LG S80TR 5.1.3 vs Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Sound Quality

The LG S80TR 5.1.3 has a true 5.1.3 channel layout with a center up-firing speaker, wireless rear surrounds, and a wireless subwoofer. The center up-firing driver is designed to pull dialogue upward and keep it clear, which is a practical benefit for movie and TV content. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar has five transducers total, including two upward firing drivers, but the listing does not publish its channel count. Bose adds an A.I. Dialogue Mode that specifically targets clear speech. On paper, the LG offers more physical drivers and dedicated rear channels, which usually suggests a broader front stage and better separation.

Both models score well in the sound quality sub score, with the LG at 26 out of 30 and the Bose at 23 out of 30. However, neither listing publishes amplifier power or individual driver sizes, so absolute loudness and dynamic headroom cannot be compared from the supplied facts. The LG's center up-firing driver and included rear speakers give it an advantage for buyers who want a discrete surround experience without extra purchases. The Bose's all-in-one design and A.I. Dialogue Mode may be enough for smaller rooms, but it cannot match the LG's separate physical rear channels for side and rear effects.

Surround, Atmos and Audio Formats

The LG S80TR 5.1.3 supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which covers the two most common object based surround formats. Its 5.1.3 configuration includes dedicated wireless rear surround speakers, so surround effects come from real speakers behind the listener. This is a meaningful difference from soundbars that rely only on virtual processing. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar supports Dolby Atmos but the listing does not state DTS support, so DTS:X content would likely play in a downmixed or non native format. Bose includes TrueSpace processing that upmixes non Atmos content to make better use of its two upward firing drivers.

Surround and audio formats scoring gives the LG 13 out of 15 and the Bose 12 out of 15. The LG's physical rear speakers and DTS:X support are the main reasons for the edge. The Bose can add rear channels only by purchasing optional Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers, which is an extra expense and not part of the base package. If you regularly watch Blu ray or streaming content with DTS:X soundtracks, the LG is the safer choice. If you mostly use Dolby Atmos and do not want rear speakers cluttering the room, the Bose still delivers a credible Atmos effect through its up-firing drivers and processing.

Subwoofer and Bass

The LG S80TR 5.1.3 includes a wireless subwoofer in the box. This separate enclosure is dedicated to low frequencies and typically provides deeper and more powerful bass than a soundbar alone. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar has an all-in-one enclosure with no separate subwoofer included. That means bass output depends entirely on the built in drivers, which may be adequate for small spaces but usually cannot match a dedicated subwoofer for impact and extension.

Neither listing publishes amplifier power or driver sizes, so we cannot state exact low frequency response or output. However, the physical difference is clear: the LG ships with a subwoofer and the Bose does not. For buyers who want rumble during action movies or music with strong bass lines, the LG is the more capable choice on paper. The Bose will sound cleaner and more controlled in the low end but may leave deep bass enthusiasts wanting more. If you prefer a minimal setup and do not want a separate subwoofer box, the Bose is the only option between these two.

Connectivity and TV Setup

LG lists WOWCAST built-in for the S80TR, which enables wireless Dolby Atmos transmission from compatible LG TVs without an HDMI cable. The listing also mentions VRR and ALLM with passthrough refresh rate up to 120Hz, which is useful for gaming with a console or PC. However, the LG listing does not publish HDMI eARC support or the number of HDMI inputs, so buyers cannot confirm a wired connection path from the supplied facts. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar also does not publish HDMI eARC or input details, leaving connectivity uncertain from the listing.

Wireless streaming is a strength for both, but in different ways. The LG supports Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, and Alexa. The Bose supports Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast built in, and built-in Alexa. The Bose has Spotify Connect, which LG does not list, while LG has Google Assistant and AirPlay 2 alongside Alexa. For TV setup, LG's WOWCAST is a proprietary convenience for LG TV owners, but non LG TV buyers may not benefit. The Bose relies on standard wireless protocols that work across TV brands, though the lack of published HDMI eARC is a shared drawback.

