LG Launching 2021 Sound Bar Lineup With AirPlay 2 Support

[MacRumors]

LG today announced the worldwide rollout of its 2021 sound bar lineup, complete with AirPlay 2 support for wirelessly streaming audio from Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The sound bars also support Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

All of the 2021 sound bars support both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats, while an "AI Room Calibration" feature promises optimal sound in any environment, using spatial awareness technology to measure a room's dimensions and customize the sound bar's audio settings accordingly. Many of the new models are also Hi-Res Audio certified for lossless playback at 24-bit/96kHz.

The new lineup includes models SP11RA, SP9YA, SP8YA, SP7Y, and SPD7Y, with additional models coming later this year. Availability will begin this month in key markets across North America and Europe, but pricing was not disclosed.

LG's press release includes a spec sheet with more details about the new sound bars.

Article Link: LG Launching 2021 Sound Bar Lineup With AirPlay 2 Support

 

[manwithashoe]

I wish there were more wireless (TV to soundbar) options out there. It’s one of the reasons I’m so attached to my HomePod.

 

[elmateo487]

Does anyone know if these sounds bars do Variable Refresh Rate? VFR?

Do all TV's / Soundbars that support HDMI 2.1 do VFR? Or is that something that the hardware needs to do, and not just pass along.

Is VFR the same thing as QMS (Quick Media Switching?). Basically, I have a Plex server with lots of different video and audio formats. I want new hardware that will switch between those formats faster. Which I am assuming is QMS. But I am unsure if QMS comes free with 2.1, or if the hardware needs to support it in addition to 2.1

 

[BuffaloTF]

I don't know about the C1/G1 yet... but all their flagship TVs up til now certainly don't support DTS:X passthru.

 

[chucker23n1]

I wish there were more wireless (TV to soundbar) options out there. It’s one of the reasons I’m so attached to my HomePod.

Why? It introduces latency, which makes play/pause annoying, and you place the sound bar physically right next to the TV anyway.

 

[dbwie]

So, with Airplay 2 support am I correct to assume that this would pair with an Apple TV, and have stereo mode, Dolby Atmos support, etc, like the recently discontinued HomePods have when paired with an Apple TV?

 

[MBAir2010]

i cant waits to download the app in the next generation of LG ThinQ XSPNIV smartsfones and play some beats to that soundbar all day long!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

They are focusing on other stuff indeed.

 

[Octopuss]

Price it right and I may pull the trigger on soundbar finally

 

[munpip214]

Does anyone know if these sounds bars do Variable Refresh Rate? VFR?

Do all TV's / Soundbars that support HDMI 2.1 do VFR? Or is that something that the hardware needs to do, and not just pass along.

Is VFR the same thing as QMS (Quick Media Switching?). Basically, I have a Plex server with lots of different video and audio formats. I want new hardware that will switch between those formats faster. Which I am assuming is QMS. But I am unsure if QMS comes free with 2.1, or if the hardware needs to support it in addition to 2.1

Hardware unfortunately has to support all of the new hdmi 2.1 features. I don’t know if any hdmi 2.1 sound bars besides supporting eARC. These only said 4K pass through with Dolby vision with can be done with 2.0. If you want those features plug directly into your compatible tv and use eARC (although you lose DTS support)

 

[hot-gril]

Why? It introduces latency, which makes play/pause annoying, and you place the sound at physically right next to the TV anyway.

And TV speakers have been decent for a long time.

 

[Solomani]

Soundbars have been a thing for a few years now. Anyone know of other brands that have "proven" and popularly-rated sound bars? I'm guessing Bose... but that's a brand that I have not visited since they abandoned their iPod/iPhone-specific docking-charging speakers.

 

[newyorksole]

Price it right and I may pull the trigger on soundbar finally

I finally did it in December and love it! Sonos Arc over here.

 

[gavroche]

And TV speakers have been decent for a long time.

Yes tv speakers are good now. But they dont do surround sound, and dont have subwoofers. When we want to play a good movie we plug in our subwoofer, and that alone makes watching a movie an entirely different experience.

 

[bpeeps]

And TV speakers have been decent for a long time.

TV speakers are pretty mediocre, even the best ones do not compare to a soundbar or any decent surround system. There simply isn't enough space in most of today's flat panels to house a speaker for great sound. And that's not even mentioning bass, which just can't be replicated without a subwoofer or dedicated speakers. If you're happy with extremely mediocre to poor sound, then sure TV speakers are decent at producing that.

 

[bpeeps]

Soundbars have been a thing for a few years now. Anyone know of other brands that have "proven" and popularly-rated sound bars? I'm guessing Bose... but that's a brand that I have not visited since they abandoned their iPod/iPhone-specific docking-charging speakers.

The Samsung Q950T is the best soundbar on the market right now. They're at the top of the game. Sonos Arc is also up there in terms of sound quality and popularity. Bose has good soundbars, but they all lack critical features like Dolby Atmos. And their price can also be a bit prohibitive.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I wish there were more wireless (TV to soundbar) options out there. It’s one of the reasons I’m so attached to my HomePod.

Agreed n likewise.

“using spatial awareness technology to measure” but still no spatial awareness in any way for the home user? Uggh wasted opportunity here.

 

[hot-gril]

Yes tv speakers are good now. But they dont do surround sound, and dont have subwoofers. When we want to play a good movie we plug in our subwoofer, and that alone makes watching a movie an entirely different experience.

Sure surround sound w/ a subwoofer is the best. But that's not what sound bars are.

 

[manwithashoe]

Why? It introduces latency, which makes play/pause annoying, and you place the sound at physically right next to the TV anyway.

I have my HomePod a good 3 meters (about 9 feet) away from my TV. I fear that near the TV (wall) the bass would both neighbors. I haven’t noticed any latency issues after setting the HomePod as the default audio output.

 

[manwithashoe]

Agreed n likewise.

“using spatial awareness technology to measure” but still no spatial awareness in any way for the home user? Uggh wasted opportunity here.

Aha yeah. Well said.

 

[ian87w]

i cant waits to download the app in the next generation of LG ThinQ XSPNIV smartsfones and play some beats to that soundbar all day long!

Too bad LG beat you to it, by exiting the smartphone business...

 

[827538]

I cannot understand why LG supports DTS with their sound bars but dropped support on their TV’s. I really wish they would reconsider as their OLED’s are hands down the best TV’s.

Dolby might be more common but it really can’t be that much of a greater cost to include it on their TV’s.

 

[mannyvel]

I have my HomePod a good 3 meters (about 9 feet) away from my TV. I fear that near the TV (wall) the bass would both neighbors. I haven’t noticed any latency issues after setting the HomePod as the default audio output.

AirPlay and AirPlay 2 report latency information with the source. That's why they're so great...and why they're more work to implement. The results speak for themselves.

 

[bpeeps]

Sure surround sound w/ a subwoofer is the best. But that's not what sound bars are.

Most sound bars are packaged with a sub, with an option to add on satellite speakers at will. Regardless any decent sound bar alone is going to sound much better than TV speakers anyway.

 

[gavroche]

Sure surround sound w/ a subwoofer is the best. But that's not what sound bars are.

Chucker was saying that he wished there were more wireless options. My sound bar and subwoofer are wireless. Can use one or both. Wasnt referring to just sound bar specifically.