LG S95TR review

Sound

The separate subwoofer and rear speakers distribute the work beyond the front bar. RTINGS found a broadly balanced, slightly bass-heavy presentation that could play loudly with little compression.¹ That supports a system capable of filling a living room, but it does not establish that every preset produces the same balance.

What Hi-Fi? preferred Standard mode, finding AI Sound Pro and Cinema less natural in its music and movie trials. It also reported troublesome bass behavior in some demanding scenes.² The practical response is to compare modes with familiar speech and music, then adjust the subwoofer before treating additional processing as an automatic improvement.

Clear Voice Pro and night settings address different listening needs. A late film at a restrained volume is a different task from a loud action sequence; keep a useful everyday setting rather than choosing one solely because it produces the biggest immediate effect.

Surround Sound

LG counts five upward-firing drivers, including the central driver on the bar. RTINGS classifies effective Atmos playback as 9.1.4 because that center driver does not serve as a separate Atmos height channel.¹ The hardware is real, but the manufacturer’s notation should not be read as five independently reproduced overhead soundtrack channels.

The rear units need clear space above and to their sides. Putting them inside a cabinet would obstruct precisely the hardware that distinguishes this system from simpler packages. Run calibration after installing them, then listen from the seats that will actually be used.

RTINGS found the rear height contribution relatively quiet, while What Hi-Fi? also found overhead effects less convincing than the hardware count might suggest.¹² Those findings make placement and level checks worthwhile. They also argue against buying solely on the assumption that more drivers guarantee a convincing overhead effect.

Connectivity

The soundbar can decode high-quality disc formats through its own HDMI input, avoiding reliance on the TV to pass every soundtrack correctly. Alternatively, sources can connect to the TV and return sound through eARC. The better arrangement depends on the television’s actual audio and video capabilities.

LG’s manual specifies 4K 120 Hz passthrough at YCbCr 4:2:0. VRR and ALLM are supported, with Dolby Vision and HDR10 passthrough; HDR10+ passthrough is not. A PC used for detailed desktop work may be better connected directly to the television, preserving its preferred video format.

The direct predecessor, S95QR, has two HDMI inputs, while this model has one. The S95QR’s US VRR support was limited to 60 Hz, so the newer model offers a useful gaming path with a clear connectivity tradeoff. Owners with several sources should count sockets before viewing the replacement as an uncomplicated upgrade.

TV Integration

WOW Orchestra combines the bar with supported LG TV speakers. WOWCAST can carry audio wirelessly from an appropriately equipped LG television, while compatible TV menus provide access to soundbar settings. These are reasons to check the exact TV pairing, rather than benefits to assume across every LG set.

HDMI and optical operation also work with other television brands. The bar’s core package therefore stands on its own, but its additional convenience is strongest when the TV genuinely supports the desired integration. Compare the normal soundbar output and combined-TV mode with the same material before settling on a preference.

Streaming and Controls

The S95TR can play network music independently of a television session. Its range of streaming protocols is useful in a household with different phones and services, and Bluetooth provides another connection option. Separate compatible Alexa or Google Assistant devices can supply voice control.

The current US manual uses LG ThinQ and requires an account for registration. The remote remains useful for everyday adjustments, but the bar communicates through LEDs and spoken status rather than a text display. That is less convenient when checking a setting at a glance, particularly if the TV does not provide compatible on-screen controls.

Design and Installation

The rear speakers are substantially larger than those in the S90TR, so allow suitable shelves, stands or wall positions. Each needs an outlet, as do the soundbar and subwoofer. Wireless audio reduces signal cabling; it does not remove the power requirements.

The main bar is low but wide. Measure its full width and depth against the TV feet, and leave its upward drivers unobstructed. The manual specifies 100 mm of space below the television for a wall installation and supplies bar and rear mounting brackets, with suitable wall fixings separate.

The US package includes an HDMI cable and a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. Treat the full system layout as part of its price: stands, fixings and access to power can matter as much as the space occupied by the bar.

Alternatives

The S90TR keeps much of the same connection and streaming provision with smaller rear speakers that lack upward-firing drivers. It is worth considering when the rear locations are cramped or when the extra height hardware would be difficult to use properly.

For an S95QR owner, the core idea is already familiar: that predecessor also has five upward-firing drivers and a complete rear-speaker package. The newer TV connection features and qualified 4K 120 Hz path may solve a specific need, but the loss of an HDMI input and the modest case for a wholesale sonic change argue for keeping a satisfactory existing system.

Verdict

The S95TR makes most sense as a complete system for someone who can position its rear speakers properly and use its TV integration. It needs careful comparison of sound modes and bass settings, and the independent evidence does not justify buying on the channel count alone. Match the package to the room and connections before treating it as a straightforward flagship upgrade.