Setting up a great surround system usually happens all at once, but a concept being used by LG from Dolby could let you be a little more playful with your sound.
We’ll always argue that better sound makes for a better viewing experience, but it’s often the part least considered by viewers.
The focus is usually on the TV or projector, and while that is a necessary part of entertainment viewing, the sound makes a serious impact, as well.
So often, the sound is considered in portions. You’ll buy the TV but not the sound system, or get a soundbar for the front, but not consider the back until later. Solutions like Sonos and the Arc make it possible to expand later, but not every system is configured that way.
LG is taking a different approach in 2026 and the first to launch Dolby Atmos Flex Connect, a concept that allows you to configure and expand a surround sound system over time, moving from beyond a standard 5.1 surround to as much as 13.1.7, also known as 13 surround, one subwoofer, and seven spatial signals. That is no doubt a complex setup, and one that will work with a combination of parts.
For LG, the system starts with the H7 soundbar, the first speaker from LG’s sound division that supports the Atmos FlexConnect standard, and will work with LG M5 and M7 speakers, plus the W7 subwoofer.
These new speakers will basically allow an Atmos surround system to be expanded over time to match environments, such as a living room with a desire to get the sound more like that of the cinema.
The speakers will also include support for a room calibration technology, allowing the systems to analyse audio characteristics of the room and use AI to process how it could sound better, while ultra-wideband radio — the same stuff Apple uses in its AirTag trackers — will reportedly be used to adjust the listening sweet spot relative to where someone is sitting.
Making this happen is one of LG’s processors normally used on TVs, the LG Alpha 11 AI Gen 3, which uses neural processing for AI enhancements, including optimising sound across program genres.
“Dolby and LG are unlocking a new level of audio flexibility for anyone who wants to enjoy better sound with Dolby Atmos,” said John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Dolby.
“Whether your speakers sit on a shelf or are tucked into a corner, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect fits naturally into any home without the complexity of traditional systems,” he said. “We’re excited for consumers to experience this new level of audio flexibility and performance.”
LG also notes the FlexConnect technology will also come to the premium TVs in its 2026 line up, while select models from the 2025 range will also see support with a software update later on down the track.
As for how much the H7 soundbar and the other speakers will cost in Australia or New Zealand, LG hasn’t quite said yet, but we’ll let you know as and when that changes.
