Samsung HW-Q800A vs HW-A650: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-A650

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Mar 12, 2025 10:26 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:51 PM

Samsung HW-Q800A Picture

Samsung HW-A650 Picture

Channels 3.1.2

Channels 3.1

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-A650

The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the Samsung HW-A650. The HW-Q800A supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has better soundstage and surround performances, and it supports more wireless playback options.

Variants

HW-Q800A (Black)

HW-A650 (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q800A Review

See Samsung HW-A650 Review

Check Price

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Samsung HW-Q800A Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Samsung HW-Q800A Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

Samsung HW-Q800A Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

Samsung HW-Q800A In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Samsung HW-Q800A Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Samsung HW-Q800A Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Samsung HW-Q800A Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Samsung HW-Q800A Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A THD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 THD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Samsung HW-Q800A Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Samsung HW-Q800A Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Samsung HW-Q800A Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Samsung HW-Q800A H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

N/A

Std. Err.

Lock dB

N/A

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

N/A

Show Text

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

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

Samsung HW-Q800A Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

ARC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Optical

Lock ms

Lock ms

Full HDMI In

Lock ms

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

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

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Samsung HW-Q800A Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Samsung HW-Q800A Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Samsung HW-Q800A Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-A650 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-A650

Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-A650

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Samsung HW-Q800A vs Samsung HW-A650: Main Discussion

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