LG SL9 Atmos Soundbar - Hands On at CES 2019

LG's New Sound Bar at CES 2019: A 4.1.2 Marvel

We're here at LG's booth at CES 2019, checking out the company's new sound bar that's generating quite a buzz. What's interesting about this particular model is that it's just one of three new sound bars LG has in store for us this year, but we're getting to see the first one up close and personal. This sound bar boasts an impressive 4.1.2 setup, which includes stereo channels at the front, height channels on top for surround sound, a point one channel for the wireless subwoofer situated below, and two side-firing drivers that add another layer of depth to the audio experience.

Now, you might be wondering how these channels work together in practice. The answer lies in LG's unique approach to implementing their Atmos technology, which allows for immersive surround sound. While traditional systems often rely on separate channels for each speaker, LG's 4.1.2 setup takes a more streamlined approach. You have the stereo channels up front, height channels for overhead sounds, and point one for the wireless subwoofer. The side-firing drivers add another layer of depth to the soundstage, creating a truly immersive experience.

However, it's worth noting that these side-firing drivers aren't separate channels in the classical sense. They're more of an alternative way to achieve Atmos-like effects without the need for multiple speakers. This approach does offer some advantages, but also raises questions about the overall impact on sound quality. Nevertheless, LG has clearly put a lot of thought into this design, and it's exciting to see how it all comes together in practice.

One feature that's particularly noteworthy is the integration of Google Assistant into the sound bar. Without the need for a separate speaker, you can access Google's virtual assistant directly from the remote control. This means you can skip tracks, adjust audio settings, or even perform voice searches while enjoying your music without having to leave your seat. The microphone system inside the bar is cleverly designed, using the speakers themselves as microphones when streaming Wi-Fi content.

This feature not only enhances the overall listening experience but also provides a level of convenience that's hard to resist. You can quickly access information or control your audio settings without having to navigate through menus on your device. Plus, with HDMI connectivity, you can use the Google button on the remote to quickly switch between devices without having to say anything out loud.

Another interesting aspect of this sound bar is its mounting system. The drivers are designed to be easily mounted on their bottom, allowing for a sleek and streamlined look when placed against a wall or in a corner. This feature is more about aesthetics than pure audio performance, but it's an exciting development nonetheless. The idea is that by facing the drivers downwards, they can create a unique sonic experience that's tailored to specific listening environments.

The mounting system also incorporates a gyro system that moves the drivers up and down to optimize sound quality. We're not entirely sure how this will play out in practice, but it's certainly an innovative approach to creating a more immersive audio experience. With this feature alone, LG has managed to make their sound bar stand out from the crowd, even if we don't yet know exactly what to expect in terms of sound quality.

Of course, no CES reveal would be complete without some word on upcoming products. We're told that two other bars will be joining the lineup this year: the SL 8, a more pared-down version of the 4.1.2 model, and the SL 10, which promises five point one point two full surround sound with two high channels for an even more immersive experience. While we can't wait to review these other models in person, it's clear that LG is committed to pushing the boundaries of what a home theater system can offer.

In conclusion, LG's new sound bar at CES 2019 is certainly an impressive development, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation and creativity. With its unique 4.1.2 setup, integration of Google Assistant, and mounting system that promises to revolutionize the way we think about soundbars, this model has already got us excited for what's to come. Whether or not it delivers on all fronts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: LG is taking a bold step forward in the world of home theater, and we can't wait to see how things play out in practice.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwe're here at LG's booth at CES 2019 checking out the company's new sound bar now the company's gonna have three new sound bars actually this year but have only brought one to CES this is a very interesting bar it is a 4.1.2 bar now that includes stereo channels up front it's got height channels here for the point too and then there's a point one for the wireless subwoofer down here there are also two side firing drivers here but those aren't separate channels sort of an interesting way to do Atmos but you do have that high channel situation going on and if you'd like to you can add LG's satellite speakers for full discrete surround sound but that doesn't come in the package now there are a few other interesting things about this bar one of them is it does have Google assistant and you don't need a speaker for that you can actually do it right from the remote right here or if you're listening if you're streaming Wi-Fi the microphones inside the bar right here are going to be listening to you all the time that allows you to skip tracks and control your audio while you're listening but you don't have to have it spying on you if you've got on HDMI you can use the Google button right there and it won't bother you when you're not trying to speak with Google now there's one other really interesting thing about this bar and that is that it can be mounted on its bottom basically with these drivers facing down these drivers facing out we're told there's a gyro system inside which moves the drivers it's gonna be really interesting to see how this works on the wall we're not sure how it's gonna sound but supposedly it sounds pretty good that way as well but an interesting way to configure this bar so that you can have it flush against the wall it's really an aesthetics thing there personally if you want the ammo sound I would say keep it this way but that makes it a little bit more of a versatile bar now the company also has two other bars as we mentioned this is the SL 9 there's also the SL 8 which is a pared down version 3.1 and the SL 10 which is going to offer you five point one point two full surround with two high channels so we'll have to check this out once we review it to see how it sounds but so far it's a nice offering we wish the other bars were here but it's cool to see this one at the showwe're here at LG's booth at CES 2019 checking out the company's new sound bar now the company's gonna have three new sound bars actually this year but have only brought one to CES this is a very interesting bar it is a 4.1.2 bar now that includes stereo channels up front it's got height channels here for the point too and then there's a point one for the wireless subwoofer down here there are also two side firing drivers here but those aren't separate channels sort of an interesting way to do Atmos but you do have that high channel situation going on and if you'd like to you can add LG's satellite speakers for full discrete surround sound but that doesn't come in the package now there are a few other interesting things about this bar one of them is it does have Google assistant and you don't need a speaker for that you can actually do it right from the remote right here or if you're listening if you're streaming Wi-Fi the microphones inside the bar right here are going to be listening to you all the time that allows you to skip tracks and control your audio while you're listening but you don't have to have it spying on you if you've got on HDMI you can use the Google button right there and it won't bother you when you're not trying to speak with Google now there's one other really interesting thing about this bar and that is that it can be mounted on its bottom basically with these drivers facing down these drivers facing out we're told there's a gyro system inside which moves the drivers it's gonna be really interesting to see how this works on the wall we're not sure how it's gonna sound but supposedly it sounds pretty good that way as well but an interesting way to configure this bar so that you can have it flush against the wall it's really an aesthetics thing there personally if you want the ammo sound I would say keep it this way but that makes it a little bit more of a versatile bar now the company also has two other bars as we mentioned this is the SL 9 there's also the SL 8 which is a pared down version 3.1 and the SL 10 which is going to offer you five point one point two full surround with two high channels so we'll have to check this out once we review it to see how it sounds but so far it's a nice offering we wish the other bars were here but it's cool to see this one at the show\n"