Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. The Samsung HW-R650 soundbar will perform quite well with different types of content. Its sound profile is fairly neutral and accurate, although it does lack a bit of sub-bass, which will be noticeable in movies and bass-heavy music. It has a very good reproduction of vocals and voices, which is suitable for dialog-centered content like audiobooks and podcasts. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support Atmos and height channels for a more immersive listening experience with movies. On the upside, the bar can get pretty loud and performs well at max volume.
- Decent stereo sound profile.
- Well-built design.
- Good overall performance at high volume.
- No height channels and Atmos support.
- No 4k passthrough.
- Lacks sub-bass.
Good for dialogue and TV shows. The Samsung HW-R650 has a decent stereo frequency response with an accurate reproduction of voices and dialogue in movies and TV shows. It will be a good option for listening to audiobooks and podcasts too. The bar can get loud and has a Dialogue Enhancement feature. Also, it’s quite easy to stream content wirelessly to the bar via Bluetooth.
Decent for music. The Samsung HW-R650 has a pretty decent stereo frequency response, but its bass isn’t that extended, which can hurt its performance with bass-heavy genres. However, it will be suitable for most music. Unfortunately, the soundstage isn’t the widest but still is decently large. On the other hand, the bar can get loud enough for most listening scenarios and performs quite well at max volume too.
Passable for movies. The Samsung HW-R650 sounds decent but might lack a bit of sub-bass for movies. On the upside, it can get loud enough and performs quite well without too much compression at max volume. This 3.1 soundbar system will also downmix surround content to stereo and won’t offer the most immersive experience. It also doesn’t support Atmos and height channels.
Changelog
- Updated Apr 06, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 27, 2019: Review published.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-R650 is a soundbar at an affordable price point with decent performance. This 3.1 system has a great dedicated center channel for dialogue and TV shows and its stereo performance with music is decent as well. It has a dedicated subwoofer, but unfortunately has a bit of trouble with very deep frequencies, unlike higher-end soundbar systems. See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars with subwoofer, and if you're looking for something a bit more affordable, check out our picks for the best soundbars under $300.
The Samsung HW-R650 is a slightly better performing soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-207, especially due to its dedicated center channel, which is great for voices and dialog. It's also a bit better-built but doesn't have the extended bass of the Yamaha. The Samsung also has more features like a dialog enhancement and night mode, on top of having a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-R650 and Samsung HW-R550 are practically identical, but the R650 has a dedicated center channel that the R550 doesn't have. This results in better dialog and voice reproduction, which is great when watching TV shows and movies. Other than that, these soundbars are pretty much the same.
The Samsung HW-Q60R is very similar to the Samsung HW-R650, but the Q60R has a small edge due to the fact it has the Samsung Acoustic Beam up-firing speakers that make it a 5.1 setup. They are practically the same bar with the same performance other than the fact that the up-firing speakers help the surround content performance.
The Samsung HW-Q70R is very similar to the Samsung HW-R650, but it has two up-firing speakers since it supports Atmos. Additionally, the sub of the Q70R performs better and creates more low-bass frequencies as well. However, the Q70R completely cuts off surround content instead of downmixing like the R650, which is frustrating. The Q70R also supports Wi-Fi wireless playback.
Test Results
