T3 is supported by its audience. It's a bit wider only really for 55-inch TVs and up and doesn't include a subwoofer. A lifestyle embellishment, it basically analyses the incoming audio system, to extract and amplify the dialogue channel. I'll be judging the soundbar's audio on its own merit for this review, separate from the Q Symphony potential, but this is a truly impressive extra boost for those who go all-in on Samsung. The bass is superb. While Alexa responds dutifully when you bark out commands (if youre into that) there seems to be no way to quiet her down when she barks back. He was the creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and contributes to huge range of technology, home and music titles along with T3, including TechRadar, Louder, Ideal Home, the i newspaper, and more. Samsung - HW-Q800T - 3.1.2-Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos System - Black.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a Dolby Atmos soundbar that offers deeply satisfying sound for a good price. The highs and mids are crips and clean with no distortion, with a hard hitting and low rumbling base that bring action movies to life! Like many of the best soundbars, the Samsung HW-Q800A uses a combination of clever speaker arrays, digital processing and reflection trickery to create something as close to surround sound as possible, from a fairly compact box that fits under your TV. There are some physical buttons centred up top, including power and volume control, but they probably wont get much use. Playing my go-to Dolby Atmos demo discs, I found myself waiting in vain for effects to effectively rain down upon me. 2022 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. For connection, the bar offers a spare HDMI input to source Dolby Atmos directly from a Blu-ray player or game console (something Sonos Arc doesnt have), as well as HDMI eARC connection. Dolby atmos content is not great, no emersion in my setup. This comes highly recommended, even if there are a few caveats to note about its features. As you'd expect from its compact speakers, the bar's lighter sound means acoustic instruments sound less natural than what youll get from traditional speakers, as well as the Sonos Arc's bulbous tube. While the sound signature is notably light in the midrange, the Q800T sounds quite good, even when playing back standard fare like sitcoms. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. The sub claims 160W. Though its $899.99 MSRP is too high, its usual sale price of $750 to $800 (or much less) puts it more in line with competitors and well worth consideration for your audio upgrade. Overall, the Q800T's Alexa integration just doesn't seem ready for primetime. The 7 band eq can only help so much. It has an HDMI connection to connect to your TV, but also an HDMI input, for 4K HDMI passthrough. Very easy setup through my Samsung TV and updating the bar through the SmartThings app was not too difficult. The two crossover perfectly, creating one unified soundstage. It's made to work excellently with any TV, though it has some extra special sauce when paired with certain Samsung TVs that are compatible with the 'Q Symphony' combined with its overall quality (as I'll explain soon), it's the best soundbar for Samsung TVs you can buy right now, but ultimately its also arguably the best buy for any TV you want to add bigger, better sound to. Steerage around the front soundstage, and even up high in the gods, is energetic.
Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Published 7 June 22. By Carrie Marshall Driving this complement is considerable muscle. Those who want better Dolby Atmos immersionparticularly when it comes to overhead and surround effectsmay want to opt for the Sonos Arc instead. The bar auto switches to your input source when you dial something up, meaning you can usually just stick with your TV remote for basic control when connected via HDMI eARC/ARC (required to source Dolby Atmos). A Samsung rep tells me this may be caused by a known bug for Alexa when connected to a hardwired digital source, which he expects to be corrected in a firmware update. The only notable omissions are WiFi add-ons like Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support and a 3.5mm analog inputhandy for connecting legacy devices like turntables, but increasingly rare in 2020. Get the best deals and the best advice dropped right in your inbox. At the time of publication, Vizio's 46-inch 5.1.4 soundbar (with separate surrounds) also rings in at similar pricing and offers much better surround immersion. Let's dig into exactly why, in the full Samsung HW-Q800A review. It offers a well-stocked feature set, including built-in Amazon Alexa, modern eARC connection, and both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Adding the Sonos Sub effectively doubles the price, too. You can also stream music (or anything else) to it easily over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, including support for Apple AirPlay 2. Powered up, the soundbar will automatically pair with the subwoofer. This is a treat reserved for owners of select Samsung QLEDs. I should also note that Atmos content like Marvel's Ant-Man on Disney+ still sounds compelling and dynamic even without the striking overhead effects. Also unique to Samsung is Q Symphony. The brands expansive Q Symphony technology is a brilliant idea, but only works for owners of specific Samsung TVs. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The result is improved acoustic immersion overall. Bass lovers will miss the heftier sub, but those with smaller living quarters may welcome the swap. And how it looks. At 980mm wide, the HW-Q800A's size is an ideal partner for the best 48, 49 and 50-inch TVs, the best 55-inch TVs or the best 65-inch TVs. It offers all the major features we expect for a soundbar in its class and, on semi-permanent sale at least, its price is generally in line with the competition. Its a brilliant idea. One key point of difference between this model and last is the inclusion of Samsungs Active Voice Amplifier. The same applies to SpaceFit. The flipside of the Acoustic Beam coin, in my experience at least, is that the overhead immersion you expect from a soundbar with upfiring drivers is significantly diluted. Given the fact that it can still support Alexa commands with the addition of an Echo speaker at $50, it's definitely a way to cut down the price significantly (especially given those Alexa bugs). The best way to put it is the way I heard it put to me. Dialogue rang through with pristine clarity, gunshots were punchy and full in all the right ways, and dynamic scenes like the epic helicopter crash toward the climax proved this little bar has plenty of oomph. It is not great but very good, especially for the price. How much this matters may depend on how much Atmos content you watchit's still relatively limited on most streaming services. Samsung says Alexa Spotify control is coming, again via firmware, but gave no indication of when. Here's how it all breaks down. The HDMI passthrough is 4K, of course, and HDR compatibility covers Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR and HLG. The HW-Q800A is essentially plug and play. I was just hoping for a little more overall performance but I do believe for the cost it balances out. While its always wise to take such numbers with a pinch of marketing salt, theres no doubt that this system plays loud and has considerable dynamic attack. Even the settings you can adjust do not edit the sound very much. Combined, TV and soundbar deliver a veritable wall of sound that doesnt just leer with mean intent, but employs artful sonic steering. Something went wrong. The new Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers come with built-in upfirers so you get a 2-inch forward facing driver and a matching 2-inch upward firing cone in each unit which turns the entire system into a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration, if you add them. Connectivity comprises just two HDMI (with eARC to connect to the TV) plus an optical digital audio input. This patented system enables the soundbar to function in tandem with the speaker compliment in the TV itself. In comparison, regular Dolby 5.1 mixes lack the same spatial detail, but theres still width and imaging to admire. For over 25 years, Steve has been casting his keen eyes and ears over the best that the world of TV and audio has to offer. However, these rears were not supplied, so this aspect of the soundbar experience remains untested. The soundstage is a more confined with two-channel content compared to Atmos and DTS:X, but theres enough pizzazz in the presentation to keep your toes tapping. Still, the Q800T sounds more organic and sumptuous than LGs ultra-thin SN9YG, especially in the upper midrange. I highly recommend for anyone! It will decode Dolby Atmos in both compressed Dolby Digital Plus (for streaming from your TV) and uncompressed Dolby TrueHD, as well as DTS Surround Sound and DTS:X, though the latter is seemingly going extinct. Email us and we'll compare notes. Samsung has diversified its Dolby Atmos lineup significantly since its first entry, the $1,500 5.1.4-channel HW-K950, now offering a slew of Atmos options to fit a wider array of setups (and budgets). Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Theres also a Night Mode, which constrains dynamics, so explosions don't wake people up. Feed it something of higher quality and things get even more intriguing. Credit: Reviewed/Jackson Ruckar. In this Samsung HW-Q800A review, we're going to look at how Samsung has built this Dolby Atmos soundbar into a T3 Awards 2021 winner of our Best Soundbar award. As soundbars (even of the Dolby Atmos variety) get increasingly compact Ive become used to digital displays creeping out of the pictureSonos soundbars offer nothing more than a color-coded LED strip. The remote is attractive and well laid out, with tactile keys for both subwoofer and volume levels that feel like those electric window switches on your parents old station wagonin a good way.
