It makes sense comparing Samsung HW-S40T vs LG SL9YG because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, HW-S40T has a total rating of 5 out of 10 versus 8 for SL9YG. The competitors' control buttons are different: volume down, volume up, power, source and power, volume down, volume up, play/pause, microphone, respectively.
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Samsung HW-S40T has 2.0 versus 4.1.2 for the LG SL9YG. The output power is different and equal to 100 W for the HW-S40T versus 500 (overall) W for the SL9YG. Only the Samsung HW-S40T has a built-in subwoofer. The Samsung HW-S40T got our rating of 6 out of 10, and the LG SL9YG 8 for its audio features and specs.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support is available on the SL9YG.
Only the LG SL9YG can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Samsung HW-S40T has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the LG SL9YG. Only the SL9YG supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, the HW-S40T received a rating of 6/10 versus 7/10, respectively. App control is available in every soundbar. A built-in microphone is present only on the SL9YG. Multi-room is only available for the LG SL9YG.
Only the SL9YG has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the SL9YG. For multichannel surround Samsung HW-S40T got a rating of 5, and LG SL9YG 8 out of 10.