Soundbars remain a decent punt for those lacking the space for a full-on set up, but still want that surround sound punch while indulging that action movie habit. And this LG HLB54S doesn’t just provide speaker smarts, but also Blu-ray skills too. So how does it fair when it’s hooked up to your TV? Read our LG HLB54S review now and we’ll tell you just what’s what.
There’s no escaping the fact that the LG HLB54S suffers from the same niggles as all soundbars. Namely its just not as good as a multiple speaker system at giving you that true cinematic feel. But that’s not to say this isn’t a stunningly complete package.
As well as rocking Blu-ray, it comes with two HDMI ports for hooking up other kit, and it can even stream content over DLNA. There’s even an iPod dock chucked in, so you can sling your stereo if you want. And rocking the latest in Blu-ray tech, it can also handle BD Live.
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The latter is hamstrung somewhat by the lack of built in storage, meaning you’ll have to shove in a USB key to make the most of those online extras. However, that’s not a deal breaker, especially when you consider how beefy the sound is, delivering rich details and never becoming too overpowering or muddy.
That’s down not just to the LG HLB54S’s in-built skills but also the bundled subwoofer, which creates near faultless surround sound. Obviously it’s not complete, thanks to this being a soundbar, but it’s something you have to put up with if you haven’t got the space for something bigger.
The inclusion of DLNA is a real winner and lets you stream the likes of MKV and XviD files, making this a great all rounder if you’re in the habit of storing clips on your PC. The LG HLB54S is a tad on the large side and annoyingly you can’t mount it on the wall.. But that’s a minor quibble. If you’ve got the requisite readies, this is a home cinema treat well worth looking at.
