LG S6FTR Review: Budget 5.1 Surround with Wireless Rears

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The LG S6FTR is a 5.1 channel home theater soundbar sold as a budget priced system. The product listing describes a full surround package with left, right, center, rear surround speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. Unlike simple stereo bars, this model includes dedicated rear channels, which on paper should create a more enveloping movie and TV experience. LG positions the S6FTR around Dolby Audio rather than Dolby Atmos, and the feature set leans into TV integration with LG televisions.

The published information covers channel count, wireless rear speakers, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, and app control, but it omits several important technical details. Driver sizes, amplifier power, frequency response, weight, and cabinet dimensions are not stated. That absence makes it difficult to compare output capability or headroom against well known alternatives. Still, the included wireless subwoofer and rear speakers give the S6FTR a clear home theater focus at a low price.

Sound Quality

With a 5.1 channel design, the LG S6FTR is intended to deliver distinct left, right, center, and rear information from compatible content. The listing says the center channel helps produce superb voice clarity while left and right channels carry music and effects. That architecture generally benefits television dialogue and movie soundtracks compared with a 2.1 bar. However, the listing does not publish driver sizes or amplifier power, so buyers cannot verify how loudly the system can play without stress.

Dolby Audio support is the main codec named on the listing. Dolby Audio is typically a broadcast and streaming format, not the object based height format of Dolby Atmos, so the S6FTR will not place sound above the listener. Still, Dolby Audio content should decode cleanly and route properly to the 5.1 channels. The listing also mentions that deep learning algorithms automatically adjust sound levels depending on content, which LG calls AI Sound Pro. This feature is described as making vocals clearer in sports, bass thunderous in music, and effects more dynamic in action scenes.

Sound quality on paper is likely strongest for clear dialogue and general TV viewing. The rear speakers should improve off screen effects and ambient music, but without output specs there is no way to judge bass authority or maximum volume from the listing alone. Buyers report the value comes from having a complete 5.1 package, not from high fidelity reference sound. Anyone expecting a precise soundstage or high resolution audio should treat the missing specifications as a caution.

Surround, Atmos and Audio Formats

The LG S6FTR is a 5.1 channel surround system, not a virtual or upfiring Atmos bar. The listing states that rear surround speakers have wireless connectivity to the soundbar, so no special receiver is needed. That wireless connection is significant for rooms where running speaker wire to the back is difficult. The rear channels should create a more convincing left to right and front to back effect than a bar alone.

The product supports Dolby Audio, which the listing describes as delivering an immersive journey and every detail. It does not list Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, or any object based height processing. Without height channels, the result will stay at ear level and will not reproduce overhead rain or flyover effects. Buyers who want even basic virtual Atmos should look at models that clearly state Dolby Atmos support.

The system should handle standard 5.1 soundtracks from movies, broadcast, and streaming apps that output Dolby Digital or LPCM through HDMI ARC. The listing does not mention any upmixing mode that would turn stereo content into 5.1, aside from AI Sound Pro adapting levels. Therefore, older stereo content may rely on the bar's default processing rather than a dedicated surround upmixer.

Subwoofer and Bass

A wireless subwoofer is included as part of the 5.1 package. The listing promises that viewers will hear and feel every nuance, with thunderous bass in live music and dynamic sound in action scenes. Wireless connectivity means the subwoofer only needs power, and it can be placed away from the bar within connection range. The exact subwoofer driver size, cabinet volume, and amplifier wattage are not published, so deep bass extension and output capability remain unknown.

The subwoofer's wireless connection may simplify setup, but it also introduces dependence on reliable pairing. LG does not specify the wireless band or latency behavior in the listing. App based EQ for treble, bass, and mid range frequencies should provide some control over balance, but without a subwoofer level spec buyers cannot predict whether it will overload a small room or struggle in an open space.

• Wireless subwoofer included for low frequency effects
• Rear surround speakers connect wirelessly to the bar
• No AV receiver required for 5.1 playback
• AI Sound Pro adjusts bass level by content type
• App EQ includes bass, mid range, and treble control

Connectivity and TV Setup

The LG S6FTR includes HDMI ARC, which lets a TV send audio to the soundbar over a single HDMI connection. The listing does not mention HDMI eARC, additional HDMI inputs, optical audio, or analog audio, so pass through and lossless audio support are limited or absent. For most streaming and broadcast content, ARC is fine, but high bandwidth object based audio or 4K pass through with advanced formats is not specified.

Bluetooth streaming is built in, allowing wireless playback from a phone, tablet, or computer. The listing does not mention Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, or multiroom audio, so Bluetooth appears to be the main wireless music path. WOW Interface lets a compatible LG TV remote control soundbar volume, audio settings, connection status, and sound mode on screen. That is convenient for users who already have a recent LG TV.

Setup should be straightforward if you use HDMI ARC from the TV to the bar. The wireless rear speakers and subwoofer remove speaker wire, but they still need power outlets. The listing does not state whether the rear speakers pair automatically or require manual pairing, though the app likely helps. Buyers with non LG TVs can still use HDMI ARC and Bluetooth but will miss WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface integration.

