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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- LG announced its Sound Suite home entertainment system, which will be showcased at CES 2026.
- It’s a modular home theater system and features Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.
- More detailed specs, along with pricing and availability, are currently unavailable.
Weeks before CES 2026 kicks off, LG has begun to unveil its big plans for home entertainment. The company this month announced Sound Suite, its modular home audio system, comprising the H7 soundbar, M7 and M5 surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer. Most notably, LG’s H7 soundbar is the first to incorporate Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.
Also: CES 2026: Everything we’re expecting to see (and how to watch)
This audio technology eliminates the need for a fixed number of surround speakers, allowing them to be placed anywhere within a room while still achieving optimal spatial audio performance. Although LG’s Sound Suite won’t be ready for demos until the show begins on Jan. 6, here’s what we know about it now.
What is LG Sound Suite?
The LG Sound Suite consists of the H7 soundbar, M7 and M5 surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer. According to LG, this home audio system is modular, meaning each piece of the lineup is sold separately, similar to the Sonos Arc Ultra, Era surround speakers, and Sub lineup. Consumers can purchase pieces within the LG Sound Suite as needed, based on their budget or room size.
Also: LG unveils its first Micro RGB TV ahead of CES 2026, and it’s got OLED users feeling envy
However, consumers who choose to fit their room with the entire Sound Suite will enjoy a 13.1.7-channel home theater, with the H7 soundbar at the forefront. In a press release, LG states that the H7 soundbar is fitted with the company’s advanced Alpha 11 AI Processor 3. This processor is responsible for executing AI-powered audio features such as AI Sound Pro+, which upmixes stereo content into multi-channel surround sound.
AI also aids in object separation and placement, and promises to optimize audio response across various genres. I’ll be curious to hear how natural the AI audio processing sounds, and I plan to encounter LG’s latest home entertainment products at CES. Sometimes, digital processing of stereo content into spatial audio can sound too computerized, which quickly removes you from the immersive experience.
More specific details on the soundbar, including its pricing and availability, are currently unavailable. However, LG says the Sound Suite features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless streaming.
What is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect?
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is an audio technology from Dolby that allows users to place compatible audio products anywhere within a room without compromising the spatial audio experience. Traditionally, a well-performing spatial audio experience still includes multiple speakers.
Consider the audio experience at a movie theater: it features main left, right, and center channels for dialogue, as well as surround speakers in the walls and ceiling, so you feel the audio all around you. When content mixed in Dolby Atmos comes through these speakers, you can place specific sounds within them, so you feel as though you are in the movie. Even with Dolby Atmos, this experience is heavily dependent on the speakers’ physical location.
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With Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, consumers have more flexibility to place their speakers anywhere within their space and still achieve an immersive listening experience, regardless of their space. According to Dolby, you’re no longer confined to power outlet location, room size, or decor and furniture barriers.
The company also shared that FlexConnect works with any TV via HDMI, but the connected speakers must be compatible. Once they’re plugged in, your TV automatically locates the speakers and calibrates them to optimize sound performance.
ZDNET’s take
However, I’m interested in how height channels will perform with this technology. Many flagship soundbars feature upfiring speakers for enhanced height, which is crucial for a true spatial audio experience. Yet, the performance of these speakers relies heavily on the placement of your soundbar and the height of your ceiling.
Also: Dolby Vision 2 has arrived, but you don’t have to replace your TV for a new one yet
If your soundbar is too close to your TV, the TV may block the upfiring speakers from projecting sound to the ceiling. If your ceiling is too high, too much sound could be lost in the air to properly bounce off your ceiling onto you. Perhaps FlexConnect can help remedy this common occurrence.
Either way, I’m all for added flexibility, especially when it comes to speaker placement. I have two Sonos Era 300 rear speakers in my living room, and because my living room is not a perfect square, there’s only one specific spot on my couch that offers the best listening experience.
Be sure to check back at ZDNET during CES to learn more about our experience with LG and Dolby’s latest home entertainment technologies.
