LG and Dolby associate to launch the primary FlexConnect soundbar

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect expertise debuted this 12 months with the TCL Z100 audio system, and now we’re getting our first FlexConnect soundbar due to LG. The brand new H7 soundbar — which runs on the identical Alpha 11 Gen 3 chip as LG’s OLEDs and new Micro RGB LED — is part of the LG Sound Suite, a modular dwelling audio system the corporate will debut at CES 2026. Along with the soundbar, the Sound Suite will embody the M5 and M7 encompass audio system and the W7 subwoofer. The entire audio system function Peerless Audio elements.

The 2 essential drawbacks of TCL’s Dolby FlexConnect implementation had been the limitation of solely permitting 4 linked audio system, together with a sub, and the necessity for a 2025 QM collection TCL TV. So that you wanted to select between higher sound protection with a fourth speaker or extra bass efficiency with a sub. LG’s Sound Suite, however, will permit you to join the soundbar with as much as 4 encompass audio system and a subwoofer for a possible 13.1.7-channel system.

And whereas the audio system can be utilized with a suitable LG TV (together with the 2026 premium LG TV lineup and 2025’s C5 and G5 OLEDs), it isn’t required. It’s doable to make use of the H7 soundbar with any TV — or with out — and have it act as what’s referred to as the lead machine to attach the encompass audio system and sub. LG says there are 27 completely different speaker configurations doable, from utilizing two audio system as a stereo pair as much as the total system with soundbar, surrounds, and sub.

In my expertise with the TCL Z100, calibrating FlexConnect audio system to your house can be quick. As soon as they’re in place and plugged in, a brief musical clip is performed for just a few seconds after which setup is full. The system is ready to know the place the audio system are positioned and tips on how to optimize the encompass and Atmos sound on your room. With different room correction software program, the method can take for much longer, requiring taking sound readings from a number of places within the room.

LG is utilizing ultra-wideband expertise to regulate the candy spot primarily based in your listening place that it’s calling Sound Observe. What might be fascinating to see with the LG Sound Suite’s Dolby FlexConnect implementation is how customizable it’s after setup (as an example, adjusting subwoofer ranges).

I’ll be listening to the system at CES and plan on reviewing the system when it’s accessible to see how properly the expertise interprets into a house.