![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Pasted-82.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn 2023, LG Electronics is releasing new soundbars.\u00a0In this article, we’ll take a look at the specs of the 2023 soundbars and learn about new features such as Smart Up Mixer, Clear Voice Plus, Triple Level Spatial Sound, AI Room Calibration Pro, WOW Orchestra.\u00a0It will also talk about the XXL update for models available from 2022.<\/p>\n
In 2023, there will be only three new models of soundbars from LG Electronics.\u00a0The reason is easy to explain.\u00a0After all, last year’s models are still relevant.\u00a0They will be updated with a comprehensive firmware update with new features.\u00a0For now, let’s focus on the soundbar innovations that LG manages to fill in the gaps in its existing lineup and offer new acoustic upgrade technologies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This soundbar has already been exhibited at CES 2023 along with the C3 4K OLED TV.\u00a0The SC9 has been developed to complement the top-selling\u00a0LG C2\u00a0(2022) and LG C3 (2023) TVs.\u00a0The basis for the interaction of the two components, of course, is the HDMI 2.1 interface.<\/p>\n
It can not only process audio signals via eARC (Advanced Audio\u00a0Return Channel\u00a0), but also play 4K@120Hz including HDR, VRR or ALLM.\u00a0The SC9 comes with two mounts.\u00a0In the first case, the combination of OLED TV and soundbar can be mounted on the wall.<\/p>\n
The second mounting option connects the soundbar and TV together to form a stand.\u00a0In both cases, the interaction seems to be a single entity.\u00a0The distance between the soundbar and the display is optimally chosen so that there are no problems with sound reproduction.\u00a0If desired, you can use the SC9 soundbar with other TVs.<\/p>\n
The SC9 soundbar has a lot to offer not only acoustically but also in terms of features.\u00a0Also, the SC9S soundbar provides 3.1.3 sound with a maximum output of 400W.\u00a0Even this compact version uses a mid-mounted tweeter.<\/p>\n
This should allow audio formats like\u00a0Dolby Atmos\u00a0,\u00a0DTS:X\u00a0, or IMAX Enhanced to be handled even better.\u00a0This separates the sound objects into surround and pitch levels.\u00a0The optional wireless subwoofer reproduces low frequencies.<\/p>\n
With the new Triple Level Spatial Sound feature, even the third sound level switches between surround and high levels.\u00a0When the combination of soundbar and subwoofer is optimally tuned using Ai Room Calibration Pro (also new), the listener is offered a clear localization of sound objects.<\/p>\n
In addition, the device has a new Smart Up mixer, Clear Voice Plus, support for MQA streams (Spotify, TIDAL) and WOW Synergy with a compatible LG Smart TV.\u00a0WOW Synergy provides the user with a clear user interface on the TV that can be used to set up the soundbar.\u00a0The latter can be done using the Wow Orchestra feature.\u00a0For even better sound, combine the soundbar with the TV’s built-in speakers.<\/p>\n
If we compare the list of equipment and functions of S77 (S77S) and SC9 (SC9S) described above, we can find many parallels.\u00a0This is the same 400W system with 3.1.3 (3 height speakers) for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, etc. The differences here lie in the target group and therefore in the details.<\/p>\n While buyers of the SC9S are usually looking for an acoustic companion for their C2\/C3 OLED TV, the S77 (S77S) soundbar is actually a match for any TV.\u00a0LG has scaled down the soundbar a bit and tried to make it more inconspicuous and at the same time attractive.\u00a0The wireless subwoofer will also play the visual effects of the soundbar.<\/p>\n Since the S77 soundbar is aimed more at the “general masses”, LG deliberately removes features that, as a rule, are simply not needed.\u00a0For example, the S77 lacks the ability to wirelessly connect to end devices.\u00a0Therefore, it is not possible to wirelessly transmit audio from the TV to the soundbar via LG WOWCAST.<\/p>\n There is also no support for voice assistants,\u00a0AirPlay 2\u00a0or IMAX Enhanced audio tracks.\u00a0Support for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio streams via Spotify or TIDAL Connect doesn’t work either.\u00a0The system supports 4K 120Hz pass-through, VRR, ALLM and eARC via HDMI 2.1.\u00a0There are new Triple Level Spatial Sound, Smart Up Mixer and Clear Voice Plus features, as well as WOW Synergy with WOW Orchestra.