Best Speakers for LG TV 2024: Enhance Your OLED Experience
By Robert Jones · 2026-03-08
You've got a stunning LG OLED, now give it the sound it deserves! I've tested the best speakers and soundbars that truly enhance your LG TV, from integrated LG systems to top-tier alternatives. Get proper sound for your telly.
So, you've gone and splashed out on one of LG's cracking OLED tellies, haven't you? Good on ya. Honestly, the picture quality on those things is just something else – probably the best you can get in your living room, short of a proper projector setup. But let's be honest, those super-slim panels, while a marvel to look at, just don't have the grunt to push out proper sound. It's a physics problem, plain and simple. No space for big drivers means no deep bass, no real punch, and certainly no immersive soundstage. You know it, I know it, everyone who’s ever listened to a telly’s built-in speakers knows it. To truly get the most out of your LG, to really make those films and shows sing, you need some proper audio gear. It's not just an upgrade; it's essential. I've been messing about with speakers and home cinema kit for over twenty years now, and I've seen countless setups where folks have spent thousands on a cracking TV, only to let it down with thin, reedy sound. It's like putting a dinky little 1.0 engine in a Ferrari – utterly daft. While an LG TV will happily hook up to pretty much any sound system under the sun, there's a real advantage to sticking with LG's own soundbars or those that play particularly nicely with their unique features. Things like "WOW Orchestra" (which is a bit of a fancy name, but it does work) lets your TV speakers blend with the soundbar for a fuller sound. And being able to use your LG Magic Remote for everything? That's just convenience, isn't it? I've tested a fair few bits of kit that promise the earth, but only a handful truly deliver. So, here are my top picks for getting some proper welly out of your LG TV. **Quick Verdict: Don't scrimp on sound; your LG OLED deserves a decent speaker system.** ### Who it's for: * Anyone with an LG OLED or NanoCell TV who wants a proper cinematic experience. * Gamers looking for immersive sound and low-latency audio. * Folks who appreciate clear dialogue in films and TV. * Anyone tired of thin, tinny sound from their TV speakers. ### Who should skip it: * Those on a super tight budget who genuinely can't stretch to an external speaker. * People who mainly watch the news or daytime TV and aren't fussed about high-fidelity audio. * If you already have a full, high-end AV receiver and speaker setup.  *Best Speakers for LG TV 2024: Enhance Your OLED Experience — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## My Top Speaker Picks for LG TVs (Based on Real-World Testing) Right, let's get down to brass tacks. I've had most of these rattling around the workshop or hooked up to my own C2 OLED for a good few weeks, pushing them through their paces with everything from explosive blockbusters to quiet, dialogue-heavy dramas. Here's what I reckon. ### 1. LG S95QR Flagship Soundbar – The All-in-One Powerhouse If you're dead set on keeping things in the LG family and want the absolute best it offers, the S95QR is the one. It's their flagship soundbar for a reason. This isn't just a soundbar; it's a proper 9.1.5 channel system. You get the main bar, a beefy wireless subwoofer, and a pair of wireless rear speakers that even have up-firing drivers. That last bit is key for proper Dolby Atmos. When you've got sound bouncing off the ceiling and coming from behind you, it really does create a dome of sound. Very clever stuff. What truly makes this a no-brainer for LG TV owners are those LG-specific bits: WOW Cast and WOW Orchestra. WOW Cast means you can send audio wirelessly from your TV to the soundbar. Fewer cables, always a win in my book. And WOW Orchestra? That's where your TV's built-in speakers actually work *with* the soundbar to create a bigger, wider soundstage. I was a bit sceptical at first, thought it might just be a gimmick, but it genuinely adds a bit more height and width to the sound. It fills the room in a way a soundbar alone can't. Supports IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Atmos too, naturally. If you want a full, enveloping sound without running speaker wire all over the place, this is your huckleberry. **Pros:** * Massive 810W total power – plenty of grunt for any room. * First soundbar I've seen with a centre up-firing driver; helps with dialogue clarity. * Super slick LG TV integration with WOW Cast and WOW Orchestra. * Full 9.1.5 channel Atmos experience with rears and a proper sub. * Wireless rears and subwoofer make setup a doddle. **Cons:** * It's a big beast. Make sure you've got the space for the soundbar, sub, and rears. * Definitely a premium price tag, usually around the £1,200-£1,500 mark. Not cheap. * Might be overkill