The LG S95AR offers surround sound, spatial audio, and improved bass over its LG S95TR predecessor. Some software extras make for a minor but useful update to LG’s flagship soundbar line.
Pros
- Great, immersive sound
- Useful features for LG TV owners
- Easy and quick setup
Cons
- Expensive
- Basic LED display
- A minor update on its predecessor
The LG S95TR may be an older model, but it sounds stellar, and it has AI room calibration to fine-tune what you’re hearing. It’s brimming with features, including some exclusive to LG TVs.
Pros
- Full, immersive spatial audio
- Great power and detail
- Gaming features including 4K 120Hz pass-through
Cons
- Expensive
- Basic LED display
- Some features require app
Comparing the LG S95AR to the LG S95TR shows how subtle updates can be in new generations of products. Sometimes they make huge leaps forward, and sometimes they don’t. This is especially critical to keep in mind since both models are available for purchase. Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves if spending $200 more is worth it.
There’s no doubt that both are among the best soundbars, not to mention the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, available right now. But, when comparing the two, which one is better? Which one is worth buying? The short answer for me is going to be the LG S95AR, but the differences are small enough that it might make more sense for you to buy the LG S95TR, as it’s almost as good and cheaper.
Both soundbars look, work, and sound almost the same, with only a redesign in the subwoofer affecting the performance of the newer model. Most of the differences are improvements and additions in the feature set. No matter which model you get, the surround sound and spatial audio are top-notch. And if you don’t have an LG TV or care about connecting to certain voice assistants, you probably won’t notice a difference between the two.
LG S95AR vs LG S95TR: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
LG S95AR |
LG S95TR |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 in (1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm); subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 in (200 x 406 x 404mm); rear speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 in (160 x 223.5 x 142mm) |
Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches (1250 x 64.5 x 135mm); subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches (201 x 406 x 404mm); rear speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 inches (160 x 223.5 x 142mm) |
|
Speaker channels |
9.1.5 |
9.1.5 |
|
Connections |
1x HDMI out (with eARC), HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
1x HDMI out (with eARC), HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
|
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X |
Yes / Yes |
Yes / Yes |
|
Sub included |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Rear speakers included |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Other features |
DTS:X, 4K 120Hz passthrough, Wi-Fi Streaming, Google and Alexa voice assistant support, AI room calibration |
DTS:X, 4K 120Hz passthrough, Wi-Fi Streaming, AI room calibration |
LG S95AR vs LG S95TR: Price
The LG S95AR is the more expensive as well as more exclusive model, as it’s currently only available in the US. But its $1,699.99 price (about £1,260 / AU$2,610), while high, is only $200 more than the LG S95TR, which is a year older and goes for a still hefty $1,499.99 / £1,699 / AU$1,699.
When the LG S95AR becomes available in the UK and Australia, its pricing will be a similar-sized bump (the S95TR was also exclusive to the US when first released). Since the generational refresh is somewhat minimal, that price bump is mostly offering a few more and better integrated features, as well as an additional HDMI port. Of course, LG did redesign the subwoofer for better extension and output.
Besides comparing these two soundbars to each other, when looking at other models with similar capabilities and features – I’ve compared both to the Samsung Q990D – the price point is appropriate. A 2024 model, the Samsung Q990D retails for $1,499, though you can find it at a deeply discounted £799 price in the UK.
LG S95AR vs LG S95TR: Design & Features
On the surface level, these two soundbars look identical. They have the same speaker configuration and the same dimensions. The capacitive control buttons are the same as well.
Both models have an HDMI 2.1 input with 4K 120Hz, HDR10, and Dolby Vision passthrough capabilities, along with an HDMI eARC port.
Now, the eight-inch subwoofer on the S95AR has been redesigned to increase interior volume from 18 to 20 liters, but otherwise it looks exactly the same. Most likely, LG adjusted the internal bracing for better bass response.
Where the LG S95AR is most improved is on the software side. And that’s still not a night-and-day difference. The AI Room Calibration, as well as the various sound modes like Night mode are available on both, but the S95AR adds Alexa and Google Assistant support. If you care about smart home integration, that’s probably a bigger plus for you than it is to most.
The S95AR is also better integrated with LG’s WOW Cast feature, which allows one to wirelessly pair the soundbar with compatible LG TVs. Overall, the LG S95AR has better specifications, but experientially, it’s a minor improvement for most users.
Winner: LG S95AR (by a hair)
LG S95AR vs LG S95TR: Performance
Soundwise, you’re getting almost the exact same experience. The only thing that might be a bit different is a deeper, punchier response from the S95AR’s redesigned subwoofer. Having listened to both soundbars, I found no fault with the original model, but I like to keep the low-end balanced with the rest of the audio range, so the S95AR’s extra oomph might be more appreciated by others. Plus, you can always turn up the bass quite a bit with both through the app.
That said, one of the first things I noticed with the S95AR is how much I felt the bass when listening to it, even if the subwoofer wasn’t very loud. I don’t remember noticing that with the S95TR.
Outside of that, however, surround sound and spatial audio, aka Dolby Atmos, are immersive and all-enveloping regardless of the model. The frequency range and sound stage were similarly impressive on both models when I tested them.
Winner: LG S95AR (by a hair)
LG S95AR vs LG S95TR: The verdict
So yes, in the end, the LG S95AR is better. But the difference is less pronounced than one might imagine, and even less so if you don’t own an LG TV or want to pair your soundbar with a voice assistant. The S95AR’s improved bass is nice, but the bass on the older S95TR is still very good.
The question then is whether the additional chunk of change is worth it for you to get the LG S95AR, especially considering that older models tend to receive more and bigger discounts during shopping events. For example, the S95TR is currently discounted by almost 20% on Amazon in the US at the time of writing, and was discounted to almost 40% during a recent Prime Day sale.
If you want the latest and greatest, the LG S95AR is the way to go. If you want to save a little money and still get 98% of the way there, the LG S95TR offers better value, especially during a sale. And if you already own the S95TR and are wondering if an upgrade is worth it, then you’re better off sticking with what you have for at least another generation or two.