<\/p>\n The latest addition from LG Electronics is the SE6 (SE6S) Eclair.\u00a0The Korean electronics manufacturer is using the catchy term “Eclair” for the second time.\u00a0In 2021, the company has already released an extremely compact soundbar under this name.\u00a0The model was delivered with an external subwoofer and, despite its small size, convinced with good, surround sound.<\/p>\n The “successor” SE6 Eclair continues this philosophy and develops it further.\u00a0Customers choosing the old Eclair were primarily annoyed by the external subwoofer, which simply didn’t fit the “compact” design.\u00a0Now, LG Electronics is installing a subwoofer directly into the SE6 Eclair Soundbar and is trying to take on the quality competition of all-in-one soundbars.<\/p>\n In any case, the manufacturer is satisfied with its concept and offers the buyer an attractive sound solution in the upper middle class.\u00a0With four large drivers and a 25mm tweeter, the soundbar should outperform many competitors.<\/p>\n With a total power of 100W, the soundbar won’t destroy any walls.\u00a0At the same time, it should offer the user improved acoustics compared to the TV’s built-in sound solution.<\/p>\n LG will use most of its existing soundbar portfolio in 2023 as well.\u00a0This is understandable, as many devices continue to move with the times, and exchanging them for a new model or model number can be confusing.<\/p>\n The premium models\u00a0S95QR\u00a0(9.1.5),\u00a0S90QY\u00a0(5.1.3) and S80QR (5.1.3) are still available, as are the mid-range models\u00a0S80QY\u00a0(3.1.3),\u00a0S75Q\u00a0(3.1.2) and\u00a0S65Q\u00a0( 3.1).\u00a0Entry-level soundbars S60Q, S40Q and SH7Q with 2.1 or 5.1 sound will also be released.<\/p>\n As part of a major firmware update scheduled for summer 2023, six models will receive new features.\u00a0The most impressive new feature that\u00a0LG will introduce to the 2022 soundbars\u00a0is the ability to transmit video signals at 4K resolution, 120Hz, active VRR and ALLM.<\/p>\n Previously, the maximum combination of resolution and refresh rate was limited to 4K@60Hz+VRR.\u00a0LG is, so to speak, unlocking HDMI 2.1 functionality that was dormant in soundbars.\u00a0The table below shows which models will receive new features with the firmware update.<\/p>\n Let’s start with the feature that LG Electronics is likely to care about the most.\u00a0With WOW Synergy, the Korean electronics manufacturer is trying to increase the synergy between TV and soundbar.\u00a0Customers should be aware of the benefits of WOW Synergy so that they not only choose an LG soundbar but also a compatible smart TV of the same brand.<\/p>\n WOW Orchestra is a feature that combines room-filling TV sound with pure sound reproduction.\u00a0This means that WOW Orchestra, LG Soundbar and LG Smart TV work hand in hand to improve the sound quality.\u00a0The sound stage will be expanded, and high and low frequencies will be better developed.\u00a0By the way, Samsung’s analogue of this function is called Q-Symphony.<\/p>\n Compatible soundbars that are used in conjunction with matching smart TVs from LG Electronics can now also be controlled directly on the TV via the WOW interface.\u00a0The “dashboard” functionality goes far beyond the usual CEC-HDMI function.<\/p>\n All functions that the soundbar offers to the user must be able to be set, activated or deactivated.\u00a0Users are sure to get even more value out of their sound solutions thanks to the intuitive user interface.<\/p>\n The third feature listed in WOW Synergy is WOWCAST.\u00a0This is a solution for wireless transmission of audio signals from a TV to a compatible soundbar.\u00a0WOWCAST is actually supported by all 2022\/2023 LG soundbars that have wireless features.<\/p>\n However, to work with WOWCAST, additional equipment is required – the WOWCAST WTP3 wireless transmitter.\u00a0It connects to the HDMI output using eARC and is powered via USB.\u00a0When connected to an LG Soundbar, audio signals can now be transmitted wirelessly.\u00a0Lossless audio streams such as Dolby Atmos will also be supported.<\/p>\n One of the biggest surprises was the 120Hz feature, which not only the new soundbars have, but also some of last year’s models.\u00a0The HDMI 2.1 chipset has likely been dormant in the 2022 soundbar hardware for almost a year, and it will now be activated after a major summer 2023 update.<\/p>\n From now on, 4K video signals will go through the soundbar to a compatible TV at 120Hz, HDR, VRR and ALLM.