{"title": "Review: LG Sound Suite Brings Flexible Dolby Atmos Audio to Versatile Home Setups", "body": ["Engadget evaluates consumer technology products through hands-on testing dating back to 2004. Some articles contain affiliate links, potentially earning a commission on purchases made via those links. For details on our product assessment methods, see our full disclosure."], ["LG's Sound Suite system claims to deliver optimal audio performance regardless of speaker placement, leveraging Dolby's advanced home cinema technology. Users can position the soundbar, subwoofer, and additional speakers freely without adhering to fixed spots for peak sound quality, allowing flexible arrangements that adapt to room layouts or changes. Success depends on the effectiveness of the core technology and the quality of LG's individual audio components."], ["Similar to other high-end soundbars and full home audio kits on the market, a full Sound Suite assembly carries a steep price tag. The main soundbar unit, which forms the basis of most custom builds, costs $1,000 on its own. For owners of a current LG television or those eyeing a 2026 release, this lineup stands out as the top choice to elevate home viewing and listening."], ["LG's newest audio solution provides enveloping soundscapes with extensive customization possibilities. Its cost is high, and the flagship capability can prove tricky to implement at times."], ["The Sound Suite comprises four distinct pieces. At the heart is the $1,000 H7 soundbar, the initial model compatible with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect (DAFC) tech. Accompanying it are the $600 W7 8-inch subwoofer and the $250 M5 and $400 M7 speakers. Buyers can select components to create a tailored home cinema environment, supporting up to four speakers and one subwoofer. The key requirement is the H7 soundbar or a compatible recent LG TV—such as the 2025 OLED G5, C5, CS5, and QNED 9M, or 2026 variants—to act as the central hub, powered by LG's alpha 11 Gen 3 AI processor found in these devices."], ["The H7 features twelve Peerless transducers, including front, side, and upward-directed ones, plus four woofers and eight passive radiators for enhanced bass response. Its design remains understated and compact, blending seamlessly beneath an LG OLED or similar high-end display without obstructing the view. Connectivity includes both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, enabling support for AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect."], ["The wireless W7 subwoofer boasts an 8-inch driver that produces deep, resonant bass, occasionally overpowering. Measuring 16.1 by 16.3 by 7.6 inches, it offers versatile placement options, either upright or flat, to accommodate space constraints."], ["Both the M5 and M7 speakers share core functionalities, such as AirPlay and Google Cast compatibility, and can operate independently, as stereo pairs, in a four-unit surround, or as rear channels with the H7. The M7 distinguishes itself with two full-range drivers, an upward-firing unit, and a woofer, whereas the M5 relies on a tweeter, upward-firing driver, and woofer."], ["Dolby introduced FlexConnect in 2023 as an innovative audio solution for home theaters. It debuted on TCL's Z100 units last year, but LG's Sound Suite represents its first integration into a comprehensive living room system featuring a soundbar. This technology permits arbitrary speaker positioning without compromising sound fidelity, using a central TV or soundbar to detect locations and calibrate audio output accordingly. It also adjusts swiftly to relocated speakers, ideal for events or rearrangements."], ["FlexConnect performs reliably as promised, though one predictable drawback emerged: adding or removing speakers from a DAFC setup triggers a full recalibration, involving test tones from each device to pinpoint positions and fine-tune responses via Dolby's algorithms. The process is brief but generates noticeable sound from all units, so plan for the disruption it may cause to household peace."], ["Sound Suite incorporates familiar LG audio enhancements seen in prior systems, such as Night Mode for quieter playback, Room Calibration Pro for acoustic tuning, AI Sound Pro+ for dynamic upmixing, and Clear Voice Pro+ for clearer speech. A new addition, Sound Follow, lets users define their listening position via the ThinQ app to optimize the audio focus area."], ["Sound Follow aims to refine volume and equalization based on detected seating after app-based positioning. During testing, this seemed inconsistent; unlike a CES demonstration, the app's layout didn't reflect position shifts, and despite interface confirmations, no audible changes occurred. LG was