Those looking for the best sound from LG you can get, look no further than the S$1,999 LG Sound Bar S95QR. In my time testing out this 9.1.5 soundbar, it delivered immersive, accurate sound. Height channels were distinct, which is no surprise here thanks to the five upward-firing speakers. The two rear speakers bring an extra dimension, and work great even in small rooms.

With its metallic finish, the S95QR looks and feels premium. It also uses recycled plastic for its internals and the fabric. The rear speakers and subwoofer has a metallic finish, too. Unlike the LG Eclair and the S65Q, there's no fabric cover that will trap dust and dirt, and in my case, cat fur. The rears and sub have just the power connector and a pairing button. The soundbar comes with optical, USB, two HDMI inputs, and one HDMI output (eARC). There's also Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The soundbar has three up-firing speakers, while the rears have one each.

Trending

Technics EAH-AZ80 review: Premium sound

With the LG Sound Bar app, you can control the soundbar even with the TV off. From the app, you can choose between various sound settings, do a room calibration, and pair it with Amazon Alexa. The latter, though, isn't as useful here in Singapore as the Google Assistant. Volume control is also available. Alternatively, you can use the remote control to adjust the sound settings. The sound is great, especially with Dolby Atmos content. In 6 Underground, the yacht magnet scene sounded impressive, with bits and pieces flying all over the room. Stranger Things Season 4 is another example of great Atmos effects, notably the scene at the start, when a newspaper delivery boy cycles down a street tossing newspapers over your head. The LG S95QR definitely sounds a lot clearer than a normal 5.1.2 soundbar setup.

My only complaint is that apps that only output stereo content such as Viu on the Apple TV sounded flat. I had to enable Music mode to simulate a more surround-like effect — even for dialogue. The AI mode did nothing to make it sound better. Except for Dolby Atmos content, I recommend adjusting your settings based on what you're watching for the best experience. Games that support 5.1 audio turned out really good, too.

The LG Sound Bar S95QR is the most expensive soundbar in LG's 2022 range at almost S$2,000. But it's actually affordable compared with the competition. For example, the Sony HT-A9 Home Theatre System is great, but costs S$2,699. A Sonos Arc with two rear speakers is already around S$2,200, too. But if you want the best home cinema experience, this soundbar is definitely a must. Alternatively, LG's S90QY variant gives you the soundbar sans rear speakers. Get it from Shopee or Lazada.

See Also

Magic: The Gathering Phyrexia: All Will Be One review: Shiny foils

Note: Review unit provided by LG.