Features, Apps and Voice Control

The LG S80TR includes advanced room calibration via a built-in microphone, which can tune the sound to the room's acoustics. It also has WOW Interface for one remote control, but no dedicated app is named in the listing. Voice support includes both Google Assistant and Alexa, giving flexibility across major smart home ecosystems. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar includes the Bose app for control, built-in Alexa, and Bose Voice4Video, which lets the soundbar control a connected TV by voice. Bose also offers A.I. Dialogue Mode and TrueSpace as dedicated processing features.

Feature and app scoring gives the Bose 13 out of 15 and the LG 12 out of 15. The Bose edges ahead because it names a specific app and adds Voice4Video, which is a concrete convenience for TV control. LG's room calibration is a meaningful advantage for sound quality, and its WOW Interface may reduce remote clutter for LG TV owners. The LG does not name a dedicated app, which makes app based control less certain. If you rely heavily on voice to change TV inputs or channels and you want a polished app, the Bose is the better fit. If you want automatic room tuning and already use an LG remote ecosystem, the LG is stronger.

Design and Fit Under a TV

Neither listing publishes dimensions, so exact fit under a TV cannot be determined from the supplied facts. The LG S80TR 5.1.3 includes separate wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer, which means the system has multiple physical components to place around the room. The soundbar itself still sits under the TV, but you need space and power outlets for the rear speakers and subwoofer. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar is a single all-in-one enclosure with no separate subwoofer or rear speakers included, making it easier to place in tight spaces.

Design and TV fit scoring gives the Bose 12 out of 15 and the LG 9 out of 15. This reflects the Bose's compact single unit advantage. The LG's lower score is not a quality issue but a practicality trade off: adding rear speakers and a subwoofer improves sound but requires more setup and space. If your TV stand is narrow or you cannot run wires for rear speakers, the Bose is the more practical choice. If you are willing to place rear speakers and a subwoofer and have the room, the LG's larger footprint is justified by its surround capabilities.

Who Should Buy It

The LG S80TR 5.1.3 is best for LG OLED evo TV owners who want a mid-range Atmos package with wireless rear speakers and subwoofer without running cables. It also suits buyers who need DTS:X support, physical rear channels, and 120Hz passthrough for gaming. The center up-firing driver and room calibration add practical value for dialogue and tuning.

The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar is best for buyers who want a compact one piece Dolby Atmos soundbar with clear dialogue, broad streaming, and voice control without a separate subwoofer. It suits Alexa households and those who value Bose's A.I. Dialogue Mode and the option to add Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear channels later. Buyers who avoid extra components and want a clutter free TV area will find the Bose appealing.

The Deciding Question

The central question is whether you want physical surround channels and a dedicated subwoofer, or a simpler all-in-one design with dialogue and voice control as the priority. If you answer yes to wanting wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer in the box, the LG S80TR 5.1.3 is the straightforward choice. It also adds DTS:X support and 120Hz passthrough, which are relevant for many home theater and gaming setups.

If you answer no to separate speakers and value a compact body, built-in Alexa with TV control, and a named app, the Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar is the better fit. The Bose trades deep bass and native DTS for convenience and a clean single unit design. Both have unpublished HDMI eARC and power specs, so neither is fully transparent on paper. Your choice should hinge on the surround and bass trade off versus simplicity and voice integration.

Who Should Buy Which

Choose the LG S80TR 5.1.3 if you own a compatible LG TV and want a true 5.1.3 layout with wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer included. Choose it if you need DTS:X, appreciate a center up-firing driver for dialogue, or plan to game with VRR and 120Hz passthrough. The LG gives you more physical drivers and format support for a similar overall score.

Choose the Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar if you want a single soundbar that handles Dolby Atmos, emphasizes clear speech with A.I. Dialogue Mode, and supports broad wireless streaming plus Alexa and Voice4Video. Choose it if you will not miss a separate subwoofer and do not need native DTS support. The Bose is easier to place and likely better for smaller rooms or minimalist setups.

Both models sit in the same mid-range tier, with the LG scoring 80 and the Bose 79 out of 100. The LG's advantage comes from its physical surround and subwoofer hardware, while the Bose's advantage comes from its compact design, app, and voice control suite. Buyers who prioritize home theater immersion should lean LG. Buyers who prioritize dialogue clarity, streaming flexibility, and a clean TV area should lean Bose.