LG S80TR vs. S90TR vs. S95TR: A Soundbar Comparison
If you're looking to take your TV watching beyond the basics, there are plenty of additions and upgrades customers can shop right here at Abt, one of the most popular choices being soundbars. Soundbars are a great way to build your home theater collection, as they're engineered to elevate your content with out-of-this-world audio. One company that's been impressing us in this category as of late is LG. LG has been manufacturing home audio products since it first began in 1958, which means it's had over 65 years to both create and elevate innovative sound technologies, allowing its speakers to become more and more advanced. Currently, three of our highest-rated LG soundbars are the LG S80TR, the LG S90TR and the LG S95TR. Each of these models is a fantastic choice, but to any average reader, they may look exactly the same. That's why, in this post, we're breaking down both the similarities and differences between these soundbars. By the time you're finished reading, you'll have a better understanding of how each speaker works and which might work best for your home.
Analyzing LG's Soundbar Audio
Our first comparison is also where the most differences lie between the LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR: audio. And this category is also the most important to dissect, as each of these models is designed solely to provide a stunning sound experience. You'll notice upon browsing each soundbar's product page that each comes with a powerful subwoofer (and rear speakers as well, but we'll dive into these speaker differences later). This combination allows the soundbar set to create a wider soundstage in your home, filling the room with rich, immersive surround sound. Each soundbar has its own unique array of up-firing speakers too, but all three have an exclusive up-firing center channel that's engineered to focus on dialogue clarity, ensuring you never miss a single line or conversation as you watch. The last detail shared by all of these LG models is 3D Spatial Sound. This added technology elevates both the depth and clarity of your soundbar audio, creating a multidimensional sound experience that's guaranteed to elevate your listening. That being said, the 3D Spatial Sound feature is supported differently on each speaker. 3D Spatial Sound is powered by 11 speakers on the LG S80TR, 13 speakers on the LG S90TR and 17 speakers on the LG S95TR. This means all users can enjoy the same kind of audio enhancement on any of these soundbars, but the level of sound transformation and listening impact becomes more intense as more speakers power this feature.
The last aspect worth discussing is audio channels. Each of these soundbars has a different audio channel setup, so we'll break down this concept for you at its most basic (excluding the two external rear speakers and single external subwoofer). The LG S80TR is a 5.1.3 channel system, which means there are two front speakers, one center speaker and two surround speakers inside the soundbar. The LG S90TR is a 7.1.3 channel system, including two front speakers, one center speaker and four side/surround speakers in the soundbar. The LG S95TR is a 9.1.5 channel system, including two front speakers, one center speaker, two surround speakers, plus four additional audio channels that are located on both the front and the side of the soundbar. The last number in each of these audio channel labels refers to how many of the speakers are up-firing; up-firing speakers are what helps these devices support technology like Dolby Atmos. There's even a slight difference between the external rear speakers included with the soundbars, depending on which LG model you're shopping. The LG S80TR and LG S90TR rear speakers offer two-channel audio, while the LG S95TR rear speakers offer six-channel audio. Ultimately, the more speakers or channels the soundbar has, the more intense and powerful the audio performance will be. Some may assume that purchasing the most advanced model, the LG S95TR, is the way to go, but you may not need this large of an upgrade if you're a casual watcher/listener or if you're setting up your entertainment center in a smaller space. Plus, not all audio, whether it's music, TV or film audio, is formatted or optimized for a 9.1.5 channel system.
Extra Sound Tech To Consider
There's one other area in which these soundbars differ: special audio features. While we covered each soundbar's basic acoustic structure in the previous section, this section focuses more on the extra audio-oriented technology these devices have to offer that truly take their performance over the top. We'll begin with their shared tech. All of the soundbars feature both DTS:X® and Dolby Atmos® technologies. DTS:X® is a special audio format that allows for 3D sound that's true to life. Dolby Atmos®, on the other hand, promotes an immersive surround sound experience without needing a fully built-out speaker system. Together, these technologies create an audio dome that's engineered to fill even the largest rooms. All three soundbars also have the ability to perform advanced AI room calibration. This feature relies on a built-in microphone to precisely measure the dimensions of your room. AI then analyzes this data and automatically optimizes the audio settings to better fit your setup. The soundbars also come with a variety of sound modes that can cater to all types of content, including Bass Blast, AI Sound Pro, Bass Blast +, Cinema, Game, Music and Sports. Late-night watchers will love the Night Mode on these soundbars too, as this setting enhances the audio clarity of your content at lower volume levels. So, where does the difference lie? The LG S80TR soundbar is the only speaker that also offers a Clear Voice sound mode. This mode enhances the dialogue onscreen by adjusting the volume of each voice and reducing the background noise.
