You know that specific feeling when you walk out of a movie theater? Your ears are practically buzzing, your chest feels rumbly from the bass, and the real world sounds kind of… flat. We all chase that feeling at home. We buy massive TVs, blackout curtains, and popcorn machines. But the sound? The sound is usually where the dream falls apart.
TV speakers are terrible. They just are. It’s physics—you can’t get big sound out of a paper-thin screen.
That’s where the hunt for the perfect soundbar begins. And if you’ve been scouring the tech forums or deep-diving into reviews from a couple of years back, you’ve almost certainly landed on discussions about the flagship model mentioned in https://infomania.space/nueva-barra-de-sonido-premium-lg-s95qr/413/2022.
The LG S95QR. It was the absolute heavyweight champion when it dropped, but technology moves fast. Like, really fast. So the real question isn’t “was it good?” It’s “is it still worth your money right now?” Let’s unpack this beast without the spec-sheet jargon overload.
The “Wall of Sound” Experience
I remember the first time I actually heard a true Dolby Atmos setup at a friend’s house. We were watching Dune. There’s this scene with the ornithopters—those dragonfly-looking helicopters—and I swear I ducked. I literally ducked on the couch because it sounded like the blades were whirring directly over my head.
That is what the LG S95QR was built to do.
Most soundbars are just… louder TV speakers. They shoot sound at your face. This system is different. It’s a 9.1.5 channel setup. If you aren’t a tech nerd, that number looks like a math equation, but here’s what it means:
- 9 speakers firing around you.
- 1 massive subwoofer shaking the floor.
- 5 speakers firing upward (that’s the “.5” part).
That upward-firing bit is the secret sauce. It bounces sound off your ceiling to create that “helicopter overhead” illusion. LG claimed this was the world’s first soundbar with a center up-firing driver. Basically, it helps dialogue float in the air rather than getting buried under explosions.
When you look back at the buzz generated by the https://infomania.space/nueva-barra-de-sonido-premium-lg-s95qr/413/2022 article, the hype was largely about this immersion. It wasn’t just about being loud; it was about creating a bubble.
Setting It Up: The “Wife Acceptance Factor”
Let’s be real about home theater gear. It usually looks ugly. A receiver, wires everywhere, massive boxy speakers… it’s a mess.
The S95QR solved a huge problem for people who want cinema sound but don’t want their living room to look like a RadioShack exploded. It’s sleek. The subwoofer is wireless (mostly—you still need power), and the rear speakers are wireless too. You just plug them into the wall, and they talk to the main bar automatically.
I’ve set up systems where I had to crawl through attics to run wire. Never again. The plug-and-play nature of this bar is why it stayed relevant even after newer models came out. You unbox it, you plug it in, you run a quick calibration test where the bar “listens” to your room, and you’re done.
But How Does It Actually Sound?
Okay, specs are boring. Let’s talk about listening.
I listen to a lot of varied stuff. One minute it’s heavy metal, the next it’s a quiet podcast. A lot of premium soundbars struggle with the quiet stuff. They are tuned for Marvel movies—big booms, crashing cars. But when characters are just whispering in a hallway? It can sound muddy.
The S95QR has this feature called “AI Room Calibration.” It sounds gimmicky, but it works. It realizes if you have heavy curtains or bare floors and adjusts the bass so it doesn’t sound boomy.
- Movies: Incredible. The bass from the sub is tight, not floppy. It punches you in the chest.
- Music: This is where audiophiles might get picky. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. But dedicated stereo speakers will always sound better for vinyl or Hi-Fi streaming. However, for a Spotify playlist at a dinner party? It fills the room effortlessly.
- Gaming: If you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this bar supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM. Basically, the sound keeps up with the video perfectly, so you don’t get that annoying delay when you pull a trigger and hear the gunshot half a second later.
If you are curious about how Dolby Atmos actually works to trick your brain, Dolby has a great explanation on their site that breaks down the object-based audio tech.
The IMAX Enhanced Controversy
If you dig into the original coverage from that 2022 link, you’ll see mentions of “IMAX Enhanced.”
This was a huge buzzword a couple of years ago. It’s a certification that supposedly guarantees the best picture and sound. The S95QR has it. Does it matter? Honestly… sort of?
Content is king. If you are watching a grainy YouTube video from 2009, this soundbar can’t save you. But if you are streaming Disney+ (which has a lot of IMAX Enhanced Marvel movies), the difference is noticeable. The dynamic range is wider. The quiet parts are quieter, and the loud parts are louder.
Is It Still Worth It in 2024 and Beyond?
Here is the crux of the issue. Tech depreciates like a used car. The moment you drive it off the lot (or unbox it), something newer is announced.
LG has released newer models since the S95QR. They have slightly better AI processing, maybe a slightly nicer design. But audio technology doesn’t age as fast as video technology. A good speaker from 1990 is still a good speaker today. A TV from 1990 is a boat anchor.
Because the S95QR was the absolute top-tier flagship, it has “good bones.” The drivers are high quality. The power output (810 Watts!) is massive.
The Smart Move:
If you can find the S95QR on sale or refurbished, it is a steal. You are getting flagship performance for mid-range prices. It beats the pants off a brand new, mid-range 2024 soundbar. It’s like buying a two-year-old Mercedes vs. a brand new economy sedan. The Mercedes is still the better ride.
However, make sure you check compatibility. If you have an LG TV, this bar unlocks “Wow Orchestra,” where the TV speakers and the soundbar work together. It’s a nice touch, but not essential if you have a Sony or Samsung TV. You can read more about soundbar compatibility and reviews on sites like Rtings if you’re mixing and matching brands.
Final Verdict
Navigating old tech links like https://infomania.space/nueva-barra-de-sonido-premium-lg-s95qr/413/2022 is like looking at a time capsule. It reminds us of when 9.1.5 channels felt impossible.
But here we are. If you want my advice: stop overthinking the specs. If you want a system that shakes the walls, scares the cat, and makes movie night feel like an event, this setup still delivers. It’s imperfect—the app can be a little glitchy sometimes—but once the lights go down and the movie starts, you won’t care about the app. You’ll just be listening.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the LG S95QR work with non-LG TVs?
A: Absolutely. It connects via HDMI eARC, which is a universal standard. You’ll get the high-quality sound on a Samsung, Sony, or TCL TV. You just miss out on the specific “Wow Orchestra” feature that syncs LG TV speakers with the bar.
Q: Do I need to mount the rear speakers?
A: You don’t have to, but you should. To get the proper 360-degree effect, they should be roughly at ear level when you’re sitting down. Placing them on a bookshelf or end table works fine too.
Q: Is the system completely wireless?
A: No, and this is a common misconception. The subwoofer and the rear speakers connect to the main bar wirelessly (no audio cables running across the room), but they each need their own power cord plugged into a wall outlet.
Q: How does this compare to the Sonos Arc?
A: The Sonos Arc is fantastic, but it’s sold as just the bar. To match the S95QR, you have to buy the Sonos Sub and two Era speakers separately, which costs significantly more. The LG comes as a complete package in one box.
Q: Is 810 Watts too loud for an apartment?
A: It can be! But power isn’t just about volume; it’s about clarity. Having high wattage means the speakers don’t have to struggle to produce sound, resulting in clearer audio even at lower volumes. Just maybe turn down the subwoofer bass so the neighbors don’t call the cops.
