Dolby Atmos FlexConnect know-how 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 residence 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 characteristic Peerless Audio parts.
The 2 primary drawbacks of TCL’s Dolby FlexConnect implementation have been the limitation of solely permitting 4 related audio system, together with a sub, and the necessity for a 2025 QM collection TCL TV. So that you wanted to choose between higher sound protection with a fourth speaker or extra bass efficiency with a sub. LG’s Sound Suite, however, will let you 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 attainable 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 gadget to attach the encompass audio system and sub. LG says there are 27 totally different speaker configurations attainable, 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 also be quick. As soon as they’re in place and plugged in, a brief musical clip is performed for a couple of seconds after which setup is full. The system is ready to know the place the audio system are positioned and the right way to optimize the encompass and Atmos sound to your room. With different room correction software program, the method can take for much longer, requiring taking sound readings from a number of areas within the room.
LG is utilizing ultra-wideband know-how to regulate the candy spot based mostly in your listening place that it’s calling Sound Observe. What might be attention-grabbing to see with the LG Sound Suite’s Dolby FlexConnect implementation is how customizable it’s after setup (as an illustration, adjusting subwoofer ranges).
I’ll be listening to the system at CES and plan on reviewing the system when it’s out there to see how nicely the know-how interprets into a house.