LG DS95TR in test | Heise Best Online List

The DS95TR is LG’s current flagship soundbar. With 9.1.5 channels, multiple features and WOW technology, it promises a top-class sound experience, not just compatible with LG televisions. Our test shows whether the soundbar can meet the high expectations.

Soundbars are more space-saving and easier to install than full hi-fi systems. But can they also keep up with the sound? LG said yes and sent the top model DS95TR for testing. The device looks to score points with wide connection options, great sound, wireless subwoofer and rear as well as 15 channels as per Principle 9.1.5. There’s even an app – that all sounds great, right? In the test we checked if everything was really great.

LG has modernized the design of the DS95TR somewhat compared to its predecessor, the DS95QR. The edges now run at a 90-degree angle rather than being oblique and instead of fabric, a stylish, fine-mesh metal grid is used on the front. The housing, on the other hand, is made of plastic, and there are also three loudspeakers mounted on top. Even if the visual impression of workmanship and quality is absolutely fine, we would still prefer aluminum or wood over plastic given the quoted price.

It outperforms the recently tested Tefel Cinnabar Ultima (test report), but in return it is significantly more spacious. This is mainly an issue when it comes to height, as the LG Soundbar is tall but quite flat and should easily fit under any television, the Tefel Soundbar stands out even with the massive 86-inch model.

There is no display on the LG DS95TR, instead, only three colored LEDs in the right third of the soundbar broadcast information as well as an acoustic announcement. It then confirms by voice which setting point you have just selected. There is also an app that makes the operation much easier thanks to intelligent visualizations.

The included wireless subwoofer is simple and unobtrusive. It has an 8-inch chassis with a fabric cover on the sides and a bass reflex tube on the narrow front. With a volume of 18 litres, it promises greater depth and level consistency than its predecessor, but remains smaller and, above all, narrower than its counterpart from Teufel. Like the sub, the two rear speakers also communicate wirelessly with the soundbar. Like soundbars, they are made of plastic, but their quality and appearance are significantly lower. In addition to the two speakers that radiate from the sides to the front, they also have one that is directed upward and is larger than the one on the back of the Teufel.

The soundbar’s remote control, as is typical for LG, is a bit crooked and made of plastic, but it fits well in the hand and offers dedicated buttons for all the important functions.

In terms of connections, the LG DS95TR offers everything you could need today. It includes an HDMI input and corresponding output with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). Pleased: Both support the HDMI 2.1 standard with transmission of 4K signal up to 120Hz as well as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for gaming. It also has an optical digital input and a USB port.

The DS95TR can also be connected wirelessly to compatible LG televisions using in-house WOW technology. WOW Cast delivers TV sound, including 3D audio, to the soundbar losslessly, with WOW Orchestra the TV speaker and soundbar system working in perfect harmony. You can easily control the soundbar through the WOW interface using the TV remote control and on-screen menus. Owners of other TV brands may upgrade the wireless connection using the optional WOWCAST dongle or will have to do without the helpful on-screen visualizations.

The LG Soundbar supports music streaming via Bluetooth, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2. Spotify Connect is also on board. It can be controlled either by the included remote control, the associated smartphone app, or by voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The smartphone app is no longer the “LG Soundbar” app, with which the sound bar can still be connected, but is instead LG Think, the manufacturer’s ubiquitous smart home app.

We initially had trouble connecting to the Think app, but couldn’t find the soundbar. The solution in our case was to switch to a special 2.4 GHz WLAN and/or use the now older app. There is a reference to Think App after integration, after which the connection works without any problems.

We had problems with the first installation – the soundbar didn’t want to transmit any sound via HDMI, even though the Samsung television recognized the Dolby Atmos-enabled device directly. It appears that conversation with competing models is not working very smoothly here, which may also be due to the television. Either way, the soundbar initially didn’t differentiate between HDMI input and HDMI eARC output until we got to the corresponding setting on the television. However, this difference is already there in the app, at least after – a bit strange. This problem may be an isolated matter, but it should not be mentioned. There was no optical input.

