LG's new soundbar has a world-first centre up-firing speaker

LG's new soundbar has a world first centre up-firing speaker
(Image credit: LG)

LG has unveiled its new soundbar ahead of CES next month, and it features a world first. The LG S95QR is the first soundbar with a centre up-firing speaker, promising to make dialogue clearer while also making surround sound more immersive.

The S95QR is a system comprising the soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers, producing 9.1.5 channels of output and 810W of power. It features larger woofers than LG's previous efforts, as well as wireless rear speakers with six channels instead of four. The whole package features five up-firing channels in all – three on the soundbar and two on the separate speakers. Which should help considerably when it comes to adding height to the audio output.

Thanks to the more sensitive receiver, you can place the subwoofer and rear speakers further away from the soundbar without impacting sound quality. Handy if you want to spread the system around a large room. Meridian Audio's Horizon technology is onboard too, enabling the soundbar to up-mix two-channel audio to 7.1 channels in music mode, to make it seem like you're in the studio with the musicians.

It also supports gaming features variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), which means the audio won't be out of step with the on-screen action. Though it doesn't support 4K 120Hz HDR passthrough for gaming.

It ships in 100 per cent recycled packaging and is made from a new composite carbon fibre that's lighter to reduce emissions during shipping.

Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 20 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine (now defunct), Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more. His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.