As is their wont, LG has announced three new soundbars ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month, with all three featuring Google Assistant.
The SL10YG, SL9YG and SL8YG feature support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio for realistic surround sound with tuning by Meridian Audio. Meridian has supplied a new tech called ‘Upmix’. Upmix allows them to ‘up-mix two-channel audio to multiple, distinct channels without generating any distortion while maintaining tonal balance, the Meridian Upmix technology increases sound immersion by improving the sound field while upgrading the clarity of vocals and lead instruments’.
As well as featuring ‘smart functionality’ thanks to Google Assistant, the three sound bars have a ‘sleek, modern design’ according to the announcement from LG, but admittedly they do look the business.
The Smart functionality supplied by Google Assistant will allow users to control the volume, identify music playing and allow for smart home control including controlling the LG ThinQ line of smart, connected devices – though LG has made no mention of ThinQ in their press release.
LG will announce availability and pricing for all three models as they go on-sale in various markets, so we’ll have to wait for their Australian debut for more information.
These LG sound bars will be in competition with the JBL Link Bar.
At a glance, the JBL Link Bar looks better, as it has Android TV built in. This means you can make the JBL unit the centre of your content, and use voice control to switch between live TV, catch-up TV, video and audio. I don’t think the LG units can do that.