Welcome to the world of immersive sound with the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar. This sleek and powerful soundbar will transport you to another realm, where every note and every beat comes alive with crystal-clear clarity.
Whether you’re watching your favorite movies, streaming your favorite playlists, or playing intense video games, the Samsung HW-B550 will elevate your audio experience to new heights.
With its impressive build quality and multiple connection options, this soundbar is designed to fit seamlessly into your home entertainment setup. It features HDMI ports, optical and USB-A ports, and even Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming.
And with the DTS Virtual:X mode, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, surrounded by a sound bubble that brings your content to life.
Say goodbye to mediocre TV audio and say hello to the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar. It’s time to take your audio experience to the next level.
Build and Design
The Samsung HW-B550 soundbar is a stylish and durable addition to your home entertainment setup. With a higher build quality than its predecessor, the Samsung HW-B450, it features a sleek metal grille that adds to its robustness.
This soundbar is designed to fit seamlessly into any room decor and offers a modern and sophisticated look. It is perfect for those who desire a high-end audio experience without compromising on style.
The Samsung HW-B550 is built to last and provides a solid and reliable performance. Its sleek design and sturdy build make it a great choice for those looking for a soundbar that delivers excellent sound quality and adds a touch of elegance to their living space.
Features and Specifications
Experience enhanced sound quality and easy connectivity with this soundbar’s multiple connection options and balanced audio output. Isn’t it time you upgraded your home entertainment system?
- Two HDMI ports (one ARC input and one ARC output), optical and USB-A ports provide a variety of connection options, allowing you to connect your devices effortlessly.
- The soundbar offers a balanced sound quality, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite movies and music with clarity and depth.
- With its easy-to-handle design and excellent array of connections, this soundbar is a perfect addition to your home theater setup.
Upgrade your audio experience with the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar and enjoy immersive sound in your home.
Setup and Installation
This soundbar offers multiple connection options, including two HDMI ports (one ARC input and one ARC output), and optical and USB-A ports. The HDMI input supports 1080p/120Hz streams but not 4K or HDR, and there is no support for VRR.
The onboard features and controls are identical to the Samsung HW-B450, with the return screen moved to the right of the bar and a restricted display area. Bluetooth use is seamless, with no disconnections experienced and equivalent latency to the Samsung HW-B450.
In terms of audio quality, the subwoofer is demonstrative and intrusive, but the bass precision could be improved. The lack of smoothness in the low midrange affects source distinction and the intelligibility of dialogue.
The DTS Virtual:X mode creates an immersive sound bubble around the listening position, but the rendering is completely distorted. It is recommended to use the standard mode for optimal enjoyment.
Overall, the Samsung HW-B550 offers better performance than built-in TV audio and is easy to handle with an excellent array of connections.
Audio Performance
Immerse yourself in the audio performance of the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar and feel the power of its demonstrative subwoofer and immersive DTS Virtual:X mode.
The subwoofer delivers a strong presence, although it may sometimes be a bit intrusive. To enhance your listening experience, you can lower the subwoofer level for a more pleasant rendering. However, the bass precision could be improved, and there is a slight lack of smoothness in the low midrange, affecting the distinction of different sources.
The intelligibility of dialogue also suffers, and there is an audible distortion peak around 10 kHz. While the DTS Virtual:X mode creates an immersive sound bubble around your listening position, the effects can extend beyond the physical limits of the soundbar, resulting in distorted rendering. It is recommended to use the standard mode for optimal enjoyment.
Overall, the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar offers better performance than built-in TV audio and provides an excellent array of connections for easy handling.
Comparison to Sonos Beam
This powerhouse outperforms the Sonos Beam in terms of connectivity and audio performance.
The Samsung HW-B550 offers a wide range of connectivity options, including two HDMI ports (one ARC input and one ARC output) and optical and USB-A ports. This ensures that you can easily connect all your devices and enjoy a seamless audio experience.
While the Sonos Beam may have a sleek design, the Samsung HW-B550 boasts a higher build quality with its metal grille. This adds to its aesthetic appeal and ensures increased robustness, making it a durable choice for long-term use.
In terms of audio quality, the Samsung HW-B550 delivers balanced sound with a subwoofer that can be adjusted for a more pleasant listening experience. This means you can fine-tune the bass according to your preferences and enjoy a rich, immersive audio experience.
On the other hand, the Sonos Beam may struggle with dialogue intelligibility and bass precision. This can be a drawback for those who prioritize clear and precise audio reproduction.
With its DTS Virtual:X mode, the Samsung HW-B550 creates an immersive sound bubble around the listening position. This surpasses the Sonos Beam in creating an optimal audio experience, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.
Overall, the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar is a worthy investment for those seeking a cinematic audio experience at home. Its superior connectivity options and impressive audio performance make it a standout choice, outperforming the Sonos Beam in various aspects.
Pros and Cons
One notable advantage of the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar is its balanced sound quality, providing an enjoyable audio experience for home entertainment. It offers versatility in connecting to various devices with multiple connection options. The soundbar is easy to handle, making it convenient for setup and use.
However, it falls short in terms of surround effects, which may be indistinguishable to some users. It is considered an entry-level soundbar with minimal features compared to other models. The build quality is higher than the Samsung HW-B450, featuring a metal grille for increased robustness. The weight has also increased, indicating a more solid construction.
It offers two HDMI ports, optical and USB-A ports for connectivity, but lacks support for 4K or HDR. The onboard features and controls remain the same as the Samsung HW-B450, but the display area is restricted. Bluetooth use is smooth without disconnections, and the audio quality is decent, although the subwoofer can be intrusive and may require adjustment.
The DTS Virtual:X mode creates an immersive sound bubble, but the rendering can be completely distorted, suggesting that the standard mode is recommended for optimal enjoyment.
Final Verdict
Overall, you’ll be blown away by the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar’s performance. It takes your home entertainment to new heights with its balanced sound quality and immersive audio experience.
The soundbar offers multiple connection options, making it easy to handle and compatible with various devices. Its higher build quality and metal grille design provide increased robustness, ensuring durability for long-term use.
The soundbar’s connectivity features, including HDMI ports, optical and USB-A ports, cater to your different needs.
However, it’s important to note that the surround effects may not be as distinguishable as expected, and the soundbar is considered an entry-level model with minimal features.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar is a solid choice to enhance your home entertainment setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Samsung HW-B550 be wall-mounted?
Yes, the Samsung HW-B550 can be wall-mounted. It includes a mounting kit, allowing you to easily and securely attach it to your wall for a sleek and space-saving setup.
Does the Samsung HW-B550 support Dolby Atmos?
No, the Samsung HW-B550 does not support Dolby Atmos. It offers DTS Virtual:X for enhanced surround sound, but if you’re specifically looking for Dolby Atmos, you may need to consider other soundbar options. Check out our Dolby Atmos soundbar reviews.
Can the Samsung HW-B550 be connected to a gaming console?
Yes, you can connect the Samsung HW-B550 soundbar to a gaming console. It offers multiple connection options, including HDMI and optical ports, making it compatible with gaming consoles for an enhanced audio experience.
Is the Samsung HW-B550 compatible with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant?
No, the Samsung HW-B550 is not compatible with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. It is an entry-level soundbar with minimal features and does not have smart home capabilities.
Does the Samsung HW-B550 come with a remote control?
Yes, the Samsung HW-B550 comes with a remote control. It allows you to easily control the soundbar and adjust settings such as volume, bass boost, and surround sound mode.
