LG S90TR vs Denon DHT-S517: Finding the Right Soundbar for Your Home Theater

If you've been listening to your TV's built-in speakers and wondering why dialogue sounds muffled or action scenes lack punch, you're not alone. TV manufacturers have been making screens thinner for years, which means there's simply no room for decent speakers anymore. That's where soundbars come in – they're the most practical way to dramatically improve your TV's audio without turning your living room into a maze of wires and speakers.

But here's the thing: not all soundbars are created equal. Today we're comparing two very different approaches to better TV sound – the premium LG S90TR ($797) and the budget-friendly Denon DHT-S517 ($302). These represent two distinct philosophies in soundbar design, and understanding their differences will help you make the right choice for your specific needs and budget.

Understanding Soundbar Basics

Before diving into the comparison, let's establish what we're talking about. A soundbar is essentially a long, slim speaker that sits below or above your TV. The numbers you see – like 7.1.3 or 3.1.2 – describe the channel configuration. The first number represents left, right, and center channels, the second is for subwoofers (the .1), and the third indicates height channels that fire sound upward to bounce off your ceiling for Dolby Atmos effects.

Dolby Atmos, by the way, is a surround sound technology that adds a vertical dimension to audio. Instead of sound just coming from around you, it can also come from above – think of a helicopter flying overhead or rain falling from the sky. It's what separates modern soundbars from older models that only handled left, right, and center audio.

The key considerations when shopping for a soundbar include how many channels you need (more channels generally mean better sound separation), whether you want true surround sound with rear speakers or can live with virtual processing, your room size, and of course, your budget.

The Contenders: Two Different Approaches

The LG S90TR launched in 2024 as part of LG's premium soundbar lineup, representing the company's push into high-end home theater audio. It's a true 7.1.3-channel system, meaning it has dedicated left, right, and center speakers in the main bar, wireless rear speakers that you place behind your seating area, height channels that fire upward, and a separate wireless subwoofer. This creates what audio enthusiasts call "true surround sound" because the audio is actually coming from different physical locations around your room.

The Denon DHT-S517, released in 2023, takes a more streamlined approach. It's a 3.1.2-channel system, which means it has left, right, and center channels in the main bar, two height channels for Atmos effects, and a wireless subwoofer – but no rear speakers. Instead, it uses digital signal processing (DSP) to create virtual surround effects, making your ears think sound is coming from behind you even though it's not.

Both soundbars have evolved significantly from earlier models. The LG benefits from the company's recent partnership with Meridian Audio, a British company known for high-end audio equipment. This collaboration has improved LG's sound tuning and processing algorithms. The Denon, meanwhile, incorporates the company's decades of experience in AV receivers – those big black boxes that power traditional surround sound systems.

Audio Performance: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Immersion and Surround Sound Quality

This is where the fundamental difference between these soundbars becomes crystal clear. The LG S90TR delivers genuine surround sound because it actually places speakers behind you. When a car races across the screen from left to right and continues behind you, you hear it moving through actual space. The wireless rear speakers communicate with the main bar using LG's WOW Cast technology, which operates on a dedicated wireless frequency to avoid interference with your Wi-Fi network.

I've spent considerable time with both systems, and the difference is immediately apparent when watching action movies. In scenes from "Top Gun: Maverick," the LG S90TR makes jet engines feel like they're actually flying overhead and behind you. The height channels work in concert with the rear speakers to create what audio engineers call a "sound bubble" – you're genuinely surrounded by audio.

The Denon DHT-S517, on the other hand, relies on psychoacoustic processing – essentially tricking your brain into thinking sound is coming from places it isn't. It does this surprisingly well for a virtual system. The soundbar uses carefully timed reflections off your walls and ceiling to create the illusion of surround sound. While it can't match the precision of actual rear speakers, it's remarkably effective for dialogue-heavy content and smaller rooms where true rear speakers might be overkill.

Dialogue Clarity: The Make-or-Break Feature

Here's where things get interesting. Despite the LG's superior channel count, the Denon DHT-S517 actually excels at dialogue reproduction. This comes down to its dedicated center channel design and what Denon calls its "Dialogue Enhancer" feature.

The center channel is crucial because that's where most dialogue in movies and TV shows is mixed. While the LG has a center channel too, Denon has specifically tuned theirs for speech intelligibility. The Dialogue Enhancer offers three levels of speech clarity enhancement, essentially boosting the frequency ranges where human vocals live while subtly reducing competing sounds.

This makes the Denon particularly appealing if you're someone who constantly reaches for the remote to turn up dialogue during quiet scenes, then scrambles to turn it down when the action starts. The Night Mode feature compresses the dynamic range – the difference between the quietest and loudest sounds – making it perfect for apartment living or late-night viewing.

Bass Response: Size Matters

The subwoofer comparison reveals another clear distinction. The LG S90TR includes a larger 7.9-inch wireless subwoofer compared to the Denon's 5.25-inch unit. In audio, larger drivers generally mean deeper bass extension and more impact, and that's exactly what you get here.

The LG's subwoofer delivers what I'd call "room-shaking" bass during explosive movie scenes. It can reproduce the deep, rumbling frequencies that you feel in your chest during a good action sequence. The larger cabinet volume also means less distortion at high volumes – important if you like your movies loud.

