The Samsung HW-T450 is an entry-level 2.1 setup that replaces the Samsung HW-R450 from 2019, which we haven't reviewed. It has a build quality unlike other Samsung soundbars as it's made from thin plastic and it uses a fabric covering to protect the speakers, which doesn't feel very robust. It also lacks a variety of inputs as it only has an Optical Audio In port as well as a USB port, which is a little disappointing. That being said, it offers a fairly well-balanced sound while still delivering a punchy bass, and there are also EQ presets available if you prefer a different sound.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-T450 is adequate for mixed use. It has limited inputs and it doesn't support Atmos content, which is disappointing for movie fans. It has a bass-heavy sound profile that can also be tweaked using its bass or treble adjustment features or you can select an EQ preset for easy customization. It's also pretty okay for dialogue-centric content like audiobooks as voices sound fairly clear and accurate. You can also stream your favorite content to the bar using Bluetooth, which is nice.
- EQ presets plus bass and treble adjustment available.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- No Atmos support.
- No room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-T450 is decent for dialogue and TV shows. While it has a bright and bass-heavy sound, it can reproduce fairly accurate and clear dialogue, which is well-suited for podcasts or soap operas. It can also get loud enough to fill a large room or a crowded environment, and you can stream your favorite audiobooks to it via Bluetooth. It lacks a dialogue enhancement feature, though.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- No room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-T450 is decent for music. Thanks to its wireless subwoofer, it has a punchy bass that should please most. While some may still find it a little light on low-bass, there are bass and treble adjustments available, as well as EQ presets to help you find the right sound. It can get loud enough for a large room or crowded environment. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a room correction feature.
- EQ presets plus bass and treble adjustment available.
- No room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-T450 is disappointing for movies. It doesn't support Atmos as it only has an Optical Audio In and USB port, and all surround content gets downmixed into 2.1 to play it. Although it has a bass-heavy but bright sound profile, it also lacks a little bit of low bass. Luckily, you can adjust the bass or use one of its EQ presets to get a sound that better suits your audio.
- EQ presets plus bass and treble adjustment available.
- No Atmos support.
- No room correction feature.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 18, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 22, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Jul 29, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jul 24, 2020: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-T450 comes in one color variant: 'Black'. However, some retailers sell a variant of this soundbar known as the Samsung HW-T410 or the Samsung HW-T47M. We expect these to be the same product, but with a different name, though we haven't tested it.
If you come across another variant, let us know in the discussions.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-T450 is the next generation of the Samsung HW-R450 and HW-N450. This model has a bit more bass and it sounds a bit brighter compared to HW-N450. However, it isn't as well-built and it doesn't have as many inputs as it's lacking both an HDMI ARC and a Full HDMI In port, which is disappointing.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars with subwoofer, the best soundbars for music, and the best soundbars under $300.
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-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.
The Samsung HW-T450 is a better soundbar for mixed usage than the Sony HT-S350. The Samsung reproduces a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and rumble in your audio. It also has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer. That said, the Sony is better built and comes with an HDMI ARC port.
The Samsung HW-A650 is better than the Samsung HW-T450. The HW-A650 is a better-built 3.1 setup with more physical inputs, including HDMI ARC and HDMI In ports. It has better center and surround performances, and there are more sound enhancement features available, like a graphic EQ.
Test Results
