LG Display has introduced a prototype 97-inch OLED EX television whose standout feature is its ability to generate surround sound through vibrations in the screen itself. This development was highlighted in coverage on Ars Technica and marks an ambitious step for display and audio integration, blending visual and acoustic experiences in one panel.[ArsTechnica] The audio technology behind this screen is called Movie Cinematic Sound OLED. While LG Display did not publish a specific wattage or traditional speaker volume figure, the manufacturer emphasized that the display can deliver a home theater–style surround sound experience without external speakers. In LG’s own words, the 5.1-channel sound system integrated into the wide screen provides a cinematic level of immersion that challenge conventional home audio setups.[ArsTechnica] This approach positions the screen not only as a visual surface but also as a primary mode of acoustic output, moving toward a more compact and integrated living room multimedia solution.
LG Display isn’t alone in pursuing screen-based audio. Sony has pursued a comparable concept with Acoustic Surface technology in its OLED TVs since 2017. That system uses the panel itself to produce sound, though Sony has tended to refrain from directly equating its screen-based audio with the performance of full 5.1 speaker arrays found in dedicated home theater setups. The comparison remains useful for consumers who want to understand how far screen-integrated sound has progressed and where tradeoffs might lie between sheer loudness, tonal balance, and directional accuracy.
Commercial availability for LG’s 97-inch Movie Cinematic Sound OLED model was anticipated toward the end of the calendar year in which the prototype debuted, with timing and pricing information often rolling out closer to launch. Market watchers and potential buyers have followed closely because the concept promises to simplify clutter and wiring in living rooms while delivering theater-like sound, though actual pricing and real-world performance can vary by region and production run. Industry insiders note that the final retail version may refine calibration and feature sets to maximize room acoustics and viewing alignment, much as premium display panels have evolved with enhanced HDR, brightness, and color fidelity in recent years.[ArsTechnica]
From a consumer perspective, the emergence of screen-based audio is part of a broader trend toward more integrated home entertainment devices. The idea is to trim the number of separate components in a living room by combining display and sound into a single chassis, while still offering the immersive experience that enthusiasts expect from a true home theater setup. As with any new technology, prospective buyers should weigh the advantages of space-saving design against potential compromises in peak loudness, dynamic range, and distortion at extreme listening levels. In practice, many viewers may find screen-generated sound adequate for everyday viewing, but serious cinephiles and professionals may still prefer conventional speakers for the most precise multi-channel imaging and bass response.
In summary, LG Display’s 97-inch OLED EX prototype demonstrates a bold direction for future televisions, illustrating how the display panel itself can play a central role in audio creation. The concept, while sharing common ground with Sony’s Acoustic Surface, offers its own path toward streamlined setups and immersive experiences. As more information becomes available about final specifications, pricing, and regional availability, observers will be watching closely to see how such screen-driven sound scales across room sizes and listening preferences. The ongoing evolution of OLED technology and integrated audio suggests that tomorrow’s TVs could routinely deliver cinema-grade sound without external speakers, while still leaving room for enthusiasts to enhance performance with traditional systems when desired.