LG · Soundbar · S95QR.DUSALLK

LG S95QR Review: Immersive 9.1.5-Channel Sound with WOW Orchestra

The LG S95QR is a complete 9.1.5-channel surround system with a 47.2-inch soundbar, an 8-inch wireless subwoofer and two included three-channel wireless rear speakers. Its 17-speaker design provides physical front and rear height channels for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, while compatible LG TVs can add synchronized TV speakers and on-screen controls through WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface. It delivers an immersive presentation and strong bass, but gamers should connect 4K/120 Hz sources directly to the TV because the soundbar does not support 4K/120 Hz HDR passthrough.

Video summary

Steve unboxes and sets up the LG S95QR with an LG C3, demonstrating the one-cable eARC connection, LG Sound Bar app and the WOW controls available with a compatible LG television. He highlights the system’s 17 speakers, upward-firing front and rear channels, dedicated center-height channel and 8-inch subwoofer. In his listening impressions, the system creates an immersive surround field, substantial bass and dialogue that appears more closely anchored to the screen. He also demonstrates app-based input selection, channel-level adjustments, sound modes, nighttime mode and room calibration. LG sponsored the presentation.

Bottom line

Tech Steve Takeaway

Buy the S95QR if you want a powerful, all-in-one Dolby Atmos package with included rear speakers and especially if you own a compatible LG TV that can use WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface. Movie performance and setup flexibility are its strengths. For a 4K/120 Hz gaming system, connect the console directly to the TV and return audio through eARC rather than routing video through the soundbar.

The LG S95QR is a flagship 2022 soundbar system designed to deliver physical front, rear and height effects from a complete 9.1.5-channel package. It supports lossless Dolby and DTS formats, app-based room calibration, eARC and several wireless streaming platforms. Compatible LG televisions can add synchronized TV-speaker playback through WOW Orchestra and on-screen soundbar controls through WOW Interface.

Sound quality

The 9.1.5-channel layout combines three upward-firing channels in the main bar with upward-firing drivers in both rear speakers. Steve found that the system produced an immersive sound field, strong bass and dialogue that appeared to come from the screen. The dedicated center channel and center-height channel help reinforce dialogue placement, while the included three-channel rear speakers create more convincing side, rear and overhead effects than a soundbar working alone. The system supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Connectivity and features

The LG Sound Bar app provides input selection, volume control, test tones, individual channel-level adjustment, bass and treble controls, sound modes and AI Room Calibration Pro. AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect are supported. Alexa and Google Assistant integrations require an external compatible assistant device or ecosystem. With a compatible, updated LG TV, WOW Interface places connection, volume and sound-mode controls on the television, while WOW Orchestra lets the TV speakers supplement the soundbar system.

Design and configuration

The S95QR is sold as a complete 9.1.5-channel package containing the main soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers rather than as multiple size configurations.

What we like

Complete 9.1.5-channel package with subwoofer and two three-channel wireless rear speakers included
Five physical upward-firing channels create front and rear height effects for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Dedicated center and center-height channels strengthen dialogue placement
8-inch bass-reflex subwoofer produces substantial low-frequency impact
Two HDMI inputs plus an eARC output support flexible source connections
Supports lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats
AI Room Calibration Pro and detailed channel adjustments help tailor sound to the room
WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface improve integration with compatible LG televisions
AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect provide broad streaming support
HDMI cable and soundbar wall-mount bracket are included

What to consider

No 4K/120 Hz HDR passthrough, so high-frame-rate gaming sources should connect directly to the TV
VRR passthrough is limited to 60 Hz under LG’s U.S. documentation
HDR10+ video passthrough is not supported
WOW Orchestra and on-screen WOW controls require a compatible, updated LG television
The approximately 47.2-inch soundbar may be too wide for some smaller TV stands
The subwoofer and rear-speaker system each require nearby AC power despite using wireless audio links
Alexa and Google Assistant are integrations rather than independently built-in voice assistants
The optional WTP3 WOWCAST adapter is required for LG’s wireless lossless TV-to-soundbar audio connection
The model is discontinued on LG’s U.S. product page, so availability and retailer support may vary

Tech Steve verdict

The LG S95QR is best for movie fans who want a complete Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system without separately purchasing a subwoofer or rear-speaker kit. Its physical front and rear height channels, dedicated center-height channel, forceful 8-inch subwoofer and extensive format support give it a clear advantage over simpler virtual-surround soundbars. Compatible LG TV owners also gain synchronized TV-speaker playback and convenient on-screen controls through WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface. Its principal tradeoffs are limited gaming-video passthrough, no HDR10+ passthrough, a wide main bar and the need for AC outlets at the subwoofer and rear-speaker locations. It is a strong home-theater choice for films and streaming, but serious 4K/120 Hz gamers should route their consoles directly through the TV.

