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ZDNET Highlights
- LG announced its Sound Suite home entertainment system, which will be showcased at CES 2026.
- It is a modular home theater system and features Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.
- More detailed details including pricing and availability are not available at this time.
Just weeks before CES 2026 begins, LG has started revealing its big plans for home entertainment. The company this week announced its modular home audio system sound suite, which includes the H7 soundbar, M7 and M5 surround speakers, and the W7 subwoofer. Most importantly, LG’s H7 soundbar is the first soundbar to include Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.
Also: CES 2026: Everything we’re expecting to see (and how to see it)
This audio technology eliminates the need for a fixed number of surround speakers, allowing them to be placed anywhere within a room while achieving optimal spatial audio performance. Although LG’s Sound Suite won’t be ready for demo until the show begins on January 6, here’s what we know about it now.
What is LG Sound Suite?
The LG Sound Suite includes the H7 soundbar, M7 and M5 surround speakers and the 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 LG Sound Suite pieces as needed depending on their budget or room size.
Also: LG launches its first Micro RGB TV ahead of CES 2026, and it’s making OLED users jealous
However, consumers who choose to fit a complete sound suite to their room will enjoy a 13.1.7-channel home theater with the H7 soundbar at the forefront. in a press releaseLG says the H7 soundbar is equipped with the company’s advanced Alpha 11 AI Processor 3. This processor is responsible for executing AI-powered audio features like AI Sound Pro+, which transforms stereo content into multi-channel surround sound.
The AI also assists with object separation and placement, and promises to optimize audio response across different 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. At times, the digital processing of stereo material in spatial audio can seem overly computerized, which immediately takes you away from the immersive experience.
More specific details on the soundbar, including its price and availability, are not currently available. 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 involves multiple speakers.
Consider the audio experience in a movie theater: It has main left, right, and center channels for dialogue, as well as surround speakers in the walls and ceiling, so you can feel the audio all around you. When content mixed in Dolby Atmos comes through these speakers, you can add specific sounds to them, so you feel like you’re in the movie. Even with Dolby Atmos, this experience is largely dependent on the physical location of the speakers.
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With Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, consumers have greater flexibility to place their speakers anywhere within their space and still receive an immersive listening experience regardless of their location. According to Dolby, you’re no longer limited by power outlet location, room size, or decor and furniture constraints.
The company also shared that FlexConnect works with any TV via HDMI, but the connected speaker must be compatible. Once they’re plugged in, your TV automatically detects the speakers and calibrates them to optimize sound performance.
ZDNET’s take
However, I am interested in how altitude channels will perform with this technique. Many flagship soundbars feature upfiring speakers for increased height, which is important for a true spatial audio experience. Still, the performance of these speakers depends largely on the position of your soundbar and the height of your ceilings.
Also: Dolby Vision 2 is here, but you don’t need to replace your TV with a new one just yet
If your soundbar is too close to your TV, upfiring the TV may prevent the speakers from projecting sound to the ceiling. If your ceilings are too high, a lot of sound can be lost into the air which can then bounce right off your ceiling and onto you. Perhaps FlexConnect can help resolve this common occurrence.
Either way, I’m all for the 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 is only one specific spot on my couch that provides the best listening experience.
Be sure to check back with ZDNET during CES to learn more about our experience with LG and Dolby’s latest home entertainment technologies.
