Top-of-the-line soundbars I’ve examined shouldn’t be made by Sonos or Bose (and is $200 off proper now)

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A Roku soundbar on a TV stand

Artie Beaty/ZDNET

What is the deal?

The LG S95TR soundbar usually sells for $1,499, but it surely’s at present on sale for $1,296, round $200 off, throughout Amazon’s Prime Day occasion.

Additionally: The most effective Amazon Prime Day 2024 offers


ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • The LG S95TR soundbar with wi-fi subwoofer is a 9.1.5-channel system that is superb for the model’s newest TVs.
  • It is on the costly facet, however the high-quality audio simply makes it well worth the worth. 
  • The soundbar is filled with options, however a few of the finest require a more recent LG TV. 

LG launched the S95TR soundbar earlier this yr as a high-end complement to its latest OLED TVs, following a lot hype. 

The soundbar and wi-fi subwoofer setup comes with a bunch of spectacular options, together with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X encompass sound, and many additional options accessible by way of its app. 

Additionally: This LG TV has among the best shows I’ve seen, and it isn’t even the latest mannequin

I lately went hands-on with the soundbar to see if it was price all the joy. Let’s dig in.

View at Amazon

The S95TR contains 4 elements: a most important soundbar, subwoofer, and two small rear audio system. The benefit of the subwoofer and rear audio system is that they are wi-fi, so no further cords are wanted except for the ability connections and most important HDMI twine. 

The principle concern that prevented me from committing to a encompass sound setup within the first place was having to cope with wires operating throughout my room, so I undoubtedly respect the truth that it is wi-fi.

Additionally: The most effective soundbars you should buy, examined and reviewed

With a purpose to reap the benefits of all of the options, nevertheless, you may must obtain the LG Soundbar app. It is just a little inconvenient that that is completely different from the LG ThinQ app that controls LG TVs, particularly given that you will most likely use it repeatedly, however that is a minor quibble.

Setup was easy. After plugging within the audio system within the instructed order, putting in the app, and including the soundbar to the app, the audio system undergo a course of that tunes them particularly to your room setup. I performed a film earlier than using AI Room Calibration, and I can attest that it made a noticeable distinction in how issues sounded. 

I then used the TV’s built-in audio system to get a baseline for testing this soundbar. Over the noise of two children and a canine in the home, I needed to flip the amount greater than midway to listen to comfortably: 65 out of 100. Conversely, once I switched the audio to the soundbar, it was greater than loud sufficient within the 40s. Instantly, I knew it will be a severe improve.   

Additionally: This all-in-one soundbar turned my previous TV into the final word 4K theatre expertise

One other factor I like to check with audio tools is how effectively it handles dialogue. With my on a regular basis setup, I normally watch every thing with captions as a result of it is really easy to overlook one thing.

The principle soundbar right here fixes that drawback with a small up-firing heart speaker along with the normal entrance ones, one thing LG claims makes dialogue clearer. Once I turned on one in all my favourite exhibits, I seen an honest enchancment over the TV’s built-in audio system and a vital enchancment over my on a regular basis soundbar’s audio. For those who wrestle to catch each phrase like I do generally, you may undoubtedly respect this function.   

roku-soundbar-pro-rear

Artie Beaty/ZDNET

I then ran the soundbar by way of a wide range of film exams, together with motion scenes with explosions galore, suspenseful scenes in creepy woods, dialogue-driven scenes, and extra.

Additionally: I examined LG’s new Mini LED TV for a month, and it beat my G2 OLED in 3 main methods

The audio from the S95TR setup really makes background sound stand out in a sensible means. The identical went for the second scene in my check, which concerned a dialog between individuals in a automotive. The ambient highway noise wrapped across the again of my sofa whereas the dialog stayed in entrance of me, identical to it will in actual life, and there was sufficient of a rumble from the subwoofer to sound like an actual highway. 

In each check, not solely did the soundbar setup carry out flawlessly, I felt like I heard issues that I’d have in any other case missed. 

A Roku soundbar on a TV stand

Artie Beaty/ZDNET

For those who’re anxious about sleeping children or neighbors, there’s a Night time Time Mode – accessible through app and distant management. This function retains the encompass sound lively, however the subwoofer is noticeably softer and the audio toned down. My setup was on a shared wall with my daughter’s room, and she or he did not complain about late night time films, in order that’s a win. 

Additionally: One of many loudest Bluetooth audio system I’ve examined can also be one of the vital inexpensive

Players will respect 120Hz HDR10 passthrough assist, which makes positive there isn’t any delay in getting sound by way of the audio system. I attempted out a number of video games on my PS5, and the expertise of every one improved with this technique. At one level, a sound behind me was so real looking that my canine shot his head as much as see who was there.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

At first look, the LG S95TR’s price ticket of $1,499 may appear just a little steep, particularly when there are funds, wired choices accessible for below $400 with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. For those who’re questioning if it is price it, the reply is sure. It completely is. Actually, it is $200 off throughout Amazon Prime Day, sweetening the pot.

Not solely is the wi-fi setup simpler than any audio system I’ve encountered, the S95TR carried out higher than any system I’ve heard earlier than, level clean. For those who constructed your individual setup that matched these elements, you’d find yourself spending extra anyway, so this will even be saving cash in a single respect. 

Simply needless to say though the soundbar setup works with any TV, it really works finest with LG’s B4, C4, and G4 OLED TVs – and you will miss out on some options in case you’re not utilizing a type of TVs. 



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