Samsung soundbars: ranking of the TOP 7 best models of 2021 and their review

Rating of the TOP 7 best Samsung soundbars

Place	Model	Price
#1	Samsung HW-T650
#2	Samsung HW-T550
#3	Samsung HW-T450
#4	Samsung HW-Q60T
#5	Samsung HW-Q6CT
#6	Samsung HW-T530
#7	Samsung HW-Q950T

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Hello again - soundbar!

This is where the needs emerged, caused by the massive circulation of the first flat-panel plasmas, followed by even more massive (and even flatter) liquid crystal televisions. Flat is, of course, great, and the image quality was also impressive. But the sound quality of a flat-screen TV cannot be high by definition.

Then there are complex acoustic calculations, which we will skip and move on to the fact that it would be nice to add some kind of full-scale sound source to a flat-panel TV. And in this sense, a sound projector (or rather, a soundbar) came in handy. To be fair, we admit that the main reason for the success was the form factor of the device - an elongated body, comparable to the width of the TV screen.

The Revox Studioart S100 soundbar is implemented in a 3.1 design

From then on, spatial sound was not mentioned so often. But the system provided reliable stereo or two stereo channels plus a center channel - in quite decent quality. It is in this state that the soundbar remains to this day. It has become impressive, versatile and diverse. Let's look at various examples of soundbars and their capabilities.

Key features of Samsung soundbars

Keep in mind! Samsung soundbars have a lot of advantages:

original technology significantly improves the sound of the TV ;
speaker systems are as simple and straightforward to set up and control as possible ;
Samsung soundbars on the market are presented in different modifications - 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1;
many models are compact , they do not require a lot of free space for installation and use;
For greater convenience, Samsung branded soundbars support connecting flash drives or mobile devices ;
branded acoustics are multifunctional devices with support for many useful options - Wi-Fi, USB, etc .;
The acoustic systems of this company have an attractive design, high build quality, and a wide range of products to suit any needs.

Note! Soundbars from Samsung are divided into several popular lines with their own features and advantages:

Q-series. This is Surround Sound Expansion Plus technology with deep surround sound (like in a real cinema). 5.1-channel surround sound with amazing sound realism, over-the-air connectivity;
interior S-series. Sound with excellent detail, clear and deep bass, the ability to wirelessly connect to a TV, support for HD Audio and streaming music services;
classic soundbars. Excellent sound in any room, the function of expanding the surround sound area with excellent audibility to the right and left of the TV, over-the-air connection, powerful subwoofers, support for streaming audio.

The idea of surround sound

Few people remember now, but once upon a time the forerunners of soundbars were sound projectors. And then the developers of audio systems were not at all puzzled by the correspondence of acoustics to flat-panel TVs. After all, there weren’t that many flat-screen TVs back then. Another noble goal was pursued - to create spatial sound from one small device.

Cassette AIWA CS-500U 1982 - why not a soundbar?

Ways to do this at a primitive level have been known since the time of the first models - representatives of compact stereos. At that time, manufacturers of cassette tape recorders (especially double-cassette tape recorders) often included among their functions the so-called stereo expansion - it was also called wide stereo.

This was a simple circuit that, at best, produced frequency-dependent phase changes in the signal. A sort of “cosmic” effect arose. The public liked the feature - the topic was worth developing!

Rating-review of the best soundbars

The company produces a large range of high-quality soundbars with different technical characteristics.

Stay up to date! Below are the best Samsung speaker models with descriptions.

Let's look at the TOP 7 best Samsung soundbar models in terms of price and quality ratio.

Samsung HW-T650

The Samsung HW-T650 soundbar is equipped with an external subwoofer and a front speaker with main speakers and a built-in central speaker.

They provide balanced and high-quality reproduction of the entire frequency spectrum.

Bluetooth technology makes it possible to listen to audio tracks from a mobile device without using wires.

Settings are controlled and the volume level of the system and TV is adjusted using the included remote control.

The presented acoustics are compatible with TVs, USB drives, and game consoles.

Automatic sound optimization gives you complete immersion in the atmosphere of a movie or game.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 3.1;
output power (total) - 340 W;
front emitter - 180 W, 980 × 58 × 90 mm, 2.4 kg;
subwoofer - 160 W, 205 × 353 × 303 mm, 6.2 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth;
Features: remote control control.

Advantages

stylish appearance;
high build quality;
wide range of interfaces;
Convenient fastenings included.

Flaws

lack of sound picture volume;
large mass of the subwoofer;
easily soiled body.

Samsung HW-T550

The Samsung HW-T550 model with support for DTS/Dolby Digital technologies, five powerful speakers and a set of up-to-date connection interfaces provides clear and surround sound for media content.

The front panel and subwoofer housings are made of particularly durable materials that are resistant to external negative factors.

With the help of the presented soundbar, the capabilities of the TV can be expanded to the level of a home theater.

The rear panel of the audio system is equipped with an HDMI connector and a USB port for connecting a sound source and an external storage device.

