The LG Sound Bar S95TR is LG’s latest foray into premium audio, promising a hefty dose of “wow” factor. After my lukewarm experience with LG’s Sound bar SC9S, I approached the S95TR with cautious optimism. This new 810W, 9.1.5 Channel Surround sound bar boasts lofty claims of audio immersion. Retailing at $1,699, it’s positioned as the ideal companion for your LG G4 OLED Evo TV. The package includes a sound bar, wireless subwoofer, and two rear speakers, all enhanced by AI-driven audio management.
I lived with the S95TR for a month, putting it through its paces with Netflix documentaries, YouTube dance sessions, and intense demon-slaying in Diablo IV. This time around, I wasn’t left cold—I was thoroughly impressed.
Design
Let’s be clear: the LG Sound bar S95TR isn’t winning any beauty pageants. At 125 cm wide and a mere 63 mm high, it’s sleek enough to nestle under your TV without drawing attention. Its matte black finish, rounded corners, and understated vibe make it unobtrusive—a double-edged sword depending on your aesthetic preferences. Compared to the stunning LG G4 OLED Evo, this sound bar falls short in the looks department. A few design accents or a less boxy shape might have elevated its appearance.
The bar features triple up-firing speakers, top-mounted touch controls, and front-facing speakers concealed behind a wraparound metal grill. An LED indicator behind the grill displays the bar’s various statuses.
Accompanying the soundbar are two wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer—a godsend for those who loathe cable clutter. These components offer flexibility in setup and match the bar’s design. The subwoofer, while a bit hefty, boasts a slim profile that fits nicely in most spaces. The two rear speakers can be positioned freely to complete the sound field, with the S95TR’s AI handling the fine-tuning.
A caveat on the “wireless” claim: while they don’t require wires to connect to the sound bar, they still need power cords, which can create some mess. Battery-powered, rechargeable speakers would have been a welcome improvement. Nonetheless, these smart-looking speakers add a pleasant aesthetic to your living room without being eyesores. Just ensure you have power outlets nearby.
Features and Connectivity
LG hasn’t skimped on features. The S95TR comes equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X—think of it as upgrading from VHS to Blu-ray in audio terms. The 9.1.5-channel system employs up-firing speakers to bounce sound off your ceiling, theoretically creating an immersive audio dome. I say theoretically because during my testing, I never quite felt the sound was truly overhead.
Connectivity-wise, this sound bar is a Swiss Army knife. It boasts HDMI eARC, optical input, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Gamers will appreciate the HDMI 2.1 passthrough, enabling 4K 120Hz gameplay without audio-visual lag. The bar also supports VRR and ALLM, ensuring your gaming experience isn’t compromised.
Compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa, you can control the S95TR with voice commands. While it won’t brew your morning coffee, it does come with an intuitive LG Sound bar app for fine-tuning audio levels, selecting sound presets, and calibrating the room.
The bar supports direct music streaming from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal Connect, and Google Chromecast. This allows for seamless casting from your phone or laptop without the need for Bluetooth pairing. As an added bonus, the S95TR can convert 2-channel audio into multi-channel sound.
When paired with a compatible LG TV, you gain access to the WOW interface, offering comprehensive control over all speakers and sound modes. The WOW Orchestra feature utilizes both TV and sound bar speakers simultaneously for a more complete sound. However, in my experience, this mode actually degraded the overall audio quality. Voices became thinner and harder to discern—a consistent issue I’ve had with WOW, making it difficult to recommend.
Performance: The Sound of WOW
Now for the main event: sound quality. This system doesn’t just fill a room—it dominates it. The subwoofer delivers deep, chest-thumping bass that makes every explosion, drumbeat, or bass drop visceral. The surround speakers create a wide soundstage that pulls you into the center of the action. While watching “Drive to Survive” on Netflix, the S95TR had my heart racing as cars seemed to whiz around me. The room pulsed with the presence of F1 races, the subwoofer adding a tangible punch to the experience.
Gaming on Diablo IV was equally impressive. The sound was visceral, with demons exploding into bloody messes with sickening clarity. The rear speakers helped pinpoint approaching enemies, and even in the chaos of an Infernal Hordes run, the S95TR deftly layered the cacophony of demons, spells, explosions, and audio cues. In The Last of Us Part II the empty streets of San Diego were hauntingly atmospheric. The S95TR excelled at rendering subtle details—the agonized cries of the undead, the awkward shuffling of feet, and the unsettling gurgle as you silently dispatch a clicker.
For music, the S95TR strikes a beautiful balance—crisp highs, clear mids, and just enough low-end thump to energize a party without incurring your neighbors’ wrath. LG includes preset audio modes for movies, music, gaming, and more, allowing you to tailor the sound to your preferences. For most users, the AI Sound Pro mode will yield the best results. However, the Cinema mode truly shines with movie content, especially Dolby Atmos material. The other modes, while present, didn’t prove particularly useful in my testing.
Conclusion: Is the S95TR Right for You?
At $1,700, the S95TR represents a significant investment. It sits firmly in the premium category, competing with heavyweight contenders like the Sonos Arc and Samsung’s HW-Q990C. However, when you consider its sound quality, immersive experience, and the convenience of a wireless Dolby Atmos setup, it offers solid value. While pricier than an entry-level soundbar and subwoofer combo, it’s a relative bargain compared to a full Dolby Atmos speaker system and AV receiver setup.
If you’re seeking blockbuster sound that rivals (and possibly surpasses) the cinema experience, the LG S95TR is an excellent choice. Its sound is immense, its design is sleek, and its features cater to both audiophiles and gamers alike. Gaming on the S95TR is particularly enjoyable, though apartment dwellers might want to temper their enthusiasm to avoid noise complaints.
For those with the budget, a compatible TV like the LG G4 OLED Evo, and a desire for a no-fuss, high-quality sound system that delivers Dolby Atmos thrills without requiring an audio engineering degree, the S95TR should top your list. Yes sir, this one had me excited to consume more and more content.
LG Australia kindly loaned the Sound bar S95TR to PowerUp for the purpose of this review