consulted for clarification on this functionality."], ["Setup for modern soundbars and speakers typically involves a companion app for integration and configuration. LG routes this through the ThinQ app, which also manages other smart home items like appliances. After unpacking and powering on, users add Sound Suite elements as a new audio ensemble in the app, selecting available pieces for the initial DAFC assembly."], ["The app prompts for the distance from the soundbar to the main seating spot before initiating audio tuning. It visualizes the speaker arrangement, permitting DAFC group edits anytime. Relocating hardware necessitates re-running optimization for ideal results. When an LG TV leads, controls appear on the display rather than the app."], ["While generally user-friendly, setup encountered notable connectivity hurdles that proved aggravating. As a frequent reviewer of audio gear, connecting via Wi-Fi is routine, yet the H7 resisted for days, limiting use to basic TV audio modes without full Sound Suite access. Multiple restarts of the router and device eventually resolved it, an issue not previously faced, possibly due to unique Wi-Fi implementation."], ["Incorporating the M7 speakers into the DAFC group started smoothly with Wi-Fi pairing, but grouping faltered, as calibration clips repeatedly triggered app errors about one unit's connection, though they integrated eventually. Removing speakers also glitched: the app indicated solo soundbar output, yet an M7 persisted in playing during AirPlay music—not an issue with HDMI eARC TV sound."], ["Opting for TV-led control shifts setup to the screen interface, which felt more dependable but unleashed calibration noises at excessive levels. A major flaw: post-connection, advanced settings vanished from both app and menus, locking out features like AI Sound Pro+ and defaulting to basic mode. LG was queried on this limitation affecting usability."], ["Prior to exploring configurations, note Sound Suite caps at five units total, with flexible combinations allowed. Without the H7, a suitable LG TV must lead for FlexConnect operation."], ["M5 and M7 units double as independent room speakers, transferable between zones, mimicking Sonos-like multi-room audio. The M7 excels solo for music with clear details and solid lows; M5 testing was unavailable. For TV FlexConnect without H7, pairs of either are required."], ["Among tested assemblies, the H7 soundbar paired with W7 sub and two M7 rears emerges as optimal. For live TV like sports, rear M7s were often disabled, as duplicated audio cluttered the mix and amplified echoes unpleasantly. It shines for streamed series and films, maximizing Dolby Atmos or LG's spatial processing."], ["Led by the H7, this yields peak immersion. Testing with Netflix's Drive to Survive showcased precise directional cues, simulating racing cars circling the space, and intimate cockpit immersion. Music fares well, but solo M7 or soundbar-sub pairs sufficed over full surround."], ["A close second: four M7 speakers, TV-led to free up TV stand space sans soundbar. No subwoofer joins, limited to four units, though TV speakers aid dialogue. Bass lacks depth here."], ["This array suits wall-mounted TVs avoiding under-display bars, with FlexConnect enabling non-traditional placements and easy mobility—unlike fixed soundbars. Audio trade-off: front M7 pair yields less vertical Atmos height than H7's up-firers."], ["In home theater mode with four M7s, expect engaging surround from Atmos tracks, rich in cues and nuances for films. Sports commentary routes via TV with crowd effects rearward, sometimes drowning announcers—exacerbated by uneditable settings."], ["For dual-purpose music and cinema, one or two M7s stand out, delivering punchy bass, though sub absence is evident in tracks."], ["Alternatives to Sound Suite involve trade-offs. TCL's Z100 ($300 each) is the sole other FlexConnect option, needing multiples and optional $350 sub, paired with compatible TCL TVs like QM6K to QM9K or X11L. Untested, so no direct M5/M7 matchup."], ["Without FlexConnect, Samsung's Q990 series tops all-in-one kits. The 2024 review holds as hardware evolves slowly; upcoming HW-Q990H adds Sound Elevation for dialogue. Full package ($2,000) includes rears, sub, and potent soundbar—$100 under LG's H7/two M5s/W7 equivalent. Samsung TV unlocks Q-Symphony for blended TV/soundbar audio."], ["LG's Sound Suite undeniably crafts a potent, captivating home audio ecosystem with modular appeal via FlexConnect. Despite setup and app glitches—fixable as the product matures—its flexibility shines. Bundles and feature expansions could enhance value. For budgets around $2,000 and recent LG TVs, it's the premier customizable home cinema choice."]}