March 2026
ertonline.co.uk
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Premiere
Ten custom drivers are individually powered by ten amplifiers, delivering up to 102dB SPL. That’s enough headroom to fill large open-plan living spaces without audible strain. Bang & Olufsen’s Wide Stage Technology uses driver- specific acoustic mapping, able to take into account position, dispersion and response characteristics, to expand the perceived soundstage beyond the cabinet’s physical dimensions. The promise is greater width and height, without the need to accommodate external surround speakers.
Clever bass management also draws on the combined output of all drivers, removing the requirement for a separate subwoofer. Buyers concerned about box count or visible clutter can be reassured that low- frequency weight has been engineered into the chassis itself, and not sacrificed on the altar of convenience. Their blockbusters will still slam. Bang & Olufsen has also produced a limited Beosound Premiere Haute Edition, restricted to just 25 pieces worldwide, featuring precision- milled grooves that take 17 hours to complete. While volumes are small, products like this reinforce brand prestige. On the shop floor, the Beosound Premiere lends itself to experiential selling. Demonstrate vocal clarity at moderate volumes. Switch to orchestral or cinematic material to illustrate scale. This is halo product territory. CEO Kristian
Teär describes it as “a sculptural masterpiece and bold expression of acoustic artistry.”
LG debuts FlexConnect Think there’s nothing new in the Dolby Audio game? Think again.
LG is first to market with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, via its LG Sound Suite audio system, a modular component package that makes fully immersive audio more achievable than ever, regardless of room layout.
LG Sound Suite 2026
The Sound Suite system comprises the H7 soundbar (£899), wireless M7 (£399) and M5 (£249) surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer (£600). All speaker drivers have been sourced from Peerless, which has a considerable reputation in Hi-Fi circles.
Lee Jeong-seok of LG says the aim is to let consumers “create the system they want and enjoy cinematic sound from any seat.” The H7 soundbar also utilises LG’s most advanced processor, the Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen 3, which is the same silicon used in its flagship OLED TVs. It uses deep learning and Neural Processing Unit to upmix stereo audio into multi-channel surround, while AI-powered object separation ensures voices, music and sound effects are clear and balanced. The system can also adapt audio based on content type for optimised sound. “Dolby and LG are unlocking a new level of audio flexibility,” said John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories. “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.”
Modularity is the golden ticket here. Start with a soundbar. Add surrounds later. Upsell to an impressive 13.1.7-channel configuration if your customer has the appetite and space. Features such as Room Calibration Pro, AI Sound Pro+ and Sound Follow, which adjusts the listening sweet spot using ultra-wideband technology, provide tangible talking points. The beauty is that surround speaker positioning does not have to follow established norms. Symmetry is no longer required. Place your surrounds, be they compact M5’s or larger M7’s, as best you can around or near the seating position, and then auto calibrate - which takes just seconds. Then the Dolby Renderer in the Lead Device, which is most likely the soundbar, works out where to send relevant elements of the sound mix, creating a cohesive surround sound experience. What’s more, LG has confirmed that its bringing Dolby Atmos FlexConnect to its 2026 premium TV lineup, and select 2025 screens, through a future software update. This will allow screens to become part of the FlexConnect soundstage, even taking over Lead Device duties, if required. Arch rival Samsung is approaching immersive audio from a different angle.
Its flagship HW-Q990H claims to be the company’s most advanced soundbar to date. A 11.1.4-channel package, it combines a 7.0.2 soundbar with up-firing rear speakers and a redesigned ultra-compact subwoofer, housing dual active 8-inch drivers. A new Samsung feature for 2026 is Sound Elevation, which lifts dialogue toward the centre of the screen. Auto Volume smooths out abrupt changes between broadcast sources, streaming apps and adverts, a feature that should resonate immediately with households.
Samsung Music Studio 7
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