The Samsung HW-S60B is a 5.0 standalone model released in 2022 as the next generation of the Samsung HW-S60A. It's the smallest and most compact soundbar in the manufacturer's lineup, with a sleek style designed to rival similar models from competitors like Bose and Sonos. Built-in Alexa supports lets you control the bar with only your voice, and it offers lots of wireless connectivity options to stream audio from your smartphone, including Apple AirPlay 2. Plus, you get access to lots of Samsung's premium sound enhancement tools, like SpaceFit Sound room correction and Q-Symphony compatibility with Samsung TVs. The Samsung S61B is the all-white version of this soundbar, which you may prefer depending on your design preferences.
Our Verdict
The Samsung S60B soundbar is satisfactory for mixed usage. This standalone 5.0 soundbar is a solid option if you don't have enough space in your living room for a full soundbar setup with a subwoofer and satellites. Despite its small size, it makes a noticeable improvement over your existing TV speakers, reproducing dialogue in your favorite TV shows and instruments in your favorite tunes with clarity and detail. It can playback more immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos, though it has to downmix them into surround to play them. Of course, you don't get as much rumble in the bass without a subwoofer, and the lack of satellites is noticeable with surround sound.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Room correction tool.
- Dolby Atmos support.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No satellite speakers.
The Samsung S60B soundbar is very good for dialogue-centric content like sitcoms and documentaries. Thanks to its discrete center channel, this soundbar can reproduce dialogue with great clarity, so it's easy to follow along with the action on your screen. Its Active Voice Amplifier works as a dialogue enhancement tool, too. Plus, you can stream other vocal-centric content like podcasts and audiobooks right from your phone to the bar using a wireless connection.
- Discrete center channel for vocal clarity.
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity.
- No Chromecast built-in.
The Samsung S60B is good for music. This soundbar comes with many premium sound enhancement features, including a room correction tool that optimizes the bar's audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of your listening space. There are EQ presets and a 7-band graphic EQ to switch up its sound to your liking. You may not even need to use them, as the bar offers a balanced sound out-of-the-box. Voices and instruments are clear and detailed, so it's suitable for listening to many different genres. As a standalone bar, it can't reproduce the deep thump and rumble, but you can always add on a compatible sub to improve its output.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Room correction tool.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Samsung S60B soundbar is decent for movies. This soundbar supports many of the audio formats commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. Its side-firing drivers simulate a surround sound without the need for satellite speakers. Dialogue is clear and easy to follow, too. However, the lack of a dedicated subwoofer means that you don't feel as much rumble in the bass during action-packed scenes, and its small size means that you don't get the same immersive feel in the soundstage. If you want to improve the bar's movie performance, you can always add on a compatible subwoofer and satellites sold by the manufacturer separately.
- Room correction tool.
- Discrete center channel for vocal clarity.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No satellite speakers.
Changelog
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Updated Feb 14, 2025:
We added a reference to the Samsung SWA-W510 subwoofer in the Style - Subwoofer box and a reference to the Samsung SWA-9100S and SWA-9200S satellites in the Style - Satellites box.
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Updated Nov 21, 2024:
This review's Wireless Playback box was updated to mention the Samsung HW-S60D.
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added information to the Wireless Playback and Voice Assistant Support boxes as Chromecast and Google Assistant support is region-specific.
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: Updated Stereo Dynamics text with TBU 1.3 methodology. Added text to the Audio Latency: ARC and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Samsung HW-S60B, and you can see the label for our model here. The Samsung HW-S61B is the white variant of this soundbar, and we expect it to perform similarly.
If you come across another version of this soundbar, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our text accordingly.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
This soundbar is the next generation of the Samsung HW-S60A. It has some new features, like SpaceFit Sound room correction and Dolby Atmos support. Given its small size and its sleek design, it's intended to rival similar bars from competitors like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and the Bose TV Speaker. Though it offers more sound enhancement features than similar models, it can't quite bring the same immersive feel in its soundstage.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best small soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best all-in-one soundbars.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and the Samsung HW-S60B are both compact 5.0 soundbars with Dolby Atmos support. However, the more premium Sonos is better built and can offer a wider soundstage. This is especially noticeable with more immersive audio formats like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, as sound effects stretch into the space around your couch. However, the Samsung soundbar is still a solid choice, and it even offers Bluetooth connectivity, unlike the Sonos.
There's not much to differentiate between the Samsung HW-S60B and the Samsung HW-S60D. Both are 5.0, all-in-one bars that will suit users who need a compact soundbar that can do a bit of everything. Both bars support popular formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS, and utilize Samsung's SpaceFit Sound room calibration feature. The HW-S60D comes with built-in Chromecast capabilities, though, and also features an updated HDMI eARC port. Beyond this, the two bars are virtually identical in features and performance.
The Samsung HW-S60B is a more versatile soundbar than the Bose TV Speaker. Both are small standalone bars with built-in smart features. However, only the Samsung soundbar supports Dolby Atmos content. As a 5.0 bar, the Samsung comes with a discrete center channel, too, and it can playback surround sound without downmixing it into stereo like the 2.0 Bose. It offers more sound enhancement features, too.
The Samsung HW-S60B is the next generation of the Samsung HW-S60A, and it offers better overall performance. Both models have a similar standalone design, but the S60B adds new features. Notably, this bar supports height content like Dolby Atmos, unlike its predecessor. It also adds a room correction tool and a more premium design, thanks to the manufacturer swapping out the fabric mesh for metal grilles.
Test Results