Anyone who isn’t familiar with the LG Control will be a little confused at first without the app, as the display is nothing short of obvious, with three LEDs that light up in different colors. The volume alone, which can be easily controlled using the television’s remote control thanks to eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), is anything but obvious. Not only are there three colors (cool green, medium yellow and dark red), but as the volume increases, the intensity and number of flashing LEDs also increases, resulting in an almost infinite combination of displays – who can see through that Is? Of course the manual provides information about the many color and light combinations of the three diodes, but no one will definitely want to memorize them or constantly look up instructions. While we criticized the Tefel Soundbar for its simple display in testing, this seems ideal given the LG Soundbar’s terrible operation.

Sound output is clear, but time consuming. If you press one of the buttons, for example for sound mode or general settings, the soundbar confirms this with a corresponding announcement. If the spoken word “subwoofer” is heard after pressing the button, the DS95TR means that its intensity can now be adjusted in relation to the rest. But if you want to make further settings, you have to press this button or the navigation button again and proceed step by step until you finally reach your destination. Each change is acknowledged by voice statement, which, however, always arrives with a delay – this is time consuming and annoying! There are two reasons why we don’t devalue soundbars any more: On the one hand, after trying it out in the beginning, you hardly have to change anything later, and there is also an app that saves you.

The Think App displays all relevant information quickly and clearly, so operating the DS95TR is ultimately as easy as it should be. You can also start automatic measurement of the room here. LG uses microphones from smartphones and soundbars for this, and users should wear hearing protection – extremely loud sounds really scared us and left ringing in our ears. Furthermore, the automatic calibration failed every time because the subwoofer had to be in the immediate vicinity of the soundbar and without any obstructions in between. On the one hand, this seems absurd, after all, bass should not be detected and a wireless subwoofer is wireless exactly for this reason, so that it can be installed as flexibly as possible. Also, the sub was right next to the highboard on which the television and soundbar were located – strange. Also, the app kept disconnecting, but every time it connected directly by selecting the soundbar again.

We noticed a slight hissing sound from the soundbar and rear – this should not happen with high-end soundbars in the upper price segment! You can only listen to it in complete silence and at best in a very quiet passage, but still we find it inappropriate.

The obnoxiously loud calibration tones already indicate that the DS95TR is certainly not lacking in volume. And the soundbar is completely convincing in other ways too. Thanks to the 9.1.5 setup with 14 speakers plus subwoofer, it delivers a very powerful and room-filling sound with good spatiality. Dedicated center height channel ensures clear, natural dialogue; Here the LG Soundbar performs slightly better than the Tefel model.

The powerful LG subwoofer does its job very well. This contributes rich, differentiated bass to the overall sound without any exaggeration. It only gets a little breathless in the very high end ranges, but then it gets so loud that most users will hardly be able to watch a movie. If you want even more bass, you should use the Tefel system, not only does the sub sound deeper, but the overall sound is even more intense and the lows are stronger. The evil provider’s system is also more stable.

Satellites provide plenty of room-filling effects, but with very complex content they sometimes whiff at altitude. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks are well-staged, effects are accurately placed in the room and height representation is a real plus compared to ordinary 5.1 systems. Here the Tefel soundbar is quite weak due to its design. However, if you only watch movies and series on streaming providers, you will be a little disappointed, as often the surround sound is no clearer than on the much simpler Teufel Cinnabar Ultima (test report) due to the lack of Atmos support. ,

Overall, the LG DS95TR is balanced, dynamic, and stable. It masters blockbuster movies as well as it does live concerts or classical recordings. She also knows how to please with stereo content.

With an RRP of 1,800 euros, the LG DS95TR is anything but a bargain, but at least now it’s worth it 1079 euros And was less than 800 euros.

The LG DS95TR scores points in terms of sound quality, features and ease of use (only with the app or on an LG television!) and sets the standard in the soundbar segment. With its room-filling 3D sound, powerful subwoofer and seamless integration with LG TVs, it delivers an impressive cinematic experience for the living room. Even if the price is steep, the performance offered justifies the investment. The DS95TR is a top recommendation, especially for owners of compatible LG TVs, but owners of other TV brands can also use it without hesitation.