Gaming Audio & Other Soundbar Features
This section on gaming and other miscellaneous soundbar technology is where the differences between the three models end. Each section following this will contain only similarities, but if you're still on the fence about investing in a soundbar, continue reading to learn more about what these speakers can add to your experience. To begin, great gameplay relies on more than just advanced visuals. Playing can be even more fun if you get immersed in the game soundtrack, hearing each sound effect as though the action is all around you. The LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR all do just this. The audio on the soundbars is powerful enough to keep up with the quick response times often found on consoles, so you can enjoy lag-free audio with a passthrough refresh rate up to 120Hz. Outside of watching and gaming, the soundbars can be used to listen to your favorite albums or playlists as well. That's why all three models allow you to stream music from your smartphone directly to the speaker for a lossless music experience. To make your listening even smoother, the soundbars are all compatible with TIDAL Connect and Spotify. Looking to stream with other apps or services? These soundbars can also support Chromecast or AirPlay 2, which gives users the power to screen mirror their own personal photos and videos.
What Connectivity Options To Expect
Connectivity can refer to various elements of these soundbars, including networking, cables and cords, inputs and external device pairing. For ultimate flexibility, the LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR are all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible. All of the soundbars also feature an HDMI eARC input, which allows high-quality, uncompressed audio transmission from your TV. Speaking of TVs, each of these soundbars features WOW Orchestra. WOW Orchestra is an LG-exclusive feature that allows users to perfectly sync their soundbar with a compatible LG TV model. By enabling WOW Orchestra, you'll be able to use your TV and speakers at the same time with zero lag or loss in sound quality. You can also control both of them using just one remote. One of the most convenient aspects of the LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR is that these soundbars are completely wireless. This means you don't need a special receiver and you won't need to worry about unwanted cable clutter. It should be noted, however, that the additional rear speakers must be plugged into a standard outlet.
Controlling Your LG Soundbar
The last topic to cover for these LG soundbars is the various ways they can be controlled or adjusted. Just like most soundbars these days, the LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR all come with a remote that makes managing your speaker easier than ever. You'll be able to select a sound mode, check your connection status, adjust the volume and more from just one accessory. All three soundbars are also compatible with the LG ThinQ app, which doubles as a remote for both the speaker and your connected TV. Outside of basic controls, the app can perform a variety of sound enhancements. The Dynamic Range Control (DRC) feature adjusts the volume of quiet and loud sounds to prevent distortion, while Sound Diagnosis analyzes the audio quality of your soundbar to ensure your device is performing at its best. Users even have the option to further customize their sound with adjustable settings for Treble, Mid and Bass. Interested in a hands-free experience when controlling your soundbar? Luckily, the LG S80TR, LG S90TR and LG S95TR are all compatible with services like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can give your speaker a verbal command and listen as you please.
LG S80TR vs. S90TR vs. S95TR: Which Is Right For You?
By comparing these LG soundbars, we're not determining which is "best", but rather which is best for your lifestyle, your entertainment center, your watching habits and your budget, as the price difference between the three speakers ranges from $300-$400. If this is your first time building out an audio system for your home theater, the LG S80TR is a great way to begin, as it'll provide you with a superior surround sound experience that supports a wide selection of content. If you're a serial TV and movie watcher interested in upgrading your existing sound system, the LG S90TR can take your audio to new heights easily. If you're an avid audiophile seeking an even deeper, more immersive listening experience, the LG S95TR could be an awesome addition to your collection and a worthy financial investment. No matter which you end up taking home, your future watch parties are bound to be even more enjoyable. To learn more about similar devices, look over our handy soundbar buying guide. All other questions about these LG soundbars can be directed to our Abt audio experts at 800-860-3577.
