Products
Samsung HW-Q800A
Samsung HW-A550
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:41 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Channels
3.1.2
Channels
2.1
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q800A
Samsung HW-A550
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the Samsung HW-A550. The HW-Q800A is a better built 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Also, it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
Variants
- HW-Q800A (Black)
- HW-A550 (Black)
Check Price
Black
HW-Q800A
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Amazon.com
Black
HW-A550
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Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800A
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Walmart.com
Black
HW-A550
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Black
HW-Q800A
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B&H
Black
HW-A550
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Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q800A
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BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A550
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B&H
Black
HW-Q800A
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Black
HW-A550
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Samsung.com
Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.1
7.1
Height (Atmos)
5.9
0.0
Center
8.5
5.9
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.9
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.6" (98.0 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Depth
4.5" (11.5 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.0" (20.4 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
15.8" (40.1 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Depth
15.8" (40.1 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.62
-0.58
Std. Err.
2.49 dB
2.35 dB
Channels
3.1.2
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
3
Slope
-0.56
-0.12
Std. Err.
2.46 dB
1.96 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.1 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
8.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.57 dB
0.55 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
6.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
1.08
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.40
6.15
Center
8.5
5.9
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
0.52
-1.63
Std. Err.
2.49 dB
4.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.37
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.34
3.08
Surround 5.1
4.7
3.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.43
-1.68
Std. Err.
2.13 dB
4.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.59
2.22
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.9
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported
Slope
0.35
N/A
Std. Err.
4.25 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
83.3 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.05
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.76
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
6.7
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
7.1
eARC
Yes
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
Yes
DTS:X (eARC only)
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
Yes
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
6.4
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA
Yes
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
8.9
7.0
Latency Video
ARC
31 ms
104 ms
Optical
38 ms
77 ms
Full HDMI In
-32 ms
77 ms
Wireless Playback
9.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
Yes
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
Samsung.com
Black
HW-A550
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Samsung HW-Q800A
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Samsung HW-Q800A vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion
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