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Hisense HS218 vs Samsung HW-A550

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The BoxBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - Satellites
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support - ARCAudio Format Support - Full HDMI InAudio Format Support - OpticalLatencyWireless PlaybackOther Input SpecificationsConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Hisense HS218
Samsung HW-A550

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Apr 17, 2024 03:01 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Hisense HS218 Picture
Samsung HW-A550 Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked

Our Verdict

Hisense HS218

Samsung HW-A550

The Samsung HW-A550 is better than the Hisense HS218. The Samsung has a better stereo soundstage, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ and auto-volume mode. Unlike the Hisense, it has a Full HDMI In port. That said, the Hisense has better center and surround performances.

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Variants

  • HS218 (Black)
  • HW-A550 (Black)

Review

See Hisense HS218 Review
See Samsung HW-A550 Review
0 
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Check Price

Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HS218
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
Samsung.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

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Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Hisense HS218 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Hisense HS218 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Hisense HS218 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Hisense HS218 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Hisense HS218 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Hisense HS218 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Hisense HS218 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Hisense HS218 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Hisense HS218 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Hisense HS218 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Hisense HS218 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Hisense HS218 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Hisense HS218 Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Mounting 
 

Locked
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Hisense HS218 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Hisense HS218 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Hisense HS218 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Hisense HS218 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Hisense HS218 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Hisense HS218 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Hisense HS218 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Hisense HS218 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Hisense HS218 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Hisense HS218 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Hisense HS218 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Hisense HS218 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Hisense HS218 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Hisense HS218 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Hisense HS218 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

eARC 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Hisense HS218 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
Lock ms
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Hisense HS218 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Hisense HS218 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Hisense HS218 Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Hisense HS218 Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Hisense HS218 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Hisense HS218 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Hisense HS218 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked

App 
 

App image  

Hisense HS218 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-A550 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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App Name  

Locked

iOS  

Locked

Android  

Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HS218
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HS218
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Hisense HS218

Samsung HW-A550

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Hisense HS218 vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion

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