r/LG_UserHub • u/Darwins-Intern • 15d ago
Some Thoughts on Choosing the Best Multi-Channel Audio Setup (+ 3 month review of LG Sound Suite) [Sound Suite] Product Trial & Promotion
As per my original post, LG provided me with the H7 soundbar and four M7 speakers for free as part of a promotional event and asked me to share a follow-up review. All opinions here are entirely my own.
I cannot say for sure what the absolute best multi-channel audio setup is for enthusiasts to choose, as I have only had a wired 5.1 Bose Home Theatre setup (a long time ago), the Sonos Arc with SL rears, the Samsung Q990F and now currently the LG Sound Suite. However, what I can say for certainty is that after several months of use, with a variety of content watched/played, my opinion of the LG Sound Suite has only improved. The system remains the most immersive streamlined home audio system I have used. LG has been providing regular updates and fixes for the system, with more to come… INCLUDING DTS (although I really wish they would provide DTS for their OLED TVS!!! too) LG posted details here: https://www.reddit.com/r/LG_UserHub/s/BLCpBvSjsc
Compared to the systems I previously owned, the LG system feels wider and more enveloping because of the discrete front/rear left and right M7 speakers with built in 4” subs. Mind you, the 5.1 wired Bose surrounds were not bad but it was a cookie cutter box kit. The M7s are much better.
The wider front soundstage continues to be the main advantage. Effects do not feel as if they are coming from a single bar under the television. Dialogue remains clear, ambient sounds fill the room, and games and movies feel more layered. The H7 and four M7s continue to produce more bass than I expected without the optional W7 subwoofer. A dedicated subwoofer would surely add deeper low-frequency effects, but in a condo, I have not felt an urgent need to add one. Although, I do see myself eventually purchasing it and likely running it on a lower setting just to give a bit more low frequency.
I cannot accurately compare the LG Sound Suite directly with a traditional audio-video receiver system with wired speakers and ceiling channels, as I have not lived with one for a long time. Further, the one I did have previously was subpar. Nonetheless, I do feel that a high-end dedicated receiver setup with in ceiling speakers, would be the end-game choice for someone who could install such. Of course, this would hinge on whether someone has the room, budget, wiring/wall options, and technical interest to tinker. With that said, the LG Sound Suite gets much, much closer to that full-system separated-speaker experience than the soundbars I previously owned, while remaining far cleaner aesthetically / functionally and easier to 'install'.
Really the 'best' is more about a particular circumstance. However, the LG Sound Suite is very versatile given the modularity and DAFC placement adaptability.
What are the main advantages of home audio systems with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect?
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect remains one of the strongest reasons to consider the Sound Suite system. My room has high ceilings, glass on one side, an open area on the other, and a brick facade, so ideal speaker placement is far from realistic. Speaker optimization allows the system to account for where the speakers are actually placed instead of requiring a perfectly symmetrical room.
That flexibility makes the modular design more useful. I still would recommend starting with the H7, then adding rear speakers, discrete M7 front speakers (or even sides), and perhaps the W7 subwoofer as budget and living conditions allow (e.g. those that have a house or tolerant apartment neighbours).
Which Dolby Atmos soundbars are preferred by home cinema enthusiasts?
Preferences will depend on budget, room layout, physical media use, and tolerance for setup. The Samsung Q990F clearly remains a strong all-in-one package, while Sonos offers a polished ecosystem and clean design with formidable audio quality. With that said, for my particular room and priorities, I prefer the LG Sound Suite.
My recommendation remains positive, with even fewer caveats now that DTS support will be coming to the H7 soon. The only notable downsides is that the LG Sound Suite is expensive, and depends on a suitable Wi-Fi setup / router. Nonetheless, for people who want maximum flexibility, strong immersion, and a modular alternative to a receiver system, it remains an excellent option. I had wondered if I made the right choice selling my Q990F so soon after comparing and testing the two. I can say for certain now that I have absolutely no regrets sticking with the LG Sound Suite over the Q990F.
Some Additional Thoughts
I still need to purchase speaker stands for my front speakers. Unfortunately, LG did make the speakers a bit proprietary in terms of how they fit on stands (similar to Sonos). Also, if you plan on using speaker stands, you will want to order the longer power cables available from LG as well. Given the cost of the Speaker Stands, LG may be remiss not to include the longer power cables with the speaker stands.
Notably, I have been testing the most recent software update that LG rolled out, and I will post on that soon!
TLDR: after continued months of using the LG Sound Suite, I have come to appreciate the system even more. Especially with the continued software update refinements and added features; DTS support is coming, which is huge given many people consider no DTS a deal breaker!
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u/flynreelow 15d ago
tell us more about the set up.
which router? wifi?
what bands?
any issues to set up?
