LG S40TR 4.1 · #3 of 10 in Best Soundbars Under $300

LG S40TR 4.1 Review

A low-cost 4.1 package that prioritizes real rear-channel effects over Atmos and smart-audio extras.

LG S40TR 4.1

At a Glance

The S40TR’s separate rear speakers and subwoofer deliver authentic surround movement at an unusually low price, while its missing center channel and limited immersive-format support keep it simpler than newer 5.1 systems.

Performance 84%
Reliability 78%
Features 76%
Value 91%
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LG S40TR 4.1 Specifications

The LG S40TR is a 4.1-channel, 400 W soundbar system with five speakers, a wireless subwoofer, rear speakers, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround, HDMI ARC, optical input, USB and Bluetooth 5.3.

Audio & Channels

Channel Configuration4.1
Speakers5 speakers
Total Power Output400 W total output

Audio Formats

Supported FormatsDolby Digital; DTS Digital Surround; AAC

Included Components

  • Main soundbar
  • Wireless subwoofer
  • 2 rear speakers

Sound Features

  • AI Sound Pro
  • Clear Voice Plus
  • WOW Orchestra
  • WOW Interface
  • 3-band EQ
  • Standard / Cinema / Game sound modes

Connectivity

HDMI InputsNone
HDMI eARC/ARC1 HDMI ARC output
Optical Input1 optical input
USB1 USB port

Wireless & Streaming

BluetoothBluetooth 5.3; SBC and AAC codecs

Controls & Smart Features

AppLG Soundbar app for iOS and Android
RemoteRemote control included; compatible LG TV remote control through WOW Interface

Dimensions & Weight

Soundbar Dimensions28.3 x 2.5 x 3.4 in (720 x 63 x 87 mm)
Soundbar Weight3.64 lb (1.65 kg)
Subwoofer Dimensions6.73 x 12.60 x 9.92 in (171 x 320 x 252 mm)
Subwoofer Weight9.26 lb (4.2 kg)
Rear Speaker Dimensions3.94 x 6.95 x 4.72 in (100 x 176.5 x 120 mm) each
Rear Speaker Weight4.63 lb (2.1 kg) for rear-speaker pair

Power

Power ConsumptionMain: 22 W operating / ≤0.5 W off; rear speaker unit: 20 W operating / ≤0.5 W off; subwoofer: 35 W operating / ≤0.5 W off

In the Box

  • Rear speakers
  • Remote control
  • Warranty card

Warranty & Support

Warranty1-year limited warranty for parts and labor
Support24/7 chat support, phone/email contact, manuals, troubleshooting, repair service and LG Premium Care options

Summary

The package provides the soundbar, subwoofer and rear-speaker pair as a complete 4.1-channel system. It includes AI Sound Pro, Clear Voice Plus, WOW Orchestra and app control.

Should You Buy the LG S40TR 4.1?

The LG S40TR 4.1 ranks #3 of 10 in our Best Soundbars Under $300 ranking, with a CORE score of 82/100. It is strongest on surround & Atmos immersion and bass performance, where it ranks 3rd of 10 on both.

Buy it if

  • You want real rear speakers rather than virtual surround.
  • You want strong surround & Atmos immersion: it ranks 3rd of 10 on this measure.
  • You want strong bass performance: it ranks 3rd of 10 on this measure.

Skip it if

  • Sound & dialogue quality is your top priority. The Sonos Ray scores 91 there, against 78 for the LG S40TR 4.1.

How the LG S40TR 4.1 Scored

CORE scores every model in this category on the factors below, listed from most to least important for soundbars under $300. The rank shows where the LG S40TR 4.1 places among the 10 models in our Best Soundbars Under $300 ranking.

Sound & Dialogue Quality 78/100 · 10th of 10
Surround & Atmos Immersion 86/100 · 3rd of 10
Bass Performance 84/100 · 3rd of 10
Connectivity & Compatibility 78/100 · 6th of 10
Setup & Everyday Use 86/100 · 6th of 10
Value & Total Cost 91/100 · 4th of 10
Features & Music Flexibility 76/100 · 7th of 10
Reliability & Support 78/100 · 6th of 10
Verified Owner Validation 80/100 · 7th of 9

Technical Assessment

Performance

Rear effects arrive from physical speakers behind the listener, creating more obvious front-to-back movement than virtual-surround bars. Bass has dedicated support from the subwoofer, but dialogue relies on the front bar without a discrete center channel and there is no Atmos height layer for overhead effects.

Reliability and Ownership

The retained owner sample is large enough to provide useful sentiment, and no single recurring exact-model hardware issue was strong enough to dominate it. The main ownership considerations are the extra rear-speaker power requirements and the benefits that become more convenient when the system is paired with a compatible LG television.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Physical rear speakers create genuine back-channel effects
  • Wireless subwoofer adds dedicated movie bass
  • Low current price makes a multi-speaker layout accessible

Cons

  • No Dolby Atmos height layer
  • No dedicated center channel for dialogue anchoring
  • Feature and music flexibility are narrower outside the LG TV ecosystem

What Reviewers and Owners Say

  • Exact-model review highlighted the unusual inclusion of physical rear speakers and subwoofer at a low price, while noting ecosystem dependence for some LG-specific features.
  • Hands-on field notes found easy pairing, audible rear-channel effects and centered dialogue, while noting power/placement requirements for the rear speakers.
4.4/ 5

Owners rate the LG S40TR 4.1 4.4 out of 5 on average, across 120 ratings at a major US retailer.

LG S40TR 4.1 Alternatives

#9 · CORE 79

Sonos Ray

Choose it for stronger features & music flexibility: it scores 93 there, against 76 for the LG S40TR 4.1.

#2 · CORE 83

VIZIO SV510X-0806 5.1 Soundbar SE

Choose it for stronger sound & dialogue quality: it scores 86 there, against 78 for the LG S40TR 4.1.

#4 · CORE 81

Samsung HW-S60D

Choose it for stronger features & music flexibility: it scores 90 there, against 76 for the LG S40TR 4.1.

See all 10 models in Best Soundbars Under $300 →

How We Evaluate

Category-Specific Fit Technical Verification Performance Evidence Reliability & Support Buyer Trade-Offs Value & Ownership

Last updated October 7, 2026.