The included remote control allows you to change channels, adjust the volume, operate the equalizer, and more.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 2.1;
output power (total) - 320 W;
front emitter - 160 W, 860 × 55 × 85 mm, 2.1 kg;
subwoofer - 160 W, 200 × 353 × 290 mm, 5 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth, USB-A;
Features: Dolby Digital/DTS support, bass/treble adjustment, remote control control.

Advantages

wide frequency range;
current interfaces;
informative display;
It is possible to connect rear speakers.

Flaws

not very clear instructions;
the subwoofer speaker is not protected;
When connecting via HDMI, you need to reboot the TV.

Samsung HW-T450

The Samsung HW-T450 kit with automatic detection of the sound source to optimize the quality of audio content is quite compact.

This allows you to install the speakers on a TV shelf or fix them on the wall using a bracket.

The presented system will surprise you with surround sound when watching movies and playing music tracks.

The device is equipped with a 200-watt remote subwoofer unit and a main panel with a declared audio range of 42-20000 Hz.

Bluetooth support allows you to transfer data from a tablet or smartphone.

A special game mode allows you to concentrate on gaming with complete immersion in the process.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 2.1;
output power (total) - 200 W;
front emitter - 70 W, 860 × 54 × 74 mm, 1.5 kg;
subwoofer - 130 W, 181 × 343 × 272 mm, 4.3 kg;
connection - optical input, Bluetooth, USB-A;
Features: Dolby Digital/DTS support, remote control.

Advantages

high sound quality;
excellent assembly and materials;
support for modern decoders;
relatively low price.

Flaws

low power of the kit;
insufficient volume effect.

Samsung HW-Q60T

The Samsung HW-Q60T uses the latest technology and computer modeling to deliver perfectly accurate and spacious sound.

The device supports the DTS Virtual X format with incredible audio depth.

The soundbar's speakers can sync with your TV's drivers to create an immersive sound experience.

A special analysis system optimizes the sound for a specific scene, making speech clear even at low volume levels.

Bluetooth wireless technology allows you to connect without cables getting in the way or getting tangled.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 5.1;
output power (total) - 360 W;
front emitter - 200 W, 980 × 58 × 105 mm, 3.4 kg;
subwoofer - 160 W, 205 × 353 × 303 mm, 6.2 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth;
Features: DTS Virtual X support, remote control.

Advantages

The sound quality is excellent;
automatic switching on when TV is activated;
DTS Virtual X support;
ability to customize sound.

Flaws

when disconnected, it “forgets” the Bluetooth connection;
small, inconvenient display;
heavy weight of the subwoofer.

Samsung HW-Q6CT

The Samsung HW-Q6CT model with a classic body design is made in accordance with the most popular and sought-after 5.1 surround sound configuration.

The total sound power of the speaker system is 330 W.

This is enough for sounding medium and large rooms.

Dolby Digital technology provides surround sound.

The built-in USB port allows you to connect external drives to play audio files.

Bluetooth wireless technology allows you to stream audio tracks. Connection to TV can be done with an HDMI cable.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 5.1;
output power (total) - 330 W;
front emitter - 200 W, 980 × 58 × 105 mm, 3.4 kg;
subwoofer - 130 W, 205 × 353 × 303 mm, 4 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth, USB-A;
Features: Dolby Digital support, remote control.

Advantages

excellent sound quality overall;
connection via optical, HDMI and Bluetooth;
support for surround sound technologies;
affordable price tag.

Flaws

relatively weak subwoofer;
uninteresting design;
Quite heavy front panel.

Samsung HW-T530

The Samsung HW-T530 soundbar, thanks to its front panel and remote subwoofer, allows you to get not only powerful sound with deep bass, but also enjoy an incredibly realistic surround effect.

The built-in Bluetooth module allows you to connect the soundbar to a TV, phone or tablet. A special system optimizes the sound stage, allowing you to get more intelligible voice accompaniment. Signal transmission is carried out via HDMI or S/PDIF. The USB port allows you to play audio files in OGG, MP3, AIFF formats , WAV, FLAC or AAC from a flash drive. The presented acoustics consume 53 W at maximum load.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 2.1;
output power (total) - 290 W;
front emitter - 160 W, 860 × 55 × 85 mm, 2.1 kg;
subwoofer - 130 W, 200 × 353 × 290 mm, 4.8 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth, USB-A;
Features: Dolby Digital support, remote control.

Advantages

protection in the form of a metal mesh;
wireless subwoofer connection;
convenient adjustment of the frequency range;
easy connection to TV;
surround sound effect.

Flaws

external power supply for the soundbar;
sticker on top of the body;
overpriced compared to analogues.

Samsung HW-Q950T

The Samsung HW-Q950T model with an integrated sound stage optimization mode will be an ideal solution for fans of films and TV series, music lovers and gamers.

The front panel and external rear speakers are easily mounted on the wall using a bracket.

Thanks to its compact size, an external subwoofer can be placed in the most suitable place in the room.

Multi-channel sound allows you to feel the effect of presence, and the presence of Bluetooth guarantees convenient connection of the system without wires.

This technology also allows connection to a tablet or smartphone.

