Samsung Soundbars: Maximum Sound Quality with Minimalist Design

Explore the impressive sound quality of Samsung soundbars, known for their balanced audio performance and sleek design.

Introduction to Samsung Soundbars

We’ve tested over 50 Samsung soundbars, and it's clear they stand out from competitors with their balanced and neutral sound profiles. If you're not completely satisfied with their sound, Samsung offers a graphic equalizer for those who enjoy customizing their audio. Additionally, these soundbars are well-constructed, exuding durability and reliability.

Best Samsung Soundbars

Top Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-Q990D

• Mixed Use: 8.6
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 8.8
• Music: 8.5
• Movies: 8.5
• Channels: 11.1.4

The Samsung HW-Q990D is the best soundbar we’ve tested. This premium 11.1.4 soundbar is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q990C and comes packed with features to help you get the most out of your audio experience. Right after purchase, you’ll find the sound is crisp and perfect for various audio content, from music to movies and TV shows. The separate subwoofer provides controlled bass, ideal for dynamic scenes. This configuration also creates an immersive experience, especially with multi-channel content such as Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, enhancing your movie and TV-watching endeavors.

One of the most talked-about features added this year is HDMI 2.1, which allows for 4K signal transmission at 120 Hz. This is particularly beneficial for gamers using next-gen consoles who want to utilize the soundbar as a hub between their consoles and TV, providing high-resolution video. Samsung features like SpaceFit Sound automatically optimize audio based on your living room's unique acoustics. If you prefer manual sound adjustments, a graphic equalizer is available. You can even connect the soundbar to a compatible Samsung TV to utilize the Q-Symphony feature, synchronizing your TV's speakers with the soundbar for a fuller sound experience. The built-in Alexa feature allows for hands-free control of the soundbar.

However, if you're looking for a premium product at a lower price, now is the time to consider the Samsung HW-Q990C, which you can find at a discount. While this model does not include HDMI 2.1, it still boasts the same immersive and balanced sound and extensive customization options, providing tools for personalization.

Best Upper Mid-Range Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-Q930D

• Mixed Use: 8.3
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 8.4
• Music: 8.2
• Movies: 8.2
• Channels: 9.1.4

The Samsung HW-Q930D is an excellent alternative for those wanting a premium Samsung soundbar at a more accessible price. Released in 2024, this soundbar is an upgraded version of the Samsung HW-Q930C. Both generations operate almost identically, but the Q930D adds Chromecast support and is compatible with G-SYNC and FreeSync. It offers many of the same sound customization tools as its premium counterpart, including room correction and a graphic equalizer. The built-in Alexa feature allows for voice control.

This soundbar supports a variety of common audio formats, like Dolby Atmos, efficiently delivering content typically found on various streaming platforms and Blu-ray. Its subwoofer and satellites create a more realistic sound experience in your living room. In the United States, this soundbar seems to be available only through the manufacturer and Best Buy. Nevertheless, it deserves attention, particularly for its versatility. Dialogues in movies and TV shows come through accurately, while instruments in your favorite tracks sound clear and detailed right after purchase. This 9.1.4 soundbar has two fewer channels than the HW-Q990D, so sound effects in multi-channel content like Dolby Atmos may be slightly less precise. However, you might find the more affordable price worth it.

Best Mid-Range Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-Q800D

• Mixed Use: 8.2
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 8.6
• Music: 8.2
• Movies: 8.0
• Channels: 5.1.2

The Samsung HW-Q800D is an outstanding mid-range model released in 2024. This 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar is very similar to its predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q800C, but features an upgraded version of Bluetooth. Like the Q800C, it’s versatile enough to handle a variety of audio content and comes equipped with many Samsung sound-enhancing tools, including SpaceFit Sound and a 7-band graphic equalizer. It supports many different audio formats you’ll likely encounter on streaming platforms and Blu-ray, including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital.

This soundbar has fewer surround channels than the Samsung HW-Q930D, meaning the surround sound and height effect may not feel as pronounced. You’ll still feel immersed in sound, but the illusion of height may not be as strong, especially in scenes where objects like helicopters fly directly overhead. Again, adding satellites will improve the surround sound quality. If you want to feel like you’re in a theater, you might want to consider more expensive models from our list.

Best Lower Mid-Range Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-Q60C/Q6CC

• Mixed Use: 7.6
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 8.1
• Music: 7.6
• Movies: 7.2
• Channels: 3.1

The Samsung HW-Q60C/Q6CC is worth considering if you need a great soundbar that won't break the bank. This box system boasts excellent sound capable of accommodating various audio content, with a separate subwoofer enhancing the low frequencies. It may not have as many features as higher-end models, but you might not need them. For instance, without room correction, sound may vary based on your room's acoustics, but you can always use the graphic equalizer and presets to compensate.

This system is great for playing stereo content, including most music and TV shows. It can handle more immersive audio formats like surround sound but lacks full support. Being a 3.1 system, it has to convert such content to stereo, which doesn’t provide the same realistic experience as pricier options like the Samsung HW-Q800D. If you’re willing to sacrifice Atmos support for improved stereo sound, consider the Samsung HW-B750D. This 5.1 panel features side-firing drivers that create a more impressive sound than the HW-Q60C/Q6CC but can only reproduce audio formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM. Nonetheless, any of these options is a solid choice for something simpler and budget-friendly.