\u00a0This is perfect for owners of high-end gaming PCs,\u00a0PlayStation5\u00a0or\u00a0Xbox\u00a0Series X.\u00a0What is the advantage?\u00a0On the one hand, the user gets a smoother image with a resolution of 4K through 120 Hz.<\/p>\n On the other hand, you only need to use one HDMI input on your TV instead of two.\u00a0Without the upgrade, the PC\/console and soundbar had to be connected to the TV separately to be able to provide 4K@120Hz+VRR+HDR and audio playback via eARC.\u00a0This is a big plus for new and existing customers.<\/p>\n Clear Voice Plus offers optimized sound mapping for dialogs, messages and the like.\u00a0This feature has already been used in a modified form in LG’s AV product line.<\/p>\n In 2023, it was again improved.\u00a0Dialogue adaptation combined with background noise, music, etc.\u00a0should work even better depending on the content.\u00a0The function is certainly optimal for films and series in the original English language, since the dialogues here are often not very mixed.<\/p>\n Some 2022\/23 soundbars are now equipped with Triple Sound technology, i.e. three speakers pointing upwards.\u00a0In 2023, LG wants to take full advantage of this conceptual advantage with its Triple Level Spatial Sound technology.<\/p>\n An additional virtual audio layer (virtual middle layer) is added between the surround and height channels through channel analysis using an HRTF-based 3D engine.\u00a0The end result should be a convincing sense of space, thanks to which sound objects can be even better positioned in the vertical plane.<\/p>\n The Smart Up mixer is probably one of the important additions, along with the 4K@120Hz functionality.\u00a0On paper, at least, the technology sounds downright mesmerizing.\u00a0Regardless of the source material (from 2.0 stereo), the upmixer analyzes the audio signal, optimizes it and adapts it to the existing sound system.<\/p>\n A simple stereo signal can also be used for a 9.1.5 system.\u00a0There is a suspicion that the upmix here is performed at the channel level or at the layer level (surround sound, 2nd layer + height channels).\u00a0It will be very interesting to hear this feature in action.<\/p>\n The soundbars are adjusted according to the room conditions with LG AI Advanced Room Calibration by analyzing the audio output signal.\u00a0This results in higher sound fidelity in the low frequency range.<\/p>\n In addition, the frequencies of the front channels are separated to improve the overall balance, clarity of vocal performances and cinematic dialogues, as well as the fidelity of the sound image.\u00a0Other AI modes provide intelligent spatial adaptation by recognizing genres and adjusting appropriate frequency ranges for better sound reproduction.<\/p>\n High-quality sound reproduction is important not only for movies and TV shows.\u00a0Many users no longer want to do without high-quality sound in music.\u00a0With MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) support for Spotify and TIDAL Connect, LG Electronics provides an additional reason to indulge in acoustics more often.<\/p>\n Another innovation is the IMAX Enhanced technology found on select LG soundbars.\u00a0The format is passed through a DTS:X container and is intended to offer listeners an even better 3D audio experience.<\/p>\n A new feature appears just at the right time.\u00a0Disney+ has announced that it will provide content not only in enhanced IMAX picture format, but also in enhanced IMAX audio.\u00a0Unfortunately, LG TVs cannot directly encode DTS audio sources, but can redirect the signal from built-in apps to the soundbar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 2023, LG Electronics is releasing new soundbars.\u00a0In this article, we’ll take a look at the specs of the 2023 soundbars and learn about new features such as Smart Up Mixer, Clear Voice Plus, Triple Level Spatial Sound, AI Room Calibration Pro, WOW Orchestra.\u00a0It will also talk about the XXL update for models available from […] 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<\/a><\/p>\nLG S77 (S77S)<\/h2>\n
LG SE6 Eclair<\/h2>\n
XXL update for 2022 soundbars<\/h3>\n
New features and specifications of LG Soundbars 2023<\/h2>\n
WOW Orchestra<\/h3>\n
WOW interface<\/h3>\n
WOWCAST<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM<\/h3>\n
Clear Voice Plus<\/h3>\n
Triple Level Spatial Sound<\/h3>\n
Smart Up Mixer<\/h3>\n
AI Room Calibration Pro<\/h3>\n
MQA support<\/h3>\n
DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced<\/h3>\n