That includes WiFi streaming alongside built-in Alexa support to control basic playback and a litany of smart features. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. This further diminishes the immersion level youll get from Dolby Atmos and other surround sound content; swirling effects are cut off starkly before they curl behind you, and those designed to blow past you from behind seem to just suddenly appear at the front of the room, breaking the illusion. Hailing originally from Montana, Ryan parlayed his time working as a musician and audio engineer into a career in digital media in 2012. As touched on above, the Q800T is impressively compact for a Dolby Atmos bar, especially one without any surround speakers to spread the soundstage around (though you can add Samsungs wireless rear surround kit for around $180). Samsungs Smart Things app also lets you tweak bass and toggle voice enhancement. They need to add a delay if you put the sub behind the couch. The Samsung HW-Q800T launched in spring 2021, at a launch price of 799 in the UK and $799 in the US. In the end, whether the HW-Q800T is right for you may depend on your love for overhead effects, bass, and Alexa herself. Theres a synergy between the bar and subwoofer thats joyous at volume. Its a 3.1.2 channel design in classic black, but there are some welcome new features in this model. Along with the bar, the HW-Q800T ships with a basic manual, power cables, a wand-style remote, an HDMI cable, and mounting brackets. However, even when connected over WiFi, Alexa integration had issues. Behind the grille are two woofers and five tweeters, plus Samsungs Acoustic Beam array technology, which is actually a line of 56 tiny holes used to project height audio. Set in all black, the bar looks good (if basic) on the mantle. Samsungs compact new HW-Q800T soundbar (available at Amazon) may look plain-Jane, but this unassuming hunk of perforated plastic is a slimline ticket to clear, full, and dimensional sound. Heres why you can trust us. If connecting over HDMI, this means the whole thing takes a just a few seconds to get up and running for TV audio, excluding unboxing and setting up the Wi-Fi. The only notable issue is that the fully perforated cover is a styrofoam magnet; I was never able to remove all the little white bits without resorting to tweezers. If it's for a very large room then I would upgrade a couple models. A simple, ergonomically shaped plastic remote control is included. You can buy better speakers for the money you put down on this. Volume is naturally lowered when she responds to a query, but sometimes the bar seemed to get stuck and kept the music at the lower volume. While I wasn't able to test this feature, the Q800T also features Samsung's Q Symphony, designed to incorporate select Samsung QLED TV speakers into the soundstage. The Sonos Arc is the direct competitor here it costs the same, and is fairly close in terms of features. Thank you for signing up to T3.
Still, while its a small gripe, the words crossing the Q800Ts compact display keep you waiting to identify them like a skywriter when adjusting settings. The Arc is bigger, doesn't include a subwoofer, and doesn't come with a spare HDMI input, meaning you'll need a newer TV with Dolby Digital Plus to source Atmos directly. That said, Samsung's HW-Q70T soundbar offers nearly identical specs with two standout exceptions: there's no built-in microphones for Alexa, and it offers a smaller subwoofer. Interaction is via a LED text display to the right. Theres no standalone soundbar calibration offered, although the HW-Q8090A does offer SpaceFit, which works with compatible Samsung TVs specifically the Samsung Q70T and up, to optimise performance for a given space. Thanks to the inclusion of 3D audio (including DTS: X) and a wireless subwoofer, this is perfect for those looking to upgrade their TV audio to something that sounds cinematic without incurring the complexity of an AV receiver and separate speakers. Like all soundbars of this ilk, its very much a stage performer. There are more expensive soundbars that offer improved audio compared to this, but in terms of cinematic power, detail and dynamic range, and features and size, this is probably the best all-round soundbar buy available today for most people. Here's what you need to know, Samsungs wireless rear surround kit for around $180, Dolby Digital Plus to source Atmos directly. However, it offers warmer, more natural performance, simpler ways to build out a surround system (like adding the Symfonisk wireless speakers), and is backed by high-powered software. One of my favorite Blu-ray test discs, Sam Mendes' Skyfall, offered a brilliant palette on which the Q800Ts skill set flourished. All rights reserved. If your display doesnt comply, then whats left is perhaps looking just a tad expensive. Published 21 July 22, In school or college? Samsung has stuck with its wand-style remote for its soundbars (and many of its TVs) for years now, and theres good reason. While the hefty subwoofer hammers home the vibrant thump demanded in such scenes with accuracy and aplomb, its the intricate placement and wide expansion of the soundstage up front that really called my attention. This Q800 soundbar is amazing! I should note that my current TV / Chromecast does not support Dolby Atmos or uncompressed 5.1 through eARC, so hopefully the sound improves once I upgrade to a newer TV model. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Thats fine for content at the same volume level, but depending on the content it can be a problem. The main hangup again seemed to be balancing the volume of streaming audio with Alexa responses. It's only saving grace is its ease of setup. Is it worth getting a 8K TV for PS5, or should you stick with 4K instead? I found a good balance by simply raising the adjustable center channel by 1 point, which allowed for clear dialogue across genres. You can get money off a range of Apple products with these student discounts, Now you can play big-name games even if you dont have an Xbox Series S|X or a PS5, By Carrie Marshall It also includes a 4K HDMI passthrough, so you don't miss out on that key feature either. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Needs satellite speakers. Dialogue handling is excellent, the soundbar thrills with action movies, yet is capable of subtle sonic nuance, and the sub has popper wallop. Oh, the sub fills in some of the low end so it needs to be near the sound bar, to be in sync. Very good clarity even at full blast. Its bright but quickly dims after a few seconds. Do you need the best 8K TVs to get the best from your next-generation PlayStation 5 console? It is a bit Samsung-centric in a couple of its features. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more. A 3.1.2-channel system, the bar offers left, center, and right channels at the front, a side-firing wireless subwoofer, and dual upfiring channels to create the hemispheric effect for which Dolby Atmos and its contemporaries are prized. It can't produce a genuine sense of surround immersion, but you can invest in the optional rears to add that later. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. The sub is cool, and music in surround modes is nice although bright.
Theres no significant difference in the soundbar's performance between Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also only has a single HDMI port, with no passthrough, which will mean it can be quite limiting in terms of connectivity depending on your TV. The sub, a rear-ported design with a side-firing 8-inch driver, is relatively large and hefty (9.8kg) MDF. From the start I was caught off guard by how well the beaming tech builds the soundstage up front, seeming to project the effects both vertically and horizontally like a sonic light show. The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable).Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag.See details for additional description. At just over 38-inches across and 2.4 inches high, its cut to fit on most TV consoles without obscuring your TV screen like Sonos beefy Arc. Lugs allow it to be wall-mounted, if required. Streaming music over Spotify Connect via WiFi provides a similar, if more toned-down, effect. The HW-Q800A has Amazon Alexa on board, complete with far-field microphone, which means itll function as a genuine Alexa smart speaker in its own right. I would recommend this to anyone. Id wholly forgotten about Samsungs Acoustic Beam technology, which first rolled out in a gaming soundbar at CES a couple of years back. The action takes place front-of-house rather than to the side or rear but it fills the front of house. Theres plenty of detail, light and lyrical treble response, and impressive balance, to the point that I rarely found myself pumping the sound up or down between the loudest and quietest moments. View cart for details. It's also pretty easy to use and doesn't take up much space on the mantle (for a Dolby Atmos bar anyway). There's no Ethernet port. An iteration of 2019s Q70R, the two-piece Q800T is pared down when compared to flagship Atmos setups with surround speakers, offering just a bar and subwoofer combo. That said, at its sale price, the Q800T is a stalwart new competitor that should fit quite nicely into most living rooms. There's no catch and no commitment to buy: just give Samsung your details for a big pre-order discount, By Carrie Marshall
Theres no USB media playback option. Turning the height channels up didn't help much, instead making effects sound strained. Published 25 May 22, Japan Display has announced a potentially massive upgrade so hold off on buying an OLED TV for now, By Max Slater-Robins While there are a few big competitors in its class (including Sonos' brilliant Arc and LG's loaded SN9YG), the bars top competition for value may come from within: Samsungs much cheaper HW-Q70T stacks up extremely similarly, with just a few notable differences. Visit our corporate site, Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Samsung will give you $100 credit if you reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 4 foldable phone, Apple student discounts 2022: pay less for iPads, Apple Music and more, Samsung TVs are getting this cool free upgrade, 5 quick settings tweaks to make your Samsung TV's picture even better.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a Dolby Atmos soundbar that offers deeply satisfying sound for a good price. The highs and mids are crips and clean with no distortion, with a hard hitting and low rumbling base that bring action movies to life! Like many of the best soundbars, the Samsung HW-Q800A uses a combination of clever speaker arrays, digital processing and reflection trickery to create something as close to surround sound as possible, from a fairly compact box that fits under your TV. There are some physical buttons centred up top, including power and volume control, but they probably wont get much use. Playing my go-to Dolby Atmos demo discs, I found myself waiting in vain for effects to effectively rain down upon me. 2022 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. For connection, the bar offers a spare HDMI input to source Dolby Atmos directly from a Blu-ray player or game console (something Sonos Arc doesnt have), as well as HDMI eARC connection. Dolby atmos content is not great, no emersion in my setup. This comes highly recommended, even if there are a few caveats to note about its features. As you'd expect from its compact speakers, the bar's lighter sound means acoustic instruments sound less natural than what youll get from traditional speakers, as well as the Sonos Arc's bulbous tube. While the sound signature is notably light in the midrange, the Q800T sounds quite good, even when playing back standard fare like sitcoms. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. The sub claims 160W. Though its $899.99 MSRP is too high, its usual sale price of $750 to $800 (or much less) puts it more in line with competitors and well worth consideration for your audio upgrade. Overall, the Q800T's Alexa integration just doesn't seem ready for primetime. The 7 band eq can only help so much. It has an HDMI connection to connect to your TV, but also an HDMI input, for 4K HDMI passthrough. Very easy setup through my Samsung TV and updating the bar through the SmartThings app was not too difficult. The two crossover perfectly, creating one unified soundstage. It's made to work excellently with any TV, though it has some extra special sauce when paired with certain Samsung TVs that are compatible with the 'Q Symphony' combined with its overall quality (as I'll explain soon), it's the best soundbar for Samsung TVs you can buy right now, but ultimately its also arguably the best buy for any TV you want to add bigger, better sound to. Steerage around the front soundstage, and even up high in the gods, is energetic.
Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Published 7 June 22. By Carrie Marshall Driving this complement is considerable muscle. Those who want better Dolby Atmos immersionparticularly when it comes to overhead and surround effectsmay want to opt for the Sonos Arc instead. The bar auto switches to your input source when you dial something up, meaning you can usually just stick with your TV remote for basic control when connected via HDMI eARC/ARC (required to source Dolby Atmos). A Samsung rep tells me this may be caused by a known bug for Alexa when connected to a hardwired digital source, which he expects to be corrected in a firmware update. The only notable omissions are WiFi add-ons like Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support and a 3.5mm analog inputhandy for connecting legacy devices like turntables, but increasingly rare in 2020. Get the best deals and the best advice dropped right in your inbox. At the time of publication, Vizio's 46-inch 5.1.4 soundbar (with separate surrounds) also rings in at similar pricing and offers much better surround immersion. Let's dig into exactly why, in the full Samsung HW-Q800A review. It offers a well-stocked feature set, including built-in Amazon Alexa, modern eARC connection, and both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Adding the Sonos Sub effectively doubles the price, too. You can also stream music (or anything else) to it easily over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, including support for Apple AirPlay 2. Powered up, the soundbar will automatically pair with the subwoofer. This is a treat reserved for owners of select Samsung QLEDs. I should also note that Atmos content like Marvel's Ant-Man on Disney+ still sounds compelling and dynamic even without the striking overhead effects. Also unique to Samsung is Q Symphony. The brands expansive Q Symphony technology is a brilliant idea, but only works for owners of specific Samsung TVs. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The result is improved acoustic immersion overall. Bass lovers will miss the heftier sub, but those with smaller living quarters may welcome the swap. And how it looks. At 980mm wide, the HW-Q800A's size is an ideal partner for the best 48, 49 and 50-inch TVs, the best 55-inch TVs or the best 65-inch TVs. It offers all the major features we expect for a soundbar in its class and, on semi-permanent sale at least, its price is generally in line with the competition. Its a brilliant idea. One key point of difference between this model and last is the inclusion of Samsungs Active Voice Amplifier. The same applies to SpaceFit. The flipside of the Acoustic Beam coin, in my experience at least, is that the overhead immersion you expect from a soundbar with upfiring drivers is significantly diluted. Given the fact that it can still support Alexa commands with the addition of an Echo speaker at $50, it's definitely a way to cut down the price significantly (especially given those Alexa bugs). The best way to put it is the way I heard it put to me. Dialogue rang through with pristine clarity, gunshots were punchy and full in all the right ways, and dynamic scenes like the epic helicopter crash toward the climax proved this little bar has plenty of oomph. It is not great but very good, especially for the price. How much this matters may depend on how much Atmos content you watchit's still relatively limited on most streaming services. Samsung says Alexa Spotify control is coming, again via firmware, but gave no indication of when. Here's how it all breaks down. The HDMI passthrough is 4K, of course, and HDR compatibility covers Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR and HLG. The HW-Q800A is essentially plug and play. I was just hoping for a little more overall performance but I do believe for the cost it balances out. While its always wise to take such numbers with a pinch of marketing salt, theres no doubt that this system plays loud and has considerable dynamic attack. Even the settings you can adjust do not edit the sound very much. Combined, TV and soundbar deliver a veritable wall of sound that doesnt just leer with mean intent, but employs artful sonic steering. Something went wrong. The new Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers come with built-in upfirers so you get a 2-inch forward facing driver and a matching 2-inch upward firing cone in each unit which turns the entire system into a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration, if you add them. Connectivity comprises just two HDMI (with eARC to connect to the TV) plus an optical digital audio input. This patented system enables the soundbar to function in tandem with the speaker compliment in the TV itself. In comparison, regular Dolby 5.1 mixes lack the same spatial detail, but theres still width and imaging to admire. For over 25 years, Steve has been casting his keen eyes and ears over the best that the world of TV and audio has to offer. However, these rears were not supplied, so this aspect of the soundbar experience remains untested. The soundstage is a more confined with two-channel content compared to Atmos and DTS:X, but theres enough pizzazz in the presentation to keep your toes tapping. Still, the Q800T sounds more organic and sumptuous than LGs ultra-thin SN9YG, especially in the upper midrange. I highly recommend for anyone! It will decode Dolby Atmos in both compressed Dolby Digital Plus (for streaming from your TV) and uncompressed Dolby TrueHD, as well as DTS Surround Sound and DTS:X, though the latter is seemingly going extinct. Email us and we'll compare notes. Samsung has diversified its Dolby Atmos lineup significantly since its first entry, the $1,500 5.1.4-channel HW-K950, now offering a slew of Atmos options to fit a wider array of setups (and budgets). Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Theres also a Night Mode, which constrains dynamics, so explosions don't wake people up. Feed it something of higher quality and things get even more intriguing. Credit: Reviewed/Jackson Ruckar. In this Samsung HW-Q800A review, we're going to look at how Samsung has built this Dolby Atmos soundbar into a T3 Awards 2021 winner of our Best Soundbar award. As soundbars (even of the Dolby Atmos variety) get increasingly compact Ive become used to digital displays creeping out of the pictureSonos soundbars offer nothing more than a color-coded LED strip. The remote is attractive and well laid out, with tactile keys for both subwoofer and volume levels that feel like those electric window switches on your parents old station wagonin a good way. That includes WiFi streaming alongside built-in Alexa support to control basic playback and a litany of smart features. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. This further diminishes the immersion level youll get from Dolby Atmos and other surround sound content; swirling effects are cut off starkly before they curl behind you, and those designed to blow past you from behind seem to just suddenly appear at the front of the room, breaking the illusion. Hailing originally from Montana, Ryan parlayed his time working as a musician and audio engineer into a career in digital media in 2012. As touched on above, the Q800T is impressively compact for a Dolby Atmos bar, especially one without any surround speakers to spread the soundstage around (though you can add Samsungs wireless rear surround kit for around $180). Samsungs Smart Things app also lets you tweak bass and toggle voice enhancement. They need to add a delay if you put the sub behind the couch. The Samsung HW-Q800T launched in spring 2021, at a launch price of 799 in the UK and $799 in the US. In the end, whether the HW-Q800T is right for you may depend on your love for overhead effects, bass, and Alexa herself. Theres a synergy between the bar and subwoofer thats joyous at volume. Its a 3.1.2 channel design in classic black, but there are some welcome new features in this model. Along with the bar, the HW-Q800T ships with a basic manual, power cables, a wand-style remote, an HDMI cable, and mounting brackets. However, even when connected over WiFi, Alexa integration had issues. Behind the grille are two woofers and five tweeters, plus Samsungs Acoustic Beam array technology, which is actually a line of 56 tiny holes used to project height audio. Set in all black, the bar looks good (if basic) on the mantle. Samsungs compact new HW-Q800T soundbar (available at Amazon) may look plain-Jane, but this unassuming hunk of perforated plastic is a slimline ticket to clear, full, and dimensional sound. Heres why you can trust us. If connecting over HDMI, this means the whole thing takes a just a few seconds to get up and running for TV audio, excluding unboxing and setting up the Wi-Fi. The only notable issue is that the fully perforated cover is a styrofoam magnet; I was never able to remove all the little white bits without resorting to tweezers. If it's for a very large room then I would upgrade a couple models. A simple, ergonomically shaped plastic remote control is included. You can buy better speakers for the money you put down on this. Volume is naturally lowered when she responds to a query, but sometimes the bar seemed to get stuck and kept the music at the lower volume. While I wasn't able to test this feature, the Q800T also features Samsung's Q Symphony, designed to incorporate select Samsung QLED TV speakers into the soundstage. The Sonos Arc is the direct competitor here it costs the same, and is fairly close in terms of features. Thank you for signing up to T3.
Still, while its a small gripe, the words crossing the Q800Ts compact display keep you waiting to identify them like a skywriter when adjusting settings. The Arc is bigger, doesn't include a subwoofer, and doesn't come with a spare HDMI input, meaning you'll need a newer TV with Dolby Digital Plus to source Atmos directly. That said, Samsung's HW-Q70T soundbar offers nearly identical specs with two standout exceptions: there's no built-in microphones for Alexa, and it offers a smaller subwoofer. Interaction is via a LED text display to the right. Theres no standalone soundbar calibration offered, although the HW-Q8090A does offer SpaceFit, which works with compatible Samsung TVs specifically the Samsung Q70T and up, to optimise performance for a given space. Thanks to the inclusion of 3D audio (including DTS: X) and a wireless subwoofer, this is perfect for those looking to upgrade their TV audio to something that sounds cinematic without incurring the complexity of an AV receiver and separate speakers. Like all soundbars of this ilk, its very much a stage performer. There are more expensive soundbars that offer improved audio compared to this, but in terms of cinematic power, detail and dynamic range, and features and size, this is probably the best all-round soundbar buy available today for most people. Here's what you need to know, Samsungs wireless rear surround kit for around $180, Dolby Digital Plus to source Atmos directly. However, it offers warmer, more natural performance, simpler ways to build out a surround system (like adding the Symfonisk wireless speakers), and is backed by high-powered software. One of my favorite Blu-ray test discs, Sam Mendes' Skyfall, offered a brilliant palette on which the Q800Ts skill set flourished. All rights reserved. If your display doesnt comply, then whats left is perhaps looking just a tad expensive. Published 21 July 22, In school or college? Samsung has stuck with its wand-style remote for its soundbars (and many of its TVs) for years now, and theres good reason. While the hefty subwoofer hammers home the vibrant thump demanded in such scenes with accuracy and aplomb, its the intricate placement and wide expansion of the soundstage up front that really called my attention. This Q800 soundbar is amazing! I should note that my current TV / Chromecast does not support Dolby Atmos or uncompressed 5.1 through eARC, so hopefully the sound improves once I upgrade to a newer TV model. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Thats fine for content at the same volume level, but depending on the content it can be a problem. The main hangup again seemed to be balancing the volume of streaming audio with Alexa responses. It's only saving grace is its ease of setup. Is it worth getting a 8K TV for PS5, or should you stick with 4K instead? I found a good balance by simply raising the adjustable center channel by 1 point, which allowed for clear dialogue across genres. You can get money off a range of Apple products with these student discounts, Now you can play big-name games even if you dont have an Xbox Series S|X or a PS5, By Carrie Marshall It also includes a 4K HDMI passthrough, so you don't miss out on that key feature either. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Needs satellite speakers. Dialogue handling is excellent, the soundbar thrills with action movies, yet is capable of subtle sonic nuance, and the sub has popper wallop. Oh, the sub fills in some of the low end so it needs to be near the sound bar, to be in sync. Very good clarity even at full blast. Its bright but quickly dims after a few seconds. Do you need the best 8K TVs to get the best from your next-generation PlayStation 5 console? It is a bit Samsung-centric in a couple of its features. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more. A 3.1.2-channel system, the bar offers left, center, and right channels at the front, a side-firing wireless subwoofer, and dual upfiring channels to create the hemispheric effect for which Dolby Atmos and its contemporaries are prized. It can't produce a genuine sense of surround immersion, but you can invest in the optional rears to add that later. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. The sub is cool, and music in surround modes is nice although bright.
Theres no significant difference in the soundbar's performance between Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also only has a single HDMI port, with no passthrough, which will mean it can be quite limiting in terms of connectivity depending on your TV. The sub, a rear-ported design with a side-firing 8-inch driver, is relatively large and hefty (9.8kg) MDF. From the start I was caught off guard by how well the beaming tech builds the soundstage up front, seeming to project the effects both vertically and horizontally like a sonic light show. The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable).Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag.See details for additional description. At just over 38-inches across and 2.4 inches high, its cut to fit on most TV consoles without obscuring your TV screen like Sonos beefy Arc. Lugs allow it to be wall-mounted, if required. Streaming music over Spotify Connect via WiFi provides a similar, if more toned-down, effect. The HW-Q800A has Amazon Alexa on board, complete with far-field microphone, which means itll function as a genuine Alexa smart speaker in its own right. I would recommend this to anyone. Id wholly forgotten about Samsungs Acoustic Beam technology, which first rolled out in a gaming soundbar at CES a couple of years back. The action takes place front-of-house rather than to the side or rear but it fills the front of house. Theres plenty of detail, light and lyrical treble response, and impressive balance, to the point that I rarely found myself pumping the sound up or down between the loudest and quietest moments. View cart for details. It's also pretty easy to use and doesn't take up much space on the mantle (for a Dolby Atmos bar anyway). There's no Ethernet port. An iteration of 2019s Q70R, the two-piece Q800T is pared down when compared to flagship Atmos setups with surround speakers, offering just a bar and subwoofer combo. That said, at its sale price, the Q800T is a stalwart new competitor that should fit quite nicely into most living rooms. There's no catch and no commitment to buy: just give Samsung your details for a big pre-order discount, By Carrie Marshall
Theres no USB media playback option. Turning the height channels up didn't help much, instead making effects sound strained. Published 25 May 22, Japan Display has announced a potentially massive upgrade so hold off on buying an OLED TV for now, By Max Slater-Robins While there are a few big competitors in its class (including Sonos' brilliant Arc and LG's loaded SN9YG), the bars top competition for value may come from within: Samsungs much cheaper HW-Q70T stacks up extremely similarly, with just a few notable differences. Visit our corporate site, Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Samsung will give you $100 credit if you reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 4 foldable phone, Apple student discounts 2022: pay less for iPads, Apple Music and more, Samsung TVs are getting this cool free upgrade, 5 quick settings tweaks to make your Samsung TV's picture even better.