Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus vs LG S70TR: Which Soundbar Delivers Better Value?

If you've been frustrated by your TV's weak, tinny audio, you're not alone. Modern TVs have become impressively thin, but this sleek design comes at a cost—there's simply no room for decent speakers. That's where soundbars come in, transforming your living room into something closer to a movie theater experience. Today we're comparing two popular options that take very different approaches: the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus and the LG S70TR 5.1.1 Channel Soundbar.

Understanding What Makes Soundbars Tick

Before diving into our comparison, it's helpful to understand what separates a basic soundbar from a truly immersive audio system. The key lies in something called "channel configuration"—essentially, how many separate audio streams the system can handle and where those speakers are positioned.

A 3.1 system, like the base Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, has three main channels (left, center, right) plus a subwoofer (the ".1" part) for deep bass. The center channel is crucial because it handles most dialogue, which is why good soundbars can make conversations so much clearer than your TV's built-in speakers.

The LG S70TR, on the other hand, uses a 5.1.1 configuration. This means five main channels (adding rear speakers for true surround sound), one subwoofer, and one height channel for overhead effects. That extra ".1" at the end represents Dolby Atmos capability—technology that creates the illusion of sounds coming from above, like helicopters flying overhead or rain falling around you.

The Evolution of Home Audio

Both soundbars represent significant advances from where the category stood just a few years ago. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus launched in 2023 as Amazon's attempt to create an expandable, affordable surround system. What's interesting is that despite carrying the "Fire TV" name, it doesn't actually include any streaming capabilities—it's purely focused on audio enhancement.

The LG S70TR arrived in 2024 as part of LG's push to make authentic Dolby Atmos more accessible. Previously, getting real height effects required expensive receivers and multiple speakers mounted around your room. LG's approach bundles everything you need in one package, including wireless rear speakers and a sophisticated up-firing center channel that bounces sound off your ceiling.

How They Actually Sound: The Performance Breakdown

Surround Sound: Virtual vs. Real

This is where these two systems diverge most dramatically. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus uses what's called "virtualized surround sound." Essentially, it's using clever audio processing to trick your brain into thinking sounds are coming from behind you, even though all the speakers are in front. It works reasonably well—you'll definitely notice effects panning from left to right, and there's a sense of width that extends beyond the soundbar itself.

However, our research into user and expert reviews consistently shows that virtual surround has limitations. There are gaps in the stereo image where sounds seem to disappear, and the rear-channel effects that make action movies exciting often feel more like suggestions than actual surround sound.

The LG S70TR takes a completely different approach with physical rear speakers included in the box. These aren't tiny satellites either—they're substantial wireless speakers that create genuine surround positioning. When a car crashes behind you in a movie, you actually hear it from behind. The difference is immediately noticeable and, frankly, quite dramatic.

For home theater use, this distinction matters enormously. Movie soundtracks are mixed with the assumption that you have discrete rear speakers. When the LG S70TR plays these soundtracks as intended, you get that enveloping experience that makes you forget you're sitting in your living room.

Bass Performance: One Note vs. Full Range

Both systems include wireless subwoofers, but they approach bass reproduction differently. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus delivers what reviewers consistently describe as adequate but somewhat "one-note" bass. It can get loud and provides the thump you expect during action scenes, but it tends to emphasize higher bass frequencies while de-emphasizing the low-mid range that gives explosions and music their full body.

The LG S70TR uses a larger 7-inch driver in its subwoofer, powered by a 220-watt amplifier. More importantly, it includes both a front-firing driver and a rear bass port—a design that typically produces more controlled, fuller bass response. User reviews consistently praise its ability to fill larger rooms (up to 400 square feet) without becoming boomy or overwhelming dialogue.

In practical terms, this means the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus works well for smaller spaces and casual viewing, while the LG S70TR has the power and control needed for dedicated home theater setups.

Dialogue Clarity: The Make-or-Break Feature

Here's where both systems show their strengths, though through different approaches. Clear dialogue is arguably the most important feature of any soundbar—after all, what good is immersive sound if you can't understand what the characters are saying?

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus includes dedicated dialogue enhancement with five levels of adjustment. Its center channel does an excellent job of separating voices from background music and effects. However, some reviewers note that deeper voices can sound thin, and the elevated bass from the subwoofer occasionally overpowers speech during intense action sequences.

The LG S70TR uses a more sophisticated approach with its "Clear Voice Plus" processing and an up-firing center channel. This unique design focuses sound directly at your listening position while its AI Sound Pro feature automatically detects high vocal content and reduces bass levels to maintain clarity. The result is dialogue that remains clear even when explosions are rattling your windows.

