LG unveiled three new models ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, but it has taken until now for us to know more about pricing and availability of the tech giant’s upcoming soundbars.
All three new models, the SL9YG, the SL10YG, and the SL6Y, will offer listeners significant upgrades to the built-in audio coming out of their television set, in terms of both audio quality and overall usability. That is because all three come with Google Assistant built in, which means you will be able to adjust volume, play music, and even ask for things like a weather forecast at the touch of a button. It might seem like a small upgrade, but it’s a fairly significant leap in terms of ease of use, and one that will likely appeal to many less tech-savvy customers.
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The new soundbars will also feature support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound, allowing them to create an immersive 3D soundscape. The bars have upfiring drivers built in, but do not come with discrete surround satellites like Samsung’s HW-N950 or Vizio’s 5.1.4 systems. Users can add additional speakers for true surround for an added cost. This allows buyers to upgrade their system down the line, should they not want to drop all that dough at once. Each of the bars also has DTS Virtual:X for a broader vertical soundstage from the front of the room.
Speaking of the sound, LG is quick to tout its ongoing relationship with high-end audio outfit Meridian Audio, which has been aiding in the tuning of many of the company’s recent devices. Meridian’s “Upmix” technology also allows the soundbars to take stereo audio and transform it into surround sound, and is what provides the devices’ ability to tackle Atmos and DTS:X.
The SL9YG — the only one we were able to see at the show — also has its own tricks, including a built-in gyroscope that lets you mount it vertically below a TV on the wall, an intriguing option for those who want the slimmest-possible wall-mounted form.
The SL6Y, a 3.1-channel soundbar with DTS Virtual X, will retail for $399 and will be available the week of April 14. The SL9YG, a 4.1.2 Atmos soundbar, will retail for $999 and will be available the week of May 27. Last but not least, LG’s new flagship AL10YG, a 5.1.2 soundbar, will retail for $1,300, and will be available the week of April 14.
Updated March 26, 2019: Updated to add pricing and availability of the new soundbars.
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