OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

LG DS40T review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£120N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:ARC

LG DS40T Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 5 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

LG DS40T
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 78% of models
Score components

35%

6.8

Technical score

30%

8.2

List score

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.6, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▲Better than 78% of soundbars
8.2

Value for money

Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

★Better than 94%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 76% of models
Score components

25%

6.9

Audio

18%

6.0

Formats

16%

7.0

Connectivity

14%

8.9

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

▲Better than 76%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.6.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
8.2

List score

List score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (5)
List score: in 5 of 108 lists (5%)
★Better than 92%
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £120
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #213 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar LG DS40T

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 76% of models
Score components:

25%

6.9

Audio

18%

6.0

Formats

16%

7.0

Connectivity

14%

8.9

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

6.8
Reviews score
7.6
List score
8.2
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

8.2
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 42.2% of soundbars and equal to 27.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
?
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 70% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
?
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 63.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
?
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 24.7% of soundbars and the same as what 46.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
?
HDMI pass-through frame rate
?
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
?
Show more

LG DS40T vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • 12.3% higher list score
    List score
    8.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (5)
    List score: in 5 of 108 lists (5%)
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 7.2% better value for money
    LG DS40T has better value for money than the average soundbar (8.15 vs 7.6).
    8.15 vs 7.6
  • 12.3% higher list score
    List score
    8.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (5)
    List score: in 5 of 108 lists (5%)
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 7.2% better value for money
    LG DS40T has better value for money than the average soundbar (8.15 vs 7.6).
    8.15 vs 7.6
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about LG DS40T

  • Dolby Atmos support adds a sense of width and height.
  • The subwoofer is included, so the bass comes with the set.
  • A smartphone app lets you change the EQ.
  • Dialogue enhancement makes speech easier to follow.
  • Bluetooth plays music from a phone.
  • Optical and USB inputs connect a TV and other sources.

What customers don't like about LG DS40T

  • There are no rear speakers, so surround effects are limited.
  • There is no Chromecast, AirPlay or Spotify Connect for streaming.
  • No upfiring speakers means no sound bounced off the ceiling.
  • There is no automatic room calibration, so you set the sound by hand.
  • No Wi-Fi or multiroom support.

Verdict

For people who want a clear step up from TV speakers, the LG DS40T is a simple 2.1 bar. It has Dolby Atmos, which is unusual at this size, and the subwoofer comes in the box, so the bass is there from the start. A smartphone app lets you change the EQ, and dialogue enhancement helps speech come through when films get muddy. Bluetooth covers music from a phone, and an optical input and an HDMI ARC port connect most TVs. The trade-off is no rear speakers and few streaming extras: there is no Chromecast, AirPlay or Spotify Connect, so music mostly comes over Bluetooth. It suits a buyer who watches mostly TV and films and wants clear voices and solid bass without fuss.

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