It was one of the most talked about pieces of tech at CES this year, and now home theater fanatics can hear what all the fuss was for themselves, with LG’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar system now available for purchase.
The big calling card of the new S95QR sound system is its unique up-firing center-channel speaker, which cleverly uses sound reflections from the ceiling to make dialogue sound as if it’s coming from the center of the screen.
In addition to offering a robust 810W and 9.1.5 channels of audio, the new soundbar also features a wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speakers, eliminating the cable tangles that keep many people from having a surround system.
These rear speakers also have a 4.0.2 setup, with six audio channels instead of the four found on the company’s previous flagship, thanks to two additional side-firing drivers, which LG claims improves sound dispersion. behind the viewer.
Meanwhile, LG claims its AI Room Calibration room correction system should ensure that even the weirdest living rooms still get the full Atmos effect.
There’s plenty for gamers to enjoy, with the S95QR offering variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM) via its HDMI port, which will let you pass through a 4K/120Hz signal from a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
The S95QR costs $1,799 in the US, £1,699 in the UK, while Down Under home theater enthusiasts will need to shell out $1,999.
Review: Lots to ponder with LG’s new soundbar
While there’s nothing new about a soundbar that bounces off ceilings and walls to create a surround effect – Sonos’ Arc and JBL’s Bar 9.1 do similar – no one has gone as far with the concept as LG has with the S95QR.
Very few home theater fans will be prepared to go the extra mile or, indeed, will be able to afford ceiling-mounted speakers for what audio purists argue provides a true Dolby Atmos experience, but this high-quality center channel solution will likely be pretty close to emulating the experience.
The big question is, how close does he get? At $1,799, the S95QR’s asking price rivals that of a conventional high-end Atmos setup, and many will need to weigh the convenience the S95QR offers against its performance.
