The Samsung HW-A450 is a simple 2.1 setup from Samsung's 2021 lineup. It's a budget-friendly offering designed with stereo content in mind, and it gives you access to some of the manufacturer's more premium customization features, including a graphic EQ to change up its sound. However, compared to the Samsung HW-A550, you won't find any HDMI inputs, so you can't use CEC to control the bar with your TV remote.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-A450 is decent for mixed usage. It's a 2.1 bar, so it's designed mostly with stereo content in mind. That's great if you mostly watch TV shows and listen to music since the bar reproduces dialogue and other instruments with great clarity. There are plenty of customization tools to switch up its sound, too. However, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, and its surround performance isn't as impressive as more premium models on the market.
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Graphic EQ and presets available.
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Can get loud.
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Doesn't support Dolby Atmos.
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Poor surround performance.
The Samsung HW-A450 is good for dialogue-heavy TV shows and podcasts. Despite the lack of a center channel, this soundbar still reproduces dialogue with great clarity and accuracy, so you can easily follow along with your favorite characters. There's even a dialogue enhancement tool on hand to make voices more crisp and clear. That said, if you want to stream audio to the bar over a wireless connection, you're limited to Bluetooth.
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Can get loud.
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Dialogue enhancement feature available.
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Doesn't support Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or Apple AirPlay.
The Samsung HW-A450 is good for music. Out-of-the-box, you get a neutral and balanced sound that's ideal for listening to many different genres. Voices and lead instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced, and the graphic EQ lets you switch up its performance to your liking. That said, it lacks a touch of low-bass, which is especially noticeable with bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.
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Graphic EQ and presets available.
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Can get loud.
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Doesn't support Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or Apple AirPlay.
The Samsung HW-A450 is acceptable for movies. Dialogue is clearly reproduced, and you have some customization tools on hand. However, this 2.1 setup has to downmix 5.1 surround into stereo to play it, so you don't get a fully immersive feel. There's no Dolby Atmos support, which isn't ideal if you watch a lot of content on streaming platforms.
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Graphic EQ and presets available.
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Can get loud.
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Doesn't support Dolby Atmos.
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Poor surround performance.
- 7.0 Mixed Usage
- 7.7 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 7.7 Music
- 6.1 Movies
- Updated Mar 13, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 10, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Dec 16, 2022: Updated the review text for clarity and accuracy.
- Updated Jan 06, 2022: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Apr 26, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 21, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 15, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 15, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 30, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung A450 soundbar comes in one variant: 'Black', and you can see its label here.
Best Buy also markets a Black Friday variant of this soundbar called the Samsung A430.
If you come across another variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Samsung HW-A450 is a budget-friendly 2.1 setup and is the next generation of the Samsung HW-T450. Unlike some of the other soundbars from this manufacturer's 2021 lineup, like the Samsung HW-Q700A, it's a bit more barebones in terms of extra features. It lacks Q-Symphony and Acoustic Beam technology. It doesn't support Dolby Atmos or have voice assistant support. However, it has a neutral sound profile suitable for a variety of audio content, and it can get loud with few compression artifacts.
Check out our recommendations for the best soundbars under $200, the best budget soundbars, and the best soundbars with subwoofer.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup, is better built, and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, unlike the Sonos, the Samsung has a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-B450 is the next generation of the Samsung HW-A450. The bars are very similar, but the B450 is better built. That said, it doesn't come with a graphic EQ like the A450, and its out-of-the-box sound isn't quite as neutral.
The Samsung HW-A450 is better than the Sony HT-S100F. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub, so it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it has more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ. That said, the Sony is better built with a better center channel performance.
The Samsung HW-A650 is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-A650 is a 3.1 setup, so it comes with a discrete center channel that can reproduce clearer and more accurate dialogue in TV shows than the 2.1 HW-A450. It's also better built, and it comes with a virtual surround feature, as well as an ARC port and a Full HDMI In port.
The Samsung HW-A550 is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-A550 is better built and comes with more physical inputs, including a Full HDMI In port and an HDMI ARC port. It also comes with a virtual surround feature, unlike the HW-A450.
The Samsung HW-A450 is better than the Bose TV Speaker. The Samsung is a 2.1 setup with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has a better center channel performance and gets louder with less compression at max volume. There are even more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. However, some users may prefer the Bose's compact, standalone design. It's also better built.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is more versatile than the Samsung HW-A450. The Sonos is a premium 5.0 setup with a small, compact design. Unlike the Samsung soundbar, it supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has HDMI inputs. Its soundstage, center, and surround performances are better, too. However, the 2.1 Samsung is still a good choice for TV shows and music. It comes with a dedicated sub, reproducing a more extended low-bass right out of the box.
