LG S80TR vs Denon DHT-S517: Which Soundbar Delivers Better Value for Your Home Theater?

When your TV's built-in speakers just aren't cutting it anymore, soundbars offer an elegant solution without the complexity of a full surround sound system. But with hundreds of options available, choosing between premium systems like the LG S80TR ($547) and value-focused models like the Denon DHT-S517 ($302) can feel overwhelming. After spending considerable time with both systems, I've found they represent two distinctly different philosophies in soundbar design—and your choice between them will largely depend on your room, budget, and how seriously you take your home theater experience.

Understanding Modern Soundbar Technology

Before diving into specifics, it's worth understanding what makes today's soundbars so much better than the basic models from just a few years ago. The numbers you see—like 5.1.3 or 3.1.2—tell you exactly how many speakers are working to create your audio experience. The first number represents left, center, and right channels across the front. The second number indicates subwoofers (usually just one). The third number shows height channels that fire sound upward to bounce off your ceiling, creating those overhead effects in Dolby Atmos movies.

Dolby Atmos itself deserves explanation since both soundbars support it. Unlike traditional surround sound that moves audio left-to-right and front-to-back, Atmos adds a vertical dimension. When a helicopter flies overhead in a movie, you actually hear it above you rather than just from your front speakers. It's genuinely transformative for the movie-watching experience, though the quality of this effect varies dramatically between different soundbar configurations.

The key consideration when evaluating any soundbar system is whether you're getting genuine surround sound or clever audio processing that simulates it. There's a meaningful difference, and it's one of the biggest distinctions between these two systems.

The Premium Approach: LG S80TR's True Surround Experience

Released in early 2025 as an update to the well-regarded S80QR, the LG S80TR represents LG's refined approach to premium soundbar design. The most significant improvement over its predecessor is the elimination of the separate wireless transmitter that plagued earlier models—now the rear speakers and subwoofer connect directly to the main soundbar, simplifying setup considerably.

What immediately sets the S80TR apart is its genuine 5.1.3 configuration with physical rear speakers. These aren't optional add-ons you buy separately; they're included in the box and essential to the system's design philosophy. When I first set up the S80TR in my living room, the difference between having actual speakers behind me versus relying on reflected sound became apparent within minutes of starting a movie.

The AI room calibration feature works remarkably well. Using built-in microphones, the system measures your room's dimensions and acoustic properties, then adjusts the audio accordingly. I was initially skeptical—how much difference could automatic calibration really make? But after running the setup process in both a carpeted bedroom and a hardwood-floored living room, the system's ability to adapt its sound signature to different environments is genuinely impressive.

LG's WOW Orchestra technology creates something unique in the soundbar world. If you own a compatible LG TV, the soundbar doesn't replace your TV's speakers—it works with them. Your TV's speakers handle certain frequencies while the soundbar manages others, creating a more expansive soundstage than either could achieve alone. It's a clever approach that makes the most of equipment you already own.

The connectivity options reflect modern viewing habits. Beyond standard HDMI eARC, the S80TR includes Wi-Fi for AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. This means you can stream music directly from your phone or ask Siri to play something without turning on your TV. For someone who uses their sound system for both movies and music, this flexibility proves invaluable daily.

The Value Champion: Denon DHT-S517's Focused Excellence

The Denon DHT-S517, released in 2022, takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than trying to create true surround sound, Denon focused on delivering exceptional front-stage audio with powerful bass support. It's a 3.1.2 system, meaning you get left, center, and right channels across the front, plus two height channels and a substantial wireless subwoofer.

What Denon sacrificed in rear channels, they made up for in build quality and audio processing. The seven-driver array in the main soundbar includes specialized components: racetrack-shaped midrange drivers that fit more surface area into the slim profile, dedicated tweeters for crisp highs, and a full-range center driver optimized for dialogue. The two upward-firing speakers create height effects by bouncing sound off your ceiling.

The wireless subwoofer deserves particular praise. Its 5.25-inch driver powered by a 100-watt amplifier delivers genuinely impressive bass response. In my experience, it outperformed subwoofers included with soundbars costing significantly more. The bass isn't just loud—it's controlled and musical, whether you're listening to the rumble of thunder in a movie or the kick drum in your favorite song.

Denon's Dialogue Enhancer feature addresses one of the most common complaints about modern movies: dialogue that gets lost during loud action scenes. Rather than simply boosting all mid-range frequencies, this feature specifically targets the frequency range where human speech occurs. You can adjust it across three levels, and I found even the lowest setting made a noticeable difference during intense movie sequences.

Performance Deep Dive: Where Each System Excels

Surround Sound Immersion

This is where the fundamental difference between these systems becomes most apparent. The LG S80TR's physical rear speakers create genuine surround effects that the Denon simply cannot match through audio processing alone. When watching action movies, sounds truly come from behind you rather than just seeming to. The difference is particularly noticeable in scenes with ambient sound—rain, crowd noise, or background music feels like it's surrounding you rather than just coming from the front of the room.

However, the Denon's approach isn't without merit. For many listeners, especially in smaller rooms, the 3.1.2 configuration provides sufficient immersion without the complexity of positioning rear speakers. The height channels still deliver convincing overhead effects, and the wide soundstage created by the front array can feel quite enveloping when you're sitting in the optimal listening position.