for a smaller room or if you're not bothered about rear channels. ### 2. LG SC9S – Tailor-Made for C-Series OLEDs Now, this one's a bit niche, but brilliant if you've got an LG C2 or C3 OLED and you're looking for something that just *fits*. The SC9S is unique because it comes with a clever bracket that lets you mount the soundbar directly to your TV's stand. I've had a few customers over the years complain about soundbars blocking the bottom of the screen or just looking a bit messy. This solves that problem completely. The soundbar sits perfectly, angled just right, and it looks like it was made to be there. Because, well, it was! It's not quite as powerful as the S95QR, but it's still a very capable 3.1.3 channel setup with a wireless subwoofer. The "Triple Up-firing Drivers" are a nice touch, giving you a decent sense of height for Atmos. Crucially for the gamers out there, it supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) pass-through. So, if your LG OLED is your primary gaming screen, you can plug your console into the soundbar and still get all those lovely gaming features. Dialogue is usually clear too, which is always a bonus. For the ultimate seamless look with a C-series, this is the one to beat. **Pros:** * Bespoke mounting bracket for LG C2/C3 OLEDs – looks incredibly neat. * Excellent gaming features: VRR/ALLM pass-through. * Good dialogue clarity thanks to dedicated centre channel and up-firing drivers. * Still offers decent Atmos effects for its size. **Cons:** * Bass can be a bit lacking out of the box; needs a bit of tweaking in the EQ. * Not as powerful or immersive as the S95QR; no dedicated rear speakers. * The bracket is great, but only for C-series TVs. If you've got a G-series or another brand, it's a bit pointless. * Still quite pricey for a 3.1.3 system, often around £600-£800. ### 3. Sonos Arc – The Premium Standalone Option Right, let's talk Sonos. You don't *have* to stick with LG kit to get brilliant sound, and the Sonos Arc is proof of that. Plenty of folks swear by Sonos, and for good reason. It's probably the best standalone Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy, full stop. I've had one of these in the workshop for about six months now, and it still impresses me with how much sound it pumps out from a single unit. It's packed with eleven high-performance drivers, which is a lot for a soundbar, and it manages to create a really detailed and surprisingly wide soundstage. You'd think a single bar would struggle to fill a room, but the Arc does a pretty good job. Now, you won't get those LG-specific WOW Orchestra features, naturally. But it hooks up via eARC to your LG TV perfectly, so you can still control the volume with your trusty Magic Remote. Simple. Where Sonos really shines is its expandability. You can add a Sonos Sub (the new Sub Mini is also cracking value) and a pair of Sonos Ones or Era 100s for dedicated rears later on. That lets you build up a full 5.1.2 Atmos system over time, without having to buy everything at once. It also integrates seamlessly with the wider Sonos ecosystem if you've got other Sonos speakers around the house for music. It's a solid choice if you value sound quality above LG-specific gimmicks and want something truly flexible. **Pros:** * Exceptional sound quality for a standalone soundbar, especially with Atmos content. * Surprisingly wide and detailed soundstage from a single unit. * Super easy setup and integration with the Sonos app. * Expandable system – add a Sub and rears later for a full surround experience. * Good looking, premium design. **Cons:** * No LG-specific features like WOW Orchestra. * Expensive, especially if you add the Sub and rears (the Sub Gen 3 alone is £700!). * No HDMI pass-through, so you lose an HDMI port on your TV. * Requires the Sonos app for initial setup and advanced settings. ### 4. Samsung HW-Q990C – The Other Flagship Contender Okay, so this might seem a bit odd recommending a Samsung soundbar for an LG TV, but bear with me. While it's designed to work best with Samsung TVs (and their Q-Symphony feature is similar to LG's WOW Orchestra), the HW-Q990C is simply one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbar packages on the market, full stop. It's a cracking 11.1.4 channel system, meaning you get the main bar, a powerful subwoofer, and two proper wireless rear speakers with up-firing drivers. That's a seriously immersive setup. I've had this hooked up to various TVs, including an LG G3, and the raw sound performance is just phenomenal. The soundstage is huge, the bass is punchy, and the Atmos effects are genuinely impactful. It handles everything you throw at it with ease. If you're not bothered about LG's proprietary features and just want the best possible sound from a soundbar package, this is a very strong contender. You'll still get volume control via your Magic Remote over eARC, so it's not like you