What makes it different

Exclusive technology

WOW Orchestra

Allows compatible LG televisions and the S95QR soundbar to play together so the TV speakers supplement the soundbar system. Availability depends on the TV model, network connection and installed updates.

WOW Interface

Places compatible soundbar controls on a supported LG television, including volume, connection status and sound-mode controls operated with the TV remote.

Triple Up-Firing Channels

Uses left, center and right upward-firing channels in the main soundbar, including a dedicated center height channel, to expand the overhead sound field and reinforce dialogue placement.

Triple Level Spatial Sound

Uses HRTF-based processing to create a virtual middle layer between the system's conventional and overhead sound layers.

AI Room Calibration Pro

Measures the listening environment with built-in microphones and applies automatic correction intended to compensate for room and placement effects.

AI Sound Pro

Analyzes the type of content being played and automatically selects processing intended for that material.

TV Sound Mode Share

Lets a compatible LG television analyze audio with its processor and send the processed result to the soundbar.

Soundbar Mode Control

Exposes supported soundbar settings through the interface of a compatible LG television.

Meridian Audio Technology

LG's verified audio partnership technology for sound processing and music reproduction; the Music sound mode uses Meridian processing.

IMAX Enhanced

Supports IMAX Enhanced audio playback where the service, region, source device and compatible decoding path provide the required content.

WOWCAST Compatibility

Supports the optional LG WTP3 wireless adapter for sending lossless multichannel TV audio to the soundbar without running an HDMI cable between the TV and soundbar.

Specifications

Audio

Speaker System9.1.5-channel system with a main soundbar, two included three-channel wireless rear speakers and one included wireless bass-reflex subwoofer; five channels are upward-firing.

Speaker Count17

Woofer Count1

Included SubwooferYes

Included Rear SpeakersYes

Audio Output Watts810 W

Dolby AtmosYes

Dolby Audio FormatsDolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital

DTS SupportYes

DTS Audio FormatsDTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS Digital Surround

Sound ModesAI Sound Pro, Bass Blast, Bass Blast+, Cinema, Clear Voice Pro, Game, Music with Meridian, Sports, Standard

Room CorrectionAI Room Calibration Pro using a two-microphone input and app-based setup

Dialogue EnhancementClear Voice Pro plus a dedicated center channel and center up-firing channel

Voice AssistantsWorks with Amazon Alexa, Works with Google Assistant

Optional AccessoriesLG WOWCAST WTP3 wireless audio adapter

Connectivity

HDMI Ports3

HDMI Inputs2

HDMI Outputs1

HDMI eARCYes

Optical Inputs1

Video Passthrough4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision passthrough are supported. VRR and ALLM passthrough are supported, but LG's U.S. documentation limits VRR passthrough to 60 Hz and states that 4K/120 Hz HDR gaming passthrough is not supported. HDR10+ passthrough is not supported.

AirPlayApple AirPlay 2

ChromecastChromecast built-in

Spotify ConnectYes

Design & Installation

Dimensionsmain_soundbar_wxhxd": 47.24 x 2.48 x 5.31, each_rear_speaker_wxhxd": 6.26 x 8.78 x 5.59, subwoofer_wxhxd": 7.94 x 16.02 x 15.87 in

Weight Poundsmain_soundbar": 11.09, rear_speakers_pair": 8.99, subwoofer": 22.05, packaged_gross_weight": 55.78

Wall Mount IncludedYes

Gaming

VRRYes

ALLMYes

General

Power Consumption Wattsmain_soundbar": 78, rear_speaker_system": 33, subwoofer": 40, combined_rated_consumption": 151, power_off_each_component_max": 0.5 W