Main characteristics:

configuration - 9.1;
output power (total) - 546 W;
front emitter - 246 W, 1232 × 69.5 × 138 mm, 7.1 kg;
rear speakers - 146 W, 120 × 210 × 141 mm, 2.1 kg;
subwoofer - 160 W, 210 × 403 × 403 mm, 9.8 kg;
connection - optical input, HDMI, Bluetooth;
features - support for Dolby Digital/DTS/True HD, remote control, built-in Alexa assistant.

Advantages

excellent sound overall;
wide frequency range;
luxurious surround sound;
high quality build and materials.

Flaws

Dolby Atmos only on demos;
the acoustic fabric on the speakers collects dust;
undemocratic price.

The right sound for 8K

The secret to good sound

In our materials, we talked in detail about the new QLED 8K TVs of the 2021 generation , as well as about different scenarios for their operation.
And for all situations, the correct sound is required, which is provided by soundbars, and in the case of Samsung products - together with the acoustics built into TVs. And Q-Symphony technology helps them with this. This unique technology allows your TV and soundbar speakers to work simultaneously. Its ability to create rich, immersive sound using your TV speakers and soundbar was even recognized with a Best of Innovation award at CES 2021. Typically, using TV speakers and soundbars at the same time results in the soundbar's sound being out of sync with scenes on the TV screen, so previously using soundbar, the TV speakers automatically turned off. But Samsung's top-of-the-range 2021 QLED 8K lineup features six speakers on the sides and top of the TV, forcing engineers to take a fresh look at the need to use TV sound with a soundbar. Don't let such good things go to waste!

The impetus for the development of Q-Symphony technology was the idea of providing better surround sound by using multi-directional TV speakers in combination with a soundbar. And for this, the sound from the TV speakers and soundbar must be synchronized in many ways, in particular, phase, time and volume.

Therefore, in new models, the roles of all speakers are clearly delineated - the soundbar reproduces basic sounds, such as people's voices, and the height speakers are responsible for background effects. As we know, one of the key elements to achieve realistic sound during video playback is 3D, which covers both horizontal and vertical audio characteristics. Until recently, TV and soundbar specialists worked on these parameters separately. With the introduction of top-mount speakers on Samsung's 2021 QLED 8K TVs, the team has introduced an all-in-one solution that takes advantage of both the TV and the soundbar at the same time.

However, during the development process, a problem arose in the quality of dialogue reproduction. When both the soundbar and TV speakers played voices at the same time, the sound quality noticeably deteriorated. The company's specialists were able to solve this problem by separating the main audio track from the entire signal using a special algorithm and assigning different tracks to the speakers of the TV and soundbar. Therefore, in the line of Samsung QLED 8K TVs 2021, speech is always separated from the general sound. Thus, the built-in speakers are responsible for reproducing ambient sound effects, and the soundbar, in turn, is responsible for the main soundtrack, including dialogue.

However, even without soundbar support, Samsung QLED 8K TVs, equipped with six speakers, are capable of a lot. The original OTS (Object Tracking Sound+) technology relies on deep learning algorithms that can recognize the type of content on the screen and reproduces corresponding multi-channel audio. This way, users can enjoy surround sound that is specifically tailored to what is currently happening on the screen. With Object Tracking Sound+ technology, sound moves across the screen to follow the object in each scene. When a car in a frame moves from left to right or a heavy object falls from top to bottom, the same thing happens with sound.

The 2021 QLED 8K TVs have another interesting feature, namely Active Voice Amplifier technology (AVA). When there's a deafening clap of thunder outside during an important news report or a key scene in a movie, users sometimes don't have time to grab the remote control in time to adjust the TV volume. To solve this problem, Samsung specialists have developed AVA technology, which recognizes extraneous noise and, if necessary, increases the volume of voices from the TV screen. The sound sensor, located at the bottom of the TV's middle section, senses sound coming from both the device's speakers and the environment. The AI technology then compares the volume of the two types of sound. If the ambient noise level is higher, the volume of the content being played is selectively increased.

Soundbar and home theater

In its simplest configuration, the soundbar has two sets of speakers on the edges and provides stereo sound. A subwoofer added to it allows the entire system to be considered a trifonic.

But if in the center of the soundbar there is a dedicated grouping of central channel speakers, then we already have home theater components. Often in this case, it is possible to supplement the soundbar with a pair of rear satellites, thus obtaining a fully functional DC in 5.1 format, or even more. At the same time, the soundbar also functions as an AV receiver.

Philips Fidelio HTL9100

There are options here. For example, about seven years ago, Philips became one of the first to offer the Philips Fidelio HTL9100 soundbar with autonomous wireless rechargeable satellites. These speakers could be docked at the ends of the soundbar, extending it. In this state, the soundbar not only looked more interesting, but also sounded bigger.

The satellites themselves, when connected, not only added sound, but also charged their built-in batteries from the soundbar. These speakers could then be placed behind the listeners (they received the signal wirelessly), resulting in a 5.1 set - not bad at all.

The JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar also features rechargeable wireless satellites

In principle, this concept has already been implemented in many variants, allowing you to create quite numerous groupings of surround sound acoustics with the participation of a soundbar. In some cases, the company that manufactured the soundbar provides the opportunity to purchase certain components for it, “expanding” the set to a full-size set of home theater or multi-room acoustics.