LG and Samsung are two of the most popular soundbar brands. Although their products are very different, a common denominator between them is a catalog filled with numerous models, which is also renewed each year with new releases that replace the models from the previous year.
What are the soundbars that LG has launched in 2024? And more importantly: What are their differences?
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| S95TR | S90TR | S90TY | S80TR | S70TR | S77TY | S70TY | S60TR | S60T | S40TR | S40T | SQM1 | |
| Channels | 9.1.5 | 7.1.3 | 5.1.1 | 5.1.3 | 5.1.1 | 3.1.3 | 3.1.1 | 5.1 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| RMS Power | 810W | 670W | 570W | 580W | 500W | 400W | 400W | 440W | 340W | 400W | 300W | 40W |
| External Subwoofer |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |
| Rear Speakers | | | (optional) | | | | (optional) | | | | | |
| Dolby Atmos/DTS:X | / | / | / | / | / | / | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| WOWCAST Ready | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| WOW Orchestra | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HDMI eARC | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HDMI Input Ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | |
| 4K 120 Hz Passthrough | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Optical Input | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| WiFi/Bluetooth | / | / | / | / | / | | / | / | / | / | / | / |
| Bar Dimensions | 125 x 13.5 x 6.3 cm | 125 x 13.5 x 6.3 cm | 125 x 13.5 x 6.3 cm | 100 x 13.5 x 6.3 cm | 115 x 9.5 x 6.3 cm | 89 x 6.15 x 12.6 cm | 116 x 3.8 x 3.9 cm | 85 x 9 x 6.3 cm | 85 x 9 x 6.3 cm | 72 x 9 x 6.3 cm | 72 x 9 x 6.3 cm | 65 x 7.9 x 9.4 cm |
| Available Colors | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Where to Buy | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Understanding Model Numbers
The names given to LG soundbars may seem confusing, but once you know them, they are easily identifiable.
Basically, the initial S indicates that it is a soundbar. Then follows a number, which indicates a higher range the higher it is. The final letters tell us the release year of that model and whether the bar comes with rear speakers or not; in the case of the 2024 models, the final letter is always “T” (in 2023 it was “Q”) and “TR” indicates that this model comes with an external subwoofer and rear speakers, while the “TY” models only come with an external subwoofer.
The exception is the SQM1 model, which does not come with a subwoofer or rear speakers.
The LG S95, S90, S80, and S70 are the High-End Range
The top-of-the-line soundbar from LG for 2024 is the S95TR, a 9.1.5 channel set that offers the most immersive sound thanks to no less than five vertical channels for aerial effects with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Additionally, it features an HDMI input port with 2.1 protocol for 4K 120 Hz signal passthrough, and thanks to WiFi, it can wirelessly connect to a compatible LG TV (WOWCAST) and use the WOW Orchestra mode, which combines the TV and soundbar speakers simultaneously to supposedly provide even more immersive sound, although my experience with this type of sound mode has never been satisfactory.
However, the best soundbar in terms of value for money in LG’s current catalog is the model immediately below, the S90TR, an identical model in all features but reduces the number of channels to 7.1.3. The truth is that this model is not far from the sound quality and immersive experience of the S95TR, but its price is about 300€ cheaper, making this bar, as I mentioned before, a fantastic value-for-money option (in fact, I currently have it among my recommended soundbars).
From this high-end range, another model that I find interesting is the S70TR; very, very affordable, and with 5.1.1 channels, this model also enjoys the same features in other areas and is another very good value-for-money option, although with this model you will hardly have any vertical surround effect.
The S77TY is also an option if you’re looking for something compact: it’s a version of the S70T in a compact size, without rear speakers and with a subwoofer also of reduced dimensions.
S60 & S40 Bars: the Mid-Low Range
Much more modest are the bars of the S60 and S40 series. Without a doubt, the most recommended and the one with the best value for money in this range is the S60T, a 3.1 channel bar that is among the most recommended soundbars on a budget. I can’t say the same for the S60TR, as for its cost, it’s preferable to go directly for the S70TY.
The S40TR and the S40T are already very limited in quality, considering that Samsung has a bar like the HW-B650D that costs the same and is much more complete. The SQM1 is also not worth it, a 2.0 channel bar that doesn’t even have HDMI ARC, only optical digital audio input and Bluetooth.
