Samsung HW-Q800A review 2024: great sound quality

The Samsung HW-Q800A is a speaker from Samsung’s 2021 line that can be used in many ways. This 3.1.2 setup is well made and comes with a specialized subwoofer, which helps make a low-bass sound that really thumps.

It also has Q-Symphony technology, which syncs the sound to the speakers on your Samsung TV, and Samsung’s Acoustic Beam technology, which helps create a more immersive listening experience, but we don’t test these features yet.

The Samsung HW-Q800A soundbar is made with a 3.1.2 CH design and can play back Dolby Atmos sounds. Most of this material is shared through streaming services, but the HW-Q800A can also handle audio from consoles and discs.

Samsung HW-Q800A review Comparison Table

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Design

Samsung used the same case for the Q800A as it did for the Q800 from last year. The front of this soundbar is curved and has a low profile. The top and front of the bar are covered by a metal screen, while the rest is made of hard plastic.

It is 38.6 by 2.4 by 4.5 inches and weighs 29.5 pounds. It is pretty big, so it won’t fit between the legs of a 55-inch TV. The bar isn’t very tall, so you can put it in front of your TV without it getting in the way. On the right side of the front is an alphanumeric display that shows basic information about the setup, volume, sound mode, or chosen inputs.

On the top of the soundbar are touch-sensitive buttons that can be used to change the volume, switch inputs, turn on or off the mic, turn on Alexa, and more. The subwoofer is 8.3 by 15.9 by 15.9 inches and weighs 21.6 pounds. Even though the front is made of cloth, it is made of wood.

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Setup

Most soundbar makers have simplified the setup process to the point where you just need to plug in your bar and sub and connect your TV to your soundbar. In this way, the Samsung HW-Q800A is the same as any other product I’ve looked at this year that is similar.

Since this is a network speaker, you should download the Samsung SmartThings app to your phone and connect the bar to Wi-Fi. You should also link your Amazon and Spotify accounts. Even if you don’t see why you should connect this speaker to your network yet, trust me, it’s worth the extra step. You can easily purchase this soundbar from its officially website.

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Features

The Q800A is also different from its predecessor because it has a new system called Adaptive Sound +/Space Fit that adjusts the sound to the conditions in the room. Note, though, that you can only use this function if you have a Samsung QLED TV with a soundbar.

This is partly because it uses the TV’s built-in mic and processing, and partly because Samsung’s Q-Symphony mode is more about optimizing how the TV and soundbar work together than an official “Auto EQ” room calibration system.

The Q800A also has a new Automatic Voice Amplifier that can tell when there is a lot of background noise and turn up the vocals so you don’t miss any important conversation. Still, it’s a little upsetting that there’s only one HDMI input to go with the HDMI output that can work with eARC.

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Sound quality

The main sound settings on the HW-Q800A are Standard, Surround, Game Pro, and Adaptive. The Standard mode is similar to the “Direct” mode on other soundbars. This means that 2.0-channel audio sources are not upmixed to full-on 3.1.2-channel sound.

Everything, even audio sources, are mixed up to 3.1.2 sound in Surround mode. Game Pro Mode is set up to give players “3D directional audio,” and Adaptive Sound mode analyzes the sound and adjusts it based on what you’re watching or listening to.

The conversation is also louder in Adaptive Sound mode, and both Adaptive Sound mode and Game Pro mode mix all audio sources into 3.1.2-channel sound.

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Performance

The Samsung HW-Q800A seems to work just like the HW-Q800T, which isn’t a bad thing because the HW-Q800T was a great speaker. The front soundstage is wide and powerful, which is very striking.

So, the system can work in bigger places and on bigger screens, and it can handle a lot of people without distorting or sounding strained. Samsung’s Acoustic Beam 2.0 technology uses 56 curved holes to create channels in the ceiling.

This creates a panoramic effect that makes you feel more immersed. The better your roof is, the more reflective it should be. This works well in my room. The strong and well-integrated subwoofer also gives the whole system a solid base of bass that holds it up.

Samsung HW-Q800A review: Price and availability

When it came out in the spring of 2021, the Samsung HW-Q800T cost £799 in the UK and $799 in the US. In Australia, the Samsung HW-Q700A, which doesn’t work with Alexa and costs AUD$950, is the closest thing to the HW-Q900A.

The Q800A replaces the 2020 model Q800T, which also had a soundbar with 3.1.2 channels, DTS:X, and Alexa built in. It is better than its predecessor, which was the same price, because it has an Active Voice Amplifier, an Adaptive Sound +/SpaceFit sound optimization system.

Final Words

The best words to describe Samsung’s new speaker are useful, practical, and flexible. Consumers looking for a complete and promising product that can help them with a variety of jobs will find what they need in this model.

It’s also important to remember that this is a real, but costly, investment that goes with other things. The technology is not completely new, but it is better than the other choices on the market for what it does.

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