There’s an improved (and I can confirm extremely effective) auto calibration system built into the S95QR too, which now analyses bass frequencies across eight separate sections, rather than the less precise two sections previously. This system was further improved by a recent software update. IMAX Enhanced brings home the sound and picture immersion you experience from IMAX cinemas. Available on selected Blu-ray discs and now on streaming platforms, such as Disney+, IMAX Enhanced is a guarantee of extended picture and sound. When used with a compatible TV, you see an expanded aspect ratio, delivering up to 26% more picture with selected scenes. In the case of this soundbar, IMAX Enhanced works with partner DTS to reproduce IMAX’s signature sound. Expect a deeper bass and more dynamic sound for edge-of-seat sonic thrills. The LG S95QR is a 9.1.5-channel audio system composed of a soundbar, a pair of wireless rear speakers, and a wireless subwoofer driven by a total of 810W. A combination of forward-, upward-, and side-firing drivers create an enveloping hemisphere of sound, and it was developed in conjunction with high-end audio brand Meridian. As a result, the S95QR includes proprietary features such as Meridian Horizon, AI Room Calibration, and AI Sound Pro enhancements. Switching to Roma, the 360 degree soundscape is nicely realised as the main character Cleo bustles about her employer's house. The rear surrounds have a very even spread with enough weight to properly partake in the action, though they seem to perform at their best with atmospheric, airy sounds. Most multi-box systems suffer to some extent with the sound from the rears, and the voicing between the surrounds and the front sides on the S95QR could be more consistent – moving sounds have quite a noticeable tonal shift at the handover point. Height effects, from any direction, aren’t particularly focussed or effective compared to those provided by the Sonos Arc or Sennheiser Ambeo, both of which use a single, cohesive soundbar system. It’s a relief, too, to find the new channels LG has provided seemingly helping the S95QR avoid the sometimes rather vague and unbalanced staging that we’ve experienced with one or two LG soundbars of the past.

Joining the multi-channelled main bar and rears is a meaty subwoofer boasting an 8-inch side-firing driver and a wide port on its front to help it shift tons of air as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Zero blur: The fastest video games stay smooth, as OLED TVs reduce motion blur by processing frames more than 1,000 times faster than LED TVs. You can even pass Dolby Atmos from your TV to the soundbar wirelessly if you invest in LG’s WOWCAST wireless HDMI adaptor system. And unlike Samsung’s similar system, WOWCAST delivers Atmos losslessly. It’s worth saying that some aspects of the speaker design have been improved over the S95QR’s predecessor. The woofers in the main soundbar are bigger, enabling them to produce a wider dynamic range and shift more air, while the subwoofer driver has increased to eight inches from the predecessor’s seven.The main soundbar sits low and wide, providing plenty of space for the speakers to operate without it butting into the pictures of most of today’s TV designs. Its sharp edges and corners and felt-covered front and sides combine with an elegantly brushed finish top edge to striking effect, while the addition of three grilled circular speakers within that top edge adds to the high-tech feel. The main soundbar, for instance, manages to cram in front left, front right, front center, side left, side right and three up-firing drivers. Premium Atmos soundbars typically only carry two up-firing drivers, but LG has added a third that essentially repeats the sound coming out of the more regular forward-facing center channels speaker below it. Following the recent ‘mega update’, the HDMIs can also pass 4K/120Hz gaming feeds from the latest games consoles and PC graphics cards – still a very rare feature in soundbar circles. Audio file support includes AAC, AAC+, MP3 C4A, OGG (up to 48kHz) C4A, AAC C4A, FLAC, WAV C4A, and LPCM, and the firmware update also, excellently, added support for the lossless MQA standard supported by Tidal and Spotify. I still personally preferred in the end to listen to most music in regular stereo mode, as the Meridian Music mode slightly muddies bass lines and can flatten some of a high quality mix’s detailing and atmospherics. But it’s worth at least experimenting with. Extra features: Passthrough support includes 4K, Dolby Vision HDR, VRR, ALL; hi-res audio file support and Meridian Music mode; AI sound processing sharing with LG TVs

The extra up-firing dialogue channel plays its part well in most respects too, clearly lifting vocal sounds vertically to make them sound more convincingly attached to the onscreen action. I should say the two angled drivers in the front of each rear speaker only repeat the same rear left/rear right channel information; you’re not getting four different channels of sound. Even though LG counts the rear speakers as adding four channels to the ‘9’ part of the S95QR’s claimed 9.1.5 channel count.

The LG S95QR ups the ante by adding a centre height channel to the company’s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar

Ports:2x HDMI in; 1x HDMI out (eARC/ARC); Digital optical; Speakers:17 (Specified: 2x left/right stereo; 1x center; 1x center height; 2x surround side; 2x rear; 2x rear height; 2x front height; 1x subwoofer; 2x rear surround side)

There’s support for a wide-range of music file types over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi too, including all the key high-resolution formats, while LG’s connection with high-end audio brand Meridian means there’s a Music preset that deploys specially designed Meridian ‘secret sauce’ processing to remix stereo music into something more multi-channel. This ability to project the sound so far from all four of the soundbar’s physical elements really is exceptional, creating such a successful three-dimensional sound space around you with Dolby Atmos mixes that you forget the speakers are there. Which is pretty much the perfect Dolby Atmos scenario. The S95QR’s power, speaker/channel count and convincing Dolby Atmos experience, though, still make it an excellent and compelling addition to the sound bar world – especially anyone looking for a soundbar to go with an LG TV. The S95QR comes with Google’s Chromecast built-in. Working in conjunction with streaming services such as Spotify, Google Play and Deezer; this lets you hook up with your favourite music from your smartphone or tablet. With TuneIn, you also get access to a massive range of Internet radio and podcasts – all easily accessible.It doesn’t take long listening to the S95QR to tell that it’s comfortably the best soundbar LG has ever made. In fact, for movies and gaming in particular, it’s one of the most satisfying home theater soundbars we’ve seen from any brand, period.