Tomasz Wadowski
Table of contents:
If you were counting on full surround sound support in the new LG televisions from 2025, unfortunately, we have some bad news. As reported by Vincent Teoh from HDTVTest.co.uk on his X profile, this year's models, including the flagship LG G5, do not support DTS:X format. This information has been confirmed based on the technical data (EDID), and it appears that this applies to the whole series this year – both OLED and LCD.
Why DTS:X?
In short: if you use a home cinema, stream films from Disney+, or care about the best possible sound – the lack of DTS:X may be a problem. In the models we tested from 2024, LG offered support for basic DTS, and even for the DTS:X version. Unfortunately, now everything is going back to square one – LG is exclusively focusing on Dolby formats (Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, etc.).
And what about soundbars?
It gets a bit more interesting here. It seems that LG soundbars will still support DTS:X – so if you are using an external audio system, not everything is lost. You just need to connect the audio source (e.g. a console or Blu-ray player) directly to the soundbar or amplifier, not to the television – as it will no longer pass on the DTS sound.
Small step back… and hope for the future?
It is hard not to get the impression that this is a step back, especially since rivals – like Samsung – have already taken the same path. The reason? Probably licensing issues that manufacturers are trying to circumvent. On the other hand, there is also a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Google recently showcased a new audio standard called Eclipsa Audio, which worked, among others, on LG televisions from 2025 and beyond. This could be the future, but for now – it is just the beginning of the journey.
What to do?
If you care about DTS:X support and are considering purchasing an LG television, it is worth reaching for the models from 2024 before they disappear from stores – this usually happens around autumn. The models we have tested, LG C4 and G4, still support DTS and may prove to be a better choice for home cinema fans.
Source: Vincent Teoh, flatpanelshd.com
