Our Verdict
Okay for mixed usage. This 2.1 soundbar sounds good with stereo content like music and dialog-oriented content like podcasts and audiobooks. However, it won’t be the best option for movies as it doesn’t provide an immersive experience due to the lack of height channels and Atmos support. The HW-N450 has a decent overall sound profile but might lack a bit of bass for some.
- Decent stereo sound.
- Well-built design.
- Good overall performance at high volume.
- No 4k passthrough.
- No height channels and Atmos support.
- Can’t play lossless content.
Decent for dialogue and TV shows. This soundbar has a good overall sound profile and accurate mid and treble range performance. It can get loud enough for normal use, but unfortunately, there’s no dialogue enhancement feature available. On the upside, it does have an auto-volume setting, which can help a bit. You’ll also be able to stream content wirelessly with a Bluetooth connection, making this bar a decent option for content like podcasts and audiobooks.
Decent for music. This soundbar lacks a bit of bass, especially lower frequencies, so it might not be the ideal one for bass-heavy music. However, its mid and treble ranges are good, making it a decent option for a wide variety of music genres. You can also push the soundbar to its limits at high volume without getting audible distortion or compression, which is good. You’ll also be able to stream content via Bluetooth and have a few customization options.
Mediocre for movies. This soundbar won’t give you an immersive feel since it doesn’t have height channels and doesn’t support Atmos. It's also a 2.1 setup, which means all 5.1 surround content on Blu-ray discs and Netflix will be downmixed and will feel like it's coming from the front instead of around you. If you’re looking for a soundbar mainly for watching movies, the HW-N450 won’t be the best option.
Changelog
- Updated Apr 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 27, 2019: Review published.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-N450 is a decent 2018 2.1 soundbar that will be better for music and dialog-oriented content. However, even with a dedicated subwoofer, some people might feel it lacks bass. It's a decent budget option, but there are better performing similar soundbars. See our recommendations for the best budget soundbars, the best soundbars with subwoofer, and the best small soundbars for smaller options.
The Samsung HW-N450 is a previous generation of the Samsung HW-T450, but it performs slightly better in some regards. The HW-N450 is slightly better built, its center and surround performances are a bit better, and it has a graphic EQ available. It also supports Dolby Digital over both its HDMI ARC and Full HDMI In ports. However, the HW-T450 is slightly more neutral sounding.
Even with the bar by itself, the Sonos Beam is a better option than the Samsung N450. Without a sub, the Sonos has a similar bass performance to the Samsung's, with a more neutral sound overall. It is also a 3.0 bar with a dedicated center channel for clear voices and dialogue. The Sonos also has more features and room correction. It can also be easily upgraded with a separate sub and satellite. On the other hand, it doesn't have a lot of inputs, and you can't stream content via Bluetooth to the Sonos via Wi-Fi.
The Samsung HW-N450 and Samsung HW-R550 are similarly performing 2.1 soundbars. They have an almost identical sound profile that's slightly dark and lacks a bit of bass. The HW-R550 is better suited for TV and dialogue, however, as it has the added advantage of a dialogue enhancer feature, unlike the HW-450.
The Sonos Playbar and Samsung HW-N450 are both decent soundbars but for different reasons. The Samsung has a wireless sub, which helps a bit with the bass performance, while the Sonos has a 3.0 configuration with a dedicated center channel, which is great for dialogue and voices. The Samsung is more recent and has a bit more ports like a Full HDMI In and an ARC port, which the Sonos lacks. If you plan on getting a high-end setup and upgrading, the Sonos will be the better option since you can add a separate sub and satellites.
Test Results
