Vizio V Series V21-H8 vs Samsung HW-B550

Which Soundbar Is Better?

Products

Vizio V Series V21-H8
Samsung HW-B550

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:36 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 14, 2025 08:37 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Vizio
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Samsung

Our Verdict

Vizio V Series V21-H8

Samsung HW-B550

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Vizio V Series V21-H8 or the Samsung HW-B550. They're both 2.1 bars at budget-friendly prices. The Vizio is best for fans of bass-heavy music—it reproduces more low-bass and adds more boom and punch to the mix right out of the box. The Samsung is more balanced out-of-the-box but has more customization tools, like a graphic EQ. You can add more boom in the high-bass with these features, but unfortunately, the Samsung soundbar still doesn't get the rumble in the low-bass like the Vizio.

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Variants

  • V21 H8 (Black)
  • V21 H8R (Black)
  • HW-B550 (Black)

Check Price

Black
V21 H8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V21 H8R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-B550
B&H
 
Black
HW-B550
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-B550
Samsung.com
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Style photo - bar Sample

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Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Style photo - sub Sample

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Style photo - satellites Sample

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Dimensions photo - bar 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)
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Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Dimensions photo - sub 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  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Samsung HW-B550 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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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  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Build quality photo Sample

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio V Series V21-H8 In The Box photo  Sample

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Samsung HW-B550 In The Box photo  Sample

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Stereo Setup Sample

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Raw Frequency Response  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Raw Frequency Response Sample

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Frequency Response Small  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Frequency Response Small Sample

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Crosstalk Sample

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 THD Sample

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Center Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Frequency Response 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  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Surround Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Frequency Response 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  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 H Frequency Response 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  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

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/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 ARC Latency Video Sample

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Latency Video  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Latency Video Sample

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Optical Latency Video Sample

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
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 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Controls photo Sample

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Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio V Series V21-H8 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Samsung HW-B550 Remote photo Sample

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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
V21 H8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V21 H8R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-B550
B&H
 
Black
HW-B550
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-B550
Samsung.com

Vizio V Series V21-H8

Samsung HW-B550

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  1. Comparison

Vizio V Series V21-H8 vs Samsung HW-B550: Main Discussion

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