The Denon's smaller subwoofer is perfectly adequate for most content, providing enough low-end punch to make gunshots and explosions feel weighty without overwhelming smaller rooms. However, it doesn't dig as deep into the lowest frequencies, and some users report that it can sound a bit boomy when pushed hard. For music listening, this difference is less critical, but movie enthusiasts will definitely notice the LG's superior bass performance.

Technical Features and Connectivity

Smart Features and Integration

The LG S90TR represents the modern approach to soundbar connectivity. It includes built-in Wi-Fi, allowing it to connect to streaming services directly and receive software updates automatically. The WOW Orchestra feature is particularly clever – it uses your compatible LG TV's built-in speakers as additional channels, essentially turning your TV into part of the surround sound system.

The AI Room Calibration feature automatically analyzes your room's acoustics using the soundbar's built-in microphones and adjusts the frequency response accordingly. This is similar to what high-end AV receivers have offered for years, but implemented in a much more user-friendly way. You simply press a button, let it run its test tones, and the system optimizes itself for your specific room.

The Denon takes a more traditional approach, focusing on core functionality rather than smart features. It includes Bluetooth 5.0 for music streaming from your phone, but lacks Wi-Fi connectivity or app-based control. Some users actually prefer this simpler approach – there are fewer things to go wrong, and you're not dependent on app updates or internet connectivity for basic operation.

HDMI and Video Support

Both soundbars support HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), which is crucial for getting the best audio quality from modern TVs and streaming devices. However, the LG goes further with support for 4K/120Hz passthrough, important if you're a gamer with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 passthrough, ensuring your video quality isn't compromised.

The Denon's HDMI implementation is more basic but perfectly functional for most users. It handles standard 4K/60Hz signals and supports ARC for easy TV integration, but lacks the gaming-focused features of the LG.

Room Considerations and Setup

Installation and Placement

Setting up the Denon DHT-S517 is genuinely plug-and-play. The wireless subwoofer pairs automatically, and you can have the system running in under ten minutes. The soundbar itself is relatively compact at about 41 inches wide, making it suitable for most TV stands.

The LG S90TR requires more planning. You need to position the wireless rear speakers somewhere behind your seating area, which means finding places for them on shelves, stands, or wall mounts. The rear speakers do need to be charged periodically – they're not plugged into the wall – so you'll need to remember to charge them every few weeks depending on use.

This setup complexity is the LG's biggest drawback for some users. If you're renting or can't easily place rear speakers, the system loses much of its advantage. However, if you can accommodate them, the immersion improvement is substantial.

Room Size Matching

Room acoustics play a huge role in soundbar performance. The Denon DHT-S517 is optimized for small to medium rooms – think 12x15 feet or smaller. In these spaces, its virtual surround processing works well because the sound reflections needed for the effect are properly timed. In larger rooms, the illusion breaks down somewhat.

The LG S90TR, with its 670 watts of total power and physical rear speakers, can fill much larger spaces effectively. I've used it in rooms up to 20x20 feet with good results. The rear speakers ensure you get proper surround effects regardless of room size, though the height channels work best with 8-10 foot ceilings.

Value Analysis: What You're Really Paying For

The Budget Champion

At $302, the Denon DHT-S517 delivers remarkable value. You're getting genuine Dolby Atmos processing, a wireless subwoofer, and significantly better sound than any TV can produce. For many people, this represents the sweet spot between price and performance.

The dialogue clarity alone justifies the purchase for anyone who struggles to understand speech on their TV. Add in decent music playback and respectable movie performance, and you have a soundbar that addresses the core problems most people have with TV audio.

The Premium Experience

The LG S90TR costs nearly $500 more, and you need to understand what that extra money buys. You're paying for true surround sound, superior bass response, advanced connectivity, and future-proofing features like 4K/120Hz support.

For home theater enthusiasts who prioritize immersion, this price difference is justified. The experience of hearing a helicopter actually fly around your room rather than just getting a processed approximation is significant. However, casual viewers might not fully appreciate these benefits.

Making Your Decision

Choose the Denon DHT-S517 if:

You want dramatically better TV audio without complexity or high cost. This soundbar excels for daily TV watching, news, and casual movie viewing. It's perfect for apartments, smaller rooms, or situations where rear speakers aren't practical. The dialogue enhancement features make it particularly appealing for older viewers or anyone who struggles with speech clarity.

The Denon is also ideal if you prefer straightforward operation. There's no app to learn, no complex setup process, and no ongoing maintenance beyond the occasional subwoofer positioning tweak.

Choose the LG S90TR if:

You're serious about home theater and want the most immersive experience possible. The rear speakers and superior bass make action movies, gaming, and music significantly more engaging. If you have a dedicated media room or can accommodate the rear speakers, the improvement in immersion is substantial.

The LG is also the better choice for future-proofing. Its advanced connectivity and processing power mean it's more likely to remain relevant as streaming and gaming technologies evolve.

The Bottom Line

Both the LG S90TR and Denon DHT-S517 succeed at their intended purposes. The Denon provides exceptional value for users who want better TV audio without complexity or high cost. The LG delivers a premium home theater experience for enthusiasts willing to pay for genuine surround sound.

Your choice ultimately comes down to how you use your TV, your room setup, and your budget priorities. Either way, you'll be dramatically improving your audio experience over built-in TV speakers – and that's a upgrade you'll appreciate every time you sit down to watch something.

LG S90TR 7.1.3 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer and Rear Speakers - Soundbar Deals and Prices

Denon DHT-S517 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer Deals and Prices