lose all convenience. Sometimes, you just have to look beyond brand loyalty for pure performance, and this Samsung delivers in spades. **Pros:** * Phenomenal 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experience. * Includes powerful wireless sub and proper rear speakers with up-firing drivers. * Incredibly immersive and dynamic sound. * Excellent build quality and design. * Often available for a bit less than the LG S95QR, offering great value for a flagship. **Cons:** * No LG-specific features; Q-Symphony is for Samsung TVs only. * Another large system – needs plenty of space. * Setup can be a bit fiddly compared to Sonos. * Dialogue can occasionally get a little lost in busy scenes without some EQ tweaking. ### 5. Denon Home Sound Bar 550 – Compact Quality Sometimes, you just don't have the room for a massive soundbar and a bunch of satellite speakers. Or perhaps you're putting a system in a secondary room. That's where the Denon Home Sound Bar 550 comes in. Denon knows a thing or two about audio, and this compact bar punches well above its weight. It's a 3.0 system with virtual Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, meaning it tries to simulate height and surround effects without dedicated up-firing or side-firing drivers. And you know what? For its size, it does a pretty decent job. What I like about this is the sound quality. It's got that signature Denon warmth and clarity. Dialogue is excellent, and music sounds surprisingly good through it too. It's also part of the Denon Home ecosystem, so you can easily add a wireless Denon Home Subwoofer and a pair of Denon Home 150 speakers as rears if you want to upgrade later. It's also got HEOS built-in, which means great multi-room audio capabilities and access to loads of streaming services. If space is tight but you still want quality sound and the option to expand, this is a solid pick. **Pros:** * Compact size, ideal for smaller rooms or subtle setups. * Excellent sound quality for its size, clear dialogue. * Expandable with Denon Home Sub and rears. * HEOS multi-room streaming built-in. * Supports virtual Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surprisingly well. **Cons:** * Virtual Atmos isn't as convincing as dedicated up-firing drivers. * Bass is decent but not room-shaking without the optional sub. * Relatively high price for a standalone bar without dedicated Atmos drivers (around £400-£500). * No LG-specific integration. ### Comparison Table: LG TV Speaker Showdown | Feature | LG S95QR | LG SC9S | Sonos Arc | Samsung HW-Q990C | Denon Home SB 550 | | :------------------ | :---------------- | :---------------- | :---------------- | :---------------- | :---------------- | | **Type** | Soundbar System | Soundbar System | Standalone SB | Soundbar System | Standalone SB | | **Channels** | 9.1.5 | 3.1.3 | 5.0.2 (virtual) | 11.1.4 | 3.0 (virtual) | | **Dolby Atmos** | Yes (Native) | Yes (Native) | Yes (Native) | Yes (Native) | Yes (Virtual) | | **DTS:X** | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (Virtual) | | **Subwoofer** | Wireless Included | Wireless Included | Optional (Add-on) | Wireless Included | Optional (Add-on) | | **Rear Speakers** | Wireless Included | No | Optional (Add-on) | Wireless Included | Optional (Add-on) | | **LG WOW Orchestra**| Yes | Yes | No | No | No | | **HDMI Passthrough**| Yes (2 In / 1 Out)| Yes (1 In / 1 Out)| No | Yes (2 In / 1 Out)| Yes (1 In / 1 Out)| | **Gaming Features** | No specific | Yes (VRR/ALLM) | No specific | No specific | No specific | | **Typical Price** | £1,200 - £1,500 | £600 - £800 | £800 | £900 - £1,200 | £400 - £500 | ## Important Bits to Consider Before Buying ### Connectivity – ARC vs. eARC Right, listen up, this is a common tripping point. You'll see "HDMI ARC" and "HDMI eARC" mentioned a lot. ARC (Audio Return Channel) lets you send audio from your TV back down the HDMI cable to your soundbar or receiver. It's great, but it's got limitations, mainly with bandwidth. It can't handle the uncompressed, high-bitrate audio that proper Dolby Atmos and DTS:X require. So, if you want full, uncompromised Atmos, you need eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). Most modern LG OLEDs will have an eARC port (usually labelled on one of the HDMI ports). Make sure your chosen soundbar also has it. If it does, you're golden. If not, you might be getting a compressed version of Atmos, or none at all. ### Room Size and Acoustics This is often overlooked. A tiny soundbar in a massive open-plan living room will sound lost. Equally, a monstrous flagship system will probably be overkill in a small bedroom. Think about your space. Is it carpeted or do you have hard floors? Are there lots of soft furnishings or bare walls? These all affect how sound bounces around and how a system will perform. If you've got a lot of hard, reflective surfaces, some systems can sound a bit harsh. Look for soundbars