Quick Specs
Our Verdict
Prosnn Smooth and balanced soundn Lateral surround effectsn Incredible sound powern Outstanding subwoofer responsiveness, accuracy and powernnConsnn Tiny display, no interface on the TV.n Does not support 4K/120 Hz
How We Prepared This Review
Prepared by our editorial team using first-party product research and buyer-focused editorial analysis before publication.
- Our editorial team structures the review around buyer-relevant strengths, weaknesses, and specifications.
- We aim for clear section coverage and practical verdict reasoning rather than generic product copy.
- Affiliate links are handled separately from the editorial verdict.
Affiliate links never determine our verdicts. Commercial relationships are disclosed separately from the editorial assessment.
Pros
- Smooth and balanced sound
- Lateral surround effects
- Incredible sound power
- Outstanding subwoofer responsiveness, accuracy and power
Cons
- Tiny display, no interface on the TV.
- Does not support 4K/120 Hz streams and VRR.
Overview
Connectivity
The HW-Q800B has a relatively limited range of coections, but fortunately, it concentrates on the essentials. There is an eARC-compatible HDMI output, an HDMI input and an optical S/PDIF input. However, there is no trace of a mini-jack input or a USB port. The bar also has Bluetooth connectivity with a latency of 180ms.nThe bar can handle just about anything you send, from simple Dolby Digital or DTS Digital Surround to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via multi-chael LPCM. It can also receive Dolby Atmos streams from a compatible Samsung TV (only some models in the 2022 range) via a wifi link. The Q-Symphony feature, which allows you to use the TV's speakers (only with compatible Samsung TVs) and the bar, is also included. The HW-Q800B caot stream 4K/120 Hz and VRR.
Audio
With no less than 11 speakers, the HW-Q800B is a 5.1.2 chael sound bar. It has four listening modes: Adaptive, Surround, Gaming and Standard. The latter is the most convincing, as it does not apply post-processing.nIn Standard mode, the HW-Q800B offers a well-balanced and particularly transparent sound that is equally suited to films/series and music content. The bar reproduces each timbre with breathtaking precision: the harmonic distortion measurement curve indicates this. As for the voices, they are always clear and intelligible, even during very dynamic and element-laden scenes.It's now standard practice at Samsung, but we're still amazed by the considerable power the South Korean manufacturer's soundbars can deploy. The HW-Q800B is no exception, with its incredible dynamics and delirious power, which can prove treacherous because, if the sound rendering is pleasant and soft at moderate volume, it becomes a little more aggressive as the volume increases, especially on musical content.As for the subwoofer, it's still a model of responsiveness and gives the bar excellent foundation and depth that's perfect for explosions or other rumblings. Like the bar, it also has phenomenal power, enough to shake the walls.The SpaceFit Sound auto-calibration feature has evolved with this new generation of bars. Previously, coecting the bar to a Samsung TV was necessary to get a customised calibration for your listening room. The HW-Q800B now has a built-in microphone that allows it to calibrate itself. However, we didn't notice any improvement or even a change in the sound quality.
CONCLUSIO
Ready to Purchase?
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure: Truthful Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Amazon EU Associates Programme, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. This means if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our independent testing and honest reviews. Our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships.