers would use a sound bar for gaming. Many use headsets so the pass through isn’t as important for gamers. As an audiophile, it is difficult to tune to the way I prefer sound, but once I got it to where I like it, it sounds pretty good. Not as good as my Edifier speakers, but enjoyable. I appreciate your review, it was very informative and highly useful.
Thank you so much, Flareware! We appreciate you watching and sharing your personal experience.
I think you guys were spot on with the practical usage i.e dorm rooms and limited space. I'm a Sonos guy but I wouldn't mind recommending this based off this video and the fact that it's on sale on Amazon right now for like $390 (that's a good price for a soundbar and sub in today's world).
Can't wait for you to review Sonos. I love their products but I am done buying more due to price and space. Definitely a product for people who have the money and like simplicity + aesthetic and like multi-room audio. Interested in your guys take. Keep up the good work!
That Polk mini is an assassin. I heard it at Best Buy and thought it was a full size bar. The closer I got to it, the more I said "nah, there's no way...naahhhhh". I'd love to listen to THIS one soon
Maybe we should have it on the channel then? Thanks for the insight!
For 400 bucks this honestly might be what I get for my small apartment. If you’re hating on this then you’re not looking at it for it’s target setup
I love it. I agree, these kind of compact systems are the future of audio and home theater.
Quick story: In my house, I’m the audiophile, and my wife is the movie lover.
For my 2 channel audio system, I have a separate preamp, power amp, streamer, DAC, turntable, and CD player. I love to tweak and experiment with different things, so I like it that way. Plus I’m a DIYer, and building an all in one streaming integrated amp is no small feat for a DIYer.
My wife, the movie lover, is the polar opposite. She does appreciate great sound and bass, but she also wants it to be super simple. She misses the days when TVs came with decent built in speakers. Even the soundbar system with wireless subwoofer gets annoying to her because she hates having to use 2 separate remotes.
But I can’t stand the sound of just the TV speakers after getting used to a decent soundbar + sub system we have. If i had my way (and a much bigger house and budget) we’d have a full home theater with 13 speakers, multiple subs, and a nice HT receiver. But we compromised on a decent soundbar system.
We’d love to have something like the Sony HT-A9 with the Subwoofer but it’s just way out of our budget.
TL;DR: I (and my wife) love this type of product and we’re excited to see more options like it in the $500 and under price bracket.
If you want a small sound bar with better Atmos effect, pick the Sonos beam gen 2, the only thing with Sonos is that it lacks of a dedicated subwoofer. But the sound is better.
I've got the Sonos Beam and two Sonos Ones as rears in our living room because it's just easy without the wires; just plug them in. I retreat to the basement where I have the old fashioned 5.1 surround sound system with 4 Mirage fronts and rears and a Klipsch center and sub.(I know, they don't match but sounds good to me). I think you'll be surprised with the Sonos sound. I've got the Move too for the kitchen.
Great review! I love my eclair and I use mine as a Dolby Atmos sound bar connected to my Mac for gaming (before I get railed on, I also do remote play with Steam Deck and GeForce Now on it), and Apple Music and Apple TV+ spatial audio. I find it perfect for a desktop sound bar due to its convenient size. I also totally agree with keeping an open minded about new generations of sound bars that are breaking the mold in design and delivering simpler, more accessible experiences for people with different use cases. For that, I think the eclair exceeds on many levels.
By the way, gamers can definitely get by with this as you had mentioned connecting consoles directly to the TV first then to the eclair if their TV supports eARC since the Eclair itself is eARC capable (I don’t think I recall hearing the eARC mentioned…), so with that in mind, you’ll still definitely be able to use Dolby Atmos processing without any compromising sound quality.
7:42 I have an LG soundbar here I think it's the SJ3 and it does that too. Not only that but the hdmi ARC audio just stops working from time to time with it too.
I replaced it with a SONY HT S20R a few days ago though. In some ways the SONY is a step backwards because the subwoofer sucks and it doesn't have any form of DTS support. But I still rather the SONY because of the rear speakers.
I also have a DENON S216 with DTS virtual X and the DTS virtual X doesn't make it sound like there's heights or rear speakers. Not even a little bit.
I have the SONY HT S20R as a stopgap for about a year until I can get an Atmos soundbar with wireless speakers. Something like the LG SN7Y which you can buy as a soundbar alone and then add the subwoofer then the wireless rear speaker kit later on.
I've tried soundbars thatake claims of Dolby sound or virtual surround and none of them can properly simulate rear speakers properly.
I had a similar issue with the Vizio Elevate. But instead of hearing a wierd sound, the bar cut off sound for 2 seconds and then resume. I've notice this issue while switching from PCM 2.0 to Dolby Digital (viewing Netflix preview vs Watching the Show for example) and every time the Movie, Game or show had long silent part. I find this issue so annoying that ended up returning it.
Yes, I can’t wait until you hear Sonos
So curious about what you’ll think
I can remember when mini systems first came on the market. People thought that big sound from a small package was impossible back in the 90’s.
Stereo separation would be zero. A sound bar needs to be a meter wide minimum to create a decent sound stage.
True, it sucks. Got this today and sending it back. There is no sense of "sides"
This one is very good, I heard it on-site, with strong bass & good sound quality, fit for home theater. Highly recommend. 👍🏻👍🏻
I have one in white and while impressive for its size, it's not worth the money.
If you listen to stereo content, sure, it's awesome considering the size. Anything above that (surround/atmos) is simply not present.
Yesterday I was watching Hans Zimmer Live in Prague (both 7.1 and 5.1 audios) and some voices or instruments simply couldn't be heard at all. I was expecting that the soundbar somewhat downmixed the audio streams or used the top firing speakers to reproduce the rear channels from the 5.1 audio setup, but no, that didn't happen.
And the delay!! I can definitely notice a delay between video and sound output (using HDMI eARC).
It would be AWESOME if LG released wireless rear channels to add up to the Eclair. Then this soundbar would be epic.
Another annoying thing is that if you're using the soundbar in eARC mode and then decide to open the app to adjust the sound it *automatically* switches to Bluetooth mode and switches to the phone sound. Super annoying.
Looks and sounds like a good option for a guest bedroom or 3rd system. Thanks for another honest, entertaining review you two!
I’m excited for the Sonos review!
Us too!
Greetings from Indonesia 🇮🇩🥰 your content is impressive 🤩
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the review. Nice that they included the sub woofer. I think this would be a perfect set up for a bedroom.
😂🤣😂🤣LOVED The Sony pimp slap 👋🏽🤣😂🤣😂
Great review Andrew and Kristi. Seems an interesting option for a bedroom or and outdoor space without spending too much. Great that Andrew will review the Beam gen 2. As other brands, Sonos has its advantages and its drawbacks. No hdmi inputs and lack of control of each driver but otherwise, where it matters, it sounds great. Will be waiting for your review. Always interesting to get your opinions. Cheers
I just visited the parents house for xmas and I had to sleep in my old room which they made into the guest bedroom and I would say this would be a huge audio upgrade from the just having the TV speakers in that room. for the size of the room I bet this would be great.
Totally agree!
I bought one for a second home, as per the review it is a good replacement for the standard TV speakers. Does it replace a well set up multi speaker system? No! But it works and there is little to setup or adjust for good results. I would also agree with respect to " 2 channel audio" - it lacks coherent mid-range (in my opinion). One Huge benefit is that it is "spouse" friendly, no extra wires or boxes to upset the "interior decorator"
Sir pls suggest me a good Dolby Atmos sound bar that really work
Came for the eclair, staying for the Sonos review
Like finally we'll get to hear what you think of them!
Soon...
This would be great in the spare bedroom / kids play room.
Agreed!
QOTD: in my home office / computer desk. There is no good spot on my desk for stereo speakers, especially when you factor in the wall clearance required for good sound. Thank you for insisting that your viewers not only see this as a gadget for others, but actually take time to think about where they would use this. I'm actually considering this as an option now.
I would like to add a remark about the Eclair that I failed to point out in the review. For those of you who are visually impaired, the Eclair does repeat remote commands in a very pleasing voice. For example, if you hit the button for AI Sound mode the Eclair will talkback and say, "AI Sound Mode Selected". This can be defeated in the App, but it is on by default. So, if you are looking for this level of functionality the Eclair should be on your list of soundbars to consider. (EDIT) Also the Eclair is currently at its lowest price over on Amazon. Get yours here: amzn.to/3rHc3p0 Enjoy the show and thanks for watching!
As someone who is blind, that’s very interesting, thank you for pointing it out. My main system is centered around the Yamaha rxv385 receiver, and it is quite frustrating to have to wait for someone cited to be available to do something as simple as fix the speaker configuration that YAPO miscalibrated
Have you ever thought of a video about the differences between "levels" of sound equipment, for people who are looking to go from entry level to higher-end gear?
After binging a bunch of your videos, I recently ordered an Onkyo TX-NR7100 - my first non-budget home audio purchase.
But the idea of setting up and maintaining an AV receiver that cost more than my first car is a little intimidating.
Will it make different assumptions about my level of understanding vs. budget gear?
Do I need to be more careful with it in any specific way?
I'm really curious how you would stack the Eclair against the Polk Magnifi Mini if you get around to reviewing that one!
Love my sonos arc but happy to hear of good smaller sound bars. I’m always worried tv manufacturers who bring out new models yearly will not offer enough long term support really wish it was easier to follow how well manufactures continue to improve products. I love having a soundbar playing my game audio while I also play music from my speaker system.
It looks like soundbars are doing to traditional speakers what phone cameras did to the point and shoot segment of the photo market.
yep!
Great analogy!
I could definitely see this with our upstairs TV. Great review, keep up the awesome reviews.
QOTD: I’d consider it for a home office solution if space is a premium. Curious how it sounds for near field listening.
I’d be very curious to see how this compares audio wise to doing two Echo Studios with Sub. Very similar in price overall.
How did you hide your cables from the tv to trout rack? 🤔 great review man! Thanks a lot
If I have to choose between this one and the LG S65Q, what would be a better choice, assuming of course that I don't have any ATMOS content, so ATMOS is irrelevant.
Wonder how many of these are required to match volume or weight of ambeo 😂... But you got to appreciate the engineering ❤️
Interesting question.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Time for a sidebar soundbar video. 🤣🤣
I could see this getting loud in home offices or small apartment bedrooms where the sound has more to reflect off of. If I needed something for say, a hotel room with an ARC/eARC supported TV inside of it (just the bar as the sub might be a bit too large to bring with me😂), this would be my go to.
Oooh never thought of it as a travel companion. That said, the sub while compact is heavy, so plan accordingly.
It’s probably small enough for a carry on?
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Maybe the sub could fit in a large size duffel bag or suitcase, but I’d personally leave it and use the bar by itself if that’s doable; but yes, if one were to bring the sub as well then planning accordingly would be necessary.👍
@@KristiWright Possibly, though I don’t know how well a subwoofer would pass through TSA security as a carry-on item.
I have an Onkyo HT, and its subwoofer is amazing, you can really feel the bass dept. Now I'm moving from a house to a much smaller apartment, and am afraid that my downfiring active subwoofer will disturb neighbors downstairs. That's why I'm looking into this model, as it promises good enough bass with low vibration. It doesn't have to sound superb, I just want audio that is fuller that my LG CX TV can provide. I'm seeing it for the equivalent of $220 USD in Brazil, so I just might get it based on your review. Thanks!
very cool small room solution....love it
It is very cool.
I may put this system in a guest bedroom for occasional use, for everyday use I need some muscle and energy. Great review and happy new Year to both of you guys, I always enjoy watching your videos, comments and reviews.
Great review and great product. Although not a big fan of sound bars as substitute of multiple speakers, this one is "different", not expensive, simple to set up, not needy of too much real estate and pleasing to the eye. Atmos is not the best? So what, there was life before it and for small rooms and/or bedrooms the no Atmos choice for a better overall sound is just fine.
Trust me, there will be a market for this. If I didn't have already a sound solution in my bedroom, a "recycled Onkyo receiver and Klipsch R-51M speakers, I would get it in a heartbeat.
Great option for a small room. Next model work on the atmos. Better than tv speaker.
I agree. I believe the second generation will see some improvement in that area. At least that is my hope.
I love seeing all the new gear out there thanks you guys.
Our pleasure!
QOTD: This would probablygo in my bedroom. I have a traditional home theater system in the living room, but I've been planning to use a soundbar mounted to the wall with my tv in the bedroom to reduce the footprint. My only concern with soundbars is that I had to get silk dome tweeters for my home theater system because I was experiencing ear pain with soft-dome tweeters.
I may have to pick this up for the bedroom. Nice review 👍
Hope you enjoy it! Thank you for watching.
We have friends with a TV in every room. While this may not be the best solution for the main TV, it certainly can help many other TV placements. I personally like the voice clariffying features you spoke of. My wife is not a native English speaker so she really needs to hear dialog clearly to understand it. I wish you would focus on that feature in more reviews.
I think the question is, does this system integrate with other LG sound bars, woofers, speakers and TV's. Samsung and Sony are at that systems integration stage, is LG? Next question is how does it compare to the Sony HT- A9. I understand the HT-A9 costs a lot more but again... If all the LG Sound Bars, Woofers integrated with each other and their TV's the cost of each part adds up so you could then compare the systems... LG has to take that step in order to play in the same sand pit as Samsung and Sony or even Sonos systems.
Hi Andrew Is it worth buying for $280(its on sale)or should go for a regular non Dolby atmos soundbar which is big in size for the same price.
Picked up one for my parents, I would say thank goodness for store reserve and pickup, but no one in my area seems interested in these at all. LOL!!! Great system at $500, incredible and unbelievable at $99 bucks. Even bought a 2-year warranty for $10, just so the gods who bestowed this deal upon me would not smite me. LOL!!
Hi Andrew, please suggest a dolby atmos soundbar apt for a small space (1200 sqft). It has to be neighbor friendly 😀 but immersive
In the car world there is that saying “ no replacement for displacement” but boost is the great equalizer.
I hope this evolves into LG’s version of HT A9 where you can buy more of these small speakers and get full surround experience. Looking forward to Gen 2 of this.
hi andrew, i friend of mine has this bar and it has great sound she says, but it has not been giving sound lately. If she needs to reset it, which buttons does she need to press on either the soundbar or the remote?
I’m in the middle of shopping for a soundbar for my 55” LG OLED and wasn’t sure if the Eclair or the Samsung Q750B for $480 is a better option for my small bedroom (9ft.7inx12)?
I highly recommend either the Vizio M512a-h6, which is on sale for $350 right now and comes with a soundbar with upfiring drivers, a sub and 2 rear surround speakers. It's the highest rated budget Atmos system. The Polk Signa S4 is also great for $330 and has Atmos as well, but no rear surrounds. Both will be better than the two you listed, in addition to being less expensive than either as well
I'm looking to update my home theater system so i've been watching tons of your videos and i finally gotta ask... Are you Will Wheaton reviewing stuff using fake name cause i just watched all the seasons of Big Bang Theory and you sound like him and actually also kinda look like him. Also i'm thinking of getting that Sony HT-A9 so i'm not getting too much out of subject here. Love the channel!
put it in the garage with a screen set up and have a Block Party for Sunday Games.
Andrew you sneaky guy, was that a jab at Sony @27 seconds into the timeline 😂
My idea. You’re welcome.
@@KristiWright behind every successful audiophile there is a super woman 👩
this lg or the jbl bar 5 multibeam?
Hi buddy, so for 4k 120hz gaming, LG éclair earc into earc on LG C1 TV and ps5/Xbox series X hdmi into TV hdmi? If yes any specific hdmi spec cable to use ?
If you’re using a series x, use the cable that comes with the xbox. Or just make sure it’s a hdmi 2.1
Yes. In regard to tv with only 2 hdmi 2.1, multiple devices like ps5 / xsx may need to get plugged into the LG Eclair hdmi ports vs the LG C & G series that goes directly into the tv because of more 2.1 hdmi ports. It's perfect for the LG C & G series.
Not a product for me, but damn it's cute.
Great informative video Buddy, it surely is helping me make a buying decision.
Just one question though, Can you please tell me how does it stacks up against the Sonos Beam gen 2.
In India LG Eclair is available for around 200 dollars cheaper than Sonos beam 2...so what do you recommend, buying this or extending my budget and getting the Beam 2 instead ?
I got 48 inch LG OLED C1 in my room and want to have this small dolby atmos speaker for the sound.
I bought one for my bedroom & I love it.
I’m glad that someone finally reviewed it. 🍻
What do you love about its sound?
@@saintly_guy I agree with everything the Robinson’s enjoyed about the eclair but I also really enjoy how well it works in a smaller space where the sounds get banked off of the walls to create a nice soundstage. The atmos affects work great in the areas I’ve put my eclairs. I bought 3, one for a bedroom, one for a gaming monitor & another for my moms small living room. She really enjoys it. I use my for watching movies & playing games so I can’t comment on how well it plays music since I haven’t tried.
Awesome review as always, thanks Andrew! Quite surprised to see/hear what sound comes out from such tiny soundbar.
PS: Sonos Arc review when? ;)
It does sound like this is kind of the sound quality one would want from a TV. I remember the 1990s when TVs actually sounded good (Beovision MX7000 for example). Then flat panels happened. So, ironically, this is the future of TV sound, like Kristi said. But also a reminder of how bad TV sound became with extremely thin TV panels.
BOlab 28 in a small sound bar (the future) maybe or the sony HT A9 system maybe, or maybe LG will progress to those levels of processing.
Wonder if it supports DTS:X...? 🤔 Also it's it heavy, like weight wise?
"I see this as the future of audio." - Kristi.
You expected some backlash at this but fortunately I'm not here to criticize. Rather, I just want to know if you see soundbars and active wireless systems such as Sony's HT-A9 replacing traditional passive speakers and separates completely, ultimately leading to the disappearance of the latter. Perhaps this is where the backlash comes from.
For gen 2, maybe they'll add wifi and chromecast support and I will definitely consider it.
I for one would like to see manufacturers eschew speakers from high end TV models and instead pair them with soundbars like these. It's embarrassing the amount of people who buy $2-3K and listen to the teeny speakers on them. This is a nice in between step that will definitely upgrade the sound of those who never would themselves, and also introduce them into the world of soundbars. My thinking is that if people automatically see the TV as the display, and the soundbar as the audio, they might be more open to upgrading the audio down the line. Food for thought.
Hey Andrew! Thanks for all the great videos! I purchased one of these and when I turn on my cable box that is synced with my LG Oled c2 it takes about 25 seconds for the Sound bar to power on. I have an HDMI CABLE running from the earc connection on the Tv and it’s connected to the earc connection on the eclair speaker. Any thoughts?
P. S. All of my devices like my LG U4K blue-ray, apple 4k tv and my cable box are all plugged into different HDMI ports on the TV.
Nice review. I think the Sony HT-A9 is probably the biggest trendsetter in terms of having just 4 wireless speakers create a 360 immersive home theater. Now, everyone is trying to create something new and special.
Would you recommend this or the klipsch 600? Because it is a difficult choice without hearing them both.
I think they're both pretty great! If space is tight and you want Atmos support, the LG. If you have a little room for a bigger bar and better sub, the Klipsch Cinema 600 all day.
I def see it in my bedroom, or maybe a perfect soundbar for an RV or travel trailer.. Also, why haven't you reviewed the Def Tech Studio 3d Mini yet??
Well imma give it a shot. I have a condo so my living room isn’t huge and I’m hoping this will work well for me!
A sound bar can make a difference on how you enjoy watching TV. Most TV's don't have good built in speakers. A sound bar can make a substantial improvement.
I swear it's not worth it. Im disappointed for some reasons. Not what i expected.
I’d be interested for a bedroom, but I just plopped down on a Beam Gen 2 for that role.
Andrew. I have the eclair connected to my LG oled 55C1 to the earc input. I also have an ln bluray, apple tv and our cable company box connected to the other hdmi inputs on the LG tv. When I turn on the Apple TV, the HDMI input detection, repeat, and causes the sound output to be delayed for almost a minute. It is very frustrating
Can i also use my lg Tv speakers along with this soundbar, similar to what Samsung offers for its soundbars?
I’m impressed they built such a small soundbar with actual upward firing speakers. If I were to buy something like this I would probably put it on a desk with a gaming PC (like you would with the Creative Katana). How would the Eclair sound up close, at just over arms length?
Kristi wondered about this post review, would the Eclair work in the near field. I did not test this, and unfortunately my office setup DOES NOT allow for this type of configuration so I'm afraid I don't know. If it were me, I think the LG would sound "better" on a floating shelf just above your monitor so as not to block those upward firing drivers.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thanks for the quick reply. It’s definitely a versatile little soundbar!
I was thinking the same thing until I saw the subwoofer. Also, I'm guessing here, but the up firing speakers probably wouldn't be able to bounce off the ceiling as well used on a desk in close range.
The soundbar works in conjunction of the LG tv audio? I've seen other soundbars doing that, don't know if improves anything, just curious.
It does, however we did not have an LG TV to test it with, sorry.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews
I heard that the subwoofer doesn't vibrate the floor as much as others, making it great for apartments. Do you feel that as well?
Thanks
We had no problems there.
Good for the library TV! That would be all it needs with the theater as the "BIG" option.
Absolutely. Appreciate you tuning in, Lonnie.
The bedroom, for me this type of speaker fits perfectly in a small Soundstage and in bedrooms you have less space so you need something that sounds decent and doesn't take a lot of space and this looks great. I don't like the MSRP but after this review I check and saw that it was discounted and at 400 it is much better. The direct rival would be the beam Gen 2 and I've read you are going to do a review soon so I'm looking forward for it, the only problem that I see is the lack of sub because getting an 800 sub it's just too much for something that you want to use occasionally on the bedroom.
A good, honest review as always. Thanks.
Looking for a short sound bar that fits on my tv stand. Still not sure what to buy though, lol. Thinking of the JBL 9.1, but the fact you can't tinker with the sound much, and no app support kind of puts me off a bit for the price.
I wouldn't use this one but I like and want to try the idea of it in 3.2. Left center right with left and right subwoofers. Good luck finding a "Head unit" like that though. But if you know of one off the top of your head please feel free to mention it.
So glad you did this review I got the 65 inch lg C1 for Christmas and was thinking about this sound bar set up and Best buy has it on sale right now
Nah. You bought a $2000 tv, it deserves a comparable audio solution. Your putting A1 on wagyu. This review is ..... questionable. I 100% guarantee you will be very disappointed with the voicing of that device when watching anything from streaming services. Meaning u will be watching shows with subtitles. Just my opinion but beware reviewers who like 99% of the items they review.
@thisprofileisntrealthough that was sort of a jerk thing to say about me. Thanks for being a subscriber...I guess?
@@andrewrobinsonreviews i dont know what to say to that that would be remotely constructive. So I'll refrain. Wish you luck
@@damienlahoz Would a high end system sound better than a $700 sound bar? What do you think?
Owning an LG C1 and owning a high end home theater (SVS ultras, Denon 4700), contextually, I am 100% impressed by LG's AI Sound Pro technology in the C1. It's a legitimate sound technology that improves dialog channel clarity, offers room filling sound and reasonable low end extension, this is just TV speakers. You have to appreciate this tech in context. There was a time where TVs couldn't manage this. Same with this sound bar. The AI Sound Pro on this, I have no doubt, is pushing the capabilities of this sound bar just as it is on the TV and I don't know if it's part of the licencing agreement with Dolby or a limitation of AISoundPro processing that the Atmos suffers.
If it weren't for the poor Atmos performance, I'd consider it but the Eclair 2 or a firmware update might solve the Atmos problem.
I was drawn to this sound bar because of the low vibration sub woofer. It lived up to this, but... The centre speaker is just so weedy. There's no weight to voices and they sound very boxy. Not a pleasant listening experience. I expected a narrow soundstage, but not one that sounds like they are talking through a toilet roll tube.
I agree, far from expectation. Not recommend.
What is meant with low vibration subwoofer
I confirm, listened to this in a shop and this was the worst, flattest, dullest bar along with Hisense HS214. And I am no audiophile, I just happen to have ears.