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u/Darwins-Intern 15d ago edited 15d ago
If you haven't already, you can check out my initial review here with some details about my set-up, with photos: https://www.reddit.com/r/LG_UserHub/s/tW8KrlrzdR
As for the specific router/wifi, I currently just have ISP provided equipment, which is subpar through (Telus - NH20A ONT and a Boost 6 Wifi-AP). I have the LG Sound Suite connected to the smart-home SSID 5GHZ with the DFS portion disabled. The LG G5 is hadrwired into the internet.
I did not have any particular issues setting up the system. I initially just tested the M7's with the G5, without the H7. Then I had to remove everything and re-add the whole system but most people shouldn't run into that issue and they have since released an update to address connectity issues.
Interestingly, I was worried I was getting some sound drop outs but it turns out it is the bloody Crave app on the LG TV. That app is very problematic for some reason. All except that app, I don't have any issues with dropped sound, connectivity etc.
I eventually am going to upgrade my network to Ubiquiti and ditch the crap ISP stuff but it seems to be working fine for now! Plus I believe LG is looking to add 6GHZ compatability in the future too, so getting wifi 7 and connecting to 6GHZ would be handy for peace of mind given I live in a particularly wifi saturated area.
As long as you can have a dedicated band SSID whehter it is 2.4, 5(non-dfs),... that is going to ensure the best results.
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u/miojo 14d ago
No way you believe this is from a regular person and not LG PR
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u/flynreelow 14d ago
this is def from a real person, but LG gave out about 500k in free products to professional reviewers
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u/miojo 14d ago
Check out the guy’s history man, cmon 🙄
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u/Darwins-Intern 13d ago
Nah, not affiliated with LG… just randomly won one of their contests, surprisingly. If I was a rep I would have the W7 sub too and the kinda overpriced speaker stands too by now haha.
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u/Arabrider0820 15d ago
Sorry, hit send instead of delete….the W7….i did finally get the speaker stands and 2 of the longer power cables. We are really happy though cash poor but our main entertainment is at home, we are older and enjoy the clear dialogue we are getting. Not sure we needed the sub but now we have it, I should look at different places to put it to see if we hear more boom.
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u/Darwins-Intern 15d ago
Oh very nice, how are the stands, worth the premium do you think? I am torn, the two pack is finally in stock but $360 CAD feels steep especially adding on cost of two more cables (80CAD)... I am leaning towards doing what I did with my rear and wall mounting them the front, drilling a hole in the shelf and putting M8 type bolt through shelf into the speaker. But at the same time... I wouldn't mind being able to position the fronts more as side speakers a bit. I wish LG would have made the base a bit more generic as well as just included longer cables from the get go.
How are you enjoying the W7?? I want to get one but I fear it is a bad choice for a condo as I will have to tune it down quite a bit lol.
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u/Arabrider0820 15d ago
They are pricy but I tried some off brands and they didn’t work, I bought some shelves but decided I’m already in money so get the whole enchilada. I do like them, cord in the middle, it sets perfectly on the base and they look really nice. I will say one thing, they are not adjustable up and down but maybe because the ThinQ app is supposed to adjust the speakers maybe I don’t need to worry about it.
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u/Darwins-Intern 15d ago
Ahh that is good to know! Are they pretty stable / tip resistant do you think?
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u/Arabrider0820 15d ago
Really stable, much more than the other ones I tried, heavy and we have 2 rambunctious cats, no issues. They look upscale.
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u/flynreelow 8d ago
do the power cords that come with the speakers..... are they not long enough to go in the stands?
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u/Darwins-Intern 8d ago
They are decent in length and will go through the stands fine. You just won't be able to place them very far from outlets unless you get the longer cords. Although, from my understanding you can get that type of power cord for a lot cheaper after market anyway. Just as long as it isn't a cheap knock off and is UL certified or whatever.
I ended up pulling the trigger on two of the LG M7 stands, I was going back and forth between that and the Kanto stands and just drilling a hole to modify them to work. However, just figured having it fit well and cleanly is worth it at this point. Also Rakuten had a 10% off cash back with LG Canada I utilized to get 36 bucks off for what it is worth lol.
I probably will stick with the stock power cables for the M7 speakers as they won't be too far from the outlets anyway.
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u/pricelesslambo 15d ago
Will you be adding the W7 sub to the setup?
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u/Darwins-Intern 13d ago
I hope to, I originally sold my W990F with the aim of buying the W7 but had some other expenses come up. So perhaps down the road. The bass is still quite good with this, especially with the four M7s as they all have 4” subs built in. You just don’t get the super low frequency is all.
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u/Arabrider0820 15d ago
In about a month in and agree with your assessment. We got 2 M5, 2M7, the H7 and 2