Bass Performance and Impact

The Denon DHT-S517 takes a clear victory in bass performance. That 100-watt subwoofer amplifier isn't just a number on a spec sheet—it translates to noticeably deeper, more impactful low-end response. During action sequences, explosions have genuine weight and presence. Music reproduction benefits too, with electronic music and hip-hop tracks revealing bass details that many soundbars in this price range simply can't reproduce.

The LG's subwoofer, while adequate, doesn't match the Denon's impact. It provides sufficient bass for most content, but if you're someone who really values that physical thump during movies or music, the Denon's approach will likely appeal more.

Dialogue Clarity and Vocal Performance

Both systems handle dialogue well, but through different approaches. The LG's up-firing center channel creates a more three-dimensional presentation for voices, making dialogue feel like it's coming from the screen rather than below it. This is particularly noticeable with larger TVs where the soundbar sits significantly below the screen.

The Denon's Dialogue Enhancer gives you more direct control over voice clarity. During my testing, I found myself using the medium setting most often—it provided noticeable improvement without making voices sound artificially processed. The low setting works well for most content, while the high setting proves useful for particularly difficult movie mixes.

Music Reproduction

For pure music listening, the Denon edges ahead thanks to its Pure Mode, which bypasses all surround processing and digital enhancements. This results in cleaner, more accurate sound reproduction that audiophiles will appreciate. The system's frequency response feels more balanced across different music genres.

The LG offers more customization through its mobile app, including adjustable EQ settings. However, out of the box, some users may find the treble response slightly muted, requiring manual adjustment to achieve optimal music playback. The surround processing, while great for movies, can sometimes make stereo music feel artificially widened.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The connectivity differences between these systems reflect their different target audiences. The LG S80TR embraces the streaming era with Wi-Fi connectivity enabling AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. This means seamless integration with your existing streaming habits—you can ask Siri to play music, cast audio from any app, or connect via Spotify directly without involving your TV.

The Denon relies on Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, which works perfectly well but limits you to direct device pairing. You can't cast from apps or use voice assistants to control music playback. For some users, this simplicity is actually preferable—there are fewer potential connection issues and the setup process is more straightforward.

Both systems support HDMI eARC, but the LG includes full HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120Hz passthrough, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). If you're a gamer with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, these features ensure optimal performance without introducing audio lag or forcing you to choose between high refresh rates and quality sound.

Room Considerations and Setup

Your room size and layout significantly impact which system makes more sense. The LG S80TR really shines in medium to large rooms where you can properly position the rear speakers. In my 20x15 foot living room, the system created an impressive bubble of sound that made movie watching genuinely immersive. However, in smaller spaces, the rear speakers can feel overwhelming or difficult to position optimally.

The Denon DHT-S517 works beautifully in compact spaces. In fact, I found it performed better in my bedroom than some much more expensive systems. The powerful subwoofer can pressurize smaller rooms effectively, while the front-focused design doesn't require careful speaker positioning to sound good.

Setup complexity differs significantly between the systems. The Denon follows a traditional plug-and-play approach—connect the cables, pair the subwoofer, and you're ready to go. The LG requires more initial setup time due to rear speaker positioning and the AI calibration process, but the results justify the extra effort.

Value Analysis: What You're Really Paying For

At $302, the Denon DHT-S517 represents exceptional value in the soundbar market. You're getting a wireless subwoofer, quality build construction, and genuinely impressive audio performance for less than many basic soundbars without subwoofers. The price-to-performance ratio is difficult to beat if your needs align with what the system offers.

The LG S80TR's $547 price tag represents a 81% premium over the Denon, but you're paying for capabilities the Denon fundamentally cannot provide. True surround sound with physical rear speakers, advanced Wi-Fi streaming, and HDMI 2.1 gaming features justify the additional cost if those features matter to your use case.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home Theater

After extensive time with both systems, I've come to appreciate that they serve different purposes excellently rather than one being objectively better than the other.

Choose the LG S80TR if you're building a dedicated home theater experience. The genuine surround sound, room calibration, and advanced connectivity features create an immersive environment that enhances everything you watch. It's particularly compelling if you own an LG TV and can take advantage of the WOW Orchestra integration. The system rewards the extra setup complexity and higher price with performance that simpler systems can't match.

The Denon DHT-S517 makes sense for most other situations. If you have a smaller room, limited budget, or simply want great sound without complexity, it delivers remarkable performance for the money. The bass response alone makes it competitive with much more expensive systems, and the straightforward operation means it just works without fuss.

Both systems have evolved the soundbar category beyond the basic TV audio upgrade. The LG pushes toward true home theater replacement, while the Denon perfects the focused, high-value approach. Your choice depends on whether you value maximum immersion or exceptional performance per dollar—both are valid paths to significantly better audio than your TV can provide alone.

The soundbar market continues evolving rapidly, with new audio processing technologies and wireless capabilities appearing regularly. However, the fundamental choice between these approaches—comprehensive surround sound versus focused front-stage excellence—will likely remain relevant regardless of future technological advances. Understanding which philosophy matches your needs and space will guide you toward the right system for your home theater goals.

LG S80TR 5.1.3 Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Rear Speakers Soundbar Deals and Prices

Denon DHT-S517 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer Deals and Prices