For those who watch a lot of dialogue-heavy content—dramas, documentaries, news—both systems represent a massive upgrade over TV speakers, but the LG S70TR maintains clarity better across different content types.

Audio Format Support: Future-Proofing Your Investment

This is where we see a clear technology gap between the two systems. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus supports modern formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but only through virtualization. It doesn't have the physical up-firing speakers needed to create authentic overhead effects.

The LG S70TR supports the full range of modern audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio—the lossless formats found on Blu-ray discs that provide the highest possible audio quality. More importantly, its physical height channel creates genuine Dolby Atmos effects rather than simulated ones.

As streaming services continue to add more Atmos content (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Apple TV+ all offer extensive Atmos libraries), having authentic height reproduction becomes increasingly valuable. The LG S70TR delivers effects that simply aren't possible with the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus's virtual approach.

Gaming and Modern Features

Modern gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X output audio and video that requires specific handling to avoid delays or quality loss. The LG S70TR includes VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) support up to 120Hz—technical features that ensure your gaming audio stays perfectly synchronized with the video, even during fast-paced action.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus provides basic HDMI connectivity but lacks these advanced gaming features. For casual gaming, this isn't a problem, but serious gamers will notice the difference, especially in competitive titles where audio cues matter.

Setup and Daily Use Experience

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus wins points for simplicity. Everything comes pre-paired, you plug it in, and it works. The soundbar measures 37 inches, making it perfect for TVs between 50 and 65 inches. Physical controls are minimal—just power, input selection, and volume—with most adjustments handled through a compact remote.

However, this simplicity comes with limitations. There's no smartphone app, no automatic room correction, and surprisingly for an Amazon product, no Alexa integration or smart features beyond basic Fire TV compatibility.

The LG S70TR requires more initial setup time—typically 20-30 minutes to position the wireless rear speakers and subwoofer properly. But once configured, it offers significantly more sophisticated features. The LG Soundbar App lets you customize EQ settings, while AI Sound Pro automatically optimizes audio based on what you're watching.

If you own an LG TV, the integration goes even deeper through WOW Orchestra technology, which uses your TV's built-in speakers alongside the soundbar to create an even wider soundstage. This kind of ecosystem integration shows where home audio is heading.

Value Considerations and Long-term Thinking

At the time of writing, these systems are priced very competitively with each other, making the value comparison particularly interesting. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus positions itself as an entry-level option that can grow with your needs—you can add rear speakers later to create a 5.1 system, though you'll still be limited by the lack of true height channels.

The LG S70TR costs slightly more but delivers significantly more capability out of the box. You're getting true surround sound, gaming features, smart connectivity, and authentic Dolby Atmos—features that would require much more expensive equipment just a few years ago.

From a long-term perspective, the LG S70TR offers better future-proofing. As streaming services add more Atmos content and gaming audio becomes more sophisticated, having the hardware to properly decode and reproduce these formats becomes increasingly valuable.

Room Size and Placement Considerations

Your living space plays a crucial role in determining which system will work better. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus excels in smaller rooms where virtualized surround can work effectively and where the simplified setup is an advantage. If you're dealing with space constraints or prefer to keep your entertainment setup minimal, it's a solid choice.

The LG S70TR really shines in medium to larger rooms where you have space to properly position the rear speakers. The system is optimized for rooms up to 400 square feet, and having that distributed speaker arrangement makes a significant difference in larger spaces where virtual surround starts to break down.

Making Your Decision

After evaluating both systems extensively, the choice comes down to your priorities and usage patterns.

Choose the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus if you're looking for a straightforward audio upgrade with excellent dialogue clarity and you're working with space or budget constraints. It's particularly appealing if you already have Fire TV devices and want seamless integration, or if you prefer simpler systems without multiple speakers around your room.

However, for most people, the LG S70TR represents significantly better value. The small price premium gets you authentic surround sound, modern gaming features, smart connectivity, and genuine Dolby Atmos effects that the Amazon system simply cannot match. It's the better choice if you watch movies regularly, game on modern consoles, or want a system that will remain relevant as audio technology continues to evolve.

The performance gap between virtualized and physical surround sound is substantial enough that it justifies the additional complexity and cost. When you experience genuine Dolby Atmos content through the LG S70TR's height channel, or hear rear effects coming from actual rear speakers, the difference is immediately apparent and consistently impressive.

For dedicated home theater use, the LG S70TR isn't just better—it's operating in a different category entirely, delivering an immersive experience that transforms how you watch movies and play games. That transformation, combined with its smart features and future-proof connectivity, makes it the clear recommendation for most buyers looking to seriously upgrade their home audio experience.

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