LG, Samsung Unveil $1,000-Plus Multichannel Sound Bars With Immersive Audio

LG and Samsung announced four-figure, multichannel additions to their premium sound bar lineups. Samsung’s HW-Q950T and HW-Q900T are 9.1.4- and 7.1.4-channel models with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio. The HW-Q950T includes two wireless rear up-firing speakers, a wireless subwoofer and additional left and right wide-channel speakers in the bar. Both models include enhanced audio return channel support. By connecting the sound bars to compatible Samsung 2020 QLED TVs, Q-Symphony technology activates and plays surround sound from both the TV’s speakers and the sound bar for "audio synergy" with the TV, said the company Wednesday. The sound bars feature Samsung’s SmartThings app and Alexa voice control. Tap Sound allows users to send music directly from their phones to the sound bar. Height of the sound bars was reduced to 2.74 inches from the 3.27-inch-high 2019 models; both are wrapped in a textile covering from Danish firm Kvadrat. B&H Photo showed the HW-Q950T Wednesday as “coming soon” and available for preorder at $1,797; $1,297 for the HW-Q900T. LG’s $1,299 GX sound bar, Hi-Res Audio certified with lossless playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, has 3.1 channels, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It supports Dolby Vision and 4K pass-through and is designed to pair with the company’s OLED TVs. LG’s AI Sound Pro analyzes and automatically matches the optimum sound settings to the content, said the company. Availability is July 20.