LG/Meridian to Unveil More High-End Soundbars at CES

LG has announced plans to unveil three “advanced” soundbars at CES 2019, which opens Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The latest models under LG’s evolving collaboration with U.K.-based audio specialist Meridian Audio, support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound and join the Dolby Atmos-enabled SK10Y ($1,100) and other soundbars introduced last summer. Two of the three new models — the SL9YG and SL10YG — are CES 2019 Innovation Award recipients.

The new soundbars, which include the SL8YG, boast a sleek, wall-mountable form factor and draw on several Meridian technologies to deliver “strong, multi-dimensional sound.” Meridian’s Bass & Space and Image Elevation technologies are said to enhance listener envelopment and soundstage realism, while its Upmix processing creates a multi-channel experience from two-channel audio. LG said the upmix process “upgrades the clarity of vocals and lead instruments” and expands the sound field without disturbing tonal balance.

To further enhance listener immersion for a more cinema-like experience, LG will offer an optional wireless rear speaker kit.

The soundbars support high-resolution audio via an advanced processing algorithm that upscales conventional file formats to improve sound quality.

The new soundbars also draw on artificial intelligence (AI) for connectivity with LG smart-home products and incorporate Google Assistant for hands-free voice control, ranging from adjusting volume to getting details about music the system is playing.

The SL9YG, which was singled out for a CES 2019 Best of Innovation award, is only 2.25 inches deep and has a built-in gyroscope sensor that gauges the position of the soundbar (fixed to a wall or on a flat surface) and adjusts sound directionality for an optimal listening experience.

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