Features, Apps and Voice Control

LG offers control through the LG Soundbar App or the LG ThinQ App. The listing says you can customize audio and set equalizer levels for treble, bass, and mid range frequencies. That gives some tuning flexibility, which is useful when dialogue sounds thin or bass is excessive. It is not the same as full room correction, and no microphone based auto calibration is mentioned.

WOW Orchestra is a notable feature for LG TV owners. It uses the audio from an LG TV and the LG Soundbar at the same time, so the television's speakers augment the bar rather than staying silent. The listing says one remote adjusts settings interchangeably. That can create a larger front soundstage and add a bit of height depending on the TV's speaker position, but it also changes the tonal balance.

The listing does not mention built in voice assistants, so the S6FTR appears to lack Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri support. Control is through the apps, the LG TV remote, or a physical remote if included, but the listing does not confirm a bundled remote. That omission matters for buyers who want hands free voice commands or who prefer a dedicated bar remote.

Design and Fit Under a TV

The S6FTR features LG's new crest design, which the listing describes as sleek and stylish. A metal grill helps keep dust and debris out of the soundbar. Those materials should improve durability compared with fabric covered bars, but the listing does not provide actual dimensions, height, depth, or weight. Buyers cannot confirm from the product page whether the bar will block an IR sensor or fit in front of a low TV stand.

Because this is a 5.1 system, the design includes separate rear speakers in addition to the main bar and subwoofer. The rear speakers need space and power nearby, which can be more intrusive than a standalone soundbar. The listing does not state whether the rear speakers are wall mountable or include stands, so placement flexibility is unclear. For clean living rooms, small satellite speakers are often easier to place than large bookshelf units, but no dimensions are provided.

The crest shape may add visual interest but could make the bar taller than typical flat designs. Without exact measurements, buyers should measure their furniture and compare only after purchasing from a retailer with a return policy. The metal grill should protect internals in dusty environments, which is a practical benefit for long term reliability.

Who Should Buy It

The LG S6FTR is best for budget conscious buyers who want actual 5.1 surround sound rather than a single bar. It suits LG TV owners, especially those with compatible WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface support. The wireless rear speakers and subwoofer reduce installation time and make the system easier to fit into a living room than a traditional wired home theater package.

This soundbar also fits viewers who prioritize clear dialogue and automatic sound modes over object based Atmos effects. If you mostly watch broadcast TV, sports, and streaming movies in a small to medium room, the S6FTR should provide a clear step up from built in TV speakers. Buyers who like to tweak EQ through an app will find useful control, although the missing specs mean you are buying a package rather than a precision audio component.

Alternatives Worth Considering

In the budget 5.1 space, the LG S6FTR competes with Vizio V Series systems and Sony HT-S400 style models. Vizio often includes a similar wireless subwoofer and rear speaker setup at a low price, though its app and TV integration differ. Sony's entry level bars tend to focus on stereo or 2.1 sound, so the S6FTR's included rear speakers are a differentiator. However, without published specs, buyers cannot directly compare driver quality.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Bose Smart Soundbar 600 are smaller premium bars that often exceed the S6FTR in streaming features and app polish. They do not include rear speakers in the base package, so a true 5.1 setup costs more and requires additional purchases. The Samsung HW-Q600C adds Dolby Atmos and DTS decoding, but typically without wireless rear speakers as standard. Those models generally offer more fully documented specifications and ecosystem support, but they also sit in a higher price tier.

Polk Signa S4 is another alternative that includes a wireless subwoofer and often has more detailed tuning controls. It may not have LG's WOW Orchestra integration, but it supports a similar TV focused surround experience. The right choice depends on whether you value LG TV synergy or broader format support. If you need eARC, more HDMI inputs, or Atmos, the S6FTR is not the strongest candidate, and those features are common in slightly more expensive rivals.

Verdict

The LG S6FTR is a straightforward budget 5.1 home theater soundbar. It includes the key pieces many buyers want: a wireless subwoofer, wireless rear speakers, Dolby Audio, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and LG TV integration through WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface. For an LG TV owner who wants surround sound without an AV receiver, the package is practical and much easier to set up than separate speakers and cabling.

The trade off is that LG publishes very little technical detail. There are no driver sizes, amplifier power ratings, wall mounting specs, or dimensions in the listing. The soundbar also lacks Dolby Atmos, DTS, eARC, and Wi-Fi streaming. These omissions keep it in a budget role rather than competing with more capable midrange Atmos bars. Still, given the low price tier and the complete 5.1 channel configuration, the S6FTR should satisfy viewers who value surround channels and LG TV convenience over high resolution audio or future format support.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Bose 3-Channel Gen 2

Budget buyers who want clearer TV dialogue in a small room without multiple speakers.

Read the Bose 3-Channel Gen 2 review →

Hisense AX700 5.1.4

Home theater shoppers who want an affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless subwoofer and can tolerate missing specifications.

Read the Hisense AX700 5.1.4 review →

LG S40TR

A budget LG TV owner who wants wireless rear surround and a subwoofer without adding a receiver.

Read the LG S40TR review →

Head-to-Head Comparisons

• Polk Audio Signa S2 vs LG S6FTR Compare →

Questions Buyers Ask