Dolby’s FlexConnect was made to kill soundbars. But it won’t

Luca Fontana

1/5/2026

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

It’s the newest wonder set to revolutionise home theatres: the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. Only, the much-maligned soundbar is very much still alive and kicking. No matter what the headlines claim.

Every few years, the home theatre industry needs a new revolutionary product. This time round, it’s Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. As is currently being loudly proclaimed (article in German), it’s intended to finally make soundbars obsolete.

Dolby itself makes a more modest promise: a flexible, multi-brand home theatre for any room. And yet, there’s already a striking gap between this promise and what the industry actually delivers at launch.

What is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect?

Dolby claims to have developed an audio system that automatically calibrates speakers using a microphone, no matter where they’re placed in a room – and does so so much better than today’s surround sound systems. The system’s also designed to be compatible with products from different manufacturers, and it’s expandable in stages: from two simple surround speakers to a full multi-channel setup, for example. So far, FlexConnect-compatible devices are available from LG and TCL.

Sounds reasonable. But reasonable isn’t revolutionary. And here’s where we need to take stock for a moment. Because at this point, anyone who’s proclaiming the death of soundbars and heralding the coming home theatre revolution will first have to explain what exactly is so unbearable about today’s soundbars.

A Sony or Samsung soundbar, for example, can be set up and calibrated in just a few minutes. A well-matched surround sound system works flawlessly too. Not to mention that a lot of people these days just set up their speakers quickly, maybe press the Calibrate button once – if at all – and leave it at that. No one’s complaining about poor virtual sound. Anyone who does is usually a hardcore enthusiast. And FlexConnect won’t be able to lure them away from their hi-fi systems anyway.

In the end, FlexConnect can’t simply work. It has to be way better than the status quo – enough to justify a change in our whole mindset from the ground up.

Beautiful promises clash with the harsh realities of the industry

So, let’s take a look at what FlexConnect actually offers at launch. TCL’s first compatible speakers work exclusively with TCL TVs. LG devices only communicate within LG’s own ecosystem. The cross-manufacturer promise – LG with TCL, Sony with whoever – so far only exists on paper.

Structurally speaking, manufacturers have little incentive to change this. Open standards bring more competition, less customer loyalty and lower profit margins. Why would LG voluntarily encourage its customers to buy TCL speakers instead?

What now?

Let’s stick to the facts.

First: At launch, FlexConnect will still require a soundbar as its central component in most cases. This isn’t just a minor detail; it’s the foundation of the entire system. So, if you don’t want a soundbar, you’re out of the running. So much for the death of soundbars – especially since Dolby itself is promoting FlexConnect with a soundbar as the first product shown on its own website.

Second: As mentioned, individual brands don’t communicate with one another. This means that FlexConnect still ties you to an ecosystem; no changes to the status quo.

Third: Even FlexConnect can’t completely defy the laws of physics. The HiFi.de video above (in German) acknowledges as much. After all, a speaker that’s in the wrong corner is still in the wrong corner. The software may be better than ever at balancing sounds – but it can’t do everything. If you want truly great sound, your best bet is still to position your speakers correctly.

These are three limitations that, taken together, raise a simple question: where, exactly, is this revolution?

Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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