Best Budget Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-B550

• Mixed Use: 7.3
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 7.8
• Music: 7.8
• Movies: 6.7
• Channels: 2.1

The best budget soundbar from Samsung we’ve tested is the Samsung HW-B550. This simple 2.1 soundbar is best suited for playing stereo content like music and TV shows. It features a balanced sound profile that accurately reproduces everything from vocals to key instruments in your favorite tracks. The included subwoofer enhances bass in genres like EDM and hip-hop. With a graphic equalizer and controls for low and high frequencies, you can tweak the sound to your liking. For its price, it’s a solid option.

However, naturally, you won’t get the same flexibility found in the top models. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q60C/Q6CC, it lacks Dolby Atmos support, so you won't benefit from more immersive object-based formats that are common on streaming services. The quality of surround sound is also quite low. Without discrete surround channels, content has to be converted to stereo, which doesn’t sound as captivating. If you’re not a big fan of movies, this is still an excellent option. Ultimately, it’s a significant upgrade from your current TV speakers at a reasonable price.

Best Standalone Samsung Soundbar

Samsung HW-S60D

• Mixed Use: 7.3
• Dialogues/TV Shows: 7.8
• Music: 7.5
• Movies: 6.9
• Channels: 5.0

Consider a standalone speaker option like the Samsung HW-S60D if you live in a small space, such as an apartment, or prefer a more minimalist design. Unlike the top-tier Samsung HW-Q990D, the HW-S60D is a 5.0 standalone soundbar without a subwoofer, satellites, or upward-firing speakers. However, it delivers a precise center channel and a fairly neutral frequency response for clear dialogue in a compact package. You can also use it to stream music, access Spotify Connect and Chromecast, and utilize Alexa if your smart home is configured.

This model comes with several sound-enhancing tools, including a room correction tool (SpaceFit), multiple listening modes, and a graphic equalizer for standard EQ settings. If you have a compatible Samsung TV, you can use the Q-Symphony feature to connect the soundbar to your TV, enhancing its capabilities. However, it lacks the deep bass of an external subwoofer, as found in the Samsung HW-B550. You can always add a Samsung subwoofer later if you find the bass lacking. The 5.0 configuration means it doesn't convert surround sound to stereo, unlike the HW-B550.

Comparison with Other Brands

Pros:

• Sturdy Build: All Samsung soundbars are very well constructed and feature an elegant design without mesh fabric, ensuring quality assembly with sturdy plastic and metal grilles covering the speakers.
• Good Sound Quality: Samsung soundbars provide a good, balanced, and neutral sound profile right out of the box, making them versatile for different purposes. Some models come with a wireless subwoofer for extra bass.
• Excellent Connectivity Options: You’ll always find a Full HDMI input on Samsung soundbars for connecting your devices. They have plenty of ports and wireless playback capabilities, but more budget-friendly models may only support Bluetooth.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: Samsung soundbars tend to be a bit pricier than similar models from competitors.
• Small Screen Interface: Samsung soundbars typically have a small display showing inputs and volume levels. If there are messages, the text scrolls, which can be frustrating for some users who prefer light indicators.
• Narrower Soundstage: Other premium brands like Bose and Sonos offer wider and more immersive soundstages with stereo content compared to Samsung's top offerings.

Samsung vs. Bose

Bose and Samsung are leading soundbar manufacturers offering products across a broad price range. Samsung generally has more products on the market, with their soundbars providing more customization options, like a graphic equalizer. Meanwhile, Bose soundbars are known for offering a broader and more immersive soundstage.

Samsung vs. Sonos

While Samsung offers various soundbars in their yearly lineups, Sonos presents only a few options in the market. However, each Sonos soundbar features premium offerings and budget-friendly variants for cost-conscious shoppers. Sonos soundbars generally provide higher quality with elegant designs and built-in voice assistants, making it easy to integrate them into an existing Sonos ecosystem. Their soundstage outperforms that of Samsung but lacks the extensive sound customization tools.

Conclusion

Samsung is a well-known brand with a wide range of quality products. Whether it’s TVs, headphones, or soundbars, you can count on solid quality and performance. When it comes to soundbars, they are among the best on the market, offering excellent sound quality and numerous connectivity options, making it possible to use the soundbar as a hub for various devices.

FAQs

• What is the best Samsung soundbar for gaming? The Samsung HW-Q990D, with HDMI 2.1 support and high-resolution audio capabilities, is excellent for gaming on next-gen consoles.
• Are Samsung soundbars compatible with other TVs? Yes, Samsung soundbars can be connected to a variety of TV brands, although features like Q-Symphony work best with Samsung TVs.
• How do I enhance sound quality on my Samsung soundbar? You can use the graphic equalizer and room correction features to customize the audio to your liking.
• Do Samsung soundbars support Dolby Atmos? Yes, many Samsung soundbars, including the HW-Q990D and HW-Q930D, support Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience.
• What is the average price range for Samsung soundbars? Prices vary widely, with budget models starting around $200 and premium models exceeding $1,000.

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