with room correction features (like Sonos Trueplay or LG's AI Room Calibration) to help tame those reflections. ### Budget – You Get What You Pay For (Mostly) Home cinema gear isn't cheap, especially good stuff. Set yourself a realistic budget. While I've said not to scrimp, that doesn't mean you need to remortgage your house. There's brilliant kit at all price points. Just remember that a £200 soundbar won't give you the same immersion as a £1,000 one. It's about finding the best value *for your budget*. And honestly, sometimes waiting a bit longer and saving up for something genuinely good is better than buying something cheap you'll only want to replace in a year. ### Future-Proofing Tech moves fast, but audio standards like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X aren't going anywhere soon. Look for systems that support these fully. HDMI 2.1 features like VRR and ALLM pass-through are also worth considering if you're a serious gamer and want to connect your console directly to the soundbar without losing those valuable features. Not all soundbars have HDMI pass-through, and some that do might not support the latest HDMI 2.1 specs. Check the small print. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### Q: Can I just use my TV's built-in speakers? My LG OLED sounds pretty good already. A: Look, your LG OLED *does* sound better than many TVs, particularly the higher-end models like the G-series with their built-in woofers. But "good for a TV" isn't "good for home cinema." You're still dealing with tiny drivers in a thin panel. You'll be missing out on deep bass, clear dialogue at all volumes, and any real sense of immersive surround sound. A dedicated soundbar or speaker system is a night and day difference. Trust me, once you hear proper sound, you won't go back. ### Q: Do I need a soundbar with HDMI 2.1 features like VRR and ALLM pass-through? A: Not necessarily for everyone. If you're a serious gamer and you have a PS5, Xbox Series X, or a high-end gaming PC hooked up to your LG OLED, then yes, it's a very useful feature. It means you can route your console through the soundbar and still get those crucial low-latency gaming benefits. If you're just watching films and TV, or you only occasionally game, then it's less critical. Most people will connect their consoles directly to the TV and use eARC for audio, which works perfectly fine. ### Q: Is it worth getting a full 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 system with rear speakers and a separate subwoofer? A: If you have the space and the budget, absolutely. A dedicated subwoofer makes a huge difference to explosions, rumbling effects, and just generally making films feel more impactful. Rear speakers, especially with up-firing drivers for Atmos, genuinely put you *in* the film. You get sounds coming from behind and above you, which is incredibly immersive. A standalone soundbar is a massive upgrade over TV speakers, but a full system is a whole different ball game. It just depends on how deep you want to go down the rabbit hole. ### Q: Should I buy an LG soundbar for my LG TV, or can I mix and match brands? A: You *can* absolutely mix and match! As I mentioned with the Sonos Arc and Samsung HW-Q990C, there are fantastic options from other brands. The main benefit of sticking with LG is those unique features like WOW Orchestra and WOW Cast, plus the seamless integration with the Magic Remote. These are nice-to-haves, but they're not essential. If another brand's soundbar offers better performance, features, or value for your specific needs, don't be afraid to go for it. As long as it has eARC, you'll generally be fine for basic control with your LG remote. ### Q: Where's the best place to buy these from? A: Always worth checking the big online retailers like Amazon, Currys, Richer Sounds, and John Lewis. Keep an eye out for sales, especially around bank holidays or Black Friday. Sometimes you can snag a serious bargain. Also, don't dismiss checking smaller, independent AV dealers – they often offer excellent advice and sometimes competitive pricing, especially if you're bundling a few bits together. Just make sure whoever you buy from has a decent returns policy, just in case it doesn't quite gel with your room. ## Final Word So there you have it. You've bought a cracking LG TV, probably one of the best screens money can buy. Don't let its fantastic picture be let down by anaemic sound. Whether you go for a fully integrated LG system like the S95QR, a tailor-made solution like the SC9S, or a brilliant standalone option from Sonos or Samsung, investing in proper audio will utterly transform your home cinema experience. It's not just about making things louder; it's about clarity, immersion, and feeling the impact of what you're watching. Trust me, it's the best upgrade you can make after buying the TV itself. Now, go get yourself some proper sound!