LG adds a centre height channel for greater immersion on its high-tech flagship soundbar
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(Image credit: LG)
(Image credit: LG)
T3 Verdict
Powerful delivery with plenty of scale
Attractive design and excellent build quality
Reasons to avoid-No 4K/120p or HDR10+ passthrough
No 4K/120p or HDR10+ passthrough
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The LG S95QR sits at the top of the brand’s soundbar range, offering an impressive set of features and a highly immersive 9.1.5-channel speaker layout with a centre height channel.
This configuration delivers front left/centre/right channels, two side channels, two width channels, three front height channels, two rear height channels, surround channels, and wireless subwoofer.
Will the extra centre height channel make a difference, and does this flagship model justify it’s price tag to make it thebest soundbar for LG TVs? Find out as our LG S95QR review reveals all…
LG S95QR: PRICE & AVAILABILITY
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The LG S95QR sits atop the brand’s soundbar range, is available now, and comes with a premium price tag of £1,699/$1,499.
That may seem expensive, but makes sense when you consider the cost of replicating the immersive audio experience using an AV receiver, speaker package and subwoofer.
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Today’s best LG S95QR deals1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆$1,196.99ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG S95QR deals
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$1,196.99ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon
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$1,196.99View
$1,196.99View
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No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price information
No price information
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
LG S95QR REVIEW: FEATURES & WHAT’S NEW?
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The LG S95QR is a 9.1.5-channel immersive audio system composed of a soundbar, a pair of wireless rear speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. The big new feature this year is the addition of a centre height channel – which is a world’s first.
The speaker layout uses front, rear and height speakers to create an enveloping bubble of sound, and was developed in conjunction with the Meridian audio brand. As a result, the S95QR includes proprietary features such as Meridian Horizon, AI Room Calibration, and AI Sound Pro.
The design is stylish, the build quality good, and the connectivity extensive, with some useful gaming support likeALLMandVRR. Only a lack of4K/120and HDR10+ passthrough disappoints, but in all other respects this is an impressive flagship model.
LG S95QR REVIEW: AUDIO PERFORMANCE
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The LG S95QR is an impressive performer with a big and fully immersive soundstage. The AI Room Correction helps bring the numerous speakers together into a single cohesive system, while also eliminating the more egregious acoustic aspects of the environment. The delivery is clear and balanced, the amplification has plenty of headroom, and the bass is properly integrated.
A soundbar needs rear speakers to create genuine immersion, and the S95QR’s surrounds combine with the front and rear heights produce a hemisphere of sound that allows the processing to place audio effects around the room with precision. The result is a more realistic experience, as objects are steered seamlessly through three-dimensional space.
The overall soundstage is often huge, with the front and rear side drivers adding width, while the centre channel height driver helps create greater scale at the front of the room. The upgraded subwoofer is responsive, delivering extensive bass extension, while the amplifiers have sufficient power to ensure they never sound strained and distorted when you dial up the volume.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The dedicated centre channel makes sure dialogue is always clear and focused no matter how frenetic the mix, and the clean midrange and well-defined treble ensure musical scores are equally well served. As a result, while this soundbar is primarily aimed at audio fanatics decoding object-based soundtracks, but if you also want to enjoy two-channel or multi-channel music then the LG won’t disappoint.
LG S95QR REVIEW: DESIGN AND USABILITY
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The wireless subwoofer uses a front-ported design with a side-firing 8-inch driver, and is styled to match the soundbar. It has 220W of built-in amplification, measures 202 x 403 x 407mm (WxDxH), and weighs a hefty 10kg.
The wireless rear speakers each have forward-, side- and upward-firing drivers, with a total of 240W of amplification. They match the rest of the system, and are quite large, measuring 159 x 142 x 223mm (WxDxH) and weighing 4.08kg.
The only other physical connection is an optical digital input, but wireless connectivity is well served with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, andAppleAirPlay 2. There’s also support forAmazonAlexa and Google Assistant, turning the S95QR into a smart speaker.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The remote control is as elegant as the soundbar, with a glossy black finish. The button layout is logical and intuitive, with all the controls you need to setup and operate the S95QR. Other options include LG’s remote ap or the TV remote, in addition to the above voice assistants.
LG’s partnership with Meridian means the S95QR incorporates the latter’s Horizon up-mixing algorithm that turns two-channel into 5.1-channel audio. There’s also an automated and highly effective AI Room Calibration system.
The AI Sound Pro feature is designed to analyse the audio and automatically apply processing on-the-fly, thus optimising the sound for specific content. There are also a number of sound presets: Standard, Music, Game, Sport, Cinema, and Bass.
LG S95QR REVIEW: VERDICT
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The LG S95QR is an awesome soundbar that generates a fully-immersive experience, with the new centre height channel helping create a wall of sound at the front of the room, while the rear speakers provide plenty of surround presence. There’s sufficient power to produce scale and slam, while the subwoofer adds extensive low-end depth. The result is a system that’s balanced and cohesive, with a clean delivery and precise placement of audio effects.
ALSO CONSIDER
Today’s best LG S95QR and Samsung HW-Q990B dealsLG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all pricesSamsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG S95QR and Samsung HW-Q990B dealsLG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all pricesSamsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG S95QR and Samsung HW-Q990B dealsLG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all pricesSamsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG S95QR and Samsung HW-Q990B deals
LG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all pricesSamsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all prices
LG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all prices
LG S95QR$1,196.99ViewSee all prices
LG S95QR
LG S95QR
$1,196.99View
$1,196.99
$1,196.99
See all prices
Samsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all prices
Samsung HW-Q990B$1,368ViewSee all prices
Samsung HW-Q990B
Samsung HW-Q990B
$1,368View
$1,368
$1,368
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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