The Samsung HW-Q600A is a 3.1.2 setup that comes with a dedicated subwoofer. It has a pretty neutral, balanced sound profile out-of-the-box that makes it suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content, though it lacks some low-bass. Like other Samsung soundbars from the 2021 lineup, including the Samsung HW-Q800A and the Samsung HW-Q700A, it offers many sound customization features, including a graphic EQ and presets like 'Game Mode Pro' and 'Adaptive Sound'. There's also Acoustic Beam technology built-in to the bar, advertised to help create a more immersive sound, as well as Q-Symphony, which enhances audio reproduction when connected to compatible Samsung TVs, though we don't test for this. However, it lacks extra features like voice assistant support and Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay2 compatibility.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q600A is good for mixed usage. It has a pretty neutral sound profile out-of-the-box that makes it suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content, and dialogue is reproduced clearly and accurately. However, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of action-packed movies and bass-heavy music. It supports Atmos and surround content, though its performance isn't very immersive. That said, there are lots of sound customization features available, which is handy.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Lacks some low-bass.
- Downmixes surround content into stereo.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is impressive for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and balanced mid-range, it can reproduce voices clearly and accurately. There's even an 'Adaptive Sound' preset that enhances audio reproduction, helping make voices more clear and crisp. It gets pretty loud, too, and it's also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can wirelessly stream podcasts and audiobooks from your phone to the bar. However, it doesn't support other wireless playback options like Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast built-in.
- Gets loud.
- Bluetooth-compatible.
- Doesn't support Wi-Fi, AirPlay, or Chromecast built-in.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is good for music. Out-of-the-box, it has a pretty neutral sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different genres. It gets pretty loud, and there are also lots of sound customization features available, including a graphic EQ, several EQ presets, and bass and treble adjustments. However, the bar still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Lacks some low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is decent for movies. While its balanced sound profile can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed scenes. It supports surround content, but it has to downmix it into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound very immersive. Its Atmos performance is also disappointing, and its height channels don't get very loud. That said, there are some sound customization features available, which is handy.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Lacks some low-bass.
- Downmixes surround content into stereo.
Changelog
- Updated Jun 13, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- 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 Feb 21, 2023: Added market comparison with the Samsung HW-Q600B to the Stereo Frequency Response box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-Q600A is available in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, please let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-Q600A is a 3.1.2 soundbar from Samsung's 2021 lineup. It has a similar design and performance compared to the Samsung HW-Q700A and the Samsung HW-Q800A, and it also has Q-Symphony and Acoustic Beam technology built into the bar, though we don't test for this. However, unlike the other 3.1.2 setups, it doesn't offer any voice assistant capabilities, and it doesn't support Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay2 connectivity.
See also our recommendations for the best Samsung soundbars, the best soundbars with subwoofer, and the best soundbars under $500.
The Samsung HW-Q600B is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q600A. They're both similar bars, advertised to support a similar selection of features. With stereo content, they sound similar, too. However, even though the Q600B is also advertised as a 3.1.2 setup, its up-firing drivers don't play any sound with height content. We aren't sure if this issue is unique to our unit or not at this time.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Beam. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass and has more sound customization features, including a graphic EQ and presets. However, the Sonos is more compact, has a room correction feature, and has built-in voice assistant support. It also has a better soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a marginally better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The HW-Q700A has a better soundstage performance, it comes with more wireless playback options, and it's compatible with the SmartThings app, so you can control many of its features from your smartphone. Also, its surrounds and Atmos performances are better, and it supports Amazon Alexa voice assistant when you connect it with a third-party Echo device. That said, unlike the HW-Q700A, the HW-Q600A's USB port supports audio playback, which can be handy for some listeners.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is a better overall soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content, and it offers a better soundstage performance. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ, a dialogue enhancement feature, and bass and treble adjustments. However, the JBL offers a better surround performance and supports more wireless playback options. It also comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Samsung.
Test Results
