After a lot of research, I ended up buying the SL8YG and the wireless rear speakers, and I'm glad I did.
Considerations:
- 5.1: Left, Center, Right, Side Left, Side Right, Subwoofer
- 7.1: Left, Center, Right, Side Left, Side Right, Rear Left, Rear Right, Subwoofer
- Rear speakers was a must for me, so I considered both SL10YG and Samsung Q90R, but both had the issue that the Side L and R surround speakers are present in the soundbar itself. Why would one want the side surround channels to come from the front?! For 5.1 content in those bars, I expect that the side surround channels would correctly play from the wireless rear speakers (Verified in the manual of the SL10YG (nicely illustrated) I couldn’t verify this in the Q90R's manual though). However for 7.1 content and Atmos tracks, the side surround (i.e. side left and side right) channels would play from the front, and only the rear channels (which usually don’t have a lot of sound anyway) would play from the wireless rear speakers. I didn’t want that. One solution would be to route the side surround channels back to the rear speakers, but then those two drivers in the side of the bar would never be used, so it would effectively function as a 3.1.2 bar like to the SL8YG.
- Given that my couch is up against the wall, the rear speakers would be in side left and side right position, so the SL8YG 3.1.2 + wireless rear speakers = 5.1.2 was the right configuration for me. If I had space in the back for properly placed rear speakers, I would probably have chosen something like Nakamichi's ShockWafe 9.2.4 which would have real speakers for both side and rear channels.
- I noticed people complaining about missing eARC, audio lag on ARC, and the fact that the soundbar had only one HDMI input port. I solved the problem by buying a 5 port HDMI switcher, which was cheap at under $30. It can handle TrueHD Atmos and LPCM 7.1 +4K video and HDR so everything just works.
- I have on the switcher:
- HDMI1 IN : Fire stick 4K : Prime video+Atmos (a.k.a. Jack Ryan) works, Netflix on FireTV stick does not output Atmos, only 5.1, seems to be a known issue
- HDMI2 IN : Xbox one - Netflix+Atmos works after installing and setting up Dolby Access app, Bluray+Atmos, games audio in 5.1 work, havent tried Atmos games yet, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
- HDMI3 IN: PC - Playing mkv files with Atmos or 7.1 TrueHD audio tracks works. The soundbar nicely plays the rear speaker sounds through the side speakers as well, so any rear-channel specific sounds are not lost! Netflix Windows app+Atmos after installing and setting up Dolby access app from the Windows app store. Here, couple of things to do 1) first connect the soundbar directly to your PC's HDMI port and set it up with the Dolby Access app and VLC to work properly. Then disconnect and connect the HDMI switcher. The PC still detects the soundbar through the switcher (may need a restart) 2) Ensure the sound setup in Windows is set up as "Dolby Atmos for Home Theater" or 5.1 (not 7.1, otherwise stereo content doesn’t play)
- HDMI4: Nintendo Switch through dock (game surround sound works as the HDMI Switcher handles LPCM!)
- HDMI5: Cable TV box
- HDMI out of switcher to HDMI IN of soundbar
- HDMI out of soundbar to HDMI ARC IN of TV
- All cables carrying Atmos audio should be labeled "premium" - important.
- Headphone jack of TV connected to Bluetooth output device. For night listening, I just mute the soundbar and turn on the bluetooth headphones.
- Nothing is connected to the other HDMI input ports on the TV. Everything is routed through the soundbar. Don’t need to use the TV remote at all.
Pros:
- This soundbar sounds good with movies and excellent with games and music. I use Movie mode for 5.1 movies/TV/games and Bass Boost mode for stereo music (there is no mode selection available for Atmos content). The dialog is certainly good enough, but isnt as crystal clear as I was hoping for, this is probably due to the underpowered center driver.
- Rear speakers are a must! Excellent sound, especially at this price point.
- Wireless connections between subwoofer and rear speakers and main soundbar just worked out of the box.
Cons:
- Center driver is 40W while left and right channel drivers are 50W. Cannot independently adjust the center driver volume. There is a center volume adjustment, but it seems to raise the volume of all the drivers in the soundbar. I believe having a weak center channel was a design mistake. Also the soundbar is relatively small and the left, center and right speakers are physically quite close together, so its not a very spacious sound stage.
- Overhead Atmos effect is not obvious. I had it below the TV sitting on the TV stand at first. Sitting on the couch, I had a line of sight view of the two speaker holes for the upfiring speakers. How could my brain think the sounds were coming from overhead when I could even see them, of course the sound waves coming directly from the soundbar would hit my ears first. So then I got a stand and placed the soundbar just above my TV. The atmos effect is enhanced now, but still very diffuse, even with a flat ceiling at normal height in my apartment. Better than not having Atmos, but don’t expect much from it.
- Pity that the rear speakers don’t have upfiring speakers to make this a x.4 system, like the Samsung Q90R. LG's 2020 model SN11RG does have wireless rear speakers with upfiring speakers but on the sub-optimal 7.1.4 config, which would have the same issue as the SL10YG, side surround sounds coming from the front for 7.1/Atmos tracks. Don't know if they will have a 5.1.4 config in the future. JBL's upcoming "9.1" might be the solution for living rooms with the couch up against the wall, although the fact that the rear speakers could be detached and re-attached at will has no value for me, I would just leave them there on the rear speaker stands, but maybe its what some people need.