LG Electronics made entertainment audio products a big part of its CES 2018 news by revealing a range of speakers developed with the assistance and technology of partners Dolby Labs (Dolby Atmos) and Meridian Audio (developer of advanced DSP audio technologies).
LG is giving up its former association with Harman Kardon, many of the assets of which were recently acquired by LG-rival Samsung, and is replacing it with the expertise of Meridian while expanding the use of Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.
Among the products to spring from this collaboration are a large assortment of Bluetooth speakers using Meridian Audio’s advanced high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) technologies that LG said “deliver more natural and warm sound.”
Read more about LG’s 2018 audio product plans after the jump:
In addition, LG is expanding its assortment of soundbars incorporating the immersive Dolby Atmos 3D audio capability and is adding a wireless speaker with the the latest Google Assistant artificial intelligence (AI) voice-control technology, the company said.
Among the highlights of the offerings is the LG SK10Y soundbar with 550 Watts of power, and 5.1.2-channel surround, running the Dolby Atmos object-based audio system. Atmos produces a wider sound stage with object-base sound effects for enhanced aural realism.
To accomplish this, the SK10Y incorporates multiple speakers including a pair of up-firing speakers that provide overhead height channels that engulf listeners with dynamic sound effects. The volume of the up-firing speakers can be adjusted to create the most realistic experience.
LG said it is leveraging its partnership with Meridian Audio in the SK10Y by employing the company’s new Digital Signal Processing (DSP) audio enhancements for high-fidelity psychoacoustic sound experiences.
LG said Meridian equipped the SK10Y to produce a high-level experience in bass and space technology for a richer sound. Meridian’s Height Elevation technology raises sound above the soundbar to the level of the screen, bringing extra clarity to speech and music.
The SK10Y supports playback of sound at up to 40kHz, and offers a sound upconverting feature that boosts the quality of standard audio files to 24bit/192kHz “to enhance subtle details and nuances of each track,” LG said.
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The SK10Y will also offer a modern, slim-profile design “to seamlessly fit underneath many of LG’s 2018 OLED or Super UHD TV models.” It will support streaming popular audio services via Chromecast and can be operated via voice control using the activation phrase “OK Google” to request playing a favorite song, podcast or audio clip from a streaming service.
Pricing and availability will be announced later.
In speakers, LG’s portable PK series was designed to deliver premium sound and mood lighting features in one package that can be taken anywhere. The models will use Meridian Audio technologies to provide loud volumes with undistorted bass, speech and vocals. The new speakers are compatible with APT-X HD Bluetooth standard for streaming 24-bit music over a wireless connection.
LG is adding premium smart AI audio technology in its latest LG ThinQ Speaker. The speaker produces high-quality sound and includes built-in Google Assistant with a personalized voice-activated interface for LG’s smart home appliances.
LG is also offering a few all-in-one party speakers optimized with 1,800-Watt, DJ capabilities, karaoke modes and integrated party lighting. The speakers were designed for durability and provide flexible connectivity options to download or stream an unlimited number of dance tracks.
By Greg Tarr
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