The Samsung HW-A450 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Hisense HS218. The Samsung soundbar has a better soundstage performance, and it has more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ. Some listeners may also prefer its more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the better-built Hisense offers better center and surround performances.
The Vizio V Series V51-H6 is better than the Samsung HW-A450. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites that's better built. It has better center and surround performances, and it gets louder. Also, unlike the Samsung soundbar, it has an HDMI ARC port.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-Q700A is a better-built 3.1.2 setup with better center and surround performances. Unlike the HW-A450, it even supports Dolby Atmos content. The 2.1 HW-A450 can get louder with less compression at max volume.
The Sonos Beam is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-A450. The Sonos is better built, and some listeners may prefer its more compact design. It has better soundstage and center performances and a room correction feature. Unlike the Samsung soundbar, it offers built-in voice assistant capabilities and an HDMI ARC port. However, the Samsung has a dedicated sub, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also has a graphic EQ and presets, which some users may prefer for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-T550 and the Samsung HW-A450 are similarly performing soundbars but the HW-T550 has a slight edge. While both soundbars have a very neutral default sound profile and have very comparable overall performances, the HW-T550 is better built and has a virtual surround feature. It also has more inputs including a Full HDMI In port. However, the HW-A450 can get a bit louder.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is better than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-Q600A is a 3.1.2 setup that's better built. It has a better center channel performance, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-A450. The 5.1 HW-Q60T is better built and has better center and surround performances. Unlike the 2.1 HW-A450, it also has ARC and Full HDMI In ports.
The Samsung HW-A450 is the next generation of the Samsung HW-T450. While the HW-A450 performs similarly to its predecessor in most regards, it now comes with a graphic EQ in addition to its presets, which is nice if you like to customize your audio experience. Its latency performance is better too. However, the HW-T450 comes with a virtual surround feature.
The Samsung HW-T650 is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-T650 is a 3.1 setup with better build quality and a better center channel performance. It also has HDMI ARC and Full HDMI In ports. However, the Samsung HW-A450 is a 2.1 setup, and it has a graphic EQ so you can customize its sound to your liking.
The Samsung HW-A450 is a slightly better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V21-H8. The Samsung has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer, it can reach its max volume with fewer compression artifacts, and it has a graphic EQ so that you can customize its sound. However, the Vizio is better built, offers more inputs such as an HDMI ARC port, offers a better surround performance.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Yamaha YAS-209 or the Samsung HW-A450. The Samsung offers more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ, and it gets louder. However, unlike the Yamaha, it doesn't have any HDMI inputs or built-in voice assistant support. The Yamaha is also better built, with better center and surround performances.
The Samsung HW-A450 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub, so it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ and presets. That said, the Bose is better built with better soundstage and center performance. It also has built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Samsung soundbar.
The Samsung HW-A450 is a better soundbar than the TCL Alto 8+. The Samsung has a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, a better dynamics performance, and offers more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ. However, the TCL has an HDMI ARC port.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the TCL Alto 8i or the Samsung HW-A450. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has a few more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. However, the TCL may be better for users who want a standalone bar. Unlike the Samsung soundbar, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has HDMI inputs. It's also better built and has better center channel performance.
The Samsung HW-A450 is better than the TCL Alto 6+. The Samsung has a better soundstage and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. Some listeners may also prefer its more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the better-built TCL has a better center channel performance, and it has an HDMI ARC port.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-Q800A is a better-built 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It can even reproduce a more extended low-bass. Unlike the HW-A450, it has HDMI inputs, too.
The LG SN6Y is slightly better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-A450. The LG is better built, and thanks to its 3.1 setup, it comes with a discrete center channel. That said, the Samsung is better for music since it reproduces a more extended low-bass and comes with a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-A450 is better than the Sony HT-S350. The Samsung soundbar reproduces a more extended low-bass, and some users may prefer its more neutral out-of-the-box sound profile. It's also more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ, and it has a better surrounds performance. However, the Sony is better built with an ARC port, and it has a better center channel performance.
The Samsung HW-S60A is marginally better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-S60A is a better-built 5.0 setup with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the HW-A450, it has an ARC port and built-in voice assistant capabilities. However, the HW-A450 comes with a dedicated sub, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SL6Y or the Samsung HW-A450. The LG is a 3.1 setup that's better built with better center and surround performances. It also comes with HDMI ports, unlike the Samsung soundbar. That said, the 2.1 Samsung can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
The Samsung HW-A450 is a better 2.1 soundbar than the Polk Audio Signa S2. The Samsung soundbar has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ. That said, the Polk Audio is better built with an HDMI ARC port.
