Samsung makes and sells extra TVs than every other model, however additionally they make a line of soundbars that promote very properly. The Samsung HW-Q800A is an fascinating soundbar in a really crowded class that lacks differentiation.
Let’s check out what it provides and the way it performs to see if it’d enhance your TV viewing expertise.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a 3.1.2 channel system that mixes a soundbar with a compact wi-fi subwoofer. The Q800A may also be expanded right into a 5.1.4 channel configuration with the acquisition of the optionally available SWA-9500S wi-fi encompass audio system.
What You Get
Right here is the Samsung HW-Q800A comes with to get you began:
- Soundbar
- Wi-fi Subwoofer
- Distant Management with Batteries
- Soundbar and Subwoofer Energy Cords
- AC/DC Adapter for Soundbar
- HDMI Cable
- Wall Mount Information and {Hardware} (2 Holder Screws, 2 M4 x L10 Screws, 2 Bracket-Wall Mounts, 4 Rubber Ft.
- The one factor lacking that might have been good to incorporate is a digital optical cable.
Connection Choices
The connections offered by the Samsung HW-Q800A Soundbar embrace:
NOTE: No analog audio enter is offered.
Set-Up
The preliminary setup of the Q800A is fast and simple. After unboxing simply do the next:
- Place the soundbar and subwoofer the place you need them (if you’re wall-mounting the soundbar, the {hardware} is offered) however put together to maneuver the subwoofer. I’ll clarify in a while within the overview.
- Join the offered HDMI cable from the soundbar to the HDMI-ARC/eARC port in your TV.
- (Non-compulsory) Join a digital optical cable from the TV to the soundbar.
- (Non-compulsory) Join a supply system to the soundbars HDMI enter, should you run out of HDMI connections in your TV.
- Plug the soundbar into energy utilizing the AC/DC adapter.
- Plug the subwoofer into energy utilizing the offered wire.
- Flip the soundbar and subwoofer on and they need to pair.
- Put batteries within the distant and begin utilizing your system.
Full directions come within the field, or you possibly can obtain them straight from the Samsung web site (pdf file).
HDMI-ARC/eARC
HDMI-ARC and eARC are very handy connection choices that help you join all of your supply gadgets to a TV after which audio could be transferred from the TV to the soundbar utilizing the identical HDMI connection that transfers video passing via from the soundbar to the TV from the Soundbar’s different HDMI connection.
This implies you don’t need to make a separate digital optical connection from the TV to the soundbar to listen to TV audio. That is particularly handy when you’ve got a Good TV.
ARC is restricted to stereo, Dolby Digital, and DTS 5.1 audio. Which means in case your TV has ARC, however not eARC, you received’t be capable of entry superior encompass sound codecs similar to Dolby TrueHD, Atmos, DTS-HD Grasp Audio, or DTS:X from the TV or gadgets related to the TV.
Nevertheless, when you’ve got a current mannequin TV that features eARC, then it is possible for you to to entry the above-mentioned superior encompass sound codecs originating from the TV or gadgets related to the TV.
For TVs that solely have the ARC possibility, the Q800A does present one HDMI enter for connecting an exterior system which permits as much as 4K video pass-through and entry to the extra superior encompass codecs.
Having only one HDMI enter is probably not sufficient. When you’ve got a media streamer and a Blu-ray/UHD Blu-ray disc participant, you possibly can’t join each of them to the Q800A on the identical time, you need to both plug/unplug these gadgets from the soundbar or get a appropriate HDMI switcher. Nevertheless, this necessitates an extra field and cable muddle on your system.
The Subwoofer
The subwoofer is substantial each in dimension and sound. You received’t lack deep tight bass for film viewing, however it may be overwhelming upon first hear at its default degree setting. The subwoofer’s low-frequency drop-off level is roughly 35Hz which is respectable for a soundbar/subwoofer system.
I might not essentially place the subwoofer straight in any nook and assume you’re performed. Shifting it 6-inches or extra from the nook will lower its output but additionally tighten up its impression and keep away from overloading the room.
The Q800A gives separate soundbar and subwoofer degree controls so you possibly can steadiness the 2 to your listening choice.
For the reason that sub is wi-fi, you don’t want a cable to attach it to the soundbar, but it surely does require AC energy (wire offered).
Whenever you plug the sub into energy, it comes on and begins on the lookout for the soundbar. Once I turned the soundbar on, it paired robotically, but when it doesn’t there may be an ID set button offered on the rear of the soundbar. The ID set may also be used to pair the optionally available wi-fi encompass audio system (requires further buy).
Encompass Sound
Along with its left, middle, and proper, and subwoofer channels (3.1), the Q800A implements two further channels throughout the soundbar which is the place it will get its 3.1.2 channel label.
The .2 in its 3.1.2 channel designation refers to its 2 vertically firing audio system which can be embedded into the soundbar to help Dolby Atmos peak channel results. That is supposed to supply listeners with a extra immersive encompass sound expertise.
To additional help Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Samsung contains its Acoustic Beam function. When Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio is detected within the supply content material, the 2 peak audio system are activated. The sound from the peak audio system is then directed via a grill with 23 tiny holes that direct the sound up and out so it could possibly bounce off the ceiling to create a extra immersive overhead sound.
Enjoying quite a lot of motion pictures and music, I assumed the Q800A did a fantastic job in my 15×20 foot room – however I additionally felt that the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X peak results for motion pictures have been lackluster.
Though the soundbar and subwoofer simply crammed the room with horizontally directed sound, the soundbar, regardless of Samsung’s touting of its Acoustic Beam function, doesn’t present sufficient energy for the directed sound to achieve and bounce off the ceiling for true overhead sound (I’ve low flat ceilings). That being mentioned, I assumed the mixture of Dolby Atmos with Acoustic Beam did present an up-and-out front-stage soundfield that “crammed” the area between the TV and seating place quite properly.
Sound Modes
The Samsung Q800A gives a number of audio settings that help you tailor the sound additional. There are three core sound modes: Normal, Encompass, Sport Professional, in addition to Adaptive Sound.
The Q800A additionally options Samsung’s Energetic Voice Amplifier which does a superb job of bringing out music vocals and dialog which generally is a downside on each streaming and bodily media (DVD, Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray) content material.
Airplay 2 and Bluetooth
The HW-Q800A is Apple AirPlay 2 appropriate. You’ll be able to forged audio to the Q800A from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, from any put in music app, similar to Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, or Apple Music. You’ll be able to mix the soundbar with AirPlay 2-enabled audio system in a multi-room audio setup.
The HW-Q800A doesn’t help Chromecast. Nevertheless, you possibly can join a Chromecast plug-in media streamer to the obtainable HDMI enter if you would like, however it might most likely make extra sense to plug it into your TV straight. You may as well stream music from Android telephones to the Q800A utilizing Bluetooth.
TIP: When you’ve got a appropriate Samsung Galaxy Android Cellphone, you possibly can faucet the telephone on the soundbar and mirror music playback from the telephone to the soundbar.
The HW-Q800A is appropriate with the next streaming audio music codecs: WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, and AIFF.
Management Choices
There are 4 methods you possibly can management the Q800A soundbar. You should utilize the offered distant management, the Samsung SmartThings App, Alexa, or the onboard controls.
Offered Distant Management: Utilizing the distant management could look like the simplest alternative, however one downside is that the LED standing show on the Q800A may be very small. Which means at a distance, the LED show is tough to learn, particularly since phrases longer than HDMI or TV/ARC are scrolled horizontally as a result of they don’t match.
Samsung SmartThings App: One answer is to make use of Samsung’s SmartThings app on an iOS or Android telephone. This lets you see the setting choices in your telephone’s display. The SmartThings app is required to attach the Q800A to your community Wi-Fi in an effort to use Alexa and different management options.
The Samsung SmartThings app lets you management some soundbar settings. This contains sound modes (Normal, Encompass, Sport, and Adaptive Sound), bass/treble, EQ (Equalizer), subwoofer degree, voice enhancer, bass booster, and evening modes on/off.
Alexa: One other management possibility that’s extraordinarily handy, however doesn’t present entry to all features is to make use of Alexa and simply give verbal instructions.
Outdoors its function in offering higher sound for TV and film viewing, in addition to enjoying music, the Q800A has Alexa built-in (the wanted microphone is constructed into the soundbar). The Samsung SmartThings App lets you arrange each a cellular distant management and allow the Alexa function.
As soon as enabled, the Samsung HW-Q800A turns into a purposeful Alexa system, permitting it for use such as you would use an Amazon Echo. You can provide it distant management instructions, have it play music from appropriate streaming providers which can be linked to your Amazon account, and ask the time, the climate, flip the TV on/off. For instance, whereas watching a film or itemizing to music, you possibly can ask the time or climate, and as soon as Alexa is completed answering it returns the soundbar to the music or film.
Onboard Controls: The least fascinating management possibility is to make use of the Q800A’s bodily controls, however the one choices there may be soundbar on/off, enter choice, quantity, and Alexa microphone on/off.
Ultimate Ideas
The 38.6-inch width of the HW-Q800A soundbar pairs properly with 48 to 65-inch TVs. You should utilize it with a bigger TV, however a wider soundbar won’t solely look higher however present a more practical soundstage. The Soundbar’s low profile permits it to suit below most TVs with out blocking the underside of the display. When you’ve got a wall-mounted TV, you too can wall-mount the soundbar ({hardware} is offered).
The Samsung HW-Q800A can work with any TV you may need (so long as it has a digital optical output or HDMI-ARC/eARC) however choose Samsung 2020/21 TV fashions are required to entry its Q-Symphony and SpaceFit sound optimizing options are solely obtainable on choose 2021 Samsung TV fashions.
Q-Symphony combines the sound of your TV audio system with the soundbar, which is meant to supply fuller entrance stage sound, whereas SpaceFit auto-calibrates the TV to get the perfect sound high quality, in relation to your room.
NOTE: Q-Symphony and SpaceFit weren’t examined on this overview.
The Samsung HW-Q800A gives an efficient means to enhance TV sound and delivers deep bass, a transparent midrange, and clear highs. The HW-Q800A helps a number of encompass sound codecs together with Dolby Atmos. Extra dialog enhancement, EQ, and processing (together with presets) present a variety of listening flexibility.
The HW-Q800A is sweet worth for a soundbar/subwoofer system, however take into account the few options you possibly can solely entry when you’ve got a appropriate Samsung TV and if you wish to expertise full 5.1.4 channel encompass sound, you want to buy an additional speaker package deal.
Professionals
- Straightforward to arrange.
- Good steadiness between dialog and different channels.
- A lot of audio settings.
- Possibility so as to add wi-fi encompass audio system.
- Alexa built-in
- Integrates with Samsung SmartThings cellular app.
- The HDMI enter is 4K/HDR video pass-through appropriate.
Cons
- The subwoofer could be overpowering.
- Dolby Atmos implementation shouldn’t be that spectacular.
- Just one HDMI enter for the exterior supply gadgets.
- No analog audio enter.
- Some options solely work with choose 2020/2021 Samsung TVs
The Samsung HW-Q800A could be discovered at a number of retailers together with Amazon ($899 MSRP).
The optionally available SWA-9500S Wi-fi Encompass Audio system may also be bought from Amazon $299 MSRP).
