It depends on the specific model. While a few LG UltraGear monitors have built-in speakers, the majority do not. Always check the product specifications for your particular model, as most gamers are expected to use headsets or external speakers via the headphone jack.
The box sits on the floor, a monolith of cardboard promising digital worlds. I remember the feeling well. After weeks of research, comparing refresh rates and pixel response times, I finally had it: my first LG UltraGear monitor.
The setup was a ritual. I carefully lifted the sleek panel from its foam cradle, attached the V-shaped stand, and placed it on my desk. It looked like a window into the future.
I plugged everything in, the PC whirred to life, and the screen glowed with a vibrant, crisp image that took my breath away. I launched my favorite game, ready to be immersed. The opening cinematic was stunning, but something was missing.
The world was silent. A quick check of the settings, a frantic look around the monitor’s frame, and the question dawned on me, as it has for so many others: does the LG UltraGear have speakers?
This piece will explore that very question. We will look into the simple answer, understand the specific design choices behind it, and discover the best ways to bring powerful sound to your gaming experience.
The Sound of Silence: A Deliberate Design
Let’s address the main question directly. The vast majority of LG UltraGear gaming monitors do not have built-in speakers. For a moment, this might feel like a letdown.
You’ve invested in a premium display, and the absence of a basic feature like sound can be confusing. But this isn’t an oversight; it’s a deliberate, performance-focused decision.
LG’s engineers designed the UltraGear line for one primary purpose: to deliver an unparalleled visual experience for gamers. Every ounce of research and development, and every dollar of the manufacturing cost, is poured into the panel technology. This means maximizing refresh rates for buttery-smooth motion, minimizing input lag so your actions are instantaneous, and perfecting color accuracy for breathtaking worlds.
Adding built-in speakers would mean a compromise. To fit them into the slim chassis, they would have to be small and tinny, unable to produce the rich, detailed audio that modern games demand. They would also add to the monitor’s cost and bulk, detracting from the core mission.
LG presumes, correctly, that a gamer serious enough to buy an UltraGear monitor is also serious about their audio. The silence is an invitation for you to bring your own, superior sound solution to the party.
Why Gamers Prefer Separate Audio
I once tried playing a competitive shooter using a monitor’s built-in speakers. The experience was flat and unhelpful. The roar of an explosion sounded like a cap gun, and the subtle, crucial sound of enemy footsteps was completely lost.
It became clear that for serious gaming, integrated speakers are not just a downgrade; they are a liability.
This is why the lack of speakers in an LG UltraGear is often seen as a pro-feature by the gaming community. Gamers almost universally prefer a dedicated audio setup for two key reasons: immersion and competitive advantage. A quality gaming headset creates a personal soundscape, enveloping you in the game’s world.
You can hear the wind whistling past, the chatter of nearby characters, and the deep boom of a distant battle.
More importantly, a good headset or speaker system provides accurate positional audio. This allows you to pinpoint the direction and distance of sounds, like an opponent reloading around a corner or footsteps approaching from behind. This audio information is as vital as what you see on the screen.
By leaving speakers out, LG gives you the freedom to choose a headset or external speaker system that meets your specific needs, rather than saddling you with a subpar, one-size-fits-all solution.
Finding Your Sound: How to Get Audio from Your Monitor
So, your new monitor is silent. How do you fix it? Thankfully, LG provides a simple and universal solution on every UltraGear monitor: the 3.5mm headphone jack.
This small port is your gateway to incredible sound. It’s typically located on the back of the monitor, near the other input ports like HDMI and DisplayPort.
This jack acts as an audio passthrough. When you connect your PC, console, or other device to the monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort, the audio signal travels along with the video signal. The monitor then outputs that audio signal through the headphone jack, ready for your chosen device.
Here are the most common and effective ways to use it:
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Gaming Headsets: This is the simplest and most popular option. Just plug your wired headset directly into the monitor’s 3.5mm jack. You get instant, high-quality private audio.
The monitor’s on-screen menu or physical joystick often includes a volume control that specifically adjusts the output to this jack.
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External Speakers: If you prefer sound that fills the room, a set of desktop speakers is a fantastic choice. Most PC speakers connect with a 3.5mm cable, which plugs into the monitor just like a headset. From a simple two-speaker setup to a more robust system with a subwoofer, you have complete control over your audio environment.
For more information on connecting audio devices, you can often find helpful guides on official support pages, like the LG support website.
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Soundbars: For a clean, minimalist setup, a small soundbar can be placed neatly under the monitor. Many connect via a 3.5mm cable, offering a significant audio upgrade without the clutter of multiple speakers.
FAQ
Do any LG monitors have speakers?
Yes, while the gaming-focused UltraGear line largely omits them, many of LG’s other monitors do include built-in speakers. These are typically found in their office, general productivity, or media consumption models where convenience is prioritized over high-fidelity gaming performance. These speakers are suitable for system sounds, video calls, or casual YouTube viewing, but they generally lack the bass and clarity needed for an immersive gaming or movie-watching experience.
Always check the specific model’s specifications before purchasing if built-in speakers are a must-have feature for you.
How can I get sound from my LG UltraGear monitor?
The easiest way is to use the 3.5mm headphone jack located on the back of the monitor. This port allows you to connect a wide range of audio devices. You can plug in a wired gaming headset for private, immersive audio.
Alternatively, you can connect a pair of external computer speakers or a soundbar using a standard 3.5mm audio cable. The monitor passes the audio signal it receives from your PC or console through this jack, giving you a simple, centralized connection point for your sound.
Why does my LG UltraGear monitor have a volume control if it has no speakers?
This is a very common point of confusion. The volume control on your LG UltraGear monitor, whether it’s in the on-screen menu or controlled by the joystick, is there to adjust the output level of the 3.5mm headphone jack. It does not control any non-existent internal speakers.
This feature is incredibly useful, allowing you to quickly raise or lower the volume of your connected headset or external speakers without having to fumble with software settings on your computer or reach for a physical knob on the speakers themselves.
Is a headset better than speakers for gaming?
It depends on the type of game and your personal preference. For competitive online games like first-person shooters, a headset is almost always better. It provides superior positional audio, helping you pinpoint enemy locations, and includes a microphone for team communication.
For single-player, story-driven games or titles with grand, cinematic scores, a good set of external speakers can offer a more expansive and physically immersive experience, letting you feel the rumble of explosions and the swell of the soundtrack throughout the room.
Can I connect a soundbar to my LG UltraGear monitor?
Absolutely. Connecting a soundbar is a great way to upgrade your audio while maintaining a clean desk setup. Most soundbars can be connected to the monitor’s 3.5mm headphone jack using an appropriate audio cable (often a 3.5mm to 3.5mm or 3.5mm to RCA cable, depending on the soundbar’s inputs).
This allows the soundbar to play any audio being sent to the monitor from your connected PC or gaming console, providing a significant improvement in sound quality over typical built-in monitor speakers.
Conclusion
The initial silence of an LG UltraGear monitor is not a flaw, but a statement of purpose. These displays are specialized tools, meticulously engineered to provide the best possible visual canvas for your games. By forgoing integrated speakers, LG respects the fact that great audio is just as personal and critical as a high refresh rate.
The monitor isn’t meant to be the source of your sound; it is the hub that allows you to craft your own perfect audio experience.
The humble headphone jack is the key, offering the freedom to connect the precise gear that suits your style, whether it’s a tournament-grade headset or a room-shaking speaker system. The choice is yours.
So, as you sit in front of that beautiful, silent screen, the real question isn’t what the monitor is missing, but what you will add to it. How will you choose to fill the world on your screen with sound?