Test Results
The Samsung A450 soundbar looks very similar to the Samsung HW-T450. It has a rectangular design, and it's mostly made of plastic. There's fabric covering the front and the top of the bar, too.
The subwoofer is mostly made from wood. Its front face is covered in fabric.
This soundbar doesn't come with satellites, but you can purchase Samsung's Wireless Rear Speaker Kit separately.
The bar is a bit long, but it fits between the legs of most 55-inch TVs. It won't obscure your view of the screen either unless your TV sits flush with the table.
The Samsung HWA450's subwoofer is about the same size as an average desktop computer. Since it connects to the bar wirelessly, you can place it anywhere in your room, as long as it's connected to a power source.
The Samsung A450 has an okay build quality. The bar is made with a thin plastic that doesn't feel very durable, while the subwoofer is made of wood. On both the bar and subwoofer, there's a fabric cover to protect the speakers. However, the fabric feels loose and seems like it could rip easily or collect dust. For a better-built option, see the Samsung HW-B450.
- Manual
- Optical cable (4.9ft / 1.5m)
- Remote (2x AA batteries)
- 2x AC power cables (4.9ft / 1.5m)
- Wall-mounting brackets with screws
This soundbar has a great stereo frequency response. With its balanced sound, voices and lead instruments reproduce with clarity, and dialogue is accurate in the mix. As a result, it's suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content, from music to movies to TV shows. That said, there isn't a lot of rumble in the low-bass, which is noticeable with bass-heavy content like EDM and hip-hop.
With calibration, this soundbar has a great stereo frequency response. With the Bass set to '-3' and the Treble set to '+2', the bar has a very neutral sound suitable for a variety of audio content. However, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass.
The soundstage is perceived to be about the size of the bar, but it doesn't do any tricks to widen it past that. Still, this bar has good focus for a 2.1 setup, so sound effects seem to come from more pinpoint regions in the space around you.
This soundbar can get loud enough to fill a large or crowded room. There are also few compression artifacts at max volume, so your audio sounds clean, even when you crank it up.
This soundbar has a good THD performance. At a normal listening volume, distortion falls within good limits, so audio reproduction is clear and pure. As with most bars, there's a slight jump in distortion when you push the bar to max volume. That said, it's quite hard to hear with real-life content.
With a 2.1 setup, this soundbar has to use its left and right channels to simulate a phantom center. Unfortunately, as a result, voices aren't anchored to a pinpoint location in the soundstage. On the upside, even though the frequency response is quite bass-heavy, this won't be too noticeable since there usually isn't a lot of bass reproduced on the center channel. Voices are still fairly clear and accurate-sounding.
This soundbar has a poor surrounds performance. Due to its 2.1 configuration, it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it. Surround objects like voices don't seem as clear or real in the soundstage as they do with a discrete localization. The frequency response is also quite bass-heavy, which can be boomy and even overwhelming for some listeners.
This soundbar has a fair selection of sound enhancement features. Like most Samsung soundbars, it comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as bass and treble adjustments so you can customize its sound profile. The EQ presets include 'Standard', 'Surround Sound', 'Bass Boost', 'Game', and 'Adaptive Sound'. Adaptive Sound doubles as a dialogue enhancement feature by analyzing audio in real-time to automatically provide an optimal sound field.
This soundbar doesn't come with very many inputs. You can plug it into your TV using its Optical port, but there's no HDMI support. If you want a similar bar with HDMI inputs, check out the Sony HT-S400.
This bar can support Dolby Digital and DTS content normally found on Blu-ray discs and some streaming platforms via Optical Audio in. However, it has to downmix this content into 2.1.
The bar has an excellent latency performance. It only supports Optical, but it has very low latency using this connection, so your audio and visuals are in sync. Some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
This soundbar supports Bluetooth, so you can easily stream your favorite content to the bar wirelessly.
The Samsung HW-A450 has a simple interface. It's a small screen located in the middle of the bar, behind the fabric covering. It can only display a max of six characters at once, so it needs to scroll to complete words. When you're not adjusting anything, the screen isn't visible. However, it displays the volume number as well as the sound mode as you're adjusting it.
This bar has four buttons on the top middle of the bar. You can turn the bar on or off, adjust the volume, and switch inputs.
The remote is the same style as the Samsung HW-T450. It allows you to control all the soundbar's settings. Samsung also advertises a 'One Remote' feature, which lets you use the soundbar's remote to control compatible Samsung TVs.