If you're looking to upgrade your home theater audio, you've probably noticed that LG released two impressive soundbars in early 2024. The $799 LG S90TR and $1,499 LG S95TR represent LG's latest advances in home audio technology, but choosing between them isn't straightforward. Let's break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Today's premium soundbars have evolved far beyond simple stereo speakers. They now create immersive sound environments using multiple speakers and channels. When you see numbers like "7.1.3" or "9.1.5," they represent three key components:
Both these systems include wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer, which means less cable clutter and more flexible placement options compared to traditional home theater setups.
The LG S90TR uses a 7.1.3 configuration, which means seven regular speakers, one subwoofer, and three upward-firing speakers. This creates a convincing surround sound experience that's perfect for most living rooms and medium-sized spaces.
The LG S95TR steps up to a 9.1.5 setup, adding two more regular channels and two more height channels. The extra speakers create a more precise sound field and better overhead effects, particularly noticeable in movies with complex audio like "Dune" or "Top Gun: Maverick."
Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are advanced audio formats that create three-dimensional sound. However, there are notable differences in how they perform:
The S90TR delivers excellent audio quality with clear dialogue, impactful bass, and good spatial awareness. In my testing, it handled both movies and music impressively, with particular strength in maintaining clarity during complex action scenes.
The S95TR takes things further with its additional channels. The extra speakers create more precise sound positioning and smoother transitions as audio moves around the room. The difference is subtle during regular TV viewing but becomes more apparent during movies with complex soundtracks or games with positional audio.
Both models include:
The S95TR adds WOWCAST Ready technology, allowing wireless connection to compatible LG TVs - a nice feature if you're mounting your TV and want to minimize visible cables.
The S90TR hits a sweet spot in terms of price and performance. At $799, it delivers most of the features that make modern soundbars great, including convincing Dolby Atmos effects and strong overall performance. For most users, it provides an excellent experience without breaking the bank.
The S95TR asks a significant premium at $1,499 (though occasional sales bring it to $999). The question becomes whether the additional channels and slightly better performance justify the price difference. For dedicated home theater enthusiasts or those with larger rooms, the answer might be yes. For most users, the S90TR provides better value.
In practical use, both systems excel at their primary job - making your movies, shows, and games sound better. Here's how they handle different content:
Both soundbars shine with movies, creating immersive experiences that bring you closer to a theater experience. The S95TR has a slight edge in creating more precise spatial effects, particularly noticeable during scenes with lots of overhead action or complex sound movement.
Both systems support modern gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). The S95TR's additional channels can provide slightly better positional audio in games, but the S90TR still delivers an excellent gaming experience.
For music, both soundbars perform admirably. The S90TR provides clean, balanced sound with good stereo separation. The S95TR offers slightly better instrument separation and a wider soundstage, but the difference isn't as pronounced as with movie content.
Both systems are relatively straightforward to set up, with wireless components that make placement flexible. The AI Room Calibration feature helps optimize sound for your specific space, though you might want to fine-tune settings manually for the best results.
Consider these factors when making your choice:
Both soundbars support current audio formats and connectivity standards, making them solid long-term investments. The S95TR's additional channels might provide more flexibility for future audio formats, but the S90TR should remain capable for years to come.
For most users, the LG S90TR provides the better value, delivering excellent performance at a more reasonable price point. It handles movies, games, and music with aplomb, and its feature set matches most of what you get in the pricier model.
The LG S95TR is the choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who want the absolute best performance and don't mind paying for it. Its additional channels and slightly better performance create a more refined experience, particularly noticeable in larger rooms or dedicated home theater spaces.
Both represent significant improvements over previous generations, with better wireless connectivity, more sophisticated room calibration, and improved integration with other devices. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting one of the best soundbar systems currently available.
| LG S90TR ($799) | LG S95TR ($1,499) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - More channels provide better sound positioning and immersion | |
| 7.1.3 (good for medium rooms) | 9.1.5 (better for larger spaces) |
| Height Channels - Critical for overhead Dolby Atmos effects | |
| 3 up-firing (sufficient for most setups) | 5 up-firing (noticeably better overhead effects) |
| Room Size Sweet Spot - Impacts optimal performance | |
| Up to 300 sq ft (medium rooms) | Up to 500 sq ft (large rooms) |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and clarity at high levels | |
| 540W total (plenty for most users) | 810W total (better for larger spaces) |
| Wireless Features - Affects setup flexibility and cable management | |
| Basic wireless (sub + rear speakers) | Advanced wireless (includes WOWCAST for TV connection) |
| AI Room Calibration - Optimizes sound for your space | |
| Basic room calibration | Enhanced calibration with more measurement points |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gaming setups | |
| VRR and ALLM support (good for gaming) | VRR and ALLM support (identical gaming performance) |
| Value Proposition - Cost vs. Performance | |
| Better value for most users | Premium features at significant price increase |
| Best Use Case - Who should buy this | |
| Standard living rooms, casual viewing | Dedicated home theaters, audio enthusiasts |
The $799 LG S90TR is a 7.1.3 channel system, while the $1,499 LG S95TR offers a 9.1.5 channel configuration. This means the S95TR has two additional regular speakers and two extra height channels, providing more precise sound positioning and better overhead effects.
Yes, both soundbars fully support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The S95TR provides slightly better Atmos performance due to its additional height channels, but both deliver convincing 3D sound effects.
The LG S90TR is ideal for medium-sized rooms (up to 300 sq ft), providing excellent performance at a better value. The extra channels of the S95TR aren't as necessary in smaller spaces.
Yes, both soundbars support gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). They perform similarly for gaming, making the LG S90TR a better value choice for gamers.
No, both systems feature wireless rear speakers and subwoofers. The only required cables are power cords and an HDMI connection to your TV.
Both have similar smart features including AI Room Calibration and WOW Orchestra. However, the LG S95TR adds WOWCAST Ready technology for wireless TV connection.
For most users, the LG S90TR provides better value. The S95TR's premium features are most noticeable in larger rooms or dedicated home theaters where audio quality is paramount.
Both perform well with music, but the LG S95TR offers slightly better instrument separation and a wider soundstage. For casual music listening, the difference may not justify the price premium.
While both work with any TV brand, they offer additional features when paired with LG TVs, such as WOW Orchestra and TV Sound Mode Share.
Yes, both soundbars can be wall-mounted and include mounting brackets. Their wireless rear speakers also offer flexible placement options.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - abt.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - microcenter.com - buydig.com - bestbuy.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - oceanstateappliance.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - lg.com - techradar.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - trustedreviews.com - zdnet.com - rtings.com - lg.com - lambcotvandappliance.com - valueelectronics.com - romomattressfurniture